Reg Tayler has been named head coach of the world champion Australian women’s rugby sevens team, as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics loom on the horizon.
The decision completes a succession plan following Tim Walsh’s departure from the position after Australia clinched the World Championship in France last month.
Tayler was an assistant coach to Walsh, who has since become Rugby Australia’s (RA) director of women’s high performance.
Tayler will guide Australia through its two-year build-up to the Olympics.
“The squad is determined for continued success through to the Olympics in Los Angeles,” Tayler said in an RA statement.
“Our players are professional and dedicated to achieving a gold medal, and I am confident we will have the squad capable of that in 2028.”
Tayler, who joined the Australian sevens program last year, has big shoes to fill.
Walsh not only led Australia to its recent World Championship victory but was also in charge when it won the inaugural Olympic gold in women’s rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
It is the only time Australia has won Olympic gold in the sport.
Australia won the first women’s Olympic rugby sevens gold on offer in 2016. (Getty Images/World Rugby: Dan Mullan)
Walsh, who coached Australia across two stints, will still have input through his newly created role as part of RA’s strategy to align the sevens and Wallaroos programs.
He is confident Tayler will leave his mark as head coach, describing the appointment as a “seamless acquisition” for the squad.
“Reg is highly knowledgeable of the World Series circuit and has worked with many of our players coming through the pathways system,” Walsh said.
“He’s not going in cold, he completely understands the game and his expertise is going to be fully utilised by the program.
“It’s a privilege and honour to retain Reg.”
Tayler has previously coached the Australia A women’s sevens team.
He also spent time working with Ireland’s women’s and men’s squads between 2023-25.
Australia claimed the World Championship with victories in the final two legs of the series in Valladolid and Bordeaux.
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