Dan Palmer – the Brumbies forwards coach and one of Eddie Jones’ World Cup assistants – will leave Australian rugby at year’s end.
The Roar understands the former Wallabies prop will join his old boss, Dan McKellar, at Leicester Tigers.
While Palmer’s role expanded this year from the Brumbies’ scrum guru to forwards coach, his departure is a massive blow for Stephen Larkham’s side. It comes off the back of the news veteran coach ‘Lord’ Laurie Fisher will step down at year’s end from full-time coaching.
It means Larkham, who is set to bring on Ben Mowen, will need to find another assistant coach to join his team.
Former Wallabies prop Dan Palmer is the Brumbies’ scrum coach. Picture: Lachlan Lawson/Brumbies Media
The 34-year-old is considered one of the best scrum coaches not only in Australia but the world.
“He’s awesome, and probably that I’ve had,” Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said of Palmer ahead of the season.
“I think mainly because he’s been in the position before, and he transitioned straight into scrum coach in 2014. So, when I first came, and I’m pretty sure from (talking to) Scotty (Sio) and Lord (veteran coach Laurie Fisher) that he was coaching scrums while he was playing as well.
“In terms of going against pressure, asking what you want from the second-rows and the back five, but being technically excellent around their role as well, that’s what he brings. He understands the importance of one to eight instead of just the front-row. He understands the importance of the No.8’s role and the back-rowers as well. I think that’s his point of difference as a scrum coach, and he’s got a plan for every team that we come up against.”
Allan Alaalatoa says Dan Palmer is the best scrum coach he has worked under. (Photo: Getty Images)
Palmer was brought in by the Wallabies during last year’s Rugby Championship to oversee the scrum despite having Petrus du Plessis on their books. It wasn’t the first time the Wallabies had asked Palmer to join the national team, with the scrum doctor joining Michael Cheika’s coaching team in late 2017 as Mario Ledesma’s replacement.
After a stint on Australia A’s tour of Japan last year, Palmer also spent time with Eddie Jones’ Suntory in December.
It came as no surprise, therefore, that Jones included the one-Test Wallaby as part of his coaching structure for this year’s World Cup “smash and grab” campaign.
Interestingly, Jones included Palmer as the Wallabies’ lineout coach, with Neal Hatley, who was the England scrum coach at the 2019 World Cup, brought in as the forwards coordinator.
It says plenty of Palmer’s pedigree that Jones believes the rising coach is good enough to oversee such a specialised area despite his portfolio only recently expanding to include the lineout.
McKellar, who stood down as Wallabies forwards coach in the weeks after Jones’ appointment after being offered the Leicester job, has had to assemble an entirely new coaching team after recently appointed England coach Steve Borthwick brought in all of his assistants from the Tigers.
Former Brumbies coach and Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar has added Dan Palmer to his coaching team at Leicester. (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)
One source said Palmer’s departure was “a blow to the Brumbies” but “could prove to be the making of him”.
Palmer, who is nearing the end of his PhD, will now get the chance to immerse himself in the set-piece, which is the bedrock of English rugby, by joining McKellar at Leicester.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Well Wizz he must have listened had a massive game against Canes...Slipper at his best.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Just goes to show ho low the bar has sunk in Australian rugby. Hailing people who haven't achieved anything of substance as world beaters.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
sorry my bad - you're right - can someone go and 3D print both McKeller, Mowen and Palmer lifetime achievement awards for completely abandoning Australia as soon as they were appointed to the national job. If you get time, spray paint the awards gold - if no time, don't worry about it. The aware ceremony can take place at a refuse centre in the middle of the night. Release the Ibis!
jeznez
Roar Guru
That was them, was just as I was starting to get into rugby. Must still be Australia's proudest scrummaging moment.
Big A
Roar Rookie
how's this for a pack ............................ Steve Tuynman, Simon Poidevin, David Codey, Steve Cutler, Steve Williams (vc), Andy McIntyre, Tom Lawton, Topo Rodriguez.
Big A
Roar Rookie
probably a twinkle in his mother's eye
jeznez
Roar Guru
I don’t recall Alan Ala’alatoa in that match. Was he off the bench?
Big A
Roar Rookie
Alec Evans - Cardiff Arms Park on grand slam tour - Wallabies shunt the Welsh pack for a push over try - long time ago - 1984
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah, it's not a great comment. Seems to be a stretch by Christy taking Ala'alatoa's comment of best he's had, to one of the best in the world. Trying to think who the contenders would be of the best that have coached AAA. Ledesma is the obvious candidate, not sure who else would rate.
Big A
Roar Rookie
best scrum coach in the world - in whose book? - embarrassing to read
jeznez
Roar Guru
Still looking for the next Bradman!
Big A
Roar Rookie
hey Jimbo - commitment? - its every man for himself these days - its called the "I AM" commitment - it all started when people started taking selfies of themselves - McKellar now Palmer - these guys should have stayed in Australia to help with the sinking ship instead they bail at the first opportunity - unless McKellar wins three championships in the motherland i wouldn't have him back - he deserted the sinking ship
Big A
Roar Rookie
sounds like he's getting a lot of his research from the front rowers who constantly cellurise their brains in the scrums
Big A
Roar Rookie
how do we label the guy as being "considered one of the best scrum coaches not only in Australia but the world" - you couldn't make some of this stuff up - he's probably pretty good but why do we have to go overboard every time - it gets very predictable. Abit like young Jorgo - cruelled with that knee injury - great young player but he didn't have one leg on the plane to France and yet every second story seems to indicate that
jeznez
Roar Guru
No - just a quick google!
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Jez, sounds like U might know Peter McCullagh? https://anu-sport.com.au/sites/default/files/2021-12/Blues%20Awards%20Selection%20Guiding%20Criteria%20-%20FINAL%20November%202021.pdf
jeznez
Roar Guru
He's still Mr and not Dr on the uni website. Not sure when he's due to complete. https://jcsmr.anu.edu.au/people/students/mr-daniel-palmer
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
And for wobblies down the track (note - not trail)
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
No, just like on the field, if U don't seizecreated opportunites, U get done over
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Has he finished his PhD? - on hold, or are Tigers field work? Wikipedia - "Palmer is completing a PhD at ANU in the cellular mechanisms of brain function."