'At home' Hurricanes coach Laidlaw signs contract extension

Clark Laidlaw seen before their game at McLean Oval last weekend.
Clark Laidlaw seen before their game at McLean Oval last weekend.Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images via AFP

Clark Laidlaw extended his coaching contract with New Zealand's Wellington Hurricanes into a fourth year Thursday with the Scot saying, "there's loads to develop".

The 48-year-old has led the Super Rugby club to a semi-final and a qualifying final over the past two seasons, and guided them to the top of this year's standings after five rounds.

"I really feel like I'm at home here. We play a brand of rugby that really fits with my thinking on the game," said Laidlaw, who became a New Zealand citizen.

"I'm a couple years in, but I still think there's loads to develop, loads for me to be better at, loads for the team to grow into, and this is the place I want to do that."

Laidlaw, who played more than 90 times for Scotland's Sevens team, previously coached the All Blacks Sevens.

Success runs in the family. His father, Roy, won a Grand Slam with Scotland in 1984, the year after touring New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions.

His cousin, Greig, also a Lions tourist to New Zealand in 2017, played more than 70 Tests in the famous blue Scottish shirt, many as captain.

The Hurricanes meet the Otago Highlanders on Friday.

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