Mike McClennan

Michael James McClennan (26 January 1944 – October 2019) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer and coach who played for the New Zealand national team And Michael was also known as one of the top Rugby League Coaches and Mentors of his decade.

Mike McClennan
Personal information
Full nameMichael James McClennan
Born(1944-01-26)26 January 1944
DiedOctober 2019 (2019-11) (aged 75)
Playing information
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
PositionFullback and centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
19–70 Ponsonby
1971–?? Mount Wellington
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Auckland
1971 New Zealand 2
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1980–1988 Mt Albert Lions 5 Fox Memorial Shield wins
1989 Northcote Tigers 1 Fox Memorial Shield and 1 Lion Red Cup
1990–1993 St. Helens 1 Grand Final Win Super League
Total 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1995 Tonga

Background

He is the father of Brian McClennan.

Playing career

McClennan played in the Auckland Rugby League premiership for the Ponsonby Ponies and represented the New Zealand national rugby league team in two Tests in 1971. He won the Tetley Trophy in 1970 as leading try-scorer in the Auckland Rugby League competition.

Coaching career

During the 1980s McClennan coached the Mt Albert Lions to six Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial Grand finals, winning five.[1] He was also the New Zealand national rugby league team assistant coach under Graham Lowe. In 1989 he moved to Northcote and won the Fox Memorial with them that year. In 1990 he was appointed the St. Helens head coach. He coached the team between February 1990 and December 1993.

McClennan also was the coach of the Tonga team at the 1995 World Cup. Tonga failed to win a match at the World Cup but earned respect after they narrowly lost to the New Zealand team by a single point. He was also the Auckland Warriors assistant coach in 1999.[2]

In 2000 he served as the technical advisor to the South Africa team at the 2000 World Cup.[3][4][5]

Disappearance and death

McClennan suffered from dementia and disappeared from his rest home at Orewa on 16 October 2019.[6] His body was discovered six days later, on 22 October.[6][7]

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References
  1. Coffey and Wood The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League ISBN 1-86971-090-8
  2. New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998. p. 58
  3. South Africa, bbc.co.uk; accessed 29 February 2016.
  4. Rhinos aim to break duck bbc.co.uk, 17 October 2000; accessed 29 February 2016.
  5. South Africa, sportinglife.com; accessed 29 February 2016.
  6. Thomas, Jackson (23 October 2019). "Rugby league world in mourning for Mike McClennan, 75, whose body was found on Tuesday". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  7. "Mike McClennan death notice". New Zealand Herald. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Alex Murphy		 St. Helens head coach
February 1990 – December 1993		 Succeeded by
Eric Hughes
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