Rugby: Coaching ranks ripe with rugby royalty

NZ 2nd-five Jackson Garden-Bachop scores against Samoa, at the IRB Junior World Championship 2014. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Don't be surprised to see the autograph hunters bowling up to the odd coach during the Junior World Championship.

That's because a good percentage of the coaches and management of the 12 teams have played international rugby themselves and some are top-drawer rugby stars in their own right.

Many of the Under 20 players will not have far to go to tap into a deep well of experience.

Five of the head coaches have played test rugby, the most experienced being Alessandro Troncon, Italy's greatest halfback, with 101 caps. New Zealand's opponents tomorrow night, South Africa, are guided by 1996-97 South African loosehead prop Dawie Theron.

Byron Hayward of Wales and Nick Walshe of England played just two tests apiece but are rising up the coaching ranks. Scotland's Sean Lineen is a kilted Kiwi, the son of an All Black, but who played 29 tests for his adopted country as a midfielder.

New Zealand's two assistant coaches are former All Blacks Scott Robertson and Leon MacDonald.

Samoa are coached by former loose forward and captain Semo Sititi, while former NZ Sevens rep Orene Ai'i is one of his assistants.

Also joining the management, albeit in more of a liaison role, is former Manu Samoa lock Mark Birtwistle.

Fiji's assistant coach is former NZ Sevens rep Iliesa Tanivula, while former All Blacks loosie Mike Brewer is helping Ireland in an unofficial capacity. His son Harrison is one of the midfielders.

France manager Fabien Pelous was one of their great locks and assistant coach Olivier Magne was a quality openside flanker for nearly 100 tests.

Italy's manager, Claudio Appiani, was briefly a wing for the Azzurri from 1976 to 1978.

Greig Oliver is the Ireland assistant coach, but played three tests for Scotland.

Famous coaches

Fabien Pelous (France) 118 tests
Alessandro Troncon (Italy) 101 tests
Olivier Magne (France) 89 tests
Leon MacDonald (New Zealand) 56 tests
Mark Taylor (Wales) 52 tests
Sean Lineen (Scotland) 29 tests
Scott Robertson (New Zealand) 23 tests
Fabio Roselli (Italy) 16 tests
Dawie Theron (South Africa) 13 tests
Claudio Appiani (Italy) 5 tests
Greig Oliver (Scotland) 3 tests
Byron Hayward (Wales) 2 tests
Nick Walshe (England) 2 tests
Cameron Blades (Australia) 1 test.