| Birth Date: | 16 July 1977 |
| Birth Place: | Scotland |
| Repsevensyears1: | 2001–2007 |
| Repsevenscomp1: | 93 |
| Coachyears1: | 2024-present |
| Coachyears2: | 2017–2023 |
| Coachyears3: | 2015–2016 |
| Coachyears4: | 2013–2015 |
| Coachteams1: | Hurricanes (head coach) |
| Coachteams2: | New Zealand 7s (head coach) |
| Coachteams3: | London Irish (assistant coach) |
| Coachteams4: | Hurricanes (assistant coach) |
Clark Laidlaw (born 16 July 1977) is a Scottish professional rugby union coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Hurricanes. Laidlaw was formerly the All Blacks Sevens Head Coach before stepping down in 2023.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Laidlaw is the son of former British & Irish Lions and Scotland international rugby union player Roy Laidlaw. His cousin, Greig Laidlaw, also represented the British & Irish Lions and Scotland.[6] He represented Scotland internationally in sevens and moved to New Zealand in 2008.
Coaching Career
Laidlaw became the Skills Coach for Taranaki in 2010 then became the Skills Coach and Video Analyst with the New Zealand sevens team under Sir Gordon Tietjens from 2010 to 2012. He made the move back to the 15-aside game, as the Assistant Coach of the Hurricanes from 2013 to 2015. He was also Assistant Coach of the London Irish.[7] [8]
In 2018, a year after becoming Head Coach of the All Blacks Sevens, New Zealand won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.[9]
In 2020, Laidlaw guided the All Blacks Sevens to win the World Rugby Sevens Series and in 2021, a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.[10] [11]
In 2023 it was announced that Laidlaw would be stepping down as the All Blacks Sevens head coach and joining the Hurricanes as head coach from 2024.[5]