HE’S known for his deeds on the rugby league field but former Inverell junior star Phil Bailey is set to fly with the Eagles at the Rugby World Cup.
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The former Cronulla, NSW and Australian backrower is the defence coach for the USA side, and is forging a successful career as a rugby coach.
After the World Cup he’s headed to Hong Kong after being signed as the head coach for the Hong Kong Football Club.
It’s a path the 35-year old never imagined following having played league since he was seven.
“(But) Anything is possible these days. It’s a small world and the USA had a hole and I was able to fill it,” Bailey said.
He’s been with the Eagles for the last two years.
“My wife Nicole is from the USA,” he said.
“After I finished playing (league) in the UK I moved over there.”
“I played amateur rugby at the New York Athletic Club, then coached.”
“The Eagles head coach then brought me on.”
Part of the 2003 Blues State of Origin-winning side and a Kangaroos tourist the same year, Bailey has followed the World Cup in the past.
“I’m always keen to see how the Aussies do and I have played with and know former players,” he said.
He can’t wait to be a part of it.
“It’s the third largest sporting event in the world so it’s amazing to be a part of it and inside the machine,” he said.
The Eagles will play in Pool B alongside South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and Japan, and Bailey said a good result for them would be two wins.
“USA have never won two games in a RWC,” he said.
“Thats our goal. Two wins.”
He is happy with how their defence is progressing.
“Our defence has really improved over the past 20 months,” he said.
“The USA have always had good athletes, very physical and skillful.
“It’s a matter of getting up to speed with the system and getting the players together to train as much as possible.”
“We have a mixture of pros and amateurs so consistency is always the biggest issue.”
That, and staying in the arm wrestle for the 80 minutes is where they need to improve, as was evident in their recent clash with the Wallabies.
“We dropped off after substituting three players at halftime and the Wallabies took full advantage of this,” Bailey said.
They’ve got a tough start with Samoa first-up tomorrow night (9pm AEST).
“Samoa are a big and skillful side. Love to throw the ball around and if given space are very dangerous,” Bailey said.
“We need to control possession and keep the ball, handing it over only on our terms.”
His parents and two sisters still live in Inverell and will be cheering on from afar.
Younger brother Chris is currently playing with the Huddersfield Giants and will be going to watch when the Eagles play Scotland in Leeds.
The tournament kicked off earlier this morning (5am) with hosts England tackling Fiji.
