Former England lock Geoff Parling has been confirmed as the final member of Joe Schmidt’s slimmed down Wallabies coaching team.
Parling, 40, will leave the Melbourne Rebels at the end of the Super Rugby Pacific season to join coach Schmidt, veteran assistants Mike Cron and Laurie Fisher and Irish analyst Eoin Toolan.
Cron, Fisher and Parling are all forwards specialists, leaving Schmidt to handle backline responsibilities on his own.
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It is a sharp contrast to Eddie Jones’ bloated coaching team and saves Rugby Australia money after last year’s disastrous $2.6m Rugby World Cup blowout “breach.”
The Wallabies are pleased to confirm Geoff Parling as the newest and final addition to its coaching group, led by Joe Schmidt.
Parling also worked as a Wallabies assistant under Dave Rennie in 2020 and is in his sixth season with the Rebels.
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“Geoff has spent more than 20 years, playing and coaching in the professional game,” Schmidt said.
“His understanding of the lineout, along with his Super Rugby knowledge, and previous experience with the Wallabies will add value to our coaching group.”
Parling played 29 Tests for England and was a member of the 2013 British and Irish Lions team that beat Australia.
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“It’s an honour to coach the Wallabies and to work alongside Joe and the coaching group he has put together.
“The events on the horizon for the Wallabies and Australian rugby represent an incredible opportunity for everyone involved in the game. I will look to work hard with the Rebels through until the end of Super Rugby, then knuckle down and help push the Wallabies forward.”
The Wallabies open their 2024 campaign against Wales on July 6 in Sydney.
