New assistant coach Scott Fava is hoping he can help create a new generation of Wallaroos as he steps in as defensive coach.
The former Wallabies forward returns to coaching after his stint with Norths in the Shute Shield as they prepare for the 2022 Rugby World Cup.
He reunites with good mate Jay Tregonning as part of the brand-new coaching staff, with Fava not having to look far for inspiration.
“To be back coaching and back in a position in women’s sport is awesome,” Fava told rugby.com.au
“I coach my own girls in different sports and have always been involved. To then lead into this opportunity is great.
“I’ve had the messages flow through from some of the guys I coached at Norths, teammates from the Brumbies. They’re all excited I’m back at it so it's exciting.”
With less than 12 months until the side will take the field against hosts New Zealand on October 8, Fava preached the importance of solidifying the basics if they wish to improve on their sixth-place finish in 2017.
“I think there’s a lot of trust and understanding we need to install to work together and I think what I can see in terms of defensive game plans is a lot of the mentality of running before you walk and I need to build that back up,” he believes.
“I’ve got to rebuild it and then if we get it right, we can layer it with the gameplan we like and be specific with how we defend against what country we play. We can’t do that unless the foundations are put in place straight away and that’s what I’m planning to do and working with Jay (Tregonning) to see how that works and is planned out.
“Twelve months to get that right is not a lot of time. Some coaching groups have 3-4 years to get into this position taking a team to the World Cup so I think we need to work closely with the Super W clubs and build a strong relationship, helping to transfer the knowledge around what we want to do and how we can better Australian Rugby through the Super Rugby clubs.
“The basics are there, it’s just about getting people on the right page and when you have certain girls who understand the plan and some that don’t, you can see it on the field…I want to make sure everyone has that connection on what they want to do and what their role is as a unit and if we get that right, we can lay the gameplan right.”
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Whilst the deal only covers up until the World Cup, the former Brumby was hoping to start a legacy in the role as he looks to inspire a boom in women playing the sport.
“It means everything because for my kids, I want them to go out and be the best they canoe. It doesn’t matter what sport but you can see some elements of junior sports doesn’t seem to be conducive to that, they try and be Wallabies at 12, Matildas at 11 so we need to work towards getting positive role models for these girls to look up to,” Fava said.
“Now that I’m part of it, hopefully, I can help and be part of the pathway as well and have that positive mindset around where Rugby is going and help establish that growth.
“It is growing massively and I want Rugby to prosper in that area…for me, to be a part of it and be in the higher ranks, I’ve only got a one year contract but hopefully it can turn into something long term.”
