Culhane appointed Highlanders assistant coach

Southland's Simon Culhane has been appointed assistant coach of Investec Super Rugby franchise the Highlanders.

Culhane, a former All Black, takes up his position with the Highlanders immediately but will continue to co-coach Southland with David Henderson to the end of the 2011 national provincial rugby championship season.

Culhane joins fellow former All Black Jamie Joseph, who was last month named the Highlanders' new coach.
Joseph takes over his new postion after Wellington's national provincial rugby clash this weekend against Otago.

Neil Sorensen, the New Zealand Rugby Union's general manager of professional rugby, welcomed Culhane's appointment.

"Simon is a great fit for the Highlanders and will bring a unique set of leadership and coaching skills to the team," he said.

Culhane has been co-coach of Southland since 2005. He played for Southland when he was picked for the All Blacks in 1995. He has nine caps in his All Black career including six tests.

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