Discipline, faith and culture: Shalom Senara’s vision for MAGS rugby

Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) has appointed Shalom Senara as the new head coach of its First XV rugby team, with his official start date set for this month.

The school confirmed the appointment on Friday, congratulating Senara and inviting players to the first pre-season meeting on 12 November.

Senara joins MAGS after several years as an Assistant Coach at Saint Kentigern College. His rugby career spans over a decade, with coaching roles in club, provincial, and international pathways, including North Harbour, Auckland Marist, and Moana Pasifika.

While in Sāmoa, Senara worked with the Sāmoa Rugby Union as Development and Academy Manager from 2015 to 2017, and later managed the Manu Sāmoa Sevens team before returning to Aotearoa.

Speaking with Pacific Huddle host Tuilagi William Leolahi, Senara says leading the Mount Albert Grammar First XV is a privilege he has long waited for.

“I've been waiting for the opportunity to be a First XV coach. Obviously to be First XV coach you have to wait for someone else to leave. It was the perfect timing and to be able to get a head coach role for a school like Mount Albert, it’s a privilege really,” he says.

Listen to Shalom Senara’s full interview below.

“I feel school rugby is its own beast. You're hoping to develop kids from when they first come into school and get them into good habits. Setting up a pathway so when they reach year 11, 12, and 13, they’re ready for that next step.

“I'm a big believer that it all starts with a good development system. Starting in the junior level and so by the time they're seniors, they've picked up really good habits.”

Senara says his coaching philosophy aims to honour the school’s proud rugby legacy while creating his own identity. He says back in his last year of high school, it was common for players to fear playing MAGS, knowing “what you’re going to come up against”.

“There's a proud history and so there should be but I've got my own style as well. I'll make sure there's a good balance there. Just setting some values and continuing a good culture. Discipline's a biggie and that's for everything, with schoolwork, outside of school, in the classroom.”

He also emphasises mastering the fundamentals of rugby over attempting flashy plays. Senara says teams like the All Blacks excel because they have perfected the basics.

“Before you go into that, you’ve got to win that ball first, that breakdown, that lineup, that scrum. I think a lot of coaches are going away from that and trying to do the flash stuff. To even think of improving, you have to be the best at doing the basics of the game first - catch and pass.”

Reflecting on past successes, Senara recalls winning the 1A Championship with King’s College in 2019 and says strong teamwork was the defining factor there. He hopes to build a similar culture at Mount Albert Grammar, where students can grow as athletes, scholars, and people.

“That 2019 team was a really good team. I wouldn't say they're superstars, but just the way they played as a team. [Saint Kentigern] as well, there’s been some brilliant players with the right attitude and willing to put in the hard work.

“Perfect scenario for me is we get better as a squad and I get the most out of them. If you get the best out of your students, top four won't be an issue. The players are probably going to do 80 per cent of the work. I’m basically guiding them and showing them what I think works.”