Bond Pirates appoint former Shark Darrell Burchnall as head coach

The Bond Pirates are done dangling off the gangplank as sharks circle below. What they’ve missed is a shark steering their ship - a problem rectified with their latest head coaching hire.

Bond Pirates have appointed Darrell Burchnall as their 2020 head coach. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

The Bond Pirates are done dangling off the gangplank as sharks circle below.

What they’ve missed is a shark steering their ship.

The appointment of former Sharks Super Rugby prospect Darrell Burchnall to coach the club’s first grade side in 2020 is the first step to returning to the finals again.

The South African-born coach has done it before, as the lauded forwards coach who helped lead the team to the 2015 GCDRU grand final.

Bond Pirates have appointed Darrell Burchnall as their 2020 head coach. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

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After three years away coaching Bond University’s second XV in Queensland Premier Rugby, Burchnall is ready to give back to the club that launched his coaching career.

“I’m excited to return because I love the club,” the new head coach said.

“I only left for Bond Uni because I have aspirations of being a professional coach.

“I’ve learned a lot working with coaches like Rod Seib, who is now the Reds Academy coach, but at the same time, you want to give back to clubs who are struggling like Bond Pirates, who need more help than a team like Bond Uni.

“This is our 30th anniversary season as a club and I’m excited to work with people who are on board and committed this season.”

Bond Pirates have appointed Darrell Burchnall as their 2020 head coach. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Burchnall says his coaching philosophy has been influenced by three years in the Sharks academy and a seven-year semi-professional rugby career in the UK.

Making sure his game plans are accessible and understood by players of all ability levels is the key to team success.

“I do believe especially at this level, making it very simple so we can adapt to all players abilities,” he said.

“I’m under no illusions for where we are – we’re a club that has been rebuilding for quite a while.

“We need to make sure we’re allowing all players to understand what we’re trying to do and where we’re trying to go.

“If those players are buying in to what we’re thinking about with gameplans and believe it, that help us win together instead of losing as individuals.”

The playing talent at Burchnall’s disposal has benefited from canny recruitment from club legend Lincoln Matehaere, who has enticed decorated representative players from New Zealand and New South Wales to join the team in 2020.