Tony McGahan quits Munster to join the Wallabies – Rugby News Update
The professional teacher from Queensland Australia, Tony McGahan will be plying his trade with his native side, the Wallabies, ahead of the summer international matches. He has been the coach of Munster, an Irish professional rugby team since 2008.
Tony McGahan never played professionally, though he did play at the school and university level. He first joined Munster in 2005 as a defensive and back's coach, only to be appointed the director of coaching in 2008, when Declan Kidney left the job.
It was announced a few months ago that McGahan will not be with Muster following the end of this season and was expected to join the Wallabies. This decision has officially been announced and he will be part of the coaching setup under Robbie Deans, and
will work in the capacity of a coaching co-ordinator.
The Australian Rugby Union was pleased with his appointment and welcomed him officially by releasing the following statement, "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 co-ordination of the coaching and management team, as well as the player liaison, assisting head coach Robbie Deans."
Initially it was thought that McGahan will work as a defensive coach in the Australian setup but his appointment as a coaching co-ordinator was unexpected.
He had told his team that he will be leaving at the end of the month and his protracted negotiations with the Munster bosses reached an impasse, while the lure to work for the national team was too hard to resist for the Queenslander.
Currently there are names being touted for the vacant coaching position at Munster. Eddie O’Sullivan, who is a former coach of Ireland, and the Wayne Smith, the World Cup winning assistant coach of the All Blacks, are two of the favourites to lead the Irish
team next season.
Munster has rebuilding to do over the summer break and McGahan will be missed by the club. They had been doing well since McGahan became the head coach and his replacement will have a lot to live upto.
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