Brian McClennan Name Brian McClennan      Position Head Coach Date of Birth 16/02/1962 Place of Birth New Zealand Previous Club New Zealand Honours -     Leeds Career : Former New Zealand national coach Brian McClennan took over from Tony Smith as the Rhinos Head Coach ahead of the 2008 Super League season. With New Zealand he achieved a number of accolades and was recognised for these when he was named International Coach of the Year. He is only the second New Zealander to coach Leeds following on from Dean Bell, who coached Leeds from 1996 to 1997. Commenting on becoming Leeds Rhinos Head Coach, McClennan added, “It is a tremendous honour for me to be appointed coach of the Leeds Rhinos. Leeds is a founder club of Rugby League with a wonderful heritage. “I am really looking forward to the home games at the famous Headingley Carnegie Stadium. I have witnessed first hand the loyal Leeds supporters in full voice when I attended a home game in 2006. What a wonderful experience seeing the bond that the fans have with their club. “I would like to acknowledge Tony Smith. He has done a fantastic job in setting up a world-class programme, which has provided the foundation for the Rhinos success. I wish him all the very best with the Great Britain team. “I am really looking forward to working with such a talented group of players and also forming strong relationships with the coaching staff. “My wife Julie were here in 2005 when I was coaching the Kiwis. She enjoyed her time in the city of Leeds. Julie and I, our three children Regan (7) and twins Daniel and Katie (5), are all very excited about making Leeds our new home.” Rugby Career : During McClennan’s time in charge of the Kiwis, New Zealand has recorded a host of historic victories. They beat Australia in Sydney for the first time since 1959, when Rhinos’ star Clinton Toopi scored a hat trick, and ended the Kangaroos 27 year dominance of international Rugby League in the same year with their victory in the 2005 Tri Nations Final at Elland Road. That game also marked the first time that New Zealand had defeated Australia twice in a year since 1953 with the 24-0 win being the widest ever winning margin for New Zealand over Australia and the first time they had nilled their neighbours since 1985. In 2005, the Kiwis also recorded their highest away score against Great Britain and in 2006 their highest home score. He has previously coached the Hibiscus Coast Raiders and Mt Albert Lions to championships in the Bartercard Cup in New Zealand. The Hibicus Coast Raiders had been in the third division in Auckland’s club competition when McClennan took over. Three years later, they had won promotion into Auckland’s First Division. In 2001, they won the National Bartercard Cup competition. McClennan succeeded current St Helens coach Daniel Anderson in June 2005 to become National coach having previously been assistant. In 2006, he coached the Auckland Lions to their third consecutive victory in the National Bartercard Cup and was named International Coach of the Year after taking New Zealand to their second consecutive Tri Nations Final. Personal Details : He is the son of former St Helens coach Mike McClennan, whose nickname back in New Zealand was BlueMax, Brian’s friends consequently called him young Brian BlueBoy, a nickname that has remained to this day but shortened to just Bluey nowadays. To return to the main coach profiles page click here.