Mooar is the assistant coach of the Canterbury Crusaders in New Zealand and will replace Wayne Pivac when he takes over the national side after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The 44-year-old has also been head coach at Mitre10 Cup outfit Southland Stags as well as attack and backs coach with South African sides Eastern Province Kings and the Southern Kings.
The experienced coach leads on team attack as well as strategy and tactics at the Crusaders. Away from the rugby field Mooar is a qualified solicitor and was admitted as barrister and solicitor to High Court of New Zealand in 1997.
He has been hailed for his inspirational leadership and excellent management skills.
“I got a phone call saying there was an opportunity at the Scarlets and they were keen to have a chat,” he said.
“I thought it sounded like a good idea to build relationships and have a chat with people to see what’s going on.
“I met Wayne Pivac previously and new a bit about Scarlets. They’re an outstanding club with a great history so they ticked a lot of boxes for me.
“Most teams want to win but have they got the off-field structure, resource, provision and leadership in place to be able to drive through towards those aspirations. That was a massive part of the decision making that made Scarlets a really attractive proposition for myself and my wife.
“They’ve won a title and been in the semi-final of the European Cup. He’s also really built an excellent management team and squad.
“It’s a really strong position to kick on. I’m going in with my eyes wide open and I know there will be pressure of leading this team and the club.
“I am really excited to work with some great people and to give them the support they need to thrive and be the best they can be.”
And Mooar confirmed he will be looking to carry on the Scarlets’ tradition of playing fast and open rugby.
He said: “Right throughout their history the Scarlets have been willing to use the ball and play what’s in front of them.
“It’s a really exciting brand and that’s what I’m about as well. Wherever the space is that’s where we need to attack whether that’s through the hands or using a kicking game.
“That’s an exciting opportunity with the squad we’ve got. That doesn’t mean to say that during certain parts of the game we won’t go to the air or go long down the field.
“I want a really balanced side and a side that’s able to dominate at set pieces to get great ball and also spoil the oppositions ball. I also want a back-line that’s able to play multiple game-plan’s and execute the opportunities that come up.
“On the other side of the ball we need to be a side that’s really happy playing for each other and wants to work really hard in defence to dominate the opposition so that we get the ball back really quickly.”
