Wallabies assistant coach Nathan Grey will move into a new role at Rugby Australia in 2020, becoming the National High Performance Coach Advisor.
That role will see Grey work with both the men’s and women’s Sevens teams, but also the Wallaroos, Junior Wallabies, and development teams.
However, Grey will also have joint role as Technical Director of the Sunwolves in next year’s Super Rugby season, providing technical advice to coaching to the Japanese side.
“I’m really excited to step into this new role next year. I’ve enjoyed my time as an Assistant at both the NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies for the last four years but this is now an opportunity for me to continue my development as a coach,” said Grey.
“The Sunwolves have an incredibly talented group of players that are keen to learn, and the same can be said of the coaching staff in Tokyo too. We all saw from the recent World Cup just how much ability and potential there is in Japan, and I will be doing all I can to help in their development.
“I’m also really looking forward to assisting with the Australian Sevens programs, the Wallaroos as well as the Junior teams here in Australia.
“We have some really talented individuals coming through the ranks at all levels so it’s about harnessing that, and then complimenting the great work that the coaches are already doing with their respective teams.”
Scott Johnson, Rugby Australia’s Direct of Rugby, said the change of role would give Grey the chance to develop new skills will remaining in the Australian system.
“Nathan has proven himself to be a great young coach and he’s one that we didn’t want to lose out of the system,” said Johnson.
“We want to see him continue to grow and evolve and that will happen now with Nathan to be given a bit more responsibility and scope.
“Nathan’s role with the Sunwolves came out of discussions with the JRFU and the support they felt they needed to continue to grow.
“We’re really proud of the relationship with have with the JRFU and we’ve been looking at new ways in how we can collaborate to achieve our respective goals across the business but specifically in High Performance.”
qingdao16 .
Roar Rookie
Nathan Grey would have to be one of the worst coaches to ever work with the Wallabies. His record with them and the Waratahs has been nothing short of abysmal. He must be really good at doing job interview presentations.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
We need to have an inquiry chaired by Pat Howard to get to the bottom of this.
MitchO
Guest
Maybe Grey will look at the car crash of the last five years and be a better coach for it. I suspect he will regret that he didn't stand up to Cheika or wasn't introspective enough to change his own system and insist upon it. Head coach is the boss but if you're the D coach/professional you need enough strength of character to stand up for what you believe. Cheika has the strength to stand up for what he believed in. Unfortunately he was wrong but he did stand up. For many years to come the attack coach is going to be giving his people a pep talk along the lines of "Guys we've got Nathan running the D so we are going to have to come up with 7 tries a game".
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He definitely signed a deal to the end of 2019. That doesn't mean it wasn't extended though.
Brett McKay
Expert
I thought he had another year to go, hence the need to 'transition' to this role. But I'll absolutely stand corrected on that..
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Why the hell does RA continue to employ these proven losers. Talk about jobs for the boys it shits me to tears
coldturkey
Roar Rookie
“Nathan has proven himself to be a great young coach and he’s one that we didn’t want to lose out of the system,” said Johnson. I wonder if Johnson was able to say this with a straight face? Let's be honest Nathan Gray is someone that we would be quite happy to lose out of the system. Wouldn't it be great if he got a role as defensive coach of the Irish?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Grey is off contract though isn’t he?
Brett McKay
Expert
It's the same role Stephen Larkham held last year, TWAS, the if-we're-going-to-keep-paying-you-you-might-as-well-do-something-for-us HPU role created after Cheika threw him under the bus. Just very fortuitous there was a vacancy in the role for Grey! (And for what it's worth, Larkham quite enjoyed the role! Got a lot out working with the U20s and U18s squads..)
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Bahahah...
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
I wonder who it is that he has photos of.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You have to consider, who is interested in these roles? Not any coach with any ambition. There's no progression. Of all the coaches in the world I wouldn't want Grey. But the vast majority would have no interested being tied to this role.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I know it's seen as a promotion but it's a more lateral move and likely not a high paying one. It's a bit like how "failed" coaches move to DOR, Football department head, etc. across the 3 codes. It can be portrayed as a "promotion" as technically the person sits above the coach, but it's probably being paid like an assistant, and more of a management role that is a conduit to the on field part. This is a guy with Super and test coaching experience moving to deal with the parts of the game where coaches are very inexperienced.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
This was not a promotion. This was moving someone on gracefully with a parachute.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
What would he be if he had been successful. Reminds me of what Lloyd George said of General Rawlinson who had not won a battle in the early days of WW1. “ Every time Rawly loses a battle he gets promoted ; He’ll be a Field Marshall in no time “.