NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has made his first coaching appointments, naming Stephen Hoiles and Wycliff Palu as assistant coaches.
The pair return to the club where they made their names as players, signing two-year deals to join the staff.
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Both players started in the Waratahs' last Grand Final victory in 2014, a 33-32 win over the Crusaders, and since then, Hoiles and Palu have forged out impressive careers as coaches.
Hoiles joins from US club California Legion, guiding them to the MLR Final. It's a competition the former Wallaby won with LA Gilitinis in 2021, returning home to help Randwick to a drought-breaking Shute Shield title in 2023.
“I've grown up playing all my junior rugby in NSW. The Waratahs have always been the team you aspire to play for and it’s the same as a coach,” Hoiles said.
“It's a nice moment and it's a bit of a full circle moment to come back and get this opportunity. It's a really important part of Australian Rugby's ecosystem, making sure the Waratahs are performing on and off the field.
“It feels good to be back. I’m looking forward to planning and getting started for the 2027 season, which is going to be a really important one for the state of New South Wales.”
Meanwhile, Palu has spent the past year coaching and playing in Japan, moving from Kurita Water Gush Akishima.
The 58-cap Wallaby most recently coached the First Nations & Pasifika XV to a 43-19 win over the Tonga President’s XV to claim the inaugural Kaume’a Ofi Trophy.
“I’m really excited to be coming back to the Waratahs,” Palu said, voted into the club's Legend XVs this year.
“It is a club that means a lot to me and has played a massive part not only in my rugby journey, but also in my life. So to have the opportunity to come back as a coach is pretty special.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with the players, working alongside the staff and giving back to a club I love.”
Further appointments to Chieka's coaching staff will be confirmed in the coming weeks and months as pre-season begins in November.
