Michael Cheika bolsters Waratahs’ backroom staff as ex-Wallabies stars appointed as assistant coaches
Waratahs boss Michael Cheika and assistant coach Stephen Hoiles (inset).
Michael Cheika has made his first coaching appointments as Waratahs head coach with ex-Wallabies back-row stars Stephen Hoiles and Wycliff Palu joining his backroom staff as assistants.
Hoiles and Palu return to the Waratahs where they plied their trades as players and both have signed two-year deals to join the Sydnesiders’ coaching group.
Former Super Rugby title winners
The duo were in the Waratahs‘ starting line-up in the 2014 Super Rugby final, which they won against the Crusaders, and since then, Hoiles and Palu have forged out impressive careers as coaches.
Hoiles, who represented Australia in 16 Tests, joins from US club California Legion, who he guided to this year’s Major League Rugby (MLR) Final which they lost to the Chicago Hounds.
The former Wallaby previously won a MLR title with LA Gilitinis in 2021, before returning to Australia to help Randwick to a drought-breaking Shute Shield title in 2023.
“I’ve grown up playing all my junior rugby in NSW. The Waratahs have always been the team you aspire to play for and it’s the same as a coach,” said Hoiles.
“It’s a nice moment and it’s a bit of a full circle moment to come back and get this opportunity. It’s a really important part of Australian rugby’s ecosystem, making sure the Waratahs are performing on and off the field.
Excited about 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season
“It feels good to be back. I’m looking forward to planning and getting started for the 2027 season, which is going to be a really important one for the state of New South Wales.”
Meanwhile, Palu has spent the past year in Japan as a coach and a player and he joins the Waratahs from Japanese third division outfit Kurita Water Gush Akishima.
The 58-Test Wallaby most recently coached the First Nations & Pasifika XV to a 43-19 victory over the Tonga President’s XV to claim the inaugural Kaume’a Ofi Trophy.
“I’m really excited to be coming back to the Waratahs,” Palu said, voted into the club’s Legend XVs this year.
“It is a club that means a lot to me and has played a massive part not only in my rugby journey, but also in my life. So to have the opportunity to come back as a coach is pretty special.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with the players, working alongside the staff and giving back to a club I love.”