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BY: BRET HARRIS From: The Australian November 14, 2011 12:00AM
DAVID Nucifora has relinquished his role as the Wallabies coaching co-ordinator to return to his primary job as the ARU's high-performance manager.
Nucifora, who is the Australian under-20s coach, joined the Wallabies coaching staff this year to help Robbie Deans prepare the team for the World Cup in New Zealand.
It was always the plan that Nucifora would revert to his role as HPU manager after the World Cup. He will not be travelling to Britain with the Wallabies on their two-game tour, which includes a Test against Wales in Cardiff on December 3.
"David Nucifora was only seconded to the Wallabies coaching group for the World Cup," ARU chief executive John O'Neill said.
"It was only ever meant to have him with the Wallabies for the specific purpose of the World Cup. Now that's over he will resume his normal role."
Deans and Nucifora made a presentation to the ARU board on Friday on the team's performance this year, which culminated in its third-placing at the World Cup.
An ARU sub-committee made up of board members Brett Robinson, John Eales, Michael Hawker and Mark Connors will now conduct a review of the performance, which included winning the Tri-Nations for the first time in 10 years.
While Deans has been reappointed for another two years, the sub-committee may consider further changes to the coaching staff, which includes Jim Williams (forwards), Patricio Noriega (scrum) and Phil Blake (skills and defence).
The departure of Nucifora may provide the opportunity to add another assistant coach.
Apart from co-ordinating the Wallabies' coaching, Nucifora also worked on the lineout, which may require specialist coaching.
Meanwhile, Steve Hansen is expected to form a new All Blacks coaching team with Super Rugby coaches Todd Blackadder (Crusaders) and Ian Foster (ex-Chiefs).
Hansen was regarded as the All Blacks' coach-in-waiting after being part of the coaching triumvirate (along with Graham Henry and Wayne Smith) which delivered the World Cup.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew's comment in the New Zealand media at the weekend that Super Rugby coaches would be considered as All Black assistants has strengthened Blackadder's chances.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226194000949
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