Matt Williams (rugby coach)
Encyclopedia
Matt Williams is an Australia
n rugby union
coach from New South Wales
.
Williams, a teacher by profession, started in coaching at club level with Western Suburbs in Sydney, Australia in 1991. He became head coach of the Eastwood club in Sydney in 1993 and a year later gained representative recognition when he was appointed fitness and skills coach for the Emerging Wallabies' tour of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
In 1995 his coaching stints included New South Wales A; New South Wales Sevens; and an assistant's post for an Australian XV against England A. He was also a coaching assistant at the Wallaby World Cup camps. In 1996 he became manager and assistant coach for the NSW Waratahs' Super 12 campaign and then for the next three years he was head coach for the Waratahs. However during Williams' time as coach the Waratahs failed to reach the Super 12 finals.
Matt was instrumental in mentoring and coaching such great players as David Campese
, Matt Burke
, Tiaan Strauss
, Phil Kearns
and Jason Little.
Come the autumn of 1999 he acted as backs coach in Leinster Rugby
's European Cup campaign, prelude to becoming the province's head coach in 2000. Williams also undertook the role of defensive coach for the Irish national team in 2001. He was the first Australian Super 12 Coach to move to Europe.
In Matt’s three years at Leinster he “was part of a great group of men” who rose through the European rankings from thirty five to second. Leinster won the inaugural Celtic League Final and were Semi Finalists of the European Cup.
Matt coached the former British and Irish Lions Captain Brian O'Driscoll
, as well as Gordon D'Arcy
, Shane Horgan
, Malcolm O'Kelly
and Denis Hickey
.
Matt also was appointed Head Coach of Ireland “A” and won the Six Nations title with the “A” team. This led to Matt being “head hunted” and appointed Head Coach of Scotland. This unique challenge saw Matt as only the second Australian in over a century to be appointed as a Head Coach in the Six Nations Championship and the first foreign head coach of the Scotland national rugby union team
, holding the position from December 2003 to April 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4483233.stm.
He resigned from the post of head coach at Ulster Rugby in May 2009.
Williams is still currently working for Setanta Ireland
whilst acting as Coaching Director for the team of Racing Club Narbonne Méditerranée in the French Pro D2 alongside Justin Harrison (Forwards Coach and ex Wallaby). He is also technical adviser for the Sevens developmental club, Shamrock Warriors RFC
.
full-time, and was the first foreign head coach of Scotland, from December 2003 until April 2005. His first assistant coach (forwards coach) was New Zealander Todd Blackadder
and the second was Ulsterman Willie Anderson
. Williams was appointed by Ian McGeechan
and Jim Telfer
.
as defence coach and told Gregor Townsend
among others that he had no room for him in the team. This was regarded by many in Scotland as a mistake at the time, as Townsend was then still only thirty years old.
The three wins were over Samoa
, Japan
and Italy
. While the victory over Samoa in Wellington was a good one and that over a demoralised and poorly-coached Japan was by a record score (100–8), the one over Italy in the 2005 Six Nations was a poor one, Scotland retaining victory by 18–10
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
coach from New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
Williams, a teacher by profession, started in coaching at club level with Western Suburbs in Sydney, Australia in 1991. He became head coach of the Eastwood club in Sydney in 1993 and a year later gained representative recognition when he was appointed fitness and skills coach for the Emerging Wallabies' tour of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
In 1995 his coaching stints included New South Wales A; New South Wales Sevens; and an assistant's post for an Australian XV against England A. He was also a coaching assistant at the Wallaby World Cup camps. In 1996 he became manager and assistant coach for the NSW Waratahs' Super 12 campaign and then for the next three years he was head coach for the Waratahs. However during Williams' time as coach the Waratahs failed to reach the Super 12 finals.
Matt was instrumental in mentoring and coaching such great players as David Campese
David Campese
David Ian Campese , also known as Campo, is a former Australian rugby union player. Campese was capped by the Wallabies 101 times, and held the world record for the most tries in test matches until Daisuke Ohata scored his 65th try playing for Japan on 14 May 2006...
, Matt Burke
Matt Burke
Matthew Burke is a retired Australian rugby union player. He grew up in Carlingford, New South Wales, and was schooled at St Gerard Majella Catholic Primary School, Carlingford and St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill...
, Tiaan Strauss
Tiaan Strauss
Christian Petrus Strauss, commonly known as Tiaan Strauss was a rugby footballer who represented both South Africa and Australia at International level in rugby union and also played top-level domestic rugby league in Australia.He won 15 caps for the Springboks between 1992 and 1994, scoring 4...
, Phil Kearns
Phil Kearns
Philip Nicholas Kearns is a former Australian rugby union player. He represented Australia 67 times and was captain of on 10 occasions....
and Jason Little.
Come the autumn of 1999 he acted as backs coach in Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
's European Cup campaign, prelude to becoming the province's head coach in 2000. Williams also undertook the role of defensive coach for the Irish national team in 2001. He was the first Australian Super 12 Coach to move to Europe.
In Matt’s three years at Leinster he “was part of a great group of men” who rose through the European rankings from thirty five to second. Leinster won the inaugural Celtic League Final and were Semi Finalists of the European Cup.
Matt coached the former British and Irish Lions Captain Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is the current captain of the Ireland Rugby team and captained Leinster Rugby until the start of 2008 season. He also captained the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand...
, as well as Gordon D'Arcy
Gordon D'Arcy
Gordon William D'Arcy is an Irish rugby player, more specifically an inside centre. He is registered to Lansdowne RFC and plays for provincial and RaboDirect Pro12 side Leinster.-Career:...
, Shane Horgan
Shane Horgan
Shane Patrick Horgan born 18 July 1978 in Bellewstown, County Meath is a rugby union player who plays wing or centre for Leinster and Ireland. He is tall. While he was young he played for Boyne RFC. He also played Gaelic football at Minor level with Meath.Horgan joined Lansdowne on leaving...
, Malcolm O'Kelly
Malcolm O'Kelly
Malcolm O'Kelly is a retired Irish rugby union player who played as a lock for Ireland and Leinster....
and Denis Hickey
Denis Hickey
Denis Jon Hickey is a former Australian first class cricketer who played for Victoria and South Australia in the Sheffield Shield...
.
Matt also was appointed Head Coach of Ireland “A” and won the Six Nations title with the “A” team. This led to Matt being “head hunted” and appointed Head Coach of Scotland. This unique challenge saw Matt as only the second Australian in over a century to be appointed as a Head Coach in the Six Nations Championship and the first foreign head coach of the Scotland national rugby union team
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, holding the position from December 2003 to April 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4483233.stm.
He resigned from the post of head coach at Ulster Rugby in May 2009.
Williams is still currently working for Setanta Ireland
Setanta Ireland
Setanta Sports Ireland is a subscription based Irish sports channel featuring local and international sporting events. The channel is available on some basic cable packages in the Republic of Ireland, while it is available upon direct subscription to the Setanta Sports package on other networks...
whilst acting as Coaching Director for the team of Racing Club Narbonne Méditerranée in the French Pro D2 alongside Justin Harrison (Forwards Coach and ex Wallaby). He is also technical adviser for the Sevens developmental club, Shamrock Warriors RFC
Shamrock Warriors RFC
Shamrock Warriors RFC is a Rugby sevens club founded in 2009 by former Leinster out-half Fergal Campion. They are the only 7's club in Ireland endorsed by the Irish Rugby Football Union and will represent Ireland as the only official Irish 7's team competing at the top level tournaments in...
.
Scotland's first foreign head coach (2003–05)
He worked for the Scottish Rugby UnionScottish Rugby Union
The Scottish Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, having been founded in 1873, as the Scottish Football Union.-History:...
full-time, and was the first foreign head coach of Scotland, from December 2003 until April 2005. His first assistant coach (forwards coach) was New Zealander Todd Blackadder
Todd Blackadder
Todd Julian Blackadder is a former professional New Zealand rugby union player and professional rugby coach. He served as Director of Rugby for the Tasman Rugby Union before being appointed to succeed Robbie Deans as coach of Super 14 team the Crusaders...
and the second was Ulsterman Willie Anderson
Willie Anderson (rugby coach)
Willie Anderson is a rugby union coach and former Ireland international. A lock, Anderson was capped 27 times for the national side between 1984 and 1990, some of which as captain...
. Williams was appointed by Ian McGeechan
Ian McGeechan
Sir Ian Robert McGeechan OBE is a Scottish former rugby union player and coach. His nickname is "Geech".-Playing career:...
and Jim Telfer
Jim Telfer
James "Jim" Telfer is a Scottish rugby union coach and a former rugby player. A former headmaster at Hawick High School and chemistry teacher, he has won fame as a Scottish forwards coach who gave punishing training sessions to his players...
.
Dismissals
When he took over as Scotland's head coach Williams first dismissed Alan TaitAlan Tait
Alan V. Tait is a Scottish rugby footballer and coach. He is currently head coach at Newcastle Falcons and a former rugby league and rugby union footballer who played outside centre for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions...
as defence coach and told Gregor Townsend
Gregor Townsend
Gregor Peter John Townsend MBE is a former Scottish rugby union player who played at fly-half, full back and latterly centre....
among others that he had no room for him in the team. This was regarded by many in Scotland as a mistake at the time, as Townsend was then still only thirty years old.
As Scotland's head coach
Williams and his large team of assistants were themselves eventually dismissed by the SRU on 25 April 2005 after a disastrous record of only three wins in two years from 17 games.The three wins were over Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
, Japan
Japan national rugby union team
The Japan national rugby union team represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years...
and Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
. While the victory over Samoa in Wellington was a good one and that over a demoralised and poorly-coached Japan was by a record score (100–8), the one over Italy in the 2005 Six Nations was a poor one, Scotland retaining victory by 18–10