Nathan Grey
The Waratahs have confirmed the re-signing of Assistant Coach Nathan Grey, finalising the coaching structure ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Grey, who began his coaching role at the Waratahs ahead of their title-winning season in 2014, said he was excited at the prospect of continuing his work with the team, and shaping the next generation of incoming players.
“We’ve got a really exciting group of young players on board for next season who have an opportunity here to contribute to the team right from the start,” Grey said.
“At the end of the season we saw some of our very high calibre players departing – Cliffy (Palu), Swoop (Ashley-Cooper), Keps (Kepu) and what not – and there is a vacuum there, so we will be looking to our younger players to get stuck in straight away and really stake a claim with how they train and play.
“It’s important to recognise the legacy that those players left, but we’re communicating a really strong message to the squad that they are here to create their own legacy and build what the players before them have created.”
Grey will coach alongside new coaching recruits Cameron Blades and Chris Malone in Head Coach Daryl Gibson’s inaugural season, and says he is looking forward to the opportunity to build on the successful culture of the team.
“Over the past few years we have had some great success, and it is wonderful to look back and recognise that, but we’re creating our own path with this group and developing the Waratahs into a stronger, more consistent and hopefully very competitive team,” Grey said.
“Knowing their [Blades and Malone] history, they will be able to bring a different skill set and fresh perspective to what Daryl and I have, so it will be fantastic to pick their brains and learn from them – I have no doubt they will be able to really add to the Waratahs’ team culture in their own unique way, I’m looking forward to working alongside them next season.”
Grey is currently on tour with the Wallabies in an assistant coaching capacity, and will return to the Volvo Centre for the 2016 pre-season training in December.
Following his successful playing career, which included 94 state caps and 35 international caps as well as two Rugby World Cup campaigns, Grey moved to Japan for a 5 year stint with Kyuden as player / coach.
In 2011, Grey was recruited to Melbourne’s new Rebels franchise and spent the inaugural season as skills coach before being promoted to assistant coach under Damien Hill.