Wallaby Coaching Staff Announcement
ARU ANNOUNCES QANTAS WALLABIES COACHING TEAM FOR 2008
Australian Rugby Union has appointed former Test backrower Jim Williams to a new-look and streamlined Qantas Wallabies coaching panel.
Head coach Robbie Deans will have two assistants in 2008 – existing forwards coach Michael Foley, who will be in charge of set piece technique and strategies; and the currently European-based Williams, whose roles will include general forward play, the breakdown and continuity.
Deans, in a hands-on capacity, will take on the attack coach and defensive coach responsibilities held by Scott Johnson and John Muggleton in the previous Wallabies setup.
The frontline coaching staff, as a result, has been reduced from four to three.
“It’s good to get clarity, good for all parties involved in the process,” Deans said today.
“This has been an exercise where I’ve worked in conjunction with senior ARU management – High Performance boss Pat Howard and CEO and Managing Director John O’Neill – to reach the best outcome for the Qantas Wallabies.
“It’s great we’re now in a position to confirm and announce a coaching team that I believe has the capacity to take the national side forward this season.
“There has been a lot of conjecture on this issue and there will be some disappointment among those who were on the Qantas Wallabies coaching staff last year.
“I can understand that, but the roles I want to take on personally are behind the direction in which we are moving and explain the decisions we have taken.
“Michael Foley has been retained and Jim Williams is a good addition.
“He has been coaching successfully in an assistant’s role at Munster in Ireland. He has runs on the board. His experience in the northern hemisphere will also be valuable.”
Williams played with the NSW Waratahs and the ACT Brumbies at Super 12 level as both blindside flanker and No.8.
He played 14 Tests for the Wallabies during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, making his debut against Ireland in Sydney.
Williams was also a member of the victorious 1999 World Cup squad and the historic Tri Nations title-winning team in 2000.
He headed offshore in 2001 to join Munster in Ireland, went on to captain the team and only retired from playing in 2005 – at the age of 36 – before moving into an assistant coaching position as the province’s forwards and continuity mentor.
His coaching contract with Munster expires at the end of the current European season.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me to return to Australia and also to work with one of the best coaches in the world,” Williams said. “It was a chance too good to miss.
“When I left Australia in 2001, it was only going to be for a couple of years.
“Seven years later, I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at Munster. They have a great tradition, great passion, and they certainly revitalised my career.
“But I’m ready to come home now, especially with an opportunity to have this sort of role with the national team.
“Australian rugby is hopefully ready to ride a new wave and to be part of that will be a great thrill. I am looking forward to the challenge enormously.”
Foley said he was excited at being part of the 2008 coaching line-up.
“I‘ve enjoyed my time with the Wallabies enormously to date and this will be another opportunity to broaden my experience and scope as a coach,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to helping Australian Rugby continue to move forward into the future.”
