Dave Dillon

Dave Dillon, former the Head Coach of the Japanese company team the Kobelco Steelers, joined the Highlanders coaching team in 2023 and looks after the defence. Dillon was with Kobelco for five seasons and led them to a Japan League title in 2018.

A robust flanker in his playing days for Thames Valley, Bay of Plenty and Waikato, Dillon’s coaching career began with the Sacred Heart First XV where he also coached the NZ Barbarians School team.

In 2013 he was appointed the Chiefs Talent Identification Manager ushering in players such as Damien McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Shaun Stevenson & Samisoni Taukei’aho. In 2015 he was appointed the assistant coach of Bay of Plenty before shifting to Japan to assist with Japanese company team NEC prior to landing the Head Coach role at Kobelco.

Dillon has strong connections to players from the region with several former Highlanders including Ben Smith, Hayden Parker, Tom Franklin, and Richard Buckman have been coached by Dillon at Kobelco.

Other Coaching Roles

Bay of Plenty - Assistant Coach (2015)

NEC (Japan) - Assistant Coach (2016-17)

Kobelco Steeler (Japan) - Head Coach (2018-22)

Highlanders - Assistant Coach (2023-current)