ARU Press Release:
Phil Blake Joins Wallabies Spring Tour Coaching Staff
Manly Marlins club coach Phil Blake has been added to the Wallabies coaching staff for the upcoming Spring tour.
The former rugby league star, who has guided the Marlins in the Shute Shield for the past four seasons, has signed a short-term contract replacing Richard Graham as Skills coach.
Blake, who played first grade for six different clubs during his rugby league career between 1982 and 1997, began his rugby coaching career as assistant coach of the Southern Districts first grade side in 2006.
He joined Manly as head coach a year later, and took the club into the semi-finals this year.
Blake joins head coach Robbie Deans and assistant coaches Jim Williams and David Nucifora on the Wallabies’ coaching staff for the Spring Tour, which consists of seven matches including five Tests.
The tour kicks off against the All Blacks in Hong Kong on 30 October, with the 36-man touring party assembling in Sydney tomorrow.
The Wallabies depart for Hong Kong on Saturday.