Ronan O'Gara's Canterbury Crusaders powered to the Super Rugby final today thanks to a 30-12 semi-final win over the Hurricanes in Christchurch.
O'Gara left Racing Metro to take a coaching position with the Crusaders last January. It means his side will defend their title against either the Lions or Waratahs in the final.
The former Irish and Munster out-half has been coaching since 2013 but this was his first venture into southern hemisphere rugby and initially, the transition proved difficult. As he told the New Zealand Herald this week, a sit-down with head coach Scott Robertson and his team proved crucial.
It took me three months to adapt, and they were, I suppose, a very challenging three months. But after that it was really easy. Razor and Gus pulled me aside one day and just had a good word with me, and gave me a lot of confidence.
Ever since then I have kind of kicked on and the backs have been great to deal with. I am excited, it is great for the club and it is great for me. It is what you want to be part of.
Last month O'Gara signed a contract extension to keep him with the club until the end of the 2019 season. In the meantime, he will return to Paris with his family before going back for that campaign.
