Kobelco Kobe Steelers Defence Coach Peter Murchie Set to Join Wales

Wales have secured the services of Japan Rugby League One’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers Peter Murchie as their next defence coach, and he will depart the Japanese club after the 2025/2026 season.

Photo Credit – Kobelco Kobe Steelers

Rumours first circulated on BBC Wales, and on 24 February 2025, the WRU confirmed the signing and that Murchie will take up the role with Wales ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship this Summer, following the conclusion of the Japanese Rugby League One season.

The club side is in contention for the JRLO semifinal play-offs at this stage, and they are in second place in the top-flight. In Round 9, they defeated the Saitama Wild Knights (their first loss this season).

The JRLO season is only at the halfway mark, but Dave Rennie’s side has the fourth-best defence in the JRLO Division 1 based on points conceded, and Peter Murchie, in addition to the Japanese talent (including Brave Blossom first choice flyhalf Seungsin Lee), has been working with players such as All Blacks Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea (World Rugby Player of the Year 2023), and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Photo Credit – JRLO

The Japanese club said, “Defence coach Pete Marchy has served as the team’s defensive coach since the 2025-26 season, and has used his extensive coaching experience and high level of expertise to contribute to building the team’s defensive system and developing players.

Although his tenure was only a short one season, we are extremely grateful for the contributions he made to the team during that time, and as a team, we are proud that he will be taking on a new challenge as part of the coaching staff of a world-class national team.”

Munchie is a former Glasgow Warriors player and Scotland international, and has been coaching since 2017. He has been a Scottish Rugby Union national academy coach, was with the Scotland U20 coaching team, Scotland A and the national Men’s teams, and the Glasgow Warriors.

Peter Murchie commented via the Kobe Steelers, “I am really enjoying my time in Kobe, although I will be moving on to international rugby at the end of the season, I will be giving my very best, along with the rest of the coaches to continue with the positive start we have had to the season.”

He added via the WRU, “I have enjoyed the experience of coaching and living in Kobe. Working with world-class players and the coaching group has been excellent. The opportunity to move into international rugby with Wales, where there are so many exciting competitions on the horizon, was something that my family and I are hugely excited about.

Steve (Tandy) was a huge driver for me. I know he is a world-class coach, and we have worked together closely before. I am looking forward to joining up with the squad in the summer and getting to work.”

Wales Men’s Head Coach Steve Tandy said: “It’s great to welcome Pete to the coaching team. He is a really talented coach with a great style and mindset. He’ll be a real asset for us as a group, and I can’t wait for him to join us this summer to help shape the squad’s development as we head into the Nations Championship.”

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