Top Coach, Jim McKay Leads Brisbane City
Former Wallabies assistant Jim McKay has been named Brisbane City NRC coach in a coup for the organisation.
McKay, who is also an assistant to Brad Thorn at the Reds where he serves as attack coach, will take the reins from University of Queensland mentor Mick Heenan, who guided the team last year.
He will be joined by assistants Cameron Lillicrap, Daniel Heenan and Elton Berrange.
After helping guide the Reds to the Super Rugby title when attack coach in 2011.
They face defending NRC champions Fiji Airways Fijian Drua this Saturday.
McKay left Ballymore in 2013 to join head coach Ewen McKenzie at the Wallabies.
He has also held roles as Tonga assistant coach at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and head coach at Japan top League side Kobe Steelers.
He returned to the Reds for the 2018 season and has helped mould the young side’s attack under Thorn.
“Firstly, it’s an honour and a privilege to coach Brisbane City,” McKay told Rugby Australia.
“Having coached at different levels it’s a new challenge. It’s a great opportunity to get to know other coaches and also players – not only from the Reds, but from within the strong Brisbane club rugby scene.
“Cameron and Daniel will offer great experience in the set-piece this season, while Elton has 10 years of coaching experience at Uni having come through their system from colts.
“Rugby for me is about bringing people together and providing an opportunity. The challenge for us now at Brisbane City is to come together as one team for a common and united purpose to achieve something special together.”
Edited by Osea Bola
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
