New addition.

The Wallabies have announced that former Leinster player Shaun Berne will join their coaching staff ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Berne, who completed his Vodafone Super Rugby commitments with the Melbourne Rebels earlier this week, will start his role immediately.

The 40-year old has been serving as Attack Coach under Dave Wessels in Melbourne following stints at the Western Force and as coach of Leinster’s ‘A’ side.

Berne is one of three recent senior appointments with a new level of experience to surround the team in the lead up to their campaign in Japan later this year, after Head Performance Coach Dean Benton and physiotherapist Ed Hollis also joined Michael Cheika’s staff.

Benton was most recently England Rugby’s Head of Sport Science but has also enjoyed successful stints at the Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos, Leicester Tigers and the Brumbies.