Phil Blake Joins Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour Coaching Staff
Phil Blake Joins Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour Coaching Staff
October 19, 2010 - 2:15pm
Story by: ARU
http://www.rugby.com.au/verve/_resou...page_image.jpg Phil Waugh at Qantas Wallabies training, running a skills session.
Manly Marlins club coach Phil Blake has been added to the Qantas Wallabies coaching staff for the upcoming Spring tour.
The former rugby league star, who has guided the Marlins in the Shute Shield for the past four seasons, has signed a short-term contract replacing Richard Graham as Skills coach.
Blake, who played first grade for six different clubs during his rugby league career between 1982 and 1997, began his rugby coaching career as assistant coach of the Southern Districts first grade side in 2006.
He joined Manly as head coach a year later, and took the club into the semi-finals this year.
Blake joins head coach Robbie Deans and assistant coaches Jim Williams and David Nucifora on the Wallabies’ coaching staff for the Spring Tour, which consists of seven matchesincluding five Tests.
The tour kicks off against the All Blacks in Hong Kong on 30 October, with the 36-man touring party assembling in Sydney tomorrow.
The Wallabies depart for Hong Kong on Saturday.
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallabi.../section/21893
Blakey's got all the skills
Blakey's got all the skills
Rugby Union19 Oct 10 @ 04:05pm by JASON AVEDISSIAN
Marlins boss Phil Blake has signed to tour with the Wallabies on their end of season trip to Hong Kong and Europe.
MANLY Marlins coach Phil Blake will complete a remarkable year this week when he departs with the Wallabies on their end-of-season tour.
The Manly boss signed a short-term contract with the Australian Rugby Union on Tuesday to act as a skills coach for the Wallabies tour of Hong Kong and Europe.
The in-demand Marlins’ mentor is also currently in deep negotiations to link with the Western Force as an assistant coach.
The former champion Sea Eagle will leave with the Wallabies on Saturday on their tour of Hong Kong and Europe, working under Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Wallaby tourist Matt Hodgson told The Manly Daily Blake has played a vital role in camp with the Australians over the past fortnight.
“He’s definitely an added bonus to us as a whole group, instructing a few different skills in areas where we have slightly been lacking,” the Western Force flanker said.
“Things like defending under pressure, defending in greater numbers and focusing on our line speed, which comes from his league background.
“He’s also instructed us on tackling techniques, and how to defend in certain situations.”
Blake’s manager Andrew Fraser said the tour will be an invaluable opportunity for his client.
“This tour will expose Phil to the scene at international level and will be a great experience for him,” Fraser said.
“The fact that he is thought of so highly by Robbie Deans and invited on the Wallabies tour is testimony to the quality of his coaching expertise.
“He is a rare talent.”
Fraser said negotiations with the Force are ongoing with a decision imminent.
“In relation to his coaching plans for next season, we haven’t made any decision as yet.”
Marlins general manager Matt McGoldrick said Blake can retain his job at Manly if he wants it.
“We’ll give him as much time is necessary,” he said.
Blake’s elevation into the Wallabies squad completes an up and down year after he had a life-saving heart bypass surgery in February, before steering the Marlins into the Shute Shield finals.
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au...ll-the-skills/
