More coaches get the Blues
Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:53
Cardiff Blues have confirmed additional coaching appointments, following the move of backs coach Rob Howley to the national management team.
Billy Millard (38) joins the Blues on a two-year assistant coaching contract and will be joined by former scrumhalf, Gareth Baber (36), who also now joins the Blues staff.
Aussie Millard has, between 2002 and 2005, acted as head coach of the Australian Sevens team and worked with Australia's best young talent and assisted in the development of many of the current Wallabies.
He also progressed the Australian Sevens team from eighth in the world to narrowly missing out on a World Cup Final (third).
As Director of Rugby and head coach Millard also lead the powerful Sydney University Club to back-to-back first Grade Championships and Sydney Club Championships in 2005 and 2006 - before returning to Sevens duties together with David Campese as his assistant, as part of his responsibilities with the Australian High Performance Unit.
Most recently, he has been appointed backs coach to the Australian A team and will join the Blues following this commitment in July.
Gareth Baber's playing career began at Cardiff Rugby Football Club (RFC) and also included successful seasons at Pontypridd and Aberavon before moving over the bridge to Bristol, returning to end his competitive playing days at Newport Gwent Dragons.
Throughout his playing career, the former Oxford Blue, was a talented and tactically aware scrumhalf, much respected within the game and unlucky not to enjoy international recognition.
His specialist skills roles over the recent past have together with his tactical understanding helped to rapidly elevate him as a coach of real promise.
He has embraced his opportunity with the Wales National Sevens Team and only recently took the team to their first semifinal in the last International Rugby Board (IRB) tournament of the season at Edinburgh.
In their respective roles with their national teams, both coaches' paths have crossed on the IRB circuit over the recent past and together will provide Director of Rugby, David Young with a considerable creative off-field team for the coming seasons.
Director of Rugby, David Young speaking on the new appointments said: "Billy is one of Australia's most promising young coaches and we believe his ambition and drive will be good for our wider team.
"Gareth has already impressed since Rob's departure and both men will be valuable assets as we look to build on the platform of last season."
Blues Chief Executive, Robert Norster added: "I am delighted that we have now been able to enhance our coaching staff with what we consider to be a strong blend of youthful experience and technical know how.
"We always have to be ready to adapt to what is a rapidly evolving sport and with Billy and Gareth we have quality people with a real focus and appetite that are well equipped and ready for the challenge."
