Mark Hammett

Who is Mark Hammett?

Mark 'Hammer' Hammett is a rugby union coach and former New Zealand player. Hammett played provincial rugby for Canterbury, as a hooker, between 1992 and 2002. When the Crusaders franchise was formed for the Super 12 in 1996, he was contracted, and became a founding player. He continued to play for the Crusaders until 2003; winning four titles in the process. He was first selected for New Zealand – the All Blacks – in 1999, and frequently played for them until his retirement following the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Hammett represented Canterbury 76 times, the Crusaders 81 times, and the All Blacks 30 times – including 29 Test matches. After retiring as a player, he began coaching, and worked as forwards advisor for both the Crusaders and Canterbury in 2006. He succeeded Vern Cotter as assistant coach at the Crusaders for the 2007 season, and was appointed head coach of the Wellington-based Hurricanes in 2011, and left the team at the end of the 2014 Super Rugby season. He will take over Wales-based Cardiff Blues when he leaves his Hurricanes post, for the start of the 2014–15 season.