Clark Laidlaw Explained

Birth Date:16 July 1977
Birth Place:Scotland
Repsevensyears1:2001–2007
Repsevenscomp1:93
Coachyears1:2024-present
Coachyears2:2017–2023
Coachyears3:2015–2016
Coachyears4:2013–2015
Coachteams1:Hurricanes (head coach)
Coachteams2:New Zealand 7s (head coach)
Coachteams3:London Irish (assistant coach)
Coachteams4:Hurricanes (assistant coach)

Clark Laidlaw (born 16 July 1977) is a Scottish professional rugby union coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Hurricanes. Laidlaw was formerly the All Blacks Sevens Head Coach before stepping down in 2023.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Biography

Laidlaw is the son of former British & Irish Lions and Scotland international rugby union player Roy Laidlaw. His cousin, Greig Laidlaw, also represented the British & Irish Lions and Scotland.[6] He represented Scotland internationally in sevens and moved to New Zealand in 2008.

Coaching Career

Laidlaw became the Skills Coach for Taranaki in 2010 then became the Skills Coach and Video Analyst with the New Zealand sevens team under Sir Gordon Tietjens from 2010 to 2012. He made the move back to the 15-aside game, as the Assistant Coach of the Hurricanes from 2013 to 2015. He was also Assistant Coach of the London Irish.[7] [8]

In 2018, a year after becoming Head Coach of the All Blacks Sevens, New Zealand won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.[9]

In 2020, Laidlaw guided the All Blacks Sevens to win the World Rugby Sevens Series and in 2021, a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.[10] [11]

In 2023 it was announced that Laidlaw would be stepping down as the All Blacks Sevens head coach and joining the Hurricanes as head coach from 2024.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Strang. Ben. 2017-01-21. New NZ Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw says he's a Kiwi when it comes to rugby. 2022-02-13. Stuff. en.
  2. Web site: 21 January 2020. Laidlaw talks sevens, New Zealand and Scotland. 2022-02-13. Scottish Rugby Union. en.
  3. Web site: 2016-11-16. Clark Laidlaw to become New Zealand Sevens Head Coach. 2022-02-13. London Irish. en.
  4. Web site: 2016-11-17. Clark Laidlaw appointed Head Coach of All Blacks Sevens. 2022-02-13. RUGBY HEARTLAND. en-US.
  5. Web site: 2023-05-31. Rugby: Incoming Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw open to helping All Blacks Sevens in Olympics build-up. 2024-02-15. Newshub. en-US.
  6. Web site: 12 December 2017. Clark Laidlaw in sevens heaven with All Blacks. 2022-02-13. www.scotsman.com. en.
  7. Web site: 2015-03-03. Laidlaw to join London Irish. 2022-02-13. Hurricanes. en.
  8. News: 3 March 2015. Doorey and Laidlaw join London Irish. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2022-02-13.
  9. Web site: Jones. Christopher. 2020-01-23. NZ coach Laidlaw: No second chances at Hamilton World Sevens. 2022-02-13. ESPN.com. en.
  10. Web site: Shannon. Kris. 28 July 2021. Silver for NZ: Fantastic Fiji too good for All Blacks Sevens in final. 2022-02-13. NZ Herald. en-NZ.
  11. Web site: 2021-07-28. Tokyo Olympics rugby sevens: Fiji claim gold, as NZ settle for silver. 2022-02-13. RNZ. en-nz.