Rugby news: St Kilda head of football David Rath joins Eddie Jones’ Wallabies staff

Eddie Jones has lured one of the AFL’s top strategists to rugby in a huge boost to the Wallabies’ coaching staff. See Jones’ full team for this year’s World Cup tilt here.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is making moves.

True to his word, Eddie Jones is raiding rival codes and rival teams in a massive revamp of the coaching staff that will lead the Wallabies to this year’s World Cup in France.

Once considered unthinkable, Jones’ latest recruits are a top AFL head of football and an English master of the dark arts of scrummaging.

The latter’s name is Neal Hatley, who is currently serving as forwards coach of English Premiership side Bath.

But if the name sounds familiar, it’s because Hatley was also one of Jones’ right-hand men that took England all the way to the 2019 World Cup final in Japan – destroying Australia in the quarter-finals.

Eddie Jones watches on during a Super Rugby match.

With the Wallabies on track for a possible quarter-final showdown with the Poms at this year’s World Cup in France, Jones has moved quickly to secure Hatley as Australia’s new scrum coach.

“I‘m honoured to join Eddie and the Wallabies in what’s a massive year with the World Cup just over five months away,” Hatley said.

“I know there‘s plenty of potential within the playing group in Australia and I’m looking forward to maximising that when I begin the role.”

Jones has also lured a big name away from the AFL after signing David Rath from St Kilda, where he’s been working as a biomechanist and strategist.

Before joining the Saints, Rath was part of the Hawthorn staff which led the Hawks to four AFL flags in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

He joins the Wallabies in the role of learning co-ordinator.

With no time to waste, Jones is tickled pink with his new high-profile signings.

“It‘s great to have Neal and David on board with the Wallabies,” Jones said.

Neal Hatley has joined the Wallabies.

David Rath (right) has joined the Wallabies. Picture: Michael Klein

“Neal’s a coach with a tremendous amount of experience and knows what’s required to be successful at International level.

“David has worked with the best coaches in the AFL and will bring a skill set that will help aid our learning environment.”

A meticulous planner, Jones has already shown he’s prepared to hire people from sports other than rugby if they can help the Wallabies win this year’s World Cup after a disastrous run under the previous head coach Dave Rennie.

Reappointed just eight months before the sport’s global showpiece, Jones has been hastily rebuilding a new and diverse coaching staff.

Last month, he signed former Wests Tigers and NSW State of Origin fullback Brett Hodgson as his defensive coach.

He’s also got former Wallaby Berrick Barnes and attacking guru Scott Wisemantle on his books and is on the lookout for his main forwards and backs coaches.

Originally published as Rugby news: St Kilda head of football David Rath joins Eddie Jones’ Wallabies staff