New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson will have a new assistant for their debut in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup this summer following the appointment of former New Zealand Under 21 assistant coach Milton Haig on Thursday.
Haig, who was recently appointed as Counties Manukau's assistant coach, succeeds former All Black Shane Howarth, who has stepped down from the role to focus on his Air New Zealand Cup commitments with defending champions Auckland.
Haig has previously coached the Wanganui provincial side between 2003 and 2007, taking them to the National Provincial Championship Division Three title in his first year in charge and is excited by the prospect of working with the New Zealand Maoris.
"The New Zealand Maori team is held in high regard at home and abroad. I am delighted to be part of the team and look forward to an exciting campaign," Haig said.
New Zealand Maori have replaced two-time champions the Junior All Blacks as New Zealand's representatives in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup, which also features Australia A, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Japan.
The IRB Pacific Nations Cup kicks off on 7 June when Fiji hosts Samoa in Lautoka and Tonga travel to North Harbour Stadium in Albany to face New Zealand Maori, while Japan welcome Australia A to Fukuoka a day later.
