Ken Wills' move to the Souths Magpies has been recognised in the press in NZ.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/sport/6089949/Former-South-Canty-coach-heads-to-Brisbane
The Timaru Herald also reported:
Rugby coach Ken Wills will not die wondering "what if".
The 50-year-old is moving to Brisbane to coach the premier side of Southern Districts Rugby Union Football Club in a semi-professional capacity.
The former South Canterbury Heartland coach believed if he did not take the opportunity to test himself, he may regret such a conservative decision.
"I want to have a crack and see how far I can go coaching."
He had previously turned down coaching opportunities in Ireland and Italy for family and business reasons.
"The timing wasn't right then, but if I don't go now I never will."
Wills admitted he was a bit apprehensive but that made the challenge more exciting.
His commitment to give his all is shown in that he has also sold his Washdyke-based business, Ken Wills Furniture, to an employee, so he can focus solely on his coaching aspirations.
With no national state competitions Super Rugby players come directly from the tough club competitions in Sydney and Brisbane.
Souths, or the Magpies as they are known, have an impressive roll of honour that includes current Wallabies Quade Cooper and Beau Robinson and the greats of the past including Tim Horan, Jason Little, Tom Lawton, Dan Crowley, Sam Scott-Young, Garrick Morgan, Andrew Slack and many others.
They also have a number of Super Rugby fringe and Australian sevens players in their ranks at present.
Wills said it was a massive step up in that sense. "For me it was this or another Heartland team so in that way it is a quantum leap forward, the challenge is outstanding and that is certainly part of the attraction."
Wills said the difference between the Heartland competition and Brisbane premier rugby was big.
"At Heartland level you have to work on the skills of the players, while at Souths it is more about tactics and man-management."
"Aussies also have a different attitude, it is certainly about winning more than participating. We had 48 players at pre-Christmas training and the club has 11 open grade teams."
Wills will have as his assistant, former Wallaby and Reds centre, Steve Kefu.
Kefu is returning to Brisbane after winding up his professional career with Wasps in London and a playing stint in the ITM Cup in New Zealand for Bay of Plenty.
Wills is a familiar figure at Souths having played there for three years in the late 80s, when the side were national club champions after beating Parramatta in Sydney.
He was also the only Kiwi named in Souths "50 Living Legends", showing the impact he had as a player in his three years at the club and something he is keen to replicate as a coach.
