Former Cronulla Sharks player and rugby league international Phil Bailey is expected to be unveiled as Waratahs defence coach this week.
While the Waratahs are yet to officially confirm Bailey's addition, the former Shark and rugby league globe trotter is understood to have been signed to the position.
Bailey played 103 NRL games for the Cronulla Sharks between 2002 and 2006 before moving to the UK's Super League and playing more than 100 games for Wigan.
After a stint with New York rugby league side, the Knights, Bailey played rugby union with the New York Athletic Club.
Bailey became US defence coach and worked with the national side in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
After the World Cup, Bailey moved to Hong Kong and worked with the famous Hong Kong Football Club for three years.
Bailey replaces the departing Steve Tandy, who joined the Scotland Test coaching team less than two months out from the start of the Super Rugby season.
Tandy replaced Aussie Matt Taylor in Scotland, with the latter returning to Australia to take up a Wallabies post.
The Waratahs play their first preseason trial on Friday January 17, taking on the Highlanders at Leichhardt Oval at 6:45pm AEDT. Watch LIVE on nsw.rugby and rugby.com.au.
