Former Australian captain Nathan Sharpe is joining the Wallabies’ coaching staff to help prepare the team during the British and Irish Lions series in June and July.
Recognised for his excellence at the lineout, former second rower Sharpe will work with forwards coach Andrew Blades under head coach Robbie Deans for the week leading into each of the three Tests.
Sharpe played 116 Tests for Australia as a second rower before bringing down the curtain on his 11-year international career following last year’s Spring Tour to Europe.
“It was nice to be asked to be involved. I’m looking forward to doing all I can to help get the team ready for what is coming,” Sharpe says.
Although he harbours no regrets at having drawn the curtain down on his playing career the year before the Lions arrived; Sharpe says the prospect of donning the track suit again to play his part as a consultant to the coaching staff was too tempting to turn down.
“It’s a once every 12 years opportunity isn’t it?” Sharpe says.
“I’d like to have played for Australia against the Lions but it wasn’t to be. The fact that you can play for 11 seasons at Test level as I did and not get to play against them shows both how rare the opportunity is, but also how much of a privilege it will be for the guys that get to represent the Wallabies in this series.”
Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says the decision to involve Sharpe was a straight forward one.
“It’s appropriate,” Deans says.
“Perhaps the only difference from the role he had last year is that he won’t be putting his boots on. His experience, leadership and tactical nous will be available to both the playing group and the coaching staff as it was last year. That’s a great resource for us to have, given the unique nature of the British & Irish Lions.
“It also provides him with an opportunity he deserves to have an active role with the Wallabies in what will be a very special series.”
(with AAP)
Billy Bob
Guest
I am astounded at the negativity of many of the above comments. He was our stand out 2nd rower last year. He is a recognised lineout specialist. He was asked to play on. Again - after more comeback tours than Johnny Farnham. And now with no lineout specialist to replace him he offers his services to the team to help with their lineouts, mainly I would assume. How anyone can see this as a negative either 1) knows something the rest of us don't but is keeping it secret, or 2) demonstrates an abuse of the law of free speech Looking forward to Sharpey 'doing a Matfield' and raising our lineout stocks in the most intense 3 game stretch that these boys will ever likely play.
Blue Blood
Guest
Shame that Sharpe has not followed through with his statements at retirement to help the Force. The Force lineout has been a weakness all season and he hasn't been seen anywhere near RugbyWA. I guess the ARU big money is a bigger motivator. Don't get me wrong, he owes the Force nothing, but why say one thing and then not follow through?
Crazy Horse
Guest
Great stuff, Sharpie will be a great asset to the coaching staff.
kombiutedriver
Guest
.......... Sigh ............ Oh the unfufilled potential of that selection ..........
runit
Guest
+1
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Brilliant move RD. Sharpie played against those guys last year, and is the best in Australia at reading a lineout.
Johnno
Guest
Funny you say that, Matfield is doinggood things at the Bulls. But Matfield says his toughest opponent in his career was Nathan Sharpe, so Sharpe must of been doing something right in the line-out, he get's line out's. Good move this haveing Sharpe in the line-out stuff, heck the Tah's could use his experience in a coaching role at the line-out.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Hasn't Dingo changed his tune with Sharpey. He didn't want a bar of him at the World Cup, practically begged him to play last year and now a coaching gig ! In saying all this, it can't hurt to have him on board.
Coodabeenawesome
Guest
Lineout consultant no problem(would prefer Victor Matfield though). But any other area should be a nogo for notso.
Amateur Hour
Guest
If you watched the Waratahs lineout on the weekend, his input can't hurt. And yes, all you QLD'ers should see this as a further sign that Deans intends to select the entire Waratahs pack....and start them.
Simon Levingston
Guest
How many are there in the coaching staff?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Im not really a fan of ex-players joining coaching teams so soon after retirement. It seems to be working ok for Matfield but that seems to be the exception to the rule in most sports. I'm not sure what Sharpe can bring that the players who played with him last year or for the last 5 years don't already know.
A Different Cat.
Guest
No matter what happens it is wrong according to some people.
Red Kev
Guest
I think it is a smart move. Assuming the locks are Horwill and McMeniman with Douglas or Simmons on the bench – Sharpe will be invaluable when it comes to lineout coaching. I don't think the leadership angle is that big a deal. Having Sharpe there also highlights the gravity of the tour – he played test rugby for 11 years and missed the opportunity to suit up against the Lions. I’d have him present the jerseys for the first test too.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Notso is improving as a commentator but I also would ask the question. Do the wallabies need him with Horwill etc there??? Seems to me that everyone gets a gong, the coaching staff must number in the hundreds by now. That's where our ARU dollar is going, on superfluous coaching staff, I'd rather it was spent on grassroots level thank you.
grotto
Guest
Jeez it's easy for me to site back and criticise this, but first of all, Horwill and Genia are back - will they need Sharpe's leadership and "Tactical Nous".