Bret Harris | June 11, 2009

Article from: The Australian

THE two-Test series with Italy will not just be a major challenge for the Wallabies forwards against a world-renowned pack, but also for the team's assistant coach Jim Williams.

With the departure of set-piece coach Michael Foley from the Wallabies coaching staff at the end of last year, Williams has assumed full responsibility for the forwards.

And Williams is doing things differently. Instead of having a full-time scrum and lineout coach, Williams will work in tandem with newly appointed national scrum coach Patricio Noriega and the players themselves, who have been asked to have more input into how they train and play.

"Overall, I'm in charge of the forwards and I'm excited about that," Williams said.
"The attitude has been good. There are definitely areas of opportunity in the set pieces to make sure they are a good attacking platform and attacking weapons.
"What's important is workrate. The ability to get around the park, to be a supporting player, to carry the ball and be dynamic and aggressive.
"They are basic principles. Nothing flash. Just hard work."

If perseverance and adaptability are important qualities for a coach, Williams is well equipped for the task. The youngest of eight children, Williams grew up in Young in country NSW before joining the army at 16.

Williams learnt how to play rugby in the armed forces, but he also acquired the discipline and sense of responsibility which have remained with him since. It took him until he was 30 to make his Test debut against Ireland in Brisbane in 1999, two years after he had switched from the outside backs to the backrow, a move that was prompted by David Campese running rings around him on the wing.

A member of Australia's 1999 World Cup-winning team, Williams played in 14 Tests, including the Wallabies' last visit to Canberra in 2000 when they defeated Argentina.

After leaving the Brumbies and the Wallabies in 2001, Williams joined Irish province Munster where he played and coached for seven years, helping them to two Heineken Cup victories in 2006 and 2008.

With Italy regarded as one of the best scrummaging and mauling teams in world rugby, Williams could not have asked for a better start to try out the Wallabies forwards' new approach.

"They are going to come after us through the forwards," Williams said. "They are going to be nice and aggressive.

"I'm certainly looking forward to it. The game last week (against the Barbarians) was good to give the guys a run and get the cobwebs out, but this is going to be a lot tighter."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html