Otago climb into bed with Leeds Tykes

The Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) and Leeds Rugby Ltd are hoping to forge closer links in a bid to improve their player and coaching development, ORFU chief executive Russell Gray has announced.

The ORFU and the Yorkshire outfit, who own both the Union club Leeds Tykes and League side Leeds Rhinos, have signed a 'memorandum of understanding' with the liaison aimed at sharing knowledge and ideas and giving players and coaches a chance to experience overseas rugby while retaining their ties with their respective areas.

The relationship was established through links between Otago's director of rugby, strategy and development Tony Gilbert and his Leeds counterpart, former Wales international, Phil Davies.

Gray said while not all the details had been confirmed players had already benefited from the closer ties.

"We've agreed on some relationship principles and parameters and we've already exchanged some players," he said.

"We had Michael Cusack out here in our club season and he had one of the warm-up games for our NPC team and we've also sent Daniel Snee to the Wharfedale club.

"It's really common for young New Zealanders to travel to the other side of the world and experience the UK. This is an opportunity for them to do it as well as play their rugby.

"The important thing from our point of view is that it also allows us to control the situation and bring those players back to Otago rather than them being lost to the province totally.

"I think it's fair to say we are focusing on the development level but who knows. I think we've got an open mind on this and we're not limiting it just to players either. We see this as an opportunity for the development of coaches as well."