Waratahs assistant coach and former Wallaby Nathan Grey will remain at Moore Park until at least the end of 2016 after announcing a contract extension today.

Following the departures of Michael Cheika and a host of big name ‘Tahs at the end of the 2015 Super Rugby season, the 35-cap Wallaby will play a crucial role in the rebuilding of the 2014 champions next season.

“We’ve got a really exciting group of young players on board for next season who have an opportunity here to contribute to the team right from the start,” Grey said.

“At the end of the season we saw some of our very high calibre players departing – Cliffy, Swoop, Keps and what not – and there is a vacuum there, so we will be looking to our younger players to get stuck in straight away and really stake a claim with how they train and play.”

Despite the significant personnel turnover, the Waratahs are doing their best to avoid labelling 2016 a ‘rebuilding year’.

“It’s important to recognise the legacy that those players left, but we’re communicating a really strong message to the squad that they are here to create their own legacy and build what the players before them have created,” he added.

Grey will coach alongside new recruits Cam Blades and Chris Malone in Head Coach Daryl Gibson’s inaugural season, and says he is looking forward to the opportunity to build on the successful culture of the team.

“Over the past few years we have had some great success, and it is wonderful to look back and recognise that, but we’re creating our own path with this group and developing the Waratahs into a stronger, more consistent and hopefully very competitive team,” Grey said.

“Knowing their [Blades and Malone] history they will be able to bring a different skill set and fresh perspective to what Daryl and I have, so it will be fantastic to pick their brains and learn from them – I have no doubt they will be able to really add to the Waratahs team culture in their own unique way, I’m looking forward to working alongside them next season.”

Grey is currently touring with the Wallabies assistant coach, but will return to Australia for Waratahs pre-season, beginning in December.