Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

‘The most sought-after coach in the NRL’ joins Wallabies for World Cup

By AAP
Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles reacts during the warm-up before the round 11 NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters at BlueBet Stadium on May 12, 2023 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Jason Ryles will make a shock return to the rugby union coaching ranks as an assistant with the Wallabies at next month’s World Cup in France.

ADVERTISEMENT

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones needed to replace attack coach Brad Davis, who surprisingly quit the squad for “family reasons” just before their departure from Australia.

Ryles was a skills coach with England under Jones but cut short his contract in 2021 after six months as he was working remotely, unable to relocate to the UK due to the coronavirus travel restrictions.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

The 44-year-old hasn’t worked as an attack coach, however Davis had similar credentials with Jones saying he was overseeing the program.

Before joining England Ryles worked with the Melbourne Storm and has signed a deal to rejoin the NRL club in November, knocking back the head coach role at St George Illawarra to do so.

As an assistant there he helped them to a premiership success in 2017 and two other grand final appearances, while he also played over 200 games in the NRL and for the Kangaroos.

After returning from England Ryles linked with the Sydney Roosters in 2022, but was axed midway through the current season with the club unhappy he was pursuing a senior coaching role.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

Before the team’s flight from Sydney on Thursday Jones said he was already in discussions about a replacement for Davis and vowed to “improve the coaching staff”.

“Jason is the most sought-after coach in the NRL. He will add immensely to our coaching staff and help prepare the players to win the Rugby World Cup,” Jones said in a statement on Friday.

“We are thrilled to have him join the team.”

The Wallabies have another former NRL player in their coaching ranks, with Brett Hodgson in the defence coach role.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 2 | Sam Whitelock

Royal Navy Men v Royal Air Force Men | Full Match Replay

Royal Navy Women v Royal Air Force Women | Full Match Replay

Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

FEATURE
FEATURE Disciplinary verdicts as puzzling as ever – even when consistent to a fault Disciplinary verdicts as puzzling as ever – even when consistent to a fault
Search