NSW Rugby has announced two key additions to their high-performance staff, with former Wallaby Andrew Blades named as General Manager of Rugby and Pauli Taumoepeau as the Waratahs forwards coach.
The two appointments finalise the Waratah’s coaching list after the selection of new coach Darren Coleman, for this year’s worst performed Super Rugbyb team.
NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn said in a statement that the pair named on Tuesday had a background in the Shute Shield, and this was a way of reconnecting the Waratahs to grassroots rugby and building a high calibre coaching roster.
“Andrew and Pauli are both fantastic additions to NSW Rugby and bring a unique mix of experience and knowledge to our organisation from a playing and management perspective,” Doorn said in the statement.
“Both have a deep and specialised understanding of rugby and Andrew’s international experience and Pauli’s success in coaching and player development adds depth to the Waratah’s program. Both are a product of the Shute Shield and it again shows that the competition produces quality coaches.”
Blades played 49 times for the Waratahs and 32 Tests for the Wallabies in a career spanning from 1992 to 1999, finishing up as Rugby World Cup winner in the victory over France.
After retiring, Blades coached Newcastle Falcons in England and in Sydney’s Shute Shield competition.
He was Wallaby forwards coach in 2004 and again from 2012 to 2015 and comes to the Waratahs from his current role as Head of Rugby at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill.
“I’m very privileged to get the opportunity to return to NSW Rugby and to play a role in helping the organisation implement performance strategies with the aim of long-term success for the Waratahs and its high-performance programs,” Blades said in the statement.
“NSW Rugby union holds a special place in my heart, so this is an ideal opportunity to come full circle and back home to the organisation.
“My experience in the NSW Rugby landscape will help me develop strategies to improve our player pathways and I’m looking forward to working with the coaching staff and the high-performance team to bring success to the Waratahs and the NSW Rugby Union.”
Taumoepeau, the current Director of Rugby and 1st Grade Head Coach at Eastern Suburbs, will join the Waratah coaching staff as the forward’s coach.
Taumoepeau began coaching at Eastern Suburbs in 2014 after injury ended his playing days as a loose forward for Sydney University and Eastern Suburbs.
“I’m really excited to join the Waratahs and be a part of Darren Coleman’s coaching team and can’t wait to get stuck in and have a positive influence on the group,” Taumoepeau said.
“The Waratahs were the first team I supported growing up and all my heroes wore the famous Sky-Blue, so this role has a real emotional connection for me. It’s an incredibly proud moment for myself and my family.
“There is a lot of talent in the squad, and I can’t wait to get to work alongside DC, Chris Whitaker and Jason Gilmore to help bring some confidence back to the side through a lot of hard work.”
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman said in the statement: “Pauli was a highly talented young player whose career was cut short, and he turned his hand to coaching at a young age.
“He’s shown consistency in developing the teams and players he’s coached and had great success with the programs he ran in both Easts Colts and 1st Grade, never missing the finals.
“He’s a student of the game and improved his technical knowledge quickly and has great potential to grow with the playing group.
“I have worked alongside him during my time at Easts and the Country Eagles in the NRC and he understands how I like my teams to be prepared and we are strongly aligned on the culture we want to install at the Waratahs.”
Meanhile, the NZ Herald reports that former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga has quit coaching to focus on his new family business selling supplements and wellness products.
Umaga last year re-signed with the Blues as defence coach, but has since had a change of heart.
He was head coach of the Blues from 2016 before transitioning to his defence brief under Leon MacDonald in 2018.
cookie
Roar Guru
Some truth in that no doubt PK. But Blades at least has a track record of success as a player and to a lesser degree as a coach. Coaching isn't rocket science. Much of it has to do with motivation and it seems Coleman has a tack record of being able to get underperforming teams to perform.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Saw this today: https://www.rugby.com.au/news/andrew-blades-ready-to-take-on-waratahs-rebuild-as-club-sets-out-recruitment-plans-2021818 As you said - Tighthead, Tighthead Lock and "someone quite explosive in the back three" which gels with my article the other day also. I'm expecting they'll announce Pietsch for the back three. If they can find the TH and THL, then there is one roster spot left for a back up for Hooper.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Is it the Tahs' fault the Emus got the chop??
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
I'd be interested to see how a Tane Edmed/Joey Walton midfield combination fares.
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
I just watched some highlights and noticed he was the starting tighthead. I'll have to watch their next game to see if he retains his starting spot and is able to hold up his side of the scrum. It'd also be interesting to see if his carries are as dynamic as they used to be.
Chufortah
Guest
Kicking Penrith out was the last straw for me. I’m not going to invest my time watching my beloved Tahs anymore in protest.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Not the worst idea. I think he could add benefit so longs as there was some future in the young guys coming through. Trans Tasman seasons are a bit easier on the older bodies than the number of games and travel associated with when South Africa were involved.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Is he still good?
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
I saw Sekope Kepu was playing in the NPC for Counties Manukau. Is he too old for Coleman's squad?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Agree which is why I said the TH and Lock are the challenge. I think it would be good to have more experience in the back line but I can't see an obvious candidate, at least not already in Oz. Also agree we've got a good group of young players that could develop in the role. Nawaqanitawase could be special there.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I'm not as interested at getting a fullback as the other positions. I think all of Ramm, Marky and Donaldson/Harrison would become a capable fullback. I'm not sure who's around and available are going to do much better than these guys. Maybe just someone with alot of experience and leadership qualities, perhaps?
PeterK
Roar Guru
happy to give them a go, but not to blow smoke, and over rate them when they have everything to prove at this level.
cinque
Roar Rookie
"Former" would seem to rule out Etzebeth, so will have to settle for Carter, maybe Nonu.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
I don't even need them to have won a World Cup. Say Furlong and Itoje, for example. I'd accept them.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
I really agree with this -> The TH and lock remain the challenge. The forward signing so far are good enough but will not stop us getting beaten up. I'd be happy if they earmarked Donaldson as a fullback. Harrison 10, Edmed 12, Nawaqanitawase 14 and Donaldson 15 would give them all a chance, and give us a chance to develop some talent.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
A very Shute Shield flavoured coaching team with Coleman and Pauli. These lads have a huge job on their hands, wish them all the best.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah, I hear you. No idea who would even be available. Coleman did promise some uncovered gems from Shute - so far we've really only seen two young guys in Adrian Brown and Langi Gleeson promoted from the development squad. Every single player added has been part of the system before. I'm still hoping a mature club player can come in and surprise us.
JC
Roar Rookie
Let’s give the guys a chance before writing them off. It’s a good move to give deserving local candidates a go.
jeznez
Roar Guru
If you watched the season and didn’t notice anything from him then I suggest you find a knowledgeable mate to watch matches with in the future. They should be able to help point out some of what is happening on the pitch for you.
JP
Guest
yeah, i watched the tah season and didn`t see Swinton do anything. All you have to do these days is point out one game a tah goes ok in a losing team for them to get gifted a Wallaby jersey.