Head Coach Dai Flanagan has vowed to continue growing a learning environment for players and coaches at Dragons RFC – and revealed how former New Zealand Assistant Coach Brad Mooar was recently in camp to support that drive.
Flanagan and Mooar previously worked together at Scarlets and the pair were reunited last week at Ystrad Mynach as preparations for South Africa and the second block of fixtures in the BKT United Rugby Championship kicked off for the Men of Gwent.
Flanagan spoke after the Zebre victory at Rodney Parade of his desire to reassess after the first block of league action, stating: “I'm learning all the time and I'll make sure I get advice from people I trust.”
And he continued that work by bringing in trusted friend and former colleague Mooar into the club.
“It’s a fresh pair of eyes on our environment from someone who has worked at the very top table with the All Blacks. To get his feedback has been great,” said Flanagan.
“We want to the best we can be, and we will be bringing people into the environment who can enhance us. Brad is hopefully the first of many.
“We’re all on a journey together and we’re all trying to develop - I challenge the players daily to get better and myself and the coaches to get better.
“The opportunity arose for Brad to spend a week with us and, as I spoke about after the Zebre game, it is important that I’m getting better and making sure I am across all aspects.
“I’m keen to get more people in and Brad is the first of many. It was great to have that feedback, it is very neutral with no agenda behind it. He says what he sees, and I am sure we will be better for it.
Mooar, who has recently spent time in other coaching environments in the USA and England, added: “It’s great to connect with Dai, who is doing a great job, and see him operating. It’s a great learning environment at the club.
“Dai is a learner with a massive growth mindset, so it was a good opportunity to share some ideas.
“We always talk as coaches about players being able to take ownership of things on the field and you can see that is the environment that has been set up here to grow that.
“It’s been fantastic to meet some guys you have only played or coached against, to learn a bit more about them and their journeys has been superb. It’s been a privilege and an enjoyable week with Dragons.”
Click below to watch the Dragons TV interview with Dai and Brad on the week spent together…
