Perth capped an impressive week of recruiting on Friday with the appointment of former Wallaby prop Ben Darwin assistant forwards coach of the new Super 14 franchise.
Darwin is currently head coach of Sydney club Northern Districts and will remain as such until the end of the Tooheys New Cup before relocating to Perth in October.
Darwin’s signing comes hot on the heels of coach John Mitchell’s recruitment of Wallaby forwards Nathan Sharpe and Brendan Cannon.
Ironically, it was while Darwin and Mitchell were plotting each other’s downfalls during the 2003 Rugby World Cup that Darwin’s career came to a sudden end.
He was forced to retire after suffering a serious neck injury during Australia’s semi-final defeat of New Zealand in Sydney.
Mitchell said Darwin’s experience and understanding of set-piece play made him a valuable resource.
”Ben’s expertise and his understanding of the contemporary game will be invaluable for the new WA Super 14 team,” Mitchell said.
”His areas of expertise really complement those of John Mulvihill and myself, so he will slot very nicely into the coaching team. He provides a high level of detail in analysing and improving the set piece.
”His strength also lies with his ability to communicate one-on-one with individual players to improve their scrummaging and line-out technique and execution, which is a crucial skill in Friday’s game,” he said.
Darwin said he was simply unable to pass up an opportunity to work with Mitchell.
”I spent a couple of days with him in Perth this week and it is obvious why he is regarded as one of the world’s great rugby coaches,” Darwin said.
Darwin played 42 Super 12 matches for the ACT Brumbies and 28 Tests for the Wallabies before retiring prematurely at 27. — Sapa-AAP