Brian Melrose - Head Coach Australian Under 20's
Brian “Billy” Melrose is one of Australia’s brightest & most innovative coaches with a record of success following his every move .
Brians coaching career began with immediate success in 2001, with the previously struggling West Harbour club reaching the play offs for the first time in a decade & going ‘back to back’in 2002.
After finishing runner up in ’01, Melrose was awarded the ‘Coach of the Year’ in ’02 Along with West Harbour being the ‘ Most improved club of the Year’.
Recruited in ‘03 by the Manly Rugby Club , Melrose quickly revived the Marlins from stragglers to premiership contenders playing a style of rugby that not only won, but entertained .
During 2004, Brian undertook an extensive coaching study tour of the UK & guided Manly to back to back finals appearances before being head hunted by the NSW Waratahs to join their prestigious rugby Academy.
After viewing his work for only4 weeks, Waratahs head management promptly promoted Brian to be the Waratahs Attack and Kicking coach , bringing a completely new attack philosophy & attitude to the underperforming franchise .
It’s no coincidence 2005 was the ‘Tahs’ most successful Super 12/14 season on record, making the grand final for the first time in franchise history and following that up with another finals appearance in 2006.
His winning record leaves him as the most successful coaching member in Waratahs Super 12/14 history.
Perhaps Brian’s most outstanding coaching achievement was in ’07 as Head coach of the Western Sydney Rams in the inaugural A.R.C. With the youngest team in Australia , a team tipped to be bottom 2 defied the odds & claimed the ARC minor premiership with a thrilling brand of Rugby .
Young players such as Kurtley Beale ,Tatafu Polota Nau , Lachlan Turner & Ben Alexanders performances were significant & improved greatly, carrying on a trademark pattern of his coaching .
His most recent appointment as the Australian U20’s Head coach for the World Cup in Wales gave him a further chance to work with nations best young talent achieving an 85% win ratio.
Singularly his success with goal kickers alone has been astonishing. Pierre Hola ( West harbour & Tonga) & Peter Hewitt ( Manly & Waratahs) preceeded Ben Martin in ’07 with the Western Rams in topping point scoring lists from club through to Super 14 level .
Melrose’s talent identification , Broad thinking & instinct for the game have combined with his communication & man management skills to succeed at all levels & see him ready to take the next step in his career
PERSONAL
Name: Brian ‘Billy’ Melrose
Position/s - Head Coach
Attack Coach
Defence Coach
Kicking / Skills Coach
DOB: 9/5/63
COACHING HISTORY
2008 - Head Coach – Australian Under 20’s (World Cup – Wales)
Consultant Coach – Kings College – Premiers
2007 - Head Coach – Western Sydney Rams ( ARC )
(Tipped bottom 2. Came 1st - Minor Premiership )
Australian 7’s – Assist’t Coach/ Manager- ’06-’07
2006 – NSW Waratahs Attack & Kicking coach - Finals
Manly Rugby – 5 game Consultancy. Unbeaten run to finals from 10th position
2005 – NSW Waratahs Attack & Kicking coach – Grand Final
Waratahs 10th in 2004 to 2nd 2005
2004 – Manly Rugby Coaching Director - Finals
NSW Waratahs Academy Coach
2003 – Manly Rugby Head Coach – Finals
Manly were 10th 2002
NSW Premier Rugby ‘Coach of the Year’ (runner-up)
2002 – West Harbour Co-coach - Finals
NSW Premier Rugby ‘Coach of the Year’ Winner
2001 – West Harbour Co-Coach – Finals. West Harbour were 9th in 2000
NSW Premier Rugby ‘Coach of the Year’ (runner-up)
Australian Barbarians 7s tour of PNG
STATISTICAL FACTS
- All teams coached in Leagues by Brian Melrose have reached finals – West Harbour , Manly . Waratahs & Western Rams
- In the 4 professional years of his coaching ( 2005 - 2008 ) he has the highest success ratio in Australia
WARATAHS – SUPER 12 / 14
- 2005 - Only Waratah team to make Grand final of Super 12 / 14
- 2005 -2006 – Only Waratah team to play in successive finals series
- 1st Waratah team to defeat ACT Brumbies in Canberra
- 1st Australian team to defeat ACT Brumbies @ home in Super 12 history
- Never lost to another Australian Super 12 / 14 team
- Highest average crowds in the competition – 33,000
- Waratahs turned $3 million deficit 2005 to $ 3 million profit for 2006
- Averaged 27 points per game & had record points differentials 2005 / 06
- Most effective Attacks - Linebreak percentage in Competition 2005.
- Most bonus points ( 9 ) in 2006 . 3.5 try Av’ge per match over 2 years
WARATAHS – SUPER 12 / 14 - KICKING
- No. 1 team for tactical kicking accuracy 2005 & 2006
- Highest point scorer – Peter Hewat 2005 . 2nd in 2006
WESTERN RAMS – AUSTRALIAN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Minor premiers with youngest team in competition
- Averaged 30 points for per match & were No 1 in Defence
- Leading goal kicker % & top point scorer – Ben Martin
- Player of the year – Rams 5/8th – Kurtley Beale
- Junior Rams – Premiers
AUSTRALIAN U 20s – WORLD CUP
- Behind winners N.Z had the best Attack & defence record
