Growing up in country NSW, Peter Hewat never thought he'd forge a career in rugby union.
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The inland town of Inverell is a cricket and rugby league stronghold, but after leaving for boarding school at Brisbane's famous rugby nursery Nudgee College, Hewat fell in love with the game and never looked back.
The 39-year-old left Australian shores after he was controversially omitted from the Wallabies 2007 World Cup squad and a decade later returns as the final cog in the ACT Brumbies coaching panel for next season.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar appointed Hewat his backs coach after spending the past eight seasons playing and coaching at Japanese powerhouse Suntory.
Hewat was a late bloomer on the Super Rugby scene and debuted with the NSW Waratahs at 26, before stringing together three of the most impressive seasons in the club's history.
The fullback finished his debut season as Super Rugby's leading pointscorer and his 636 points in 50 matches between 2005-2007 is second behind Matt Burke on the Warratahs all-time points list.
Despite the stellar form, John Connolly left him out of the World Cup squad and Hewat signed a lucrative contract with London Irish for three years, before linking with Eddie Jones and Suntory in 2011.
Hewat was on the books at the Brumbies for two weeks in 2012 as injury cover for Christian Leallifano, but didn't get on the park after failing to get insurance.
Hewat began his coaching apprenticeship after hanging up the boots five years ago and said the Japanese competition has proved the perfect stomping ground to hone his craft.
"It was always the plan to go into coaching and it was one of the reasons I chose Suntory. Eddie Jones was here and we spoke about a coaching opportunity after I finished playing and I was lucky enough to get it,"
- Peter Hewat
"Japan is a great place to start, we've got a squad of 44 guys so you get the classy foreigners but then Japanese guys on all different levels.
"I've been keeping an eye on the Brumbies over the years and they've had an influence here as well with George Gregan, George Smith, Matt Giteau and now Jordy Smiler."
Hewat will relocate to Canberra in October and admits he feels privileged to get a crack in Super Rugby after Australian jobs were cut by a fifth when the Western Forced were axed last week.
"You're always fortunate getting an opportunity in rugby so I feel very fortunate, but more so I'm very excited about what Dan is putting in place," Hewat said.
Australian rugby endured its worst year ever both on and off the field with crowd and participation numbers plummeting, but Hewat believes the game can return to its glory years.
"I think it definitely can recover and easiest way is you need to play an exciting brand of rugby that's going to bring fans back and win games," Hewat said.
"That's part of plan to play that style of rugby to bring back the people who love the game and I'm really looking forward to bringing that attacking rugby to the Brumbies."
McKellar said Hewat's attacking ethos was a significant factor in bringing him onto the panel that includes Laurie Fisher (forwards) and Peter Ryan (defence).
"I worked with Peter for a couple of year at Suntory which is a very good program and I've watched him develop nicely as a coach, he has great knowledge and excellent rapport with the players," McKellar said.
"I think we tried to evolve our attack this year under Stephen (Larkham) but certainly how we want to attack, myself and Peter are well aligned there, as too is Laurie.
"Peter understands well and truly when it's time to work hard but also knows when it's time to relax and enjoy each other's company.
"He is very a likeable guy and very approachable which I think is really important for our young playing group."
