• Alama Ieremia closes his chapter with Auckland NPC team.
• Holding a tenure of five seasons leading the Blue and White Hoops to four Semi-Finals and two finals appearances and an NPC title.
• NPC Assistant Coach for the last 3 years, Craig McGrath will take on Head Coach role for the 2023 NPC season.

Auckland Rugby acknowledges and thanks NPC Head Coach Alama Ieremia for his leadership of the NPC team, as the former All Black looks forward to the next chapter in his coaching career, after five seasons leading the Blue and White Hoops to four Semi-Finals, two home Finals and an NPC title*.

Ieremia joined the NPC coaching team in 2018, winning the NPC title in his maiden season against Canterbury in front of over 20,000 of the Auckland Rugby community, going on to win Coach of the Year at the New Zealand Rugby Awards.

Auckland Rugby CEO Jarrod Bear has acknowledged the depth to which Ieremia has contributed to the union.

“I thank Alama for his mahi and leadership across our organisation. People are familiar with Alama’s work with our NPC team over the last five seasons; Alama has also built valuable relationships across our rugby whānau and has contributed to building our organisation’s values which frames how Auckland Rugby operates.”

Ieremia believes the people surrounding him have been vital to his time at the union.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time being part of the Auckland Rugby whānau. The connections I have made with the players, management and staff will be something I will hold for a long time to come as they have made me a better person and a better coach – I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

Creating clear, high-performance pathways for Auckland players and coaches has been a focus and Ieremia has given over 54 Auckland Rugby players opportunities to make their debut for Auckland and several former Auckland players have progressed their coaching careers with Auckland.

2022 doubled as a transition year for newly appointed NPC Head Coach Craig McGrath.

“Craig has been within the Auckland coaching team for three seasons and has developed into a great leader for this team. I do not doubt that he will be able to build a solid platform for these men to perform from,” said Ieremia.

McGrath joined Auckland Rugby in 2019 after building his coaching experience starting at club and then in professional rugby teams overseas. The Waitemata Rugby Club Centurion is also with the Blues as an Assistant Coach.

“I’ve enjoyed being back home and working with a good group of coaches and players. Alama created a great culture through his time as Head Coach, and I’m looking forward to building on that”, says McGrath.

Ieremia is looking forward to spending the festive season with his Wellington-based children.

“I have loved my time in Auckland, but I’m looking forward to spending some time with my children and recharging the batteries before focusing on the next coaching venture in the new year”.

*Auckland’s 2021 NPC campaign was halted due to Covid restrictions.