Australian Phil Mooney to coach Otago

Former Queensland rugby coach Phil Mooney has been appointed to coach Otago in the Air NZ Cup for the next two years.

He replaces Steve Martin, who resigned this year after Otago finished 10th in the 14-team competition.

Mooney, who coached Queensland from 2007 until this year, has also coached the Australian A and Australian under-19 teams, and currently has a role as a skills coach with the Brisbane Broncos National Rugby league club.

Otago chief executive Richard Reid today said that under a new structure, part of the Australian's role would be to coach coaches with a view to ensuring Otago were well placed in the future.

"He has skills and experience that made him the outstanding candidate for the position and it's up to him now to pass on that expertise to both coaches and players," Reid said.

"While it's unusual for an Australian to be appointed to such a high profile coaching role in New Zealand, the determining factor was that we needed the best person for the job in the interests of all who have a passion for Otago rugby. "

It is yet to be determined when Mooney will begin his new job but he is expected to settle in Dunedin in February.