Rugby Australia has outlined plans to implement a world-class rugby program for the Wallaroos - and confirmed its new interim head coach and staff.
Following reports of changes to the financial set up of the program, the governing body has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver a fully-resourced program in 2026, aiming to capitalise on the generational opportunity presented by the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029.
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Headlining the upcoming plans for the program will be the Wallaroos playing a minimum of ten Test matches a year, starting from 2026.
These Tests will include the Pacific Four Series and the new WXV Global Series introduced by World Rugby, with Rugby Australia also confirming the Wallaroos’ fixture list includes tours to the USA and Europe.
Interim coaching staff have also been confirmed following former head coach Jo Yapp’s departure from the role after the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.
Yapp's former assistant Sam Needs has been appointed as interim Head Coach, with Gill Bourke joining as interim Assistant Coach and Andy Friend as interim Technical Advisor - each role lasts through until the end of the 2026 Pacific Four Series.
Friend has led the ACT Brumbies women’s squad since 2024, bringing over two decades of experience in men’s and women’s rugby programs, having held roles in Australia, England, Ireland and Japan.
Needs and Bourke previously worked under Yapp, with Bourke previously playing at two World Cups and earning 51 caps for Ireland.
A full-time Wallaroos coaching panel and program will be confirmed following the completion of a comprehensive and consultative process.
Finally, Rugby Australia has confirmed player contracting for the forthcoming 2026 season, these contracts serving as additional commitments to the 21 athletes already contracted through the Aussie Sevens program.
“Rugby Australia is excited to continue the elite Wallaroos program as we start our journey towards a once-in-a-generation opportunity at the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said in an official statement on Saturday.
“The Wallaroos have advanced to the quarter-finals of the last two Rugby World Cups and work has commenced to devise a High Performance program best placed to take our national team to the next level when the world’s best teams arrive on our shores in 2029.
“Whilst we finalise our national women’s rugby delivery model, we are delighted that Sam, Andy and Gill will lead the team forward through the Pacific Four Series in 2026.
“The appointment of the Wallaroos interim coaching panel and the opening of player contracting will ensure continuity and high standards as we enter a new Rugby World Cup cycle.
“RA would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge Jaime Fernandez, who has stepped down as Women’s High Performance Manager after two years in the role. We thank Jaime for his hard work and wish him all the best for the future.
Needs is excited to put his time in the head coach role to good use, with a primary focus on improving on the Wallaroos' third-placed finish in the 2025 Pacific Four Series
“I’m honoured to lead the Wallaroos for this period and look forward to continuing to build off the back of the Rugby World Cup,” Needs said.
“The talent we have in the squad is exciting, and the depth we’ve built this year has put us in a great position heading into 2026
“I’d like to thank Jilly Collins, Peter Horne and Phil Waugh for the opportunity and acknowledge Jo Yapp and Jaime Fernandez for their leadership, guidance and support over the past two years.”
