Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan. Photo: Photosport
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has extended his contract with the Super Rugby Pacific leaders through to 2026.
Under McMillan, the Chiefs have made their best start to any Super Rugby season, sitting atop the standings with a seven-from-seven record.
It continues their fine form since the former Bay of Plenty coach took the reins from Warren Gatland in 2021.
His side reached the Super Rugby Aotearoa final that year and followed it with a semi-final appearance in Super Rugby Pacific in 2022.
McMillan, who is also the Māori All Blacks head coach, said his decision to remain at the Hamilton-based franchise was an easy one to make.
"We have an incredible staff, coaching and management team, and playing roster who are aspirational and care deeply about the people and region we represent," he said in a statement.
"It is rewarding to work in this organisation. My family and I are grateful for the opportunity to keep playing a part in it.
"We have a very young squad who have been through some adversity, learned some valuable lessons, and that is serving us well now and will do into the future. We are well advanced in our recruitment for the years ahead and I am excited to be a part of that journey."
Chiefs chief executive Simon Graafhuis was pleased to complete negotiations with McMillan and cement his future for three more season.
"We are obviously extremely pleased with the early contract extension with Clayton. He is a fantastic coach and individual who we believe will have a significant impact," he said.
"Having world-class people in the Chiefs organisation is crucial for our future success. Clayton and his coaching team have a unique ability to create a connection and special culture within the playing group and management team.
"We are starting to see the benefit of consistency of coaching group and playing squad, so locking in Clayton and some of the key playing talent provides us with certainty into the future."
McMillan, a former Police Officer, was a successful player in his own right, running out for Bay of Plenty over 100 times before becoming the Steamers' head coach, guiding them to the national provincial championship title in 2019.
In 2017 McMillan became head coach for the Māori All Blacks and last year joined the All Blacks XV coaching team as an assistant coach for their Northern Tour.
- RNZ