FORMER Brumbies scrum half Beau Mokotupu has joined the SCU Marlins coaching staff to the delight of head coach and rugby director AJ Gilbert.

Mokotupu was a product of the Brumbies and although injuries plagued his career, he was in one of the best super rugby franchises for over a decade where he played and trained alongside Wallabies greats from George Gregan to Nic White.

Marlins head coach AJ Gilbert played for both the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds and recalls playing against Mokotupu.

“We worked out that we played against each other in 2006/07 when I was at the Reds.

“We’re pretty lucky Beau and his young family have moved to Coffs Harbour and chose to play for the Marlins and join the coaching team.

“Beau was phenomenal at the recent North Coast Rugby 7s tournament that we won, he also made the North Coast 7s dream team.

“He’s in excellent physical condition and has been training the house down.

“We bumped into each other whilst training at the Jetty about four years ago, we’re both pretty obsessive with our training which is probably why we get on so well.

“My career has been in the forwards and Beau’s career has been in the backs so having him on board I think is the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle in regards to taking the team and club up a level.

“Beau has incredible knowledge of the game, he spent ten years in the Brumbies coaching system so the juniors and seniors at the Marlins will benefit from that vast knowledge.

“He’s already having a heavy influence on myself personally, keeping me accountable and brainstorming ideas on training and playing tactics as seen in our form at the North Coast 7s”

The Marlins had a triumphant 2021 winning the North Coast Rugby 7s and finishing in the top two in most competition grades.

Gilbert is hoping to go one step further in 2022 with his old Super Rugby mate on board.

“We had a really good 2021, we didn’t get to play finals because of Covid but we finished in the top two in the 14s, womens reserve grade and first grade.

“There’s a lot of really good teams out there and we are really looking forward to the competition.

“Grafton have joined the competition and are very strong, Hastings are tough to beat, the Snappers, Bowraville and Kempsey Cannonballs all very strong so it’s going to be a great competition.

“We are delighted with our new home ground at the Coffs Harbour Sports and Leisure Park, the facilities are fantastic and it’s a great incentive to shoot for finals football at our home ground,” said Gilbert.

 

By David WIGLEY