Australian rugby's guru to retire from coaching

Former Wallabies assistant Laurie Fisher will step down from fulltime coaching at the end of 2023 after 15 Super Rugby seasons at the Brumbies.

A Canberra local and prominent member of the ACT rugby community for more than 40 years, Fisher has left an indelible mark on the Brumbies in his three stints as a coach.

“I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Brumbies organisation who provided my first professional opportunity and have shown faith in me over a 25-year period,” Fisher said.

“It’s been a blessing to work with so many great people – players and staff alike.

“I believe I’ve had a positive impact on everyone I’ve worked with and step away from the Brumbies with a great sense of pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment in the work I’ve done.

“It’s now time for others to step in, step up and take the team and organisation forward. I wish them every success.”

Fisher first joined the club in 1999, coaching the Brumbies Runners before transitioning to the role of Academy head coach in 2000.

He moved up to the senior side in 2003, taking on the Australian under-21s job as well in 2003 and 2004.

Having been part of the Brumbies Super 12 title-winning staff in 2004, Fisher became head coach in 2005, departing in 2008 to take on a senior assistant role with Munster in Ireland.

Fisher returned to the Brumbies for the 2012 season, helping to usher in a new-look side under Jake White that would go on to make the grand final and beat the British and Irish Lions in 2013.

A three-year stint with Gloucester in England followed before Fisher returned to the ACT at the end of 2017 to join then-rookie head coach Dan McKellar’s staff for the 2018 season.

Fisher’s work in moulding the Brumbies defence and breakdown helped the side reach the Super Rugby semi-finals in 2019 and 2022, with a Super Rugby AU title in 2020 recognition of the team’s difficult journey through the enforced COVID-19 competition shutdown.

Fisher joined Dave Rennie’s Wallabies staff for last year’s Rugby Championship and Spring Tour, the 64-year-old returning for his 15th season with the Brumbies in 2023.

“I want to thank Laurie for his commitment and significant contribution to our club and the game in our region,” Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson said in a statement.

“We will miss having Laurie around on a fulltime basis, but we know the work he has done in developing our current playing group and the foundations our pathways program is built on will continue to benefit the Brumbies for many years to come, and he will always be welcome at the Brumbies.”