Vern Cotter

Vernon Anthony Cotter (born 27 January 1962) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, who was most recently the head coach of the Fiji national team.

For much of that match, Scotland had been in touching distance of a first ever victory over the All Blacks, but a late try during the 73rd minute secured the win for the No. 1 ranked side.

Scotland's final fixture was against Tonga at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.

In 1999, Cotter returned to New Zealand and took on the role of head coach of Bay of Plenty in the National Provincial Championship.

During his first year in charge, he led the side to the Second Division championship of the North Island, but did not progress in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

During the 2004 Super 12 season, Cotter was made forwards coach of the Crusaders, when the side finished runners-up to the ACT Brumbies.

He started his coaching career at Bay of Plenty including winning the Ranfurly shield fof the first time in the union’s history He was part of the coaching staff for the successful Crusaders side between 2005 and 2006 winning 2 titles, before coaching in France with Clermont Auvergne between 2006 and 2014 coaching them to 6 finals and 2 titles including their first ever bouclier du Brennus coached the Scotland national team from 2014, including a quarter final at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and left his role in May 2017 as his contract was not extended by the Scottish Rugby Union.

He continued in his post as forwards coach through the 2005 season when the Crusaders won the competition, and the side retained their title in the 2006 season.

In 2006, Cotter was made Head Coach of ASM Clermont Auvergne for the 2006–07 Top 14 season when Clermont finished runners-up behind Stade Français.

The following year, Cotter coached the side to 20 out of 26 victories in the regular season, finishing first in the table before the knock-out stages.

However, Clermont finished second overall, losing to Toulouse in the Grand Final.

During his first year as head coach of Clermont, Cotter was able to lead the side into the Heineken Cup, after winning all their matches in the 2006–07 European Challenge Cup.

Clermont were unable to advance out of the group stages between 2007 and 2009.

It was the most tries they had scored against a Tier 1 nation since they scored five tries against Ireland in 2007.

It was believed much of the team were based around the success of Scottish club side Glasgow Warriors, with 10 of the starting XV from the Glasgow side, with a further four players on the bench.

The following fixture was a narrow 16–24 loss to New Zealand.

For the third successive year under Cotter, Clermont lost the final in the 2008–09 Top 14 season, but did win their first title in 2009–10 after beating Perpignan in the final.

This loss was also Clermont's first loss at home in 77 matches, which dates back to the 16–13 loss to Biarritz in Round 13 of the 2009–10 Top 14 season.

During the 2009–10 Heineken Cup, Clermont entered the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup for the first time, but lost to Leinster in the quarter-finals.

In the 2010–11, 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons Clermont were knocked out in the semi-finals.

However, in Cotters final season in charge of Clermont, Clermont were knocked out in the quarter-finals, losing at home 22–16 to defending champions Castres.

In the 2012-13 season, Cotter led the side to the Heineken Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium, but lost 16-15 to Toulon.

During the 2013–14 Heineken Cup, Clermont finished in seed 2 after the pool stage, winning five from six matches (lost against Racing Métro, won against Harlequins home and away, Scarlets home and away, and Racing Métro at home).

Cotter led Clermont to their third consecutive quarter-final, beating Leicester Tigers 22–16.

However, their third consecutive semi-final ended with a record losing margin of 46–6 to Saracens at Twickenham.

He was named the coach in May 2013, but as Clermont and the SRU failed to agree to release Cotter a year earlier, Cotter remained with Clermont until the end of his contract or until Clermont was knocked out of theirs respective tournaments.

Cotters first challenge as Scotland's head coach, was a 4-match tour across three continents over four consecutive weeks.

In Cotters first match in charge, he led the team to a 24–6 win over the United States in Houston.

A week later, a 19–17 win over Canada in Toronto.

Cotter first major match in charge was a Friday night fixture against Argentina in Córdoba.

Heading into this match, Scotland had won three connective matches against the Pumas on Argentine soil.

This streak was extended following a 21–19 win over Argentina.

A week later, Cotter faced his toughest challenge, an away match to the Springboks outside the International Window.

This meant, Cotter could only select players that played for either Glasgow Warriors or Edinburgh.

The weakened team lost 55–6 in Port Elizabeth, the biggest losing margin to South Africa on South African soil.

In Cotter's first home match at Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland won 41–31, scoring five tries against Argentina.

Cotter departed Clermont in May 2014, to take on the role of head coach of Scotland.

In January 2020 Cotter was appointed coach of Fiji, but resigned in January 2023.

He is currently coaching the Auckland Blues

Vern Cotter spent 10 years representing Counties Manukau in New Zealand before playing for a number of clubs in France.