Brian McClennan

Infobox rugby league biography
new = yes
playername = Brian McClennan

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image_size= 150px
country = New Zealand
caption =
fullname = Brian McClennan
nickname = Bluey, young Brian BlueBoy
living = yes
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1962|2|16|df=yes
placeofbirth = Auckland
countryofbirth = New Zealand
dateofdeath =
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currentclub = leagueicon|Leeds|size=16 Leeds Rhinos Head Coach
clubnumber =
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appearances1 =
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teamA =
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yearAend =
appearancesA =
triesA =
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coachyear1start = 1998
coachyear1end = xxxx
coachteam1 = leagueicon|New Zealand|size=16 Hibiscus Coast
coachgames1 =
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coachdraws1 =
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premierships1 =
coachyear2start = xxxx
coachyear2end = 2006
coachteam2 = leagueicon|New Zealand|size=16 Mt Albert Lions
coachgames2 =
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premierships2 =
coachyear3start = 2008
coachyear3end =
coachteam3 = leagueicon|Leeds|size=16 Leeds Rhinos
coachgames3 = 28
coachwins3 = 21
coachdraws3 = 0
coachlosses3 = 7
coachwin%3 = 75
premierships3 = 0
coachyearAstart = 2005
coachyearAend = 2007
coachteamA = leagueicon|New Zealand|size=16 New Zealand
coachgamesA = 16
coachwinsA = 7
coachdrawsA = 0
coachlossesA = 9
coachwin%A = 78
updated = 11 August, 2008
source = [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Brian_McClennan.html Rugby League Project]

Brian McClennan is a Rugby League coach, currently head coach of the Leeds Rhinos and former coach of the New Zealand rugby league team.

The son of former St Helens coach Mike McClennan, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/5002428.stm Brian McClennan Q&A "BBC Sport" 26 May 2006] ] born in Auckland McClennan played stand-off before becoming a coach. McClennan often goes by the nickname "Bluey"

He coached the Hibiscus Coast Raiders and Mt Albert Lions to championships in the Bartercard Cup, and was then assistant coach for the Kiwis under Daniel Anderson. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/nz-coach-seeking-glory-to-leave-adversity-behind/2005/10/13/1128796651457.html NZ coach seeking glory to leave adversity behind "Sydney Morning Herald" October 14, 2005] ]

Despite this, his appointment in June 2005 as national coach of New Zealand was controversial, mainly because he had no top-level experience in Australia or Great Britain. [Ibid] However, he led New Zealand to an upset triumph in the 2005 Gillette Rugby League Tri-Nations series. New Zealand won the series final against Australia 24-0 at Elland Road, England. It was Australia's first defeat in a series or tournament since 1978.

In 2006 he coached the Auckland Lions to the minor premiership in the Bartercard Cup. However the Kiwis lost both mid-season tests to the Kangaroos and Lions. In 2007 he served as Director of Football to help the Auckland Lions prepare for their entrance into the NSWRL Premier League before leaving to concentrate on the Kiwis for the rest of the season. [ [http://www.skytv.co.nz/index.cfm?pageid=703 Auckland Lions "Sky TV" 2007] ] In mid 2007 reports emerged that he was looking for a job in the National Rugby League. [ [http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=0&id=2059 Bluey sets sight s on NRL coaching job "infonews.co.nz" 27 May 2007] ]

In July 2007 Leeds Rhinos announced that New Zealand national coach Brian McClennan would be joining the club as Head Coach on a two year contract from 1st December 2007. McClennan subsequently resigned as national coach, his position taken up by Gary Kemble in August 2007. In his first season as coach, the Rhino's won the 2008 World Club Challenge, beating Melbourne Storm 11-4 at Elland Road. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7263513.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Leeds 11-4 Melbourne ] ]

He coached Leeds to the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-04|accessdate=2008-10-05]

References

External links

* [http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/Coaching/coach-page.asp?ID=172 Leeds profile]