Phil Young returns to Otago

Highlanders Super 12 assistant coach, Phil Young, is returning to Dunedin and renewing his association with Otago's National Provincial Championship (NPC) team.

Young, who has also coached Southland since 2002, will join Otago's NPC campaign next year as an assistant coach.

Young was previously assistant coach of Otago and his tenure included the profitable year of 1998 when he and Tony Gilbert took Otago to the NPC title.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to further my coaching with Southland, but it was always my ambition to return to Otago," he said.

Young and John Haggart will both be assistants to Wayne Graham next year. He will continue as assistant to Greg Cooper with the Highlanders.

As a flanker, Young played for both Otago and Southland. While coaching Southland, he continued to live just outside Dunedin.