Wallabies Secure Renowned Line-out Specialist Geoff Parling Ahead of 2025 Lions Tour
In a significant move, the Australian national rugby union team, the Wallabies, have recruited former England coach Geoff Parling to serve as their line-out specialist ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.
The 40-year-old Parling, who has been based in Australia since joining the Melbourne Rebels in 2018, will be reunited with Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie, having previously worked as his assistant in 2020. Parling’s expertise in set-piece play and his familiarity with the Australian rugby landscape make him a valuable addition to the coaching staff.
Parling’s appointment comes as the Wallabies prepare to host the Lions in 2025, a historic event that will see the two rugby powerhouses clash on Australian soil. The former England second-row will have a little over two months to implement his strategies and ensure the Wallabies’ line-out operations are running smoothly before they face Wales in a two-Test tour this winter, followed by a match against Georgia.
The new role will also pit Parling against another renowned line-out specialist, England coach Steve Borthwick, when the Wallabies and England meet at Twickenham on November 9. Parling, who faced the Australians during the 2013 Lions tour, is now set to be on the other side of the rivalry in 2025.
In discussing his decision to join the Wallabies, Parling highlighted the opportunity to work with internationally acclaimed coach Joe Schmidt, who is part of the Australian national team’s coaching staff.
“I spoke to Joe a couple times when he came to the Rebels. I heard a lot of good things about Joe in the past, so I’m really excited to work with him on the coaching team,” Parling said. “He’s very level-headed, consistently sees the game and preps well. I think he’s good on basics and getting the fundamentals right. Once you get those, a little bit of brilliance will come.”
Parling’s extensive experience, both as a player and a coach, is expected to provide a significant boost to the Wallabies’ line-out performance as they prepare to take on the formidable Lions in 2025.
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