Easts, Parramatta and Warringah have all announced coaching changes for the 2014 season

NSWRU Media Release –

Parramatta Rugby Club is pleased to announce that Mr Rod Cutler has agreed to join the Two Blues as First Grade Assistant Coach to Gerrard Fasavalu for the 2014 season.

Mr Cutler has extensive experience in coaching senior level Rugby and comes to the club highly rated. A former Manly Marlins Head Coach (2004-2007), Cutler had successful stints coaching The Scots College (Sydney) 2007-2008, Ryutsu Keizai University (Japan) 2008-2011 and was Head Coach of Sydney University Women’s Rugby from 2010–2013. He is also a former skills coach at renowned rugby nursery, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill.

New Two Blue: Rod Cutler brings a wealth of experience to Merrylands RSL Oval
Photo: Patrick Dunne & Debbie O’Connor

Cutler says of his decision to join the Two Blues, “I met with Gerrard some time ago and discussed his coaching vision and observed the way the club operates, I was keen to be part of the next phase of Parramatta’s resurgence in the Shute Shield.

“I think 2013 was a mixed bag for Parramatta. While First Grade narrowly missed finals, five of the club’s eight teams made it through to at least the first week of finals footy. I am hoping that my experiences, along with Gerrard’s, will go a long way to promoting rugby in the Western Suburbs of Sydney.”

Two Blues’ Head Coach Gerrard Fasavalu added, “We are thrilled to have Rod join us for season 2014. Rod was identified by the club some time ago as a suitable candidate to help deliver an effective program on and off the field that I believe will see the mighty Two Blues return to the lofty heights of the competition that they haven’t reached since the mid to late 1980s.

“We still have a very young group of players at the club who will benefit tremendously from Rod’s experience and knowledge. We are excited by the prospect of progress.”

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Eastern Suburbs have announced a new high profile coaching structure for the 2014 season and beyond.

Tonga forwards coach Mark Bakewell will return to the club for a third season as Director of Rugby, with former All Black Andrew Mehrtens taking over as technical advisor and last year’s first grade captain Pauliasi Taumoepeau stepping up to coach the first grade Colts.

Former All Black Andrew Mehrtens has joined Eastern Suburbs as a technical advisor
Photo: seiserphotography.com

Delighted with the new lineup, the club’s Vice President of Rugby Hamish McCathie said, “We see these appointments as a huge positive for our rugby program and for the club as a whole. We aim to give every aspirational player the chance to learn and develop their game, and with this line up of quality coaches I’ve no doubt we will achieve this.”

Bakewell will take the reigns once more following the completion of his international duties at the end of this month.  As well as Tonga’s three match tour, Bakewell is also assisting Barbarians coach Steve Hansen for the famous invitational team’s upcoming Twickenham clash on November 30th.

One of the game’s great playmakers and New Zealand’s all time highest points scorer at the time of his retirement in 2004, Mehrtens will work across all grades, including Colts.  “Andrew’s appointment is a huge incentive for any schoolboy who wants to come and join the Easts’ Colts program and develop their game,” added McCathie.

“We are looking forward to his vast knowledge and experience and I’m sure everyone at the club will be able to learn something from him.”

Last year’s first grade captain, Pauli Taumoepeau has retired to take up the role of first grade colts coach.  Having attended St Joseph’s College and in 2004 captained the Australian Schoolboys side, Pauli brings leadership skills and an extensive knowledge of club rugby that will be used to benefit the club’s up and coming young players.  “Pauli is a great communicator and our colts players will learn a lot from him,” said McCathie.

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Warringah Rugby Club has signed former Rat and English international flanker Michael Lipman as assistant coach for the 2014 season.

Lipman will work alongside returning first grade set piece coach Lachlan Fear and current Rats head coach Haig Sare, with Andrew Johnson continuing in his role as second grade coach.

Former England international Michael Lipman returns to Rat Park in a coaching capacity
Photo: seiserphotography.com

Lipman, who was introduced to the players last week, says he is determined to help transform Warringah into a dominant force across all competitions.

“As coaches, we’ll be guiding the players to really look at the end goal – winning the 2014 Club Championship – and challenge them to make the right choices to enable them to achieve that result. That means a commitment to training, a commitment to the club and a commitment to each other.”

Having played alongside Lipman during his career, Sare is confident his profile and qualities will suit the Warringah culture.  “I believe he epitomises that toughness that we are wanting in a Rat Pack – that work ethic, that professionalism and with plenty of knowledge.

“Lippo has proved himself on the international stage as a player and I look forward to transferring that knowledge along with his passion for the club, to the 2014 playing group,” Sare said.

Lipman takes the role after a brief stint with the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club as first grade defensive coordinator and a mentor for the younger players.

Michael Lipman’s career spanned 12 years during which time the flanker represented Australia at Under 19 and 21 level before strong competition forced him to look abroad and he went on to win 10 England caps between 2004 and 2008. After stints at English premiership rivals Bristol and Bath, Lipman returned to Australia in 2009 and went on to play for the Warringah Rats in the 2010 Shute Shield season. After two seasons with the Melbourne Rebels, he was forced to retire due to a series of injuries.