J AY TREGONNING

In three words

Laid-back. Patient. Busy.

Playing CV

The front-rower, from Wollongong in Illawarra, played in the Shute Shield for Parramatta and Southern Districts. Primarily a hooker, he also represented NSW U19 and U21 and Australia U19 as well as the NSW Country senior team.

Coaching background

A PE teacher, he coached a lot of school teams and local clubs while playing. His first big role came in 2007, when he took over as NSW Country men’s coach and in 2013-14 he joined Paul Verrell’s back-room staff with the Wallaroos for the World Cup. Subsequently, he coached Australia Schools Barbarians (2015) and Australia Schools (2016-21) before taking the Wallaroos reins last year.

What he’s known for

He favours games-based training – keeping the fun in sport – and is big on time management. As a full-time teacher working as a national coach, he can relate to players juggling work and rugby. He says: “I understand what it takes to commit to the programme and I’m conscious of players’ time.”

Who’s on his team

Former Wallaby back-row Scott Fava (defence and collisions) and Sione Fukofuka (attack) joined the back-room team in late 2021 while Inge Visser, who has represented the Netherlands, is Australia’s coaching ‘intern’. The team has no full-time member of staff, though.

Biggest achievement

From a playing perspective, running out for NSW Country against Scotland in Wollongong in 2004 was a standout. On the coaching front, it’s taking charge of a national team. He highlights “singing the anthem with them before a Test match” as special.