GAFFNEY ADDS EXPERIENCE TO FORCE COACHING RANKS
The Western Force continue to add to their coaching stocks with the announcement that experienced coach Alan Gaffney will work with the club as an Attack Specialist for the 2017 Super Rugby season.
With almost 20 years of professional coaching experience behind him, Gaffney joins Dave Wessels’ coaching team along with current Ulster Assistant Coach Joe Barakat – who recently joined the Force for two seasons.
Currently the National Elite Programmes Coach with the ARU, Gaffney has a decorated CV – including positions as the Wallabies and Waratahs Assistant Coach, Ireland and Leinster Backs Coach, Saracens Director of Rugby, and Munster Head Coach.
Gaffney says he is excited to be working with Wessels and helping the Force move in the right direction.
“I’ll be working with Dave (Wessels) and also with the new attack coach,” he said. “I suppose an old bugger like me has been around the traps, and that’s not to say I’m always right, but it means as a coaching group we will be able to challenge each other.”
“I think adopting a different attitude to the way they play from the last couple of years is going to be pretty exciting for the Force. There are a number of good young players that are really hungry to play and don’t play with fear, so it’s an exciting time.”
Western Force Head Coach Dave Wessels says having Gaffney as part of the coaching team will be invaluable to the club.
“Alan’s CV speaks for himself,” he said. “He’s achieved almost everything there is to achieve in rugby and has a fantastic understanding of how to build an effective attack. He’s won a Six Nations Grand Slam, a Heineken Cup and been successful with some of the best teams in the world.”
The club will also announce a full-time attack coach to work alongside Alan early next week.
“To have a wise, old head around to act as a sounding board for myself and the other coaches is going to be pretty special.”
Alan Gaffney – Professional Coaching Career:
National Elite Programmes Coach Australia (2013-present)
Senior Assistant Coach NSW Waratahs (2011–2013)
Backs Coach Ireland National Rugby Union Team (2008–2011)
Backs Coach and Technical Consultant Leinster Rugby Ireland (2008–2010)
Director of Rugby at Saracens UK (2006–2008)
Assistant Coach Australian National Rugby Union Team (2005)
Head Coach Munster Rugby Ireland (2002–2005)
Backs Coach Leinster Rugby Ireland (2000–2002)
Assistant Coach New South Wales Waratahs (1997–1999)
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