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Wallabies great Adam Ashley-Cooper moves into coaching career

Adam Ashley-Cooper of Australia celebrates scoring his teams opening try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Former Wallabies great Adam Ashley-Cooper has called time on his 16-year professional playing career to move into a coaching role with the LA Giltinis.

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The Venice Beach-based side confirmed on Saturday that Ashley-Cooper stayed onboard with the club in a coaching capacity after playing a key role in guiding the side to a Major League Rugby title in its first year of existence.

Confirmation of Ashley-Cooper’s retirement brings the curtain down on a 16-year professional playing career that saw the 37-year-old play 121 tests and attend four World Cups for the Wallabies between 2005 and 2019.

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A versatile utility back capable of covering the midfield, wing and fullback, Ashley-Cooper scored 39 tries for the Wallabies and played club rugby across Australia, France, Japan and the United States.

Throughout his club career, he won a Super Rugby title with the Waratahs in 2014, a Top League crown with the Kobelco Steelers in 2019 and a MLR championship with the Giltinis last month.

Ashley-Cooper will now bring that experience into his new role as a senior assistant coach for the Giltinis after he was approached by new Giltinis head coach and former Brumbies, Waratahs and Wallabies teammate Stephen Hoiles for the job.

In a statement on the club’s website, Ashley-Cooper said he was excited about moving into an off-field role, where he will work alongside backs coach Orene Ai’i in focusing on the team’s attacking play.

“This is a really exciting opportunity at the Giltinis to implement some of the ideas and tricks I’ve stored in my rugby notebook over a long career. Everything has aligned,” Ashley-Cooper said.

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“Last season with the Giltinis really was the most enjoyable 12 months of my rugby career in terms of the team culture we built and the time we had together as players coming from all over the world.

“I know Hoilesy and [general manager] Adam Freier are working really, really hard to sustain that standard. Keeping the really competitive environment of hard work and fun that made the Giltinis click really appeals to me too.”

However, while his playing days are done for the foreseeable future, Ashley-Cooper refused to rule out lacing up the boots again in the future if called upon by the Giltinis.

“It’s a transition rather than calling it a retirement because we all know rugby players never really retire. I’d like to keep one or two games up my sleeve for somewhere, sometime,” he said.

“I see my coaching role as helping out on attack, working with Orene, and also helping the further growth of young backs like John Ryberg, Ryan James and Adam Channel.”

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H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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