23 Sep 2016

Blues find forwards coach

10:10 am on 23 September 2016

The North Harbour head coach Steve Jackson has been appointed as assistant coach for the Blues for next year's Super Rugby competition.

The new Blues forwards coach Steve Jackson.

The new Blues forwards coach Steve Jackson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jackson will be the team's forwards coach, joining Alastair Rogers and head coach Tana Umaga at the Blues.

He'll start his new role at the conclusion of the Mitre 10 Cup next month.

"Steve will fill the position of forwards coach and joins Alastair who is responsible for our defensive patterns and I will focus on our attack," said Umaga.

Blues high performance manager Tony Hanks said Jackson was the standout among a group of high calibre candidates.

"We were impressed with the competence of a group of excellent candidates for the role, and also by both the quality of their presentations and clarity of the role," Hanks said.

Jackson is unbeaten as coach of the Blues Development since 2014 and was Head Coach of the Blues 10s team that won the inaugural World Club Tens in Singapore. Jackson has worked closely with many of the young pathway players coming into the club.

He was a former New Zealand schools and New Zealand Maori representative originally from Auckland.

He played for Tasman, Auckland, North Harbour and Southland where he captained the side before moving into coaching.

Jackson says he's excited to be joining the Blues.

"To coach in Super Rugby is what I have been working towards. Clearly I have a real stake in rugby in the Blues region and this is where I want to coach as a first option," Jackson said.