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Raiwalui named Wallabies forwards coach

Former Fiji international Simon Raiwalui has been appointed Australia's new forwards coach.

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Source: AAP


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The Wallabies' off-field staff has been bolstered by the appointment of former Fiji international Simon Raiwalui as Australia's new forwards coach.

Born in New Zealand, lock Raiwalui represented Fiji on 43 occasions after playing for the Australian Schoolboys alongside Wallaby legends Ben Tune and Joe Roff.

He will start the role after completing his club duties with French club Biarritz.

The job brings him back to Australia for the first time in over 20 years following playing stints with Sale (England), Newport (Wales), Racing Metro (France) and Saracens who he captained in the English Premiership.

Raiwalui has accumulated coaching experience with Racing Metro, Stade Francais and Biarritz.

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He joins a Wallabies' coaching staff which includes Cheika, Stephen Larkham (attack), Nathan Grey (defence) and Mick Byrne (skills).

"'I'm very excited to move back to Australia and the chance to work alongside Michael (Cheika), Stephen (Larkham), Mick (Byrne) and Nathan (Grey) was one that I just couldn't pass up," Raiwalui said.

"I've learned so much about the game in the northern hemisphere and I think it's been crucial for me as a forwards coach.

"There's so much focus on that side of the game in Europe so I hope I can bring home some of those learnings to Australian rugby."

Cheika said there had been a quality group of Australian and overseas candidates for the role from local and overseas Super Rugby teams, as well as from France and England.

"We had the luxury of taking our time to ensure we had a lot of detail in our selection process and the final choice of Simon was very clear for us," Cheika said.

"His quality of character, along with his technical detail and passion for Australia was a mix that proved a very potent argument for his selection."


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