Who should be the next Wallaby coach?
Columnist By Spiro Zavos, 28 Aug 2007 Spiro Zavos is a Roar Expert
We know that win or lose in the World Cup tournament, John Connolly is finished as the Wallaby coach on October 20. We know also that John O’Neill desperately wants Robbie Deans, the most successful coach in Super Rugby history. O’Neill wants Deans as much for the way he can introduce a culture of playing and personal growth with most of his players, as much for his rugby know-how.
Deans, like Wayne Bennett and Graham Henry, is an advocate of the philosophy that better people make better players. I talked to him once about this. He told me he was impressed with the work of Cecilia Lashley, a New Zealand writer who has specialised in the development of young males into useful, happy and effective people, especially those from difficult backgrounds.
I asked him whether he believed in curfews and what sort of regime he imposed on his players. He told me he treated his players as responsible and mature people and he expected his players to behave in a way that was responsible and mature. As he was saying this, Daniel Carter walked past. The two exchanged pleasantries before Carter moved on.
I later reflected that the Deans method seemed to work with developing gifted young players into fine people. Carter is an example of the success of the method. And Stephen Brett, who might just be the second-best five-eighths in world rugby (if you don’t believe me watch Canterbury in their NPC games), is another outstanding player and person that Deans is developing.
The talk in New Zealand is that if the All Blacks win the World Cup, then Steve Hansen, a Graham Henry favourite, will become head coach. If the All Blacks don’t win, then Deans will be given the job.
If this is true, then in the case of an All Black win in the World Cup, Deans will be available to take up any of the offers that will pour in from around the world.
So the question is, should the ARU make him an offer he can’t refuse?
A number of notable former Wallabies, including Nick Farr-Jones, don’t think so. Neither does John Connolly. And now John Mitchell, the former All Black coach with Robbie Deans as his assistant, has stepped into the argument and argued that the next Wallaby coach should be an Australian. Mitchell accepts, though, that a non-national should be allowed to work with Australia.
In the same statement, Mitchell has ruled himself out of being involved in international rugby until 2011. But he has foreshadowed, or I think he has, some sort of involvement for himself in the Wallaby set-up before then.
This brings us back to John O’Neill. He is very clear that two brave selections of coaches, Rod Macqueen for the Wallabies replacing Greg Smith, and Guus Hiddink for the Socceroos replacing Frank Farina, made his career with the ARU and Australian Football.
He wants Robbie Deans. Will he, should he, get his main man?
Recommend this story.
We're hiring. Find out more.
- Explore:
August 28th 2007 @ 2:22pm
Ian said | August 28th 2007 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Pat Howard ..anyone
Now for a comparison…Australia to the RWC as is Brazil to the Football world cup…Comparison taken at early (first 20 years or so) of World cups i.e after 5, and the influence on the game at that time. (Both Runners up in their home world cups which was the 4th and 5th cups. Brazil won the 6th and 7th. I have no idea but where Brazilian football coaches come from?…..(and don’t say there mummy and daddy’s)
August 28th 2007 @ 5:53pm
matty said | August 28th 2007 @ 5:53pm | Report comment
Stillmissit – still laughing!!! That would be some combo…
My vote would be for Nucifora. Are folks forgetting he coached the Brumbies to a Super 14 victory (and how flakey the same team was without him the next year)? Pat Howard is a good call Ian – as backup.
I always liked Link McKenzie – but with all the resources and that great talent pool, I think he has underpeformed massively, both in terms of results and in corralling his players… too many incidents.
The point about development of character by Robbie Deans is important, but he is hardly a sole pilot here – c.f. the well documented examples such as Sydney Swans “no dickheads” policy, the Melbourne Storms’ policy of having new players spend sometime doing builders labourers’ work gratis so that they appreciate their lives as paid sportsmen etc. Maybe JON could implement this top-down? Get rid of Lotsa Tequila, Fat Mat and the other clowns and start working on building a culture of humility (notably absent since the great John Eales left), respect and success. They could start by having each of the current Wallabies read Rod McQueen’s biography, perhaps.
August 28th 2007 @ 6:51pm
Sportym said | August 28th 2007 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
Pat Howard for sure.
He did really well over in the UK, and some fresh blood would be great. And he can relate to the players, having won a Super 12 title in Oz.
In regards to Nucifora, I would stay clear of him, though people credit him for at Super 14 victory with the brumbies, it is well know that he did not get along with the senior players and that the team was actually run by “player power”. He was basically thrown out cause he did not get along with them. On the same note, there is talk of senior players leaving the Blues due to Nucifora being coach. So two clubs, and major issues between the coach and players….too risky. Something with his coaching style does not go well with players.
Wallabies need a coach they can respect, and with a proven history as a player and coach. I think Pat Howard is that guy.
Link Mckenzie, Looked great 2 years ago when he had a great team, as soon as he lost key players, he made some horrific judgement calls in 2007. He would do well in a team full of stars, but not a team such as the wallabies that will have alot of new blood in 2008.
Laurie Fisher, not so sure, since Eddie jones left the brumbies I have this feeling that the senior players had alot of input into what happend in Canberra. Not 100% sure what he is made of. Though he cannot be judged for his coaching of Aus A, they they very little time to traing and play together against an All blacks B team taht would have given the wallabies a run for thier money.
Deans, yeah give him a go. A good proved record. Though not sure if he is going to learn any new tricks along the way, I think peeople are catching onto the Crusaders style for the last x years. He would be an assest.
I say Deans or Howard. I think Howard would add more spark to a younger wallabies in 2008
August 28th 2007 @ 9:54pm
sheek said | August 28th 2007 @ 9:54pm | Report comment
My thoughts on Australia’s next Wallabies coach.
Firstly, the pool is disturbingly small, especially of Aussie talent. If the next coach can be of any nationality who is available, then it must be Robbie Deans. His credentials are impeccable.
But obviously, Deans would covet the ABs job before the Wallabies. The fate of this WC will determine which way Deans leans.
The best Aussie available IMHO, is David Nucifora. Next in line, Scott Johnson is most worthy. Both these guys have experienced coaching in other countries, adding to their perspective. They are tactically aware & smart.
Pat Howard might be the best local option, but would he give up his lucrative position as ARU high performance manager? I guess it depends where Howard sees himself exerting most benefit – he’s that type of guy. He’s only 34 years old, by the way.
Howard’s rugby lineage runs deep, just like Deans. Howard himself was a Wallaby flyhalf/centre (1990s). His father jake Howard was a Wallaby prop (early 1970s). His grandfather Cyril Towers was a Wallaby legend at outside centre (1926-37).
Finally, John O’Neill might be a windbag, but he’s also a doer. He backs up his rhetoric with affirmative action. I don’t always agree with what he says or does, but he’s arguably the best damn administrator Australian Rugby has had, & we should thank our lucky stars we have him back in the fold.
August 28th 2007 @ 10:44pm
Harry said | August 28th 2007 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
Pat Howard would be my pick. Smart and humble guy, a leader with a proven record of success at getting the most out of himself as a player and, more importantly, as a coach. Influenced up close by the last 2 RWC winning coaches McQueen and Woodward (much as it galls me to note this in Clive’s case) and success at the Brumbies and Leicester. Johnson to assist and coach Australia A. Alec Evans and Foley (or preferably Mckenzie but he’d probably get all uppitty about only being a deputy) to assist with the forwards.
Deans is a great coach and looks a good guy. But he’s a Kiwi. Lets stand on our own.
August 28th 2007 @ 11:33pm
Dave74 said | August 28th 2007 @ 11:33pm | Report comment
Link Mckenzie was lucky to keep the NSW position this year. He has a fair way to go IMHO if he is to be a Wallaby coach. His player identification (as has been noted above) is poor, but what scares me is his tactical ineptitude. Has everyone forgotten the decision to play Turinui on the wing v Habana and the equally ludicrous decision to play Lyons, Palu and Elsom in the backrow against the Bulls so that they could play ‘Bulls’ rugby against the Bulls. Link also reminds me of the Eddie Jones in the way he deals with his assistants….
I am not sure about Fischer either, he has a very talented squad at the Brumbies and has failed to get them into the semis every year and as others have said the performance of Oz A left a lot to be desired, especially his selections for the crucial game against the JABs.
A name that hasn’t been mentioned and a coach with a good track record is Warren Gatland who is doing a marvelous job with Waikato in NZ (reigning ANZC champions and current Ranfurley Shield holders) and has international experience having coached Ireland.
Does anyone know what Rod Kafer’s coaching record was like in England as he appears to be an astute rugby thinker….
August 29th 2007 @ 12:13am
Barney said | August 29th 2007 @ 12:13am | Report comment
The successor to John Connolly.
Of the Top Four Candidates two you couldn’t seriously consider. Here are the top four
1st New Zealander Robbie Deans (Crusaders) won numerous S14 / S12 titles (Genuine contender best person for the job by far)
2nd David Nucifora (Auckland Blues / Brumbies coach) Won one S12 title and coached two seperate S12/ S14 teams to the finals (best Aussie cadidate despite what you think of him your picking him to coach which he has proven he can do with two different teams)
3rd Laurie Fisher (Brumbies) Won nothing in provincial coached his S12 / S14 team to miss the finals every year. Struggles to coach his team to be competitve at provincial level. Why would you pick him?
4th Ewen McKenzie (Waratahs), Done slightly better than Laurie at provincial level but hasn’t been able to coach his teams to win the tough games. Why would you pick him?
5th a Triumvirate of Scott Johnson, John Muggleton and Andrew Blades could be a killer combination. All Top line coaches in their area of expertise. As the saying goes two heads are better than one. Then Three must be better than 2.
August 29th 2007 @ 3:23pm
stillmissit said | August 29th 2007 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
Would love to know more about Pat Howards coaching record where do you find this out?
I thought he was a very gutsy player even though he was flung to the NZ dogs at 5/8 in his first test for the Wallabies played at Carisbrook Park if my memory serves me well.
August 29th 2007 @ 3:25pm
sheek said | August 29th 2007 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
Of course, the problem with Pat Howard (being Wallaby coach) is he is the newly appointed general manager of the ARU high performance unit.
Part of his brief is to interview prospective candidates for the next Wallaby coach, & present a recommended short-list to the selection committee – John O’Neill, Mark Connors, Rod McCall, Brett Robinson, Mike Hawker & himself. All ex-Wallabies bar O’Neill.
Howard is only 34, perhaps too young to be Wallaby coach. If you remember, Jeff Miller went from assistant Wallaby coach to HPU GM to Queensland coach. Howard might be better suited to the position in 4-8 years time.
I think the ideal /premium age for a national & provincial coach is in the age band from late 30s to about mid 50s. Let’s say 37 to 56.
Barney has it about right – Deans then Nucifora. I don’t think either Fisher or McKenzie are capable of the step-up at this stage.
August 29th 2007 @ 3:28pm
Paulmc said | August 29th 2007 @ 3:28pm | Report comment
For the Pat Howard fans – Todays SMH reports that he is on the panel to select the new coach – surely he would have a conflict of interest if he intended to apply.