Scrivener said there was a little pressure to back up the good work of Sampson who led the team to a home grand final. Photo: Supplied by Canberra Vikings.
The Former assistant coach of the Brumbies and Wallabies, Nick Scrivener, will take the helm as the Canberra Vikings coach for the National Rugby Championship after the Vikings announced their coaching team on Friday morning.
Canberra Vikings will be steered by a panel of highly experienced coaches for the upcoming NRC, announcing Marco Caputo as the assistant coach and Daniel Hooper to manage the team’s defence.
Scrivener will take the place of former head coach Tim Sampson and brings a wealth of experience which includes head coaching positions with Edinburgh Rugby and the Australian Rugby National Academy.
The current coaching director of the Tuggeranong Vikings believes the Canberra Vikings have assembled a very strong coaching team.
“I think we’ve assembled a very strong coaching team and support staff, the majority of which were around last year, so there is a bit of collaboration between some of the Brumbies staff and ourselves.”
“I think we’ve got a really good balance and strong coaching group.”
Marco Caputo will be another fresh face around the club with the former Wallaby and Gungahlin Eagles club legend joining the club as assistant coach. Daniel Hooper will retain his spot as the defence coach after helping guide the team to the grand final last year.
Canberra Vikings made it all the way to the grand final last season. Photo Supplied by Canberra Vikings
Scrivener said there was a little pressure to back up the good work of Sampson who led the team to a home grand final but said the team will have to add more things to their game if are to repeat last year’s performance.
“If we rely on what happened last year, we probably won’t achieve what we want to,” he said.
“We have got to take the good bits out of last year in terms of the environment and the preparation and all those sorts of things and add a bit because the competition certainly won’t stand still.”
Scrivener said the local John I Dent Cup is a great platform for local players to put their hand up for selection and should be on notice for the rest of the season.
“Canberra’s John I Dent Cup is a really strong competition and showcases a lot of rugby talent. The local competition must always be an important part of the player’s pathway to the Canberra Vikings and ultimately the Brumbies and beyond,” he said.
“The coaching team look forward to watching local talent in the John I Dent Cup and will also be working with the Brumbies towards the end of the season in the selection of the final squad.”
Team Manager, Denzil Fox and Head of Performance, Byron Field also form part of the coaching staff for 2018.
Coaches will announce the squad mid this year, with the NRC competition kicking off early September.
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