**Steve Tandy: The Welsh Rugby Coach Shaped by a Life-Changing Stint Down Under**
As the Welsh Rugby Union welcomes a new head coach, much of the spotlight falls on Steve Tandy, a figure whose rise to prominence has not followed the conventional route. Before his return to the northern hemisphere – and subsequently being appointed Wales head coach – Tandy embarked on a journey far from home that would prove crucial to his development: a transformative season in Sydney with the New South Wales Waratahs.
Tandy had been a stalwart of Welsh rugby, both as a player and coach with the Ospreys, but when his time at the region drew to a close, it was clear a change of scene was needed. As former colleagues recall, Tandy’s commitment to the game never wavered, even at challenging moments. Before his departure from the Ospreys, he famously insisted he and his players would not leave the dressing room until they rediscovered their passion for the sport. However, it was his next adventure – outside the Welsh “goldfish bowl” – that would broaden his coaching horizons and push his methods to new levels.
Landing in Sydney, Tandy was thrust into an entirely new rugby culture. The city’s beaches and winter sunshine provided a stark contrast to South Wales, but it was the rugby environment that would leave the most telling mark. Former Wallabies and Waratahs scrum-half Nick Phipps fondly remembers Tandy’s struggle with the infamous Australian sun: “He had to bring factor 500 sun cream with him!” Phipps joked, recounting how the Welshman had to acclimatise quickly to the antipodean lifestyle.
Tandy’s impact went well beyond his sunscreen regimen. Nicknamed “one of the greats” by former Wallabies like Adam Ashley‑Cooper, Tandy quickly won over players with his authenticity and approachable style. Another ex-teammate, Bernard Foley, praised Tandy’s willingness to both learn from his surroundings and to share his own insights into the northern hemisphere’s tactical approach to the game. “He showed us a different way of thinking,” said Foley, noting that Tandy’s season in Sydney became a vital learning experience for both parties.
While the Waratahs had rarely brought in overseas coaches, Tandy’s arrival marked a departure from tradition. The players recall feeling both curiosity and excitement about the “unknown guy from Wales.” However, any reservations were soon swept aside by Tandy’s personable nature and hands-on approach. Ashley-Cooper called him “typical Welsh – loves an ale, enjoys the chat and is big on the banter,” and believed that Tandy’s deep passion for rugby shone through in every conversation.
Defensively, Tandy made an immediate impression – instilling much-needed rigour into the Waratahs’ play. According to Phipps, he introduced a new level of commitment: “We’d been floating a bit at the Waratahs, but then he came in and gave us a real hard-nosed edge.” Tandy’s focus on fundamentals, such as the “first-man chop tackle” and stopping offloads, proved particularly important against the powerful New Zealand sides. Foley remembers how Tandy managed to raise standards without lowering expectations, even though the Waratahs were not the biggest team in the competition. The results spoke for themselves, with the Waratahs’ defence ranking among the best in Super Rugby during his tenure.
Tandy’s close connections with his players were as significant as his tactical innovations. “He’s very personal, a good joker, and genuinely cares about his players,” Wallabies star Kurtley Beale shared. The relationship-centred approach saw young players like Jake Gordon and Ned Hanigan flourish. Explains Beale, “He was very detailed in the way he explained what we needed to do, and as a group, we responded.”
After his time with the Waratahs, Tandy’s coaching journey took him to Scotland, where his defensive acumen would again be put to the test. Yet, Sydney had provided an invaluable chapter: he had learned, adapted, and grown as a coach and person. The high regard in which he is held by his former Wallabies colleagues is telling and offers a positive forecast for Welsh rugby’s future.
As Wales look to regain their former prowess on the international stage, the faith placed in Steve Tandy seems more than justified. “If you change hemispheres, you learn new things – about players and tactics,” reflected Beale. Those who played alongside Tandy in Australia believe that the lessons and experience gathered far from home will stand Welsh rugby in good stead in the years ahead.