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Wales coach leaves role to ‘pursue other opportunities’
By PA
Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas has left his role to “pursue other opportunities in rugby”.
The 40-year-old joined Warren Gatland’s staff in January as the contact area coach and helped oversee Wales’ run to the World Cup quarter-final this year.
“I have decided to move on to pursue other opportunities in rugby and I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead,” said Thomas, who played 67 times for Wales during his playing career.
“With a young family in mind, I’m excited about some options that are out there.
“I will always be grateful for my time on the coaching team with Wales, but the time is right for me to make a change.
“The hard work and dedication of the players over the last year has been impressive to watch and I wish everyone well for the future.”
Gatland said: “Jonathan has been an important member of the team, he is an excellent coach with a great future in the game and has made a valuable contribution to the side’s development especially during the World Cup in France.
“We wish him well with his future plans and I know he will be an asset to any side in whatever capacity he chooses to pursue next.”
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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