Harlequins coach Andy Friend will take over as ACT Brumbies boss from next season.
Fisher may stay on as forwards coach
Harlequins coach Andy Friend will take over as ACT Brumbies boss from next season.
Friend has signed a three-year contract with the Canberra-based side and will take over from Laurie Fisher at the end of the current Super 14 season.
The Brumbies are ninth in the Super 14 standings and have not reached the semi-finals since Fisher took charge in 2005. He may stay on with the club, possibly as forwards coach.
"It's a tremendous responsibility," Friend said in a statement. "My commitment to our many fans in Australia and around the world is to build on the strong foundations laid by Laurie Fisher and to ensure that the Brumbies continue to play attacking, successful rugby."
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said: "Andy is an outstanding coach with a tremendous record internationally and we're privileged that he's accepted this role with the Brumbies as head coach.
"His focus is on very integrated organisation, attacking football and on entertaining the fans and he's demonstrated that with the success that he's had with his team."
As for Fisher's future, Fagan added: "Laurie will take some time to reflect and let this news sink in but we do want to speak with him about an ongoing role."
Contribution
Quins rugby director Dean Richards said: "Andy has been a great coach to
Harlequins over the last three years.
"His contribution to the club has been invaluable, and a major factor behind
our success in recent years. I am sure he will have great success in his new
role."
Quins chief executive Mark Evans added: "After all the tremendous work Andy
has done for Harlequins, I am pleased to see him being offered the position of
head coach of a Super 14 team.
"I hope that we can send him on his way with a Premiership play-off spot at
the end of this campaign."
