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AAP
December 11, 2013, 1:25 pm
Former Wallabies halfback Sam Cordingley has returned to where it all began, joining Queensland Rugby as their new operations manager.
The former Reds playmaker has been welcomed back from a three year stint at the Melbourne Rebels where he was a 2011 foundation player before joining the Super Rugby club's key staff.
Reds head coach Richard Graham said Cordingley would start in January, overseeing all operations including player contracts and junior pathway programs.
"We're really happy to be able to welcome Sam back to Queensland," he said.
"Amongst a number of key areas ... Sam's role is significant to ensuring Queensland Rugby remains a dominant force."
Cordingley - who was Rebels' player recruitment manager in 2012 and general manager this year - said the time was right to come home.
"The motivation for the move back to Queensland was first and foremost about my professional aspirations, but it's obviously a nice bonus that I'll be returning home to my family," he said.
Cordingley earned 43 Reds caps from 1999 to 2001 and 2006 to 2008.
He also represented Australia 22 times, including a 2007 World Cup campaign.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...gley-joins-qr/