Scott Johnson (born August 19, 1962 in Sydney), is an Australian rugby union coach.

Biography

Johnson was born in Sydney, Australia on August 19, 1962.

Playing career

Playing Flyhalf or Centre, Johnson played for Parramatta Two Blues and Eastwood, and was captain of both the New South Wales Waratahs and Australian Under 21s. Playing initially at Flyhalf and then Centre, he played senior rugby for New South Wales Waratahs.

Coaching career

Johnson started his coaching career with Penrith in the Sydney First Grade competition, and was named Club Coach of the Year in 1999. Johnson then worked as an Assistant Coach at New South Wales Waratahs in 2001, as well as an Assistant for the Australia A team who defeated the British & Irish Lions in Gosford.

Following an invitation from Graham Henry, Johnson left Australia to work with the then struggling Wales national rugby union team in the Six Nations Championship as Skills Coach. Working briefly under Henry and then Steve Hansen, Johnson was an integral member of the Welsh coaching staff during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Following the resignation of Mike Ruddock, Johnson took over as head coach on a temporary basis, ending his career with Wales in Cardiff after three games, going down to eventual Champions France 21-16.

In light of family pressures, he accepted an approached from new Australia national rugby union team head coach John Connolly to become attack coach in preparation for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Following a disastrous campaign and reorganisation of the coaching staff, Johnson was released from this role following the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the signing of Robbie Deans as the new head coach of Australia. Johnson was linked with a move to the Cardiff Blues as skills coach, but decided not to accept this offer. Johnson’s decision to say no to the Blues led to speculation linking him with the ambitious Ospreys. On March 20, 2008, the BBC reported that Johnson has accepted the head coaching position for the US Eagles national team.

In January 2009, Johnson was linked with a move to coach the Ospreys. On 29 January, he was confirmed as the Ospreys' new director of coaching. He joined the team after he served a three-month notice period required by his USA contract.

References

1. BBC Sport Johnson 'did not covet' Wales job
2. BBC Sport Johnson agrees to join Wallabies
3. BBC Sport Johnson top of Blues wanted list
4. BBC Sport Young hopeful of Johnson arrival
5. BBC Sport Blues coach role attracts Johnson
6. BBC Sport Johnson rules out move to Blues
7. BBC Sport Johnson set to take top USA role
8. Planet Rugby Eagles land Johnson
9. BBC Sport Johnson discussing Ospreys role
10. WalesOnline Great Scott’s Taylor-made for Ospreys

External links

• Wales profile