Another key piece has been added to Dave Rennie's Wallabies coaching line-up, with Matt Taylor confirmed as defence coach on a deal that will take him through to the completion of the next World Cup.
Taylor had been widely rumoured to be on Rugby Australia's hit list, along with Scott Wisemantel, who was unveiled Wallabies attack coach earlier this month.
Like Wisemantel, who served an apprenticeship under Eddie Jones with England, Taylor has been honing his skills in Scotland, where he served as defence coach for both the national team and Pro 14 outfit Glasgow Warriors.
He gave up his role with Glasgow in 2017 to become a full-time assistant to Gregor Townsend but the former Queensland junior representative and Reds defence coach is thrilled to be heading home.
“It’s a tremendous honour for me to represent the Wallabies in a coaching capacity," Taylor said.
"I have supported the Wallabies since childhood, so to be part of this group moving towards the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023 is an exciting prospect.
“After eight years of coaching in Europe I feel I have learnt a great deal, and I am looking forward to returning to Australia to help develop the exciting talent coming through the Australian ranks.
“The great Australian teams of the past have delivered a distinct style of play – they have been tough, competitive, and smart on both sides of the ball. I’m motivated to play my part in building a strong defensive team moving forward."
The 47-year-old, who started his built his reputation coaching at renowned Queensland rugby nursery The Southport School, before helping the Reds to the Super Rugby title in 2011, will renew his links with Rugby Australia's Director of Rugby Scott Johnson, who held the same position in Scotland during Taylor's time there.
Johnson said he regarded Taylor's coaching skills very highly.
“He’s a quality coach who has the experience, skillset, and personality that we believe will fit really well in the coaching team we have assembled," Johnson said.
“It is great for Australian rugby to be able to bring back someone of Matt’s calibre. As I said at the start of this process, we wanted a strong Australian flavour and we’d do everything in our power to make sure we get what we think is a quality coaching group for the Wallabies.”
Taylor is the second Aussie addition to Kiwi Rennie's coaching team, with former Reds coach Nick Stiles also rumoured to be in contention for a role as Rugby Australia works to provide a development pathway for its home-grown talent.
Taylor said he was looking forward to linking with Rennie and Wisemantel ahead of the international season.
“Dave Rennie is a person and coach I have known and respected for more than a decade, so working alongside Dave, Scott Wisemantel and the rest of the Wallabies coaches and staff will be very rewarding," he said.
“I am keen to visit the Australian Super Rugby teams and coaches over the next month or so and see how they are preparing and developing their players for the 2020 season. It’s important we have a strong connection with our Super Rugby teams.”
