Double delight for Wallabies mentor
TRUE to his word, Eddie Jones is raiding rival codes and rival teams in a massive revamp of the coaching staff that will lead the Wallabies to this year’s World Cup in France.
Jones’ latest recruits are an AFL head of football and an English scrummaging expert.
The latter is Neal Hatley, forwards coach of English Premiership side Bath, who helped Jones take England to the 2019 World Cup final in Japan – destroying Australia in the quarter-finals.
With the Wallabies on track for a possible quarter-final showdown with the Poms at this year’s World Cup in France, Jones has moved quickly to secure Hatley.
“I’m honoured to join Eddie and the Wallabies in what’s a massive year with the World Cup just over five months away,” Hatley said.
“I know there’s plenty of potential within the playing group in Australia and I’m looking forward to maximising that when I begin the role.”
Jones has also lured David Rath from St Kilda, where he’s been working as a biomechanist and strategist.
Before joining the Saints, Rath was part of the Hawthorn staff that led the Hawks to four AFL flags in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015. He joins the Wallabies in the role of learning coordinator.
Jones is tickled pink with his new high-profile signings.
“It‘s great to have Neal and David on board with the Wallabies,” Jones said.
“Neal’s a coach with a tremendous amount of experience and knows what’s required to be successful at international level.
“David has worked with the best coaches in the AFL and will bring a skill set that will help aid our learning environment.”