Gary_Mercer

Gary Mercer

Gary Mercer

NZ RL & RU coach and former NZ international rugby league footballer

Gary Ivan Mercer (born 22 June 1966) is a New Zealand rugby league and rugby union coach and former professional rugby league footballer.[1] A New Zealand international representative player, he has spent most of his career in Britain both playing and coaching.[3][4] He is a former defence coach of Glasgow Warriors and a former coach at the SRU working in their Scottish Rugby Academy.[5] As of March 2016, he was the head coach of Biggar RFC.

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Playing career

In his long career he has represented the New Zealand national rugby league team within rugby league and New Zealand Māori sides and has played for the Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Northern, Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers (Heritage No. 789) and Halifax.[6]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Gary Mercer played right-centre in Warrington's 14-36 defeat by Wigan in the 1990 Challenge Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 April 1990, in front of a crowd of 77,729.[7]

County Cup Final appearances

Gary Mercer played fullback in Bradford Northern's 12-12 draw with Castleford in the 1987 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1987–88 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 17 October 1987, and played left-centre in the 11-2 victory over Castleford in the 1987 Yorkshire Cup Final replay during the 1987–88 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 31 October 1987.

Regal Trophy Final appearances

Gary Mercer played left-second-row in Warrington's 12-2 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1990–91 Regal Trophy Final during the 1990–91 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 12 January 1991.

Coaching career

Rugby League

Mercer was also the player-coach at the Halifax Blue Sox, and coach at the Castleford Tigers, his first game in charge was on 25 April 2004, and his last game in charge was on 18 September 2004.[8][9][2][10]

Rugby Union

Glasgow Warriors

Mercer switched to rugby union and became the defence coach for the Glasgow Warriors from June 2005[5] to June 2012[11] leaving the Warriors at the same time as Sean Lineen. While he was there praise was heaped on his defensive coaching.[12]

Scotland

He became the Scotland Under-20 assistant coach and worked with the Under-21 side.[13] He then worked for the Scottish Rugby Academy.[14]

Yorkshire Carnegie

He left the Scottish academy in August 2014[15] to have a brief spell running Yorkshire Carnegie.[16]

Glasgow Hawks

Mercer was the head coach of Glasgow Hawks.[17]

Biggar

Mercer moved on to Biggar.[18]

FUDs

Founding member of the FUDs society, with co-members Toby Harris and Nathan Rainbow.

References

  1. [1]
    "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. [2]
    "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. [3]
    "Castleford RLFC A to Z Player List (All Time)". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  4. [4]
    "Profile at leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk". leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 November 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. [5]
    "Profile at uk.linkedin.com". uk.linkedin.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. [6]
    "Mercer willing to play on". news.bbc.co.uk. 3 April 2001. Retrieved 1 January 2002.
  7. [7]
    "1989-1990 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2016. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  8. [8]
    "Hanley in surprise return with Castleford". The Guardian. 20 May 2004. Retrieved 1 January 2005.
  9. [9]
    "Mercer coaxed out of retirement". news.bbc.co.uk. 18 April 2002. Retrieved 1 January 2003.
  10. [10]
    "Coach Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  11. [11]
    "The Shock of the Swap". scottishrugbyblog.co.uk. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  12. [12]
    "Exclusive: Gary Mercer". scottishrugby.org. 7 November 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  13. [13]
    "Glasgow Warriors - Gary Mercer". glasgowwarriors.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  14. [14]
    "Mercer to depart Scottish Rugby". scottishrugby.org. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  15. [15]
    "Yorkshire Carnegie appoint Gary Mercer as head coach". Yorkshire Post. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  16. [16]
    "Yorkshire Carnegie: Gary Mercer leaves Championship club". BBC. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  17. [17]
    "Gary Mercer - 1st XV - Glasgow Hawks RFC". glasgowhawks.com. 24 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  18. [18]
    "Mercer Moves On". glasgowhawks.com. 18 April 2002. Retrieved 1 January 2003.
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