Long-time Steamers physiotherapist joins Chiefs set-up

by Jamie Troughton | 10th November 2009

As Chiefs coach Ian Foster sits down today to finalise his roster for next year's Super 14, he can already confirm at least one fresh Bay of Plenty face in the lineup.

Long-time Steamers physio Paul  Cameron, who was inexplicably ditched by the BOPRU for this year's Air New Zealand Cup, has been snapped up by the Hamilton-based franchise.

He'll work alongside current All Blacks physio Dennis Shepherd, ending a three-year tenure with the New Zealand sevens team.

"I was going to do one more year with the sevens and it's a tough call to not go to the Commonwealth Games but I'm looking forward to the next three or four years with the Chiefs," Cameron said. "It was always something I've wanted to do."

Foster's squad has had horrendous luck with injuries during his tenure and Cameron's employment marks a strategic change for their 2010 campaign. Shepherd was the sole fulltime physio this year, while the franchise also employed a part-time physiotherapist and a part-time rehabilitation specialist.

"Whilst we were pleased with that structure, and considering Dennis' continued involvement with the All Blacks, we felt it best to make the second physiotherapist become a fulltime role," Foster said.

"Paul was the ideal candidate to fill this important role due to his vast experience with other high level rugby teams in the country."

It's not the first time Cameron has been linked with the franchise - he turned down a job with them three years ago to grab the sevens role, working alongside national coach Gordon Tietjens.

"Now he's available, we're delighted to have him come on board," Foster said.

"We are looking forward to him adding value to our organisation."

Cameron became the first casualty of Greg Smith's short reign as Steamers coach earlier this year when he was controversially dropped after seven years service.

He learned his fate via a text message from a BOPRU employee while on duty with the sevens team in London.

Cameron, who will get straight into new his role when the Chiefs squad is named tomorrow, wouldn't be drawn into the controversy, though he does see no small amount of irony.

"A lot of people have been asking why the Bay didn't want me but now the Chiefs do - it's a tough one to answer!"