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Andy Friend

Andy Friend (born 24 April 1969) is an rugby coach and former player, renowned for his extensive career spanning club, provincial, and national teams across , , , and . Born in , he played as a for the Australian Schoolboys alongside future Wallabies stars and Jason Little, and represented the ACT Kookaburras before a curtailed his playing career in his early twenties. Friend's coaching journey began in 1995 at the Australian Institute of Sport's program, where he developed skills that led to assistant roles with the and under Eddie Jones. He joined the Wallabies coaching staff for the 2002 Tri Nations and the , contributing to their run to the final. In 2005, as head coach of Australia's Under-21 team, he guided them to the World Championships final, losing narrowly 24-20 to . Transitioning to head coaching, Friend took charge of English club from 2005 to 2008, securing promotion to the Premiership in 2005-06 with an impressive 25 wins from 26 matches and guiding them to mid-table finishes in subsequent seasons. His tenure with the Brumbies as from 2008 to 2011 saw the team improve to seventh place in for 2009 and 2010, though he departed amid organizational changes. Friend then moved to , coaching the Canon Eagles for two seasons starting in 2012 before leading Suntory Sungoliath from 2014 to 2016, where he honed his expertise in high-performance environments. Returning to , he headed the national sevens program, coaching the team to the quarter-finals at the 2016 Olympics and achieving success, including a landmark victory in in 2018—the country's first in six years. In 2018, Friend was appointed of Irish province on a three-year deal, extending his stay to five seasons until the end of the 2022/23 season; during this period, he emphasized player development and fostered a strong team culture, notably nurturing talents like . As of 2025, Friend focuses on performance coaching as a technical advisor with the Wallaroos women's team, appointed in October 2025 to support development toward the 2029 , while also consulting for the . A native, he rejoined the Brumbies in 2024 as a , helping the women's team reach consecutive semi-finals, before being named of the side in September 2024 for the 2025 season. His versatile career, marked by over 25 years in the sport, underscores a commitment to leadership, potential unlocking, and balancing professional demands with family life.

Early life and education

Childhood in Canberra

Andy Friend was born on 24 April 1969 in , . His early childhood was marked by a nomadic lifestyle due to his father's career in the Australian Department of Finance, which involved relocations from to , , , and . Despite these moves, Friend's formative years were rooted in , where he returned for and developed his passion for sports through community and school activities in the Australian Capital Territory. In and abroad, Friend was initially exposed to sports like and soccer during his primary school years, but his interest in emerged around age 10 while living in , when he received a as a . He began playing the sport casually at age 12 in , laying the groundwork for his lifelong involvement. Upon returning to Canberra, Friend attended , where he honed his rugby skills and first engaged in competitive play in 1986 as a fullback. This period at school solidified his connection to the sport in the region, setting the stage for representative opportunities.

University and initial career steps

Andy Friend attended the , where he earned a in Sports Studies (Coaching) in 1990. His studies focused on applied and , providing a foundation for his transition from playing to professional involvement in and sports development. Following his graduation, Friend began working in sports development programs. In 1994, he pursued a at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in , where he started his coaching journey by working with promising young players, including future Wallabies such as , , and . This role marked his entry into structured development within the ACT pathways, emphasizing talent identification and skill-building in the emerging professional era of the sport. Friend's early contributions to rugby were recognized in 2022 when he became an inaugural inductee into the University of Canberra Sport Walk of Fame for his lasting impact on the sport through coaching and development.

Playing career

Schoolboy representative rugby

Andy Friend was selected for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team in both 1986 and 1987, representing his country at the youth international level as a fullback. These selections came during his time at Canberra Grammar School in the Australian Capital Territory, where he had also begun playing club rugby locally with ACT sides. In 1986, Friend participated in the Australian Schoolboys' of , competing in matches against provincial schoolboy teams as part of a series of international fixtures. The provided early exposure to high-level competition abroad, contributing to the team's overall success in the exchanges. The following year, Friend featured prominently in the 1987 fixture against the touring Irish Schoolboys. A standout moment came in the fixture against the Irish Schoolboys, during which Friend scored a try from an intricate scrum move, demonstrating his agility and finishing ability under pressure. He shared the backline with future Wallabies stars and Jason Little, both of whom went on to win multiple World Cups, underscoring the caliber of the squad. Friend's consecutive appearances in the at age 17 and 18 marked his peak as a youth representative, earning him national recognition for his contributions in defense and counter-attacking play as a . These honors represented the culmination of his schoolboy career before transitioning to provincial .

Club-level play and retirement

Following his schoolboy representative appearances, Andy Friend transitioned to adult in the Australian Capital (ACT), where he represented the ACT Kookaburras side from 1989 to 1991 as a . Known for his reliable positioning and defensive solidity at , Friend contributed to the team's efforts in domestic competitions during this period but did not secure major professional contracts. At the club level, Friend competed with the Canberra Royals Rugby Union Club in lower-tier ACT competitions, earning recognition as the club's leading point scorer in 1992 and receiving the Jeff Southwell Trophy for that achievement. His playing career remained confined to these amateur and representative levels, as the professional era had not yet begun. Friend retired from playing in 1994 after undergoing multiple knee surgeries, including two procedures that forced him to step away from the game. This early retirement at age 25 marked the end of his on-field involvement, paving the way for his subsequent focus on coaching without overlapping into the emerging professional landscape.

Coaching career

Early assistant and development roles

Friend began his professional coaching career in 1995 when he joined the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) rugby program as a coach, where he worked with emerging talents including future Wallabies stars , , and . In this role, Friend focused on athlete development within a high-performance environment, leveraging his recent graduation from the to build foundational skills in youth and elite preparation. From 1996 to 2002, Friend served as an assistant coach and skills coach for the in the Super 12 and later Super 14 competitions, working under Eddie Jones during a period that saw the team establish itself as a competitive force in Australian rugby. His contributions emphasized technical skill development and tactical preparation, contributing to the Brumbies' consistent finals appearances and helping nurture players who would go on to represent at the international level. Friend's experience with Jones extended to the international stage, where he joined the Wallabies coaching staff as an assistant for the 2002 Tri Nations Series and the campaign, during which Australia reached the final but lost to . In this capacity, he supported Jones in areas such as backs coaching and overall team strategy, playing a key role in a squad that achieved significant success, including the retention. In 2002, Friend was appointed head coach of the Australia Under-21 national team, a position he held until 2005, guiding the side through several IRB Under-21 World Championships. Under his leadership, the team demonstrated strong development, culminating in a runner-up finish at the 2005 IRB U21 World Championship in , where they were defeated by in the final after topping their pool and overcoming in the semifinals. This achievement highlighted Friend's expertise in youth development, producing several players who progressed to senior careers.

Head coaching in Super Rugby and Europe

In 2005, Friend was appointed head coach of Harlequins in the English Premiership, taking over a squad that had just been promoted from the . During his three-year tenure from 2005 to 2008, he emphasized squad rebuilding, integrating new talent and establishing a competitive foundation for the club under director of rugby Dean Richards. This approach yielded mid-table results in the Premiership, with Harlequins finishing seventh in 2006–07 and sixth in 2007–08, securing a Heineken Cup qualification in the latter season. Following his success in London, Friend returned to Australia in 2008, signing a three-year contract to become head coach of the Brumbies in , building on his prior experience as an assistant with the franchise. He guided the team from 2008 to 2011, achieving consistent mid-table performances, including seventh place overall in the 2009 Super 14 season and sixth in 2010. Friend's tenure ended abruptly in March 2011 when he was sacked by the Brumbies after a disappointing start to the season, marked by one win and one loss in the opening two matches amid reports of internal unrest.

club coaching

Following his departure from the Brumbies at the end of 2011, Andy Friend moved to to take up the role of head coach for the Canon Eagles in the Top League, commencing with the 2012–13 season. The Eagles had earned promotion to Japan's premier domestic competition that year, marking their debut at the top level, and Friend's appointment brought international expertise to a squad blending local talent with foreign players. Under Friend's leadership, the team navigated the challenges of Top League competition, finishing 11th overall in 2012–13 with three wins from 13 matches and accumulating 19 points. Demonstrating steady progress, the Eagles improved their performance in the 2013–14 season, climbing to 7th place in the group stage with a more competitive record that included notable victories against teams like Wild Knights. This upward trajectory highlighted Friend's focus on building squad depth and tactical discipline in a known for its physicality and corporate-backed structure. In April 2014, Friend was appointed of Sungoliath, returning to a club where he had previously played over a decade earlier, and he led the team through the 2015–16 season. His contributions were instrumental in 's dominant campaign, as the team secured the 2015–16 Top League title with a flawless regular-season record and a playoff victory over Wild Knights in the final. Friend's tenure in Japan provided valuable insight into the evolving professional landscape of the sport, where corporate investment and international recruitment were accelerating development ahead of hosting the .

International sevens program

In 2016, Andy Friend was appointed of the Australian men's team on a two-and-a-half-year contract, drawing on his experience from coaching in to lead the program ahead of the Olympics. Under his guidance, the team focused on talent identification, individual skill development, and team leadership to adapt to the high-speed demands of sevens rugby. Friend emphasized regimens to build and explosive power, essential for the format's rapid transitions and physicality. Friend oversaw the team's preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where reached the quarter-finals but ultimately finished in eighth place after a 12-10 loss to France in the classification match. His tenure extended into the 2017-2018 Sevens Series, during which he initiated the buildup for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics cycle, prioritizing player development pathways to integrate emerging talents into the core squad. A highlight came in January 2018 at the Sydney Sevens, where the team secured with a dominant 29-0 victory over in the final, marking Australia's first World Series tournament win in six years. Throughout his leadership, Friend's approach fostered a culture of resilience and tactical innovation, contributing to the program's competitiveness despite challenges in Olympic medal contention. His contract concluded in July 2018, having elevated the team's performance in key international events.

Connacht Rugby leadership

Andy Friend was appointed head coach of on 24 May 2018, signing a three-year contract and succeeding Kieran Keane, who had departed after one season in charge. He arrived at the province in late June to lead pre-season preparations, bringing his extensive experience from , the English Premiership, Japanese club , and the Australian national sevens program. Under Friend's leadership, emphasized a high-tempo, expansive playing style influenced by his sevens background, which shaped innovative attack strategies focused on speed and offloading. During his four seasons as head coach from 2018 to 2022, Friend prioritized youth integration and sustainable squad development, promoting 12 players to senior debuts and establishing programs to support emerging talent. This approach contributed to consistent top-half finishes in the PRO14 and inaugural seasons, including seventh place overall in 2018/19 with a quarter-final appearance, fourth in Conference B during the COVID-shortened 2019/20 campaign, eighth in 2020/21, and fifth in 2021/22 alongside another play-off run. The focus on long-term growth helped stabilize the province, fostering a culture of resilience despite challenges like inter-provincial derbies. In August 2022, ahead of the 2022/23 season, Friend transitioned to the newly created role of Director of Rugby, retaining overall responsibility for performance while allowing assistant coach Wilkins to assume head coaching duties. Under this structure, achieved a fifth-place finish and reached the URC semi-finals for the first time, defeating the and Emirates Lions in the play-offs before a narrow loss to URC champions . Friend departed at the end of his contract in June 2023, leaving a legacy of player development and competitive consistency after five years with the province.

Brumbies women's team role

In September 2024, Andy Friend was appointed head coach of the ACT Brumbies women's team ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Women's season, replacing Scott Fava in the role. This marked his formal return to the franchise after serving as a consultant for the team in 2024, during which he contributed to their progression to consecutive semi-finals. Friend's tenure focused on establishing foundational elements of the women's program, including on-field strategies and inspiring youth participation in to build toward Australia's hosting of the 2029 . Drawing on his earlier experience as Brumbies from 2008 to 2011, he emphasized mentoring emerging female players through skill development and tactical preparation. The six-month stint concluded in April 2025 following the competition, allowing Friend to contribute to the broader growth of women's in after his time at . This role aligned with ongoing developments in Australian women's , including Rugby Australia's reaffirmed commitments to the Wallaroos program amid earlier funding adjustments. Following the conclusion of his Brumbies tenure in April 2025, Friend continued in performance coaching roles, serving as technical advisor to the Australian Wallaroos women's team for the 2025 and beyond, as well as consulting for the rugby team as of late 2025.

Personal life

Family and marriage

Andy Friend has been married to Kerri Rawlings since the early stages of his coaching career. He is the father of two sons, Josh and Jackson, with the family originally based in , . During his tenure as head coach of from 2018 to 2023, the family relocated to , , where they resided for five years and developed deep connections to the local community. In 2023, Friend and his family returned to to prioritize time with their grandchildren, as Jackson now has two children of his own. Friend has publicly emphasized the importance of balancing his professional commitments with family life, stating in a 2021 interview, "I’m a and a , that is what defines me." Over his 29-year coaching career, he and his family have relocated multiple times for professional opportunities, living in 21 different homes across , , , and .

Charity bike ride for brain injury awareness

In 2011, following his dismissal from the in March, Andy Friend embarked on a solo journey across as a personal challenge and means to transition during a difficult period in his coaching career. The 94-day, approximately 5,000 km off-road ride followed the from Cooktown in to , involving significant elevation gains of over 57,000 meters and testing physical and mental endurance through rugged terrain. Supported by a vehicle driven by his wife, Kerri, the expedition was documented via a dedicated website and media updates, highlighting daily challenges such as navigating remote areas and occasional conflicts within the support team. The ride was primarily motivated by Kerri Friend's acquired brain injury (ABI), sustained in May 2010 during a mountain biking accident at the Capital Punishment race near Canberra, where she suffered two major brain haemorrhages. Friend aimed to honor her ongoing recovery— which included relearning basic skills and participating in the ride's logistics—while drawing attention to the broader impacts of ABI on families. By sharing personal stories and those of other ABI survivors encountered along the way, the journey sought to foster empathy and educate the public on rehabilitation needs, with Kerri's involvement underscoring the event's therapeutic value for their family. Titled "The Friendly Ride," the initiative raised over $90,000 in total donations and sponsorships, split equally between Brain Injury Australia for and support services, and Outward Bound Australia's Potential Unlimited Program for outdoor rehabilitation activities tailored to ABI participants. The funds contributed to enhanced resources for brain injury rehabilitation, while the ride's media coverage amplified awareness, culminating in a public finish at Parliament House in on December 3, 2011, joined by around 30 supporters. This effort marked a pivotal moment in Friend's personal life, blending with resilience amid professional uncertainty.

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