David Latta will be the assistant coach of the Otago rugby team in 2010, saying he is over what happened last year.
Latta, who played 161 games for Otago and missed out on the Otago head coaching job to Phil Mooney late last year, was yesterday named the new assistant coach for the side.
Latta said he had no hard feelings about missing out last year, and as soon as he met Mooney it was obvious they shared the same vision and philosophies on rugby.
"I'm excited about the season and ready to go now . . . this is another year.
"Last year was last year, and I want to grow as a coach," Latta said.
"Not all good players become good coaches and I want to prove myself this year by working hard and doing everything I possibly can.
"I want the players to be excited to play for Otago. Every time that their name is read out in the starting XV, it is another opportunity to play for Otago.
"I want them to be really proud to play for the province and get in the XV."
Latta would primarily coach the forwards while Mooney, the head coach, will coach the backs.
The South Otago builder had initially declined any part in the coaching make-up immediately after missing out on the head coaching job.
But after a few months of recovering from the disappointment, Latta said he jumped at the chance to fill the assistant's role when Mooney asked him to.
Latta will continue to live in Balclutha.
He will not coach Otago Country this year.
Mooney said having Latta on the team was great for Otago rugby.
"As soon as I met Dave, it quickly became clear we share the same ideas and thinking about rugby," Mooney said.
"The great thing about Dave coming on board is that I came from the outside and have certain skills.
"Dave is an Otago legend for good reasons and brings some skills to the side, so we can really complement each other.
"If you cut him, he'd bleed blue and gold."
