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Bath announce three signings and name their new attack coach
The huge overhaul at Bath ahead of the summer arrival of Johann van Graan as the Gallagher Premiership club’s new head coach from Munster took another step forward on Tuesday with the appointment of Joe Maddock as their new attack coach for the 2022/23 season. There was also the confirmation of new signings in Worcester hooker Niall Annett, Munster full-back Matt Gallagher – the son of ex-All Blacks full-back John – and Jersey back-rower Wesley White – the son of ex-Springboks boss Jake.
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New Zealander Maddock played for Bath between 2004 and 2010, making 130 appearances on the wing, and he has since earned his coaching stripes in the Canterbury/Crusaders environment before moving onto Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan.
“Bath has always been special to me and my family,” said Maddock. “I love the club and I love the city. I’m looking forward to working with such a talented group of players and contributing to an exciting new era.”
Bath confirmed last month the departure with immediate effect of attack and backs coach David Williams by mutual consent just nine months after his much-heralded appointment as the replacement for Girvan Dempsey.
CEO Tarquin McDonald said: “We are grateful to Toshiba for allowing Joe to return to Bath. Working under new head coach Johann van Graan, he will add an extra dimension to a gifted and experienced coaching unit.”
Maddog is coming back 😍 @bathrugby as a young player I learnt so much off him, can’t wait to see what he can do 💪 pic.twitter.com/0LS7XGndBJ
— matt banahan (@mattbanahan1) March 1, 2022
As for the trio of new Bath players, 30-year-old hooker Annett has already been in the Premiership for some time at Worcester following his arrival there from Ulster. However, the family background of the other two Bath recruits will attract the most interest. John Gallagher was a Londoner who found fame and fortune in New Zealand in the mid-1980s, going on to win the 1987 World Cup with the All Blacks, and now his 25-year-old son Matt is joining from Munster after making his initial breakthrough in the pro ranks at Saracens.
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old forward White, who has been making his way at Championship level with Jersey in recent times, is the son of Jake, who guided the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup triumph and is now boss at the URC Bulls.
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McDonald added: “Our recruitment process continues, with further signings to follow. We have been seeking players with talent and character, people who will share our resolve to drive the club back to the top of the league. We will be delighted to welcome Niall, Matt and Wesley to the club later this year.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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