McGahan Joins Robbie Deans

Australia have announced a new-look coaching team ahead of the international season including Munster boss Tony McGahan.

Former Wallaby Andrew Blades and ex-Brumbies assistant Nick Scrivener will also join Robbie Deans' staff in the lead up to the first Test of the year against Scotland on June 5.

Deans announced on Monday that McGahan will join him in the newly created position of coaching-coordinator, Blades as forwards coach and Scrivener as coaching assistant.

They take over from former assistants Jim Williams and Phil Blake, who were axed after last year's failed World Cup campaign.

McGahan will return to Australia upon completion of his stint at two-time Heineken Cup winners Munster following four seasons in charge.

Munster revealed in February that McGahan would leave at the end of the current campaign. The Queenslander had been expected to join the Wallabies but his appointment as coaching co-ordinator had not been forecast.

McGahan's experience as a head coach is considered a major asset for the newly created role, where he will have a significant involvement in the overall coordination of the coaching and management team, as well as the player liaison, assisting head coach Deans.

Experience

Former Wallaby Blades takes over as the team's forwards coach, returning to the position for a second time after a wide-ranging career which has also included experience with both the Brumbies and Newcastle Falcons.

A Rugby World Cup-winner as a player in 1999, Blades moved into coaching at the conclusion of an on-field career that included 32 Test appearances for Australia between 1996 and 1999 - a period which included the 3-0 Bledisloe Cup series win in 1998 and Australia's second Rugby World Cup success a year later.

He also played 47 matches for the NSW Waratahs between 1992 and 1999, with that career split by one season with the Queensland Reds in 1995 when he featured in the state's Super 10 championship-winning side.

Scrivener, who has coached at both the Brumbies and in Scotland, joins the Wallabies for the first time as the team's Coaching Assistant.

A product of Canberra and a foundation member of the Brumbies playing squad in 1996, Scrivener arrived back in Australia last year to take up the head coaching position within the Australian Rugby Union's Academy programme.

This followed a two-year stint in Europe where he was head coach of both Edinburgh, as well as the Scotland A side.

The Wallabies squad for the June Test matches will be announced when the preliminary group of Reds and Western Force players assemble in Sydney on Monday 28 May.

Playing contingents from the Melbourne Rebels, Brumbies and Waratahs will come into camp after they complete their Super Rugby commitments the following weekend.

An initial group of 34 players will be named, with this being trimmed back to 30 once the opening Test of the year, which is being played midweek, is completed.