Forced to halt his playing career by a brain tumour, former Wallaby Julian Huxley has taken a new role with the Brumbies as their kicking coach.

Huxley is one of three former Brumbies internationals appointed to assist new head coach Andy Friend in the 2009 Super 14 season, joining Owen Finegan (forwards) and Bill Young (scrum).

Former English Super League club Harlequins CEO and coach Tony Rea is the other member of the new team, assisting with defence and skills.

Utility back Huxley, 28, was forced to stop playing after a tumour was discovered on his brain in March.

"While I would love to be playing, circumstances haven't allowed that and I'm very pleased and excited to have the opportunity to continue my involvement with the Brumbies," said Huxley.

"Obviously it was important to take a step back at the end of the season to focus on my health but now that's in check I'm very keen to be involved with the side.

"Having played with the Brumbies, Reds and Wallabies during my career and not being too far removed from the game, I feel I have something to offer the side and I'm pleased I can continue being of value to the squad."

A veteran of 53 Super rugby games, Huxley was part of Australia's World Cup squad last year after making his Test debut against Wales earlier in the season.

Rea, a former hooker who spent nine years playing top grade rugby league with the North Sydney Bears, has since spent six years went on to spend six years as head coach of the London Broncos (now Harlequins) and has signed with the Brumbies for three seasons.

"This is a new challenge and one I'm really looking forward to," said Rea.

Former World Cup-winning flanker Finegan joins the senior squad after coaching the Brumbies Academy and assisting the Brumbies lineout in 2008.

Australia's second most capped prop, Young helped coach the Western Sydney Rams to the semi-finals in the Australian Rugby Championship in 2007.

"I'm very pleased to be coming back to Canberra and the Brumbies," he said.

"I've got a lot of happy memories of this place, I really enjoyed playing here, and it's great to have the opportunity to work with players and put something back into the organisation.

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