Former Blues coach inks Stormers deal

Cape Town - Former Blues and Auckland coach Paul Feeney has reportedly signed a three year deal with Western Province and the Stormers.

According to the Stuff.co.nz website, Feeney and his wife leave for Cape Town on Monday where he'll take on the role as assistant coach.

His brief will be focusing on attack and skills under head coach Robbie Fleck, the former Springbok centre, and director of rugby Gert Smal.

A well-travelled coach, having also worked in France, Japan and Fiji, Feeney spent 10 days with Western Province at the end of August after completing a one-year stint as Blues skills coach under Tana Umaga.

Feeney attended training sessions, met players and coaches, and visited the academy in Stellenbosch where he viewed the under-19s and 21s and was impressed by the budding talent the region has to offer.

"I'm excited by the opportunity to go and coach in South Africa," Feeney told Fairfax Media of his new role which is expected to be formally announced overnight. "When you're a young kid you talk about South Africa and New Zealand all the time. Now I've got the chance to go over there and see what they do first hand. I'm going to learn a lot and hopefully I can help them as well."