Rob Hoadley is leaving the London Wasps – Rugby News Update
Rob Hoadley, the defence coach of the London Wasps, is moving to new pastures, as announced by the club. The 32-year-old from Hammersmith was appointed the defence coach of the Wasps in 2011, and is leaving for the Black Rams, a club in Japan.
The director of rugby at Wasps, Dai Young praised the work of Hoadley and thanked him for the contributions he has made over the years.
He said, "He is someone I wanted to have involved next season but having been made an offer to experience a different environment overseas and with our future uncertain when that offer was made, you can't blame him for taking it."
Hoadley started his coaching career with his current club, working as an assistant coach for three years before being elevated to his current position after the exit of Shaun Edwards in 2011.
The former centre spoke about his reasons for leaving, saying that his new role will be a career progression. While commenting on his departure he said, "I'll be the team's attack and defence coach which is a good progression for me and I am really looking
forward to linking up not just with Leon but also with Stephen Larkham who is also with the club."
He was also quick to praise the coaches that he has worked with over the years. He left special praise for Shaun Edwards, who he feels had a massive influence on his career, acting as a mentor to the defence coach, and it was Edwards who he replaced.
His departure is not only about leaving for a better job but he also feels that it is important for a coach to be well rounded, and a different challenge would let him achieve that. It has become increasingly popular for European coaches to work in Japan
before making the move back home.
Hoadley will know a few people at the Black Rams, such as the former Wasps' inside centre Riki Flutey, and boss Leon Holden.
He was wished a fond farewell by Young, who said, "Everyone wishes him all the best and we're looking forward to him coming back to England in a few years..."
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