By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-28 11:07:51 | Updated at 2025-01-30 05:11:13
1 day ago
Image source, Karen Watson
David Nucifora (second from left) is one of the first three appointments confirmed to head coach Andy Farrell's (second from right) backroom staff, along with Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond
David Nucifora has been hailed as one of the "absolute best" after being confirmed as the performance manager for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer.
The 63-year-old, who has had a similar role with Scotland since last year, worked alongside Lions head coach Andy Farrell during a decade with Ireland.
The former hooker won the 1991 World Cup with Australia, having played for Queensland against the Lions two years earlier.
"Having watched the Lions tour Australia over the years, and then playing against them for a Queensland XV in 1989, never did I expect that one day I would be part of their team - but it is funny how sport works," said Nucifora.
After moving into coaching, he enjoyed a successful three-season stint with the ACT Brumbies, before leading Australia's high-performance unit.
"David's unrivalled experience will help us shape and deliver such a challenging and exciting rugby programme, whilst also bringing essential insight into Australian rugby and the country as a whole," said Farrell.
Welshman Aled Walters will lead the Lions strength and conditioning team, linking up with Farrell from Ireland at the end of the Six Nations in March.
Vinny Hammond, an analyst with Ireland, will join up for a third successive tour having been part of the Lions' 2017 and 2021 series against New Zealand and South Africa.
"In David, Aled and Vinny we have three of the absolute best joining us," added Farrell.
Nucifora, Walters and Hammond accompanied Farrell on a reconnaissance trip to Australia earlier this month to assess training venues and possible team bases.
The rest of Farrell's backroom staff will be confirmed once the Six Nations concludes with Ireland forwards coach and former Lions captain Paul O'Connell among the contenders for a role.
Image source, Getty Images
Nucifora led the Brumbies containing the likes of Stephen Larkham (left), George Gregan and Matt Giteau to a Super Rugby victory over the Crusaders in 2004
Nucifora will work with the Lions "on a consultancy basis", but has already started working with Farrell and will be with the squad for the entirety of the tour.
"I look forward to drawing on my experiences with Ireland and Scotland in supporting Andy as he goes about building a truly world-class backroom team and squad," he said.
The Lions play a warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June, before taking on Western Force in Perth on 28 June in their first fixture down under.
The three Tests against Australia will be played on successive weekends on 19 and 26 July and 2 August.
