The Waratahs' offseason recruitment has continued, with coach Michael Cheika locking away two further members of his Super Rugby Pacific coaching team.
Former Wallabies back-rowers Stephen Hoiles and Wycliff Palu have signed two-year deals as Cheika's assistants, with Hoiles likely to succeed Cheika once the veteran coach moves on.
Cheika has signed a two-year with the second year in his favour, affording him the option of a Test rugby return post-Rugby World Cup 2027 when international positions typically become available.
When Cheika does move on, it will be Hoiles to graduates to the top job following stints with Randwick, where he won a Shute Shield title, and more recently in Major League Rugby with the LA Giltinis and then the California Legion.
"I've grown up playing all my junior rugby in NSW. The Waratahs have always been the team you aspire to play for and it's the same as a coach," Hoiles said.
"It's a nice moment and it's a bit of a full circle moment to come back and get this opportunity. It's a really important part of Australian Rugby's ecosystem, making sure the Waratahs are performing on and off the field.
"It feels good to be back. I'm looking forward to planning and getting started for the 2027 season, which is going to be a really important one for the state of NSW."
Palu has meanwhile been cutting his coaching teeth in Japan and recently took a combined Pasifika First Nations XV to Tonga for a one-off clash.
"I'm really excited to be coming back to the Waratahs," Palu said.
"It is a club that means a lot to me and has played a massive part not only in my rugby journey, but also my life. So to have the opportunity to come back as a coach is pretty special.
"I'm looking forward to connecting with the players, working alongside the staff and giving back to a club I love."
Both Hoiles and Palu were members of Cheika's 2014 Super Rugby title-winning team, meaning there are now four players on the books for next season who lifted the trophy with NSW 12 years ago. Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps were already named to return to the playing squad.
Cheika will officially begin his second stint with the Waratahs in November, once he has rounded out his commitments with Lebanon at the Rugby World Cup.