Matt Taylor - Tackling Defence
From knowing your opponent’s key stats to studying their star players, preparing your team’s defence is as vital as their offence game. Today we speak with Wallabies defence coach Matt Taylor about his life, career, and what he does to develop a dogged defensive line. After touching on his professional highlights, we chat about his time coaching in Scotland and how he landed his job at the Wallabies. From there, we discuss his relationship with attack coach Scott Wisemantel and coach David Rennie. Matt shares insights into his defensive plan, what information he uses to develop his strategy, and which aspects of the Wallabies’ performance he aims to improve. We unpack how Matt adapts his plans on the pitch before we dive into his team’s coaching structure. As head coach David Rennie is a New Zealander, we ask Matt whether coach nationality impacts player patriotism and pride in wearing the jersey. Matt’s answer emphasises the importance of culture fit over nationality, along with why he believes David Rennie is the perfect coach for the job. Near the end of the episode, we explore the Wallabies role in reaching the grassroots game and how they are restoring faith in Australian rugby. Tune in to learn more about what Matt is doing to bring confidence back in the defensive aspects of the Wallabies.
• Introducing Wallabies defence coach Matt Taylor.
• Exploring Matt’s experience coaching in Scotland.
• Hear about Matt’s current work at the Wallabies.
• Insights into Matt’s strategies for developing a team’s defensive capabilities.
• Why head coaches need to recognise the importance of a side’s defence.
• Which defensive areas the Wallabies need to improve.
• The stats that defensive coaches use to formulate their defence plans.
• How players adapt their defence plan during a game.
• Why the Wallabies have brought more young guns into the team.
• We discuss the Wallaby coaching structure and team.
• Whether nationality impacts the ability to instil patriotic pride in wearing the jersey.
• Matt shares his opinions on why David Rennie is the ideal Wallabies head coach.
• How the pandemic has affected the Wallabies' plans to connect with the grassroots.
• Winning fanbase and restoring confidence in Australian rugby.
“As a defensive coach, you have to study your opponent’s attacking stats, their star players, their speed of ball, what phases they score their tries in — it’s a big melting pot.” — Matt Taylor [0:12:04]
“One thing that’s impressive about David Rennie is he’s not afraid to give the young guys a go.” — Matt Taylor [0:17:01]
“As long as you understand the culture, your coach’s nationality doesn’t matter. There wasn’t an Australian coach that could have taken the role of Wallabies coach as well as David Rennie.” — Matt Taylor [0:21:54]
Matt Taylor
