Grey to move into permanent Wallabies role

Australia assistant Nathan Grey will leave the Waratahs at the end of the season to move into a permanent role with the Wallabies.

Grey signed a two-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), making his position a permanent one until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The former Wallaby, who played 35 Tests, will leave his role as Waratahs assistant at season's end.

"I have really enjoyed working with this current Wallaby group, as well as the national coaching group," Grey said in a statement on Wednesday.

"I hope we can continue to grow to be where we know we can be, and I'm looking forward to being part of that."

Grey joined the Wallabies coaching team in November 2014 and has worked in the role along with his position at the Waratahs for three seasons.

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika welcomed Grey's move into a full-time position.

"Nathan has been an invaluable asset in his roles at both the Waratahs and Wallabies with me over the last few years," he said.

"He is very passionate about his coaching and even more passionate about the Wallaby jersey and what it stands for.

"Having myself coached both [a Super Rugby team and the Wallabies] in 2015, I know how tough a task it is to be in game mode for nearly 10 months a year and I'm pleased for Nathan that will get the chance to devote his time to a national role.

"It's another piece of the puzzle to add to the national coaching framework with Stephen [Larkham] going full-time at the end of the Super Rugby season too joining Mario [Ledesma] and Mick [Byrne], and our desire to get our Wallabies to the top while also leaving a legacy for rugby around the country."