Duane Darrin Mann is a rugby league coach and former professional football player who represented and captained both the New Zealand Kiwis and Tonga.
Background
Duane is part of the Mann family that has a large presence in rugby league with his father Don Mann representing New Zealand, his cousin Esau playing for Tonga and his brother Don Junior. the current Football Manager of the New Zealand Warriors.
Education
Mann attended Kelston Boys High School and played for the Glenora Bears from schoolboys right up to premier grade.
Career
In 1989 Mann signed for the Warrington Wolves in the English Championship. While at Warrington, he played in the 1990 Challenge Cup Final against the Wigan Warriors. Duane Mann played hooker in Warrington"s 12-2 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1990-1991 Regal Trophy final during the 1990-1991 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 12 January 1991.
Mann played for three seasons in England before being signed by the Auckland Warriors who were to enter the Australian Rugby League competition in 1995.
Mann made his début for Tonga in 1986. In 1989 he first made the New Zealand national side and from 1989 to 1993 played in 24 consecutive tests, including matches that formed part of the 1989–1992 World Cup.
In 1994 he was made captain of the New Zealand side. However, in 1995 he was dropped from the Kiwis and his place was taken by Syd Eru.
As a result, Mann switched allegiance back to Tonga and, after captaining New Zealand in 1994, he captained Tonga in both the 1995 and 2000 World Cup.
Mann has worked in the sport and education sector for over 15 years and has also run his own retail business and corporate training. Mann also served for a time as the New Zealand Warriors Junior Development Coach. He has also held positions as the coaching development manager with Regional Sports Trusts and the Greater Auckland Coaching Unit, and New Zealand Rugby League"s high performance director
Mann currently is a Business Development Manager for Skills Active and occasionally works as a commentator and presenter on Sky television In 2010 and 2011 he was the head coach of the Bay Roskill Vikings.