Former Wallabies and Queensland Reds attack coach Jim McKay has replaced new Springboks mentor Allister Coetzee as head coach of Japan’s Kobe Steel.

McKay, best known for overseeing the Reds’ electric backline in their 2011 Super Rugby triumph, signed with the Steelers after assisting Tonga at last year’s World Cup.

The former Randwick winger, 49, spent 15 months as Wallabies backs coach in 2013 and `14 but lost his job after Ewen McKenzie’s controversial exit that saw Michael Cheika take over.

McKay worked with McKenzie, a former club teammate in the 1980s, at the Reds from 2010 to 2013 and was hailed for his work guiding the likes of Will Genia and Quade Cooper.

“It’s a really exciting time to become involved in Japanese rugby following the success by the national team at the World Cup and also through the inclusion of the Sunwolves in Super Rugby,” he said.

The Steelers finished fourth in last season’s Japanese Top League under the guidance of Coetzee who was last week appointed South Africa’s new coach.