Former Wallabies star joins Downlands team

Downlands adds experienced duo to rugby union team

NEW COACH: Downlands College rugby player Michael Van Rooyen (left) chats with new kicking and backs coach former Wallaby Andrew Walker. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RUGBY: Downlands College will bolster their backline with one of Australian rugby's most dynamic players.

Former ACT Brumbies and Wallabies star Andrew Walker has joined the Griffins' coaching staff and will work with the team's backline and kickers.

"I'm really looking forward to working with this great group of young players,” Walker said.

"It (coaching) is something I've been looking into for a while so when Garrick (Morgan) called I was happy to get involved.”

Walker, who played 47 games for the Brumbies including winning the 2001 Super Rugby championship, said he would focus on the basics during his work with the players.

"You see a lot of young players who have everything but at the same time they don't,” Walker said.

"Everyone wants to make the big flashy plays, be the match winner.

"I'm about the one per centres, having control and doing the little things right.

"It's the little plays, the things a lot players don't always want to do, that are going to help you win games.

"I think a lot of what I'll be doing will be fine-tuning.”

Walker, who played in his fair share of Super Rugby derbies, is also excited about being part of this year's O'Callaghan Cup clash.

"I've heard it's a really big day so I'm looking forward to being part of it,” he said.

"Everyone looks forward to those big games - especially when it's something like this - a cross town rivalry.

ON BOARD: Downlands rugby players Ned Williams (left) and Mick Ryan run through a tackling drill with defensive coach Graham Herlihy. Picture: Kevin Farmer

"Hopefully we'll be able to come out on top.”

Working alongside Walker will be Graham Herlihy.

"Garrick and I have been friends for a long time,” Herlihy said.

"We've worked together in the past and I thought this would be a good opportunity to keep my hand in coaching after I retired from teaching.”

Bringing more than 30 years of rugby league and union coaching experience to the table, including a stint with famed rugby union GPS powerhouse The Southport School, Herlihy will work on the team's defensive structures.

"They've got a great bunch of kids here,” Herlihy said.

"Good kids with the right attitude and work ethic and I enjoy working with those type of players.

"My main focus will be on defensive, working hard off the ball to win it back, and their defensive structure.

"One of the things I'll be trying to instil is good tackling technique - it's really important they get themselves in the right position to make a solid effective tackle.

"I'll also be helping out with some of the attacking structure as well.”

For Downlands head coach Garrick Morgan the additions of Walker and Herlihy are a massive bonus.

"David O'Sullivan moving on left a few spots for us to fill,” Morgan said.

"Being able to bring in Andrew and Graham is massive for us.

"I've known Andrew for a long time, he's a great bloke, and I knew coaching was something he was pursuing so I called him to see if he'd be interested.

"And Graham is an old friend as well.

"We've got a great young playing group here and I think they will help us get the best of them as players and people.

"We're really lucky to have both of them on board.

"Andrew will be a great mentor for a lot of our boys and there's not much Graham doesn't know about coaching.

"He (Herlihy) worked with Matt Taylor before he joined Scotland as their defensive coach.”

Originally published as Former Wallabies star joins Downlands team