Incoming Munster boss Clayton McMillan is travelling a long way for his new job – and the reason behind the switch has now been revealed. The head coach of the Chiefs will see out the current Super Rugby campaign before turning his attention to the northern hemisphere.

New Zealand Rugby boss Chris Lendrum feels Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan's move to Munster will be beneficial to his career and expects him to return to the country as a coach one day.

When Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan heads to Ireland to take up the reins at Munster, he will follow a well-worn path. Having established their footing as top-flight coaches at home, good Kiwi talent has often looked to overseas roles,

Having steered the Chiefs to three Super Rugby finals in his five years so far at the helm, and having last week destroyed the Crusaders in a record victory that saw his side produce the best 40 minutes of rugby in the last decade, McMillan has established himself as arguably the next All Blacks coach-in-waiting.

The wait is nearly over after Munster announced yesterday that Clayton McMillan would become the Red Army’s new head coach when the Chiefs coach finishes the current Super Rugby season ends in July.

The Irish club agreed to terms with NZR on allowing McMillan to make the move, despite having another year on his current contract. “That’s all obviously private,” Lendrum said. “But you can imagine there is a value transaction that has to occur when we are releasing Clayton a year earlier than we planned.

Clayton McMillan will depart New Zealand at the end of the Super Rugby season to take over as coach of Irish club Munster.

Waikato Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan will leave New Zealand at the end of the Super Rugby season to take the reins at Irish club Munster, it was announced Thursday. "The decision to leave wasn't easy -– I love my job,