ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has backed Dan Palmer to elevate the Wallabies lineout when he joins the national team this year.
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The ACT scrum coach has signed up for Eddie Jones' "smash and grab" mission to claim the World Cup in France.
Palmer has impressed with his work at the Brumbies and has received a number of opportunities to interact with the national setup throughout the past 12 months. He also travelled to Japan in the off-season for a brief stint with Suntory, the same franchise Jones works for as a consultant.
The 34-year-old quickly made an impression on Jones and will join the Australian coaching staff as the lineout coach.
The former prop will work closely with forwards coach Neal Hatley, who is currently working with Bath in the English Premiership.
Larkham worked with Palmer prior to moving overseas and has been impressed with the scrum coach since returning to the Brumbies.
"It's tailor-made for him," Larkham said. "I haven't coached with Palms for the last four years. To see his transformation as a coach has been really pleasing.
"The program that he's delivering here at the Brumbies is world class. That next level up is really well-suited to him."
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Palmer is one of four members of the 12-man team with ties to Canberra - former Raiders strength and conditioning coach Nigel Ashley-Jones to work under Jon Clarke in the strength and conditioning team.
Clarke played 359 games of rugby league in the English Super League and worked with Jones as head of England rugby union's S&C program.
John Pryor and Warrick Harrington have both previously worked for the Brumbies and have signed on as the Wallabies speed consultant and sport scientist, respectively.
In finalising his staff, Jones is confident he has assembled a group capable of guiding the playing squad to World Cup glory.
"We believe we have a quality coaching staff to plan and prepare the team for a smash and grab campaign, winning the Bledisloe Cup and finishing winning the rugby World Cup," Jones said.
"It is experienced, diverse and adaptable. Ready to smash and grab."
2023 Wallabies Coaching Staff
Head Coach - Eddie Jones
Attack Coach - Brad Davis
Defence Coach - Brett Hodgson
Forwards Coordinator - Neal Hatley
Lineout Coach - Dan Palmer
Maul Consultant - Pierre-Henry Broncan
Kicking Consultant - Berrick Barnes
Learning Coordinator - David Rath
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator - Jon Clarke
Strength and Conditioning Coach - Nigel Ashley-Jones
Speed Consultant - John Pryor
Sport Scientist - Warrick Harrington
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
