前All Blacks防线教练Scott McLeod已加入澳大利亚橄榄球队，担任新主教练Les Kiss麾下的防线教练[1]。McLeod从日本Kubota球队转投Wallabies，是在Joe Schmidt建议其寻求国际职位后做出的决定[1]。
McLeod以All Blacks在2023年世界杯四分之一决赛中对阵爱尔兰队的表现为例说明防线建设的重要性[1]。在那场比赛中，All Blacks防线在310秒内连续执行36个进攻阶段而未失分[1]。McLeod表示："我不会在这里如果我认为我不能帮助的话"[1]。他计划采用分阶段的防线改革方案，首先专注于几个技能点和一个结构性调整[1]。
2027年世界杯距离现在仅422天[1]，McLeod强调防线与进攻的互补关系将对Wallabies的备战至关重要。
Scott McLeod has joined the Australian rugby team as defence coach under new head coach Les Kiss, bringing experience from his recent role with Japan's Kubota squad.[1] McLeod, who played for the All Blacks during the 1998 Bledisloe Cup when Australia defeated New Zealand 24-16, is now tasked with transforming Wallabies' defensive strategy ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which is 422 days away.[1]
McLeod has outlined an incremental reform plan focused initially on specific technical skills and one structural adjustment rather than wholesale changes.[1] He pointed to the All Blacks' defensive performance during the 2023 World Cup quarter-final against Ireland as a model, where the team executed 36 consecutive attacking phases without conceding in just 310 seconds, demonstrating how strong defence complements attacking play.[1] When asked about his commitment to the role, McLeod stated: "I would not be here if I did not think I could help."[1]
The appointment reflects broader ambitions for Australian rugby's attack as well. The Wallabies attempted 24 tries during the 1999 World Cup, compared to just 11 at the most recent tournament, suggesting significant gaps in both offensive and defensive execution that the new coaching staff aims to address.[1]