DAMIEN HILL – HEAD COACH
One of the RaboDirect Rebels’ first appointments, Damien Hill, played a major role in shaping the team under then Head Coach, Rod Macqueen. At the end of the 2011 Super Rugby Season, the club announced that as part of a long term succession plan, Damien Hill would take over as Head Coach of the RaboDirect Rebels. Damien was recruited from Sydney University where he was Head Coach of the senior rugby union team, winning 3 Sydney 1st grade rugby union premierships under his guidance. Earlier in his career, Damien was appointed as a Development Officer with the ACT Brumbies, before moving to the role of Manager, Coaching and Development in 2000. Damien moved to Japan in 2002 to become Coaching Coordinator/Backs Coach for the Suntory Rugby Football Club before commencing at Sydney University in 2006.
JOHN MUGGLETON - SENIOR ASSISTANT COACH
John is a highly regarded coach who comes to the RaboDirect Rebels after a successful career with the Wallabies, USA, Llanelli Scarlets and most recently Georgia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. During his 10 years as the Wallabies’ defence coach, John played a major role in winning 4 Bledisloe Cups, 2 Tri-Nations titles and the 1999 World Cup where the Wallabies conceded only one try throughout the tournament.
An accomplished rugby league player in his own right, John was a member of the undefeated Australian Kangaroo tour of 1982 and won 4 premierships with the Parramatta Eels. John Muggleton is widely regarded as an expert in the area of team defence and his extensive experience will be a valuable addition to the Rebels coaching staff.
NATHAN GREY – ASSISTANT COACH
Nathan was known as an aggressive go-forward centre, with strong defensive skills, who played 35 Tests over 7 years for the Wallabies throughout his international career. He was part of the successful 1999 Rugby World Cup campaign and was also a part of the 2003 World Cup squad. Nathan holds the record as the most capped centre in NSW Waratahs history with 94 caps and was renowned for his hard work and professionalism throughout his playing career. Upon finishing the 2005 season with the NSW Waratahs, Nathan moved to Japan where he played and coached with Kyushu Electric Power Company’s team, Kyuden, for 5 years. Nathan joined the Rebels as Skills Coach for the clubs inaugural season and was promoted to the role of Assistant Coach under Damien Hill in October 2011.
MATT COCKBAIN – ASSISTANT COACH
Matt has been a welcome addition to Victoria since his move from Brisbane to be a player/ coach for the original Rebels during the 2007 Australian Rugby Championships. Matt enjoyed a successful professional career, which included 91 matches for the Queensland Reds and 63 Tests for the Wallabies. During his international career he participated in two World Cups, including the successful 1999 campaign under Rod Macqueen. After retirement Matt transitioned into coaching and was appointed as the Reds’ lineout coach in 2007, before moving to Melbourne. Since then, Matt has taken up various coaching roles with Melbourne University Rugby Club and the Victorian State Team. In 2010, Matt formed part of the Rebel Rising coaching team and played a significant role in developing rugby union players within the Victorian community. It was through his work with grassroots rugby and his technical expertise that Matt was appointed Assistant Coach of the RaboDirect Rebels for the 2012 season.