Cheika firming as favourite for Waratahs coaching role
Roar Guru There’s speculation around today, fueled by a piece in today’s SMH by Greg Crowden, that Michael Cheika will be the new coach of the Waratahs.
In a decision that is sure to please outspoken Roar columnist, David Campese, who has championed Cheika for the position through his Roar columns, the SMH reports that other potential candidates for the position have already been discreetly informed that they have missed out on the job.
Cheika, who travelled from France to interview for the position, has impressed the Waratahs appointment panel with his visions for the team and the style of rugby they will adopt.
Given his strong ties to the local rugby community through his own playing days for Randwick, he will be a popular selection to lead the Waratahs away from the uninspiring and unattractive brand of rugby they have shown over the past few seasons – if the rumours are indeed true.
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- Michael Cheika, Rugby Union, Waratahs
September 14th 2012 @ 1:49pm
p.Tah said | September 14th 2012 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Just hurry up with it already. We need a coach!
September 14th 2012 @ 1:53pm
jameswm said | September 14th 2012 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
The cynic in me says some Waratah players have just been re-signed because their mates on the Board feared they wouldn’t get a contract with Cheika as the new coach.
September 14th 2012 @ 1:59pm
jeznez said | September 14th 2012 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
I was curious that Alan Gaffney had presided over all the recent signings but he is a Cheika man isn’t he? They share Randwick and Leinster history together. Wouldn’t surprise me if Gaffney remains as backs coach next year under Cheika.
I think I’ve already seen something about Bowen moving, maybe into the manager role? So we wouldn’t see the duplication we had this year with an attack coach and a backs coach.
September 14th 2012 @ 2:16pm
Gary Russell-Sharam said | September 14th 2012 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
I would probably be a good fit if Cheika and Gaffney combine again. The only rider is that “is Gaffney getting past it”??? He must be as old as me by now and there comes a day.
But if he still has it they will probably combine again quite well.
To be honest that is all you need – a good forward coach and a good backs coach. Combine that with a good manager and there is no need for all the others.
In the modern game these days I think that there is way too many coaches per team it just confuses the issue. One minute someone is telling you “do it this way” the next someone is saying “do it different”.
I don’t mind them having those backroom boys, like stats, video, physio, doctor, rehap, etc etc but the front line boys should be at a minimum. Cut out the clutter and we might get to be a good cohesive team.
Anyway that’s my opinion.
September 14th 2012 @ 2:59pm
Markus said | September 14th 2012 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
I don’t think the number of coaches is an issue so long as they are all on the same page, and know their role.
If all the coaches are part of a bigger picture established by a head coach, and aren’t giving conflicting information to or undermining the others, then having multiple specialist coaches could actually be an advantage.
Of course this is all dependent on having a strong head coach. The Brumbies seem to have implemented this system well under White, as did Henry with the Brains Trust.
The 2006-07 Wallabies specialist coaches though, for example, regularly seemed at odds with Knuckles Connolly, especially Scott Johnson.
September 14th 2012 @ 3:14pm
sittingbison said | September 14th 2012 @ 3:14pm | Report comment
hahaha. deja vu time. welcome to the club tahs fans. Does this sound familiar?
1) Internationals like Mallet on wish list
2) Cheika travels from Paris for interview
3) Some but not all board members impressed
4) All the big names desline the position
5) No-name but excellent candidates told to frak off mid process
6) Cheika offered job
7) Cheika says no thanks after getting the offer
whats next? Waratahs steal Foley from Force despite him having a contract?
September 14th 2012 @ 3:25pm
Red Kev said | September 14th 2012 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
That would be the coolest end to the Waratahs coaching saga imaginable. Then Foley could sign Elsom up and name him captain!
September 14th 2012 @ 3:42pm
sittingbison said | September 14th 2012 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
don’t put it past them RK %)
September 14th 2012 @ 3:44pm
Markus said | September 14th 2012 @ 3:44pm | Report comment
But then so long as he is fit, or can at least walk, Deans would be forced to reappoint Elsom as Wallabies captain.
He’s a Waratah, it’s the law!
September 14th 2012 @ 4:34pm
Brett McKay said | September 14th 2012 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
you’re welcome Bison
September 14th 2012 @ 4:43pm
sittingbison said | September 14th 2012 @ 4:43pm | Report comment
name dropped in t’other thread
September 14th 2012 @ 3:50pm
Brutus said | September 14th 2012 @ 3:50pm | Report comment
This is whats wrong with Australian rugby. A guy who got the sack years ago is hire again for the same job and a guy who was sack recently was also given a job in another Australian franchise.
September 14th 2012 @ 5:59pm
Matthew Skellett said | September 14th 2012 @ 5:59pm | Report comment
Well I hope Mr Cheika has his way and that Mr Mumm and Mr Bowen get the pink slip -those two have been front and centre in this jalopy of a franchise and will not be missed
September 14th 2012 @ 6:12pm
Glenn Condell said | September 14th 2012 @ 6:12pm | Report comment
Cheika was a very direct and hardworking backrower for Randwick – they had a few of them back then – but perhaps like Eddie Jones just a tad small for higher honours.
I hear he ‘doesn’t suffer fools gladly’ That will come in handy.
September 17th 2012 @ 9:01am
Happy Hooker said | September 17th 2012 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Doesn’t suffer fools gladly is a nice way of putting it. He is an abrasive customer, no two ways about it.
He will put people offside pretty quick,which will be forgiven only if the results are there. And with the cattle he is going to have first year, results are going to be hard to come by.
September 14th 2012 @ 7:27pm
patonga said | September 14th 2012 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
Waratahs need a coach,,,, lets hope they learn how to run the ball and not kick it away like most of this year,, i know the old saying when in doubt kick it out so was the team in doubt every game ???
September 14th 2012 @ 11:13pm
Parisien said | September 14th 2012 @ 11:13pm | Report comment
Stade Français have slid down the ladder under Cheika and have been playing sterile rugby. Maybe it was just the wrong place for him. Mckenzie didn’t do well there either.
September 15th 2012 @ 11:00am
Bakkies said | September 15th 2012 @ 11:00am | Report comment
They had to rebuild under Cheika and still finished mid table. He got sacked and isn’t coaching them this season. McKenzie’s turgid game plan and recruitment are the reasons why they are struggling. Another factor is the off field problems with the change of ownership (including a scam!) and another competitor in town in Racing Métro 92. The competition with Racing means they no longer the big money boys in Paris.
September 15th 2012 @ 11:37am
Big Boppa said | September 15th 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Lets see Bakkies from my memory the “turgid” game plan got them to the semi and a four point loss to perpignan who won the title. There have been two coaches since (Delmas got punted after one season and Chieka had two seasons) and have not got closer than 7th – They are currently (under another coach) 1 win, 1 draw and two losses (mckenzie got sacked for the same start) so its difficult to see how it can be Mckenzies recruitment four years after he left. Agree on the rise of Racing as some of the Stade guys have crossed town.
September 15th 2012 @ 7:19am
soapit said | September 15th 2012 @ 7:19am | Report comment
typical aus rugby soap opera. let me know when its all over.