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#Post#: 155711--------------------------------------------------
Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:06 am
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Cooper confirmed as Attack Coach
HTML https://www.quins.co.uk/article/cooper-confirmed-as-attack-coach
[img width=400
height=250]
HTML https://images.ctfassets.net/r21395x2xyi6/5YwITWhlIUPDmvsngAGfOr/9e90f608ce985e6467b9eb2a48f2a2f2/DMB00977-2_copy.jpg?fit=thumb&q=80&fm=webp&w=1600&h=[/img]
Brad Cooper - Harlequins Attack Coach
Harlequins is thrilled to unveil Brad Cooper as its new Attack
Coach ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Cooper has quickly built a reputation as one of New Zealand
rugby’s rising attack coaches - he joins from the Super Rugby
Pacific Champions, Hurricanes.
A product of Taranaki rugby, Cooper started his senior coaching
journey with Taranaki Bulls, where he served as backs coach and
helped guide the side to the 2023 NPC title. He also earned
national recognition through his work with the New Zealand
Under-20s programme for 2024.
In 2024, Cooper was appointed to the Hurricanes coaching staff
for the 2025 and 2026 Super Rugby seasons - tasked with helping
shape the side’s attacking game.
This season, the Hurricanes had the most potent attack in Super
Rugby, averaging 41 points and 6.4 tries per game through the
regular season. The Canes became the first Super Rugby team to
surpass 100 tries in a single campaign (114 total), en route to
being crowned champions for the first time in a decade after a
record-breaking Grand Final victory on Saturday over the Chiefs.
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Brad Cooper - New Zealand Under-20s
On his arrival at The Stoop, Cooper said: "I'm really excited to
be joining Harlequins. Having spoken with Jason (Gilmore) and
the coaching group about the vision for this team, it's clear
there's a real ambition here to play rugby with tempo, and
that's exactly the environment I want to be part of.
“Leaving the Hurricanes after a fantastic couple of years, which
was capped with a Super Rugby title this weekend, wasn’t an easy
decision. It’s been a hugely rewarding part of my coaching
journey, and I’ve learnt so much both professionally and
personally.
“But this is a great chance to help shape an attacking identity
at a club with such history, and test myself as a coach in the
northern hemisphere in the Gallagher PREM.
"I've watched Quins from afar and I know the DNA of this club is
built on ambitious, attacking rugby - that's a huge part of what
drew me here. I can't wait to get into pre-season, get to know
the players, and start building something special at The Stoop."
[img width=400
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Brad Cooper - Taranaki Bulls
Harlequins Chief Executive, Laurie Dalrymple said: “We’re
thrilled to confirm Brad's appointment, and I believe it’s one
that reflects the ambition of where we wish to take Harlequins
in the future. The attack coach role is fundamental - not just
in terms of what happens on the pitch, but in defining the team
we want to be and the brand of rugby we want to play. We were
clear about the profile we needed, and Brad’s coaching
philosophy meant he was a standout candidate throughout the
process. His approach to the game, and his clear role modelling
and player development qualities shone through.
"Over the past couple of years, Brad has clearly demonstrated
his abilities as a coach, contributing to the success of the
Taranaki provincial win in the 2023 NPC competition, and of
course most recently in ensuring that the Hurricanes won their
Super Rugby Pacific title, playing some exhilarating, attacking
rugby throughout the campaign. We're confident he will make a
lasting impact at The Stoop.
"Reflecting more broadly, several key appointments have been
confirmed in recent weeks across the entire performance
programme, and we have recruited a group of coaching staff
around Jason that I believe can drive quick and positive change
to support the groups development. There is a real quality and a
blend of experience, and character that gives us confidence and
excitement about what this team can achieve heading into the
2026/27 season and beyond.”
Head Coach, Jason Gilmore added: “We’re delighted to welcome
Brad to Harlequins. This is an appointment we've been working
towards carefully, and I have no doubt he is the right person to
help us build the style of play and identity we want to
establish at the Club.
"He's spent the last two seasons at the Hurricanes, one of the
most exciting and expansive attacking teams in Super Rugby, and
he's been a real part of what they've built there. The tempo,
the ambition, the ability to create and finish - that resonates
strongly with what Harlequins stands for, and Brad has lived it,
developed it and delivered it at a high level.
"He will also complement the coaches we already have here
brilliantly. Rob, Adam, Jordan, Sean and Matt - they each bring
something distinct to this group, and Brad will sit right at the
heart of that, connecting our attack with a clear vision. The
blend of experience and perspective across this coaching staff
is something I'm genuinely excited about, and I can't wait to
get to work."
#Post#: 155712--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:12 am
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Wow, that looks like a great appointment. 2 years of success
then bring him in to a new environment where he can change
things to his way of thinking and drive us forward in attack.
Obviously key that he gels with Marcus but this looks decent on
the face of it.
#Post#: 155714--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: Quinaldo
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:25 am
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on the face of it this seems like an excellent signing. Very
happy with the ambition the club have shown here. Let's hope he
settles well!
#Post#: 155715--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: noah_jo
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:26 am
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After a lot of, understandable, frustration and anger, this
genuinely looks like a fantastic coup and statement of intent
#Post#: 155716--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: connaughtquin
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:26 am
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Hopefully he'll bring some of this - watch for the No.10 Love
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG8WGdCi8DU
#Post#: 155717--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: Boonie
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:27 am
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That looks like a decent pedigree. Fingers crossed for next
season!
#Post#: 155718--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:38 am
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Nice to have someone coming in off the back of roaring success.
Fingers crossed!
#Post#: 155720--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:42 am
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His teams certainly haven't struggled scoring tries so that
bodes well. I think the big thing now will be if the forwards
can actually get that front foot ball to really give the backs a
platform. If we don't improve on the lineout in particular then
the effectiveness of his input will be somewhat deminished
#Post#: 155721--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:55 am
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--- Quote from: JammyGit link ---
>
> Nice to have someone coming in off the back of roaring
success. Fingers crossed!
>
--- End Quote ---
Really? I thought you said you would have preferred Zach
Galifianakis or someone.
#Post#: 155722--------------------------------------------------
Re: Brad Cooper confirmed
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: June 23, 2026, 5:57 am
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Glad they namechecked Matt Ferguson as I thought there were
rumblings that he was leaving.
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