Stop-gap Brumbies coach Tony Rea will get the chance to fight for his job ahead of World Cup-winning mentor Jake White with both being shortlisted for the post.
While staunchly denying reports former Springboks coach White already has the job, Brumbies boss Andrew Fagan on Monday confirmed White had applied and would be interviewed in the next fortnight.
The under-pressure Brumbies will this week finalise a short list of four or five and it’s understood former assistant coach Rea, who took the reins after Andy Friend was sacked in week three, will also be among the contenders despite the ACT-based team’s five-straight losses.
Fagan will be among a four-man panel to interview applicants, along with foundation Brumbies and former Wallabies backs Joe Roff and Pat Howard, and prominent Canberra businessman John Mackay.
The chief executive rubbished speculation White, who led South Africa to the 2007 World Cup and 2004 Tri-Nations crowns, was already over the line as the 2012 coach.
“I don’t have enough time to waste on running a process for the sake of it, Fagan told AAP.
“I can confirm he has applied and will be interviewed.”
Australia’s only successful Super Rugby franchise, with titles in 2001 and 2004, the Brumbies already appear out of the running for the play-offs just seven rounds into the extended 18-week season.
But Fagan had no regrets about the decision to axe Friend, and felt Rea and his three assistants Stephen Larkham, Justin Harrison and Marco Caputo had built a tight group.
“The current coaches are doing a good job and along with the players are working extremely hard to improve performances and turn those close losses into wins,” he said.
A former North Sydney and Brisbane Brothers league hooker, Rea denied his confidence was low and stressed he had enjoyed seeing his team pull together.
“Internally we know we are really close and are doing some strong things,” he said.
“Other places would have fallen apart by now.”
Injuries to senior players haven’t helped the Brumbies’ cause but there is strong hope of having dangerous fullback Pat McCabe (hamstring) back in time to play the Hurricanes in Canberra on Saturday night.
However, Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, in rehab since December, is still three weeks away from a return from his chronic hamstring problem.
Elsom, who has struggled with the injury for almost two years, is expected to be fit to play in the two-match tour of South Africa, starting on April 29 against the Cheetahs.
While there’s speculation the Test flanker is being kept in cotton wool for Australia’s World Cup campaign, Fagan said it was a complex injury and he required a graduated rehab program to safeguard against any more recurrences.
“That’s rubbish,” he said.
“If he was right to play now, he’d be playing.”
Rea said the versatile McCabe’s return wouldn’t necessarily break up the rotation of Matt Giteau, Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua at No.10, 12 and 15 but he did back Giteau to retain the goalkicking duties after missing four from six in the 26-20 loss to the Highlanders.
ballboy
Guest
Well said Owl -As far as the real story goes my mail is that Fagan is being gagged. Not because of the story he has but the story he is. He's treading lightly with the knowledge that should he step out of line someone who has been very dignified and relatively quite through this fiasco will come forward and tell the real story which won't be good for Fagan.
Owl
Guest
Oh mud-skipper take off your rose colored glasses, the Coach went because the President wanted his son to Coach and the latte set couldn't handle being told the truth about their performance. Fagan can't decide if he's a CEO or a player agent, oh and he's good at neither because AAC went to NSW after all
mudskipper
Guest
Brumbies CEO Fagan’s track record has been very good. If he had to make the call to let the Coach go than I'm sure it was well considered. Decisions aren’t always easy to put into practise and going soft doesn’t work either. The Coach went because he was ineffective and no longer listening to those around him. He had 2 seasons and made little head way with a good squad. We’ll never know the full story, I wish Andy Friend all the best but its over and the Brumbies are moving on. Perhaps a Jake White and Steve Larkham could work well togther. I'm sure they both respect each others achievements.
jameswm
Guest
We don't need the Brumbies to be doing well if the other 4 are. You're never going to have all 5 strong and in the top 8 or so, so maybe it's the Brumbies' turn to struggle. I don't like that they seem to feel they have a god given right to do well and everyone is counting on them. Fact is NSW and Qld are the principal rugby nurseries and if those two are very strong (they're getting there), and the Force and Rebels are solid, then that will be enough for a strong Wallaby team. Having a strong Brumby team wouldn't hurt naturally, but it's not necessarily the end of the world for Australian rugby if the Brumbies are struggling. Maybe they aren't as important as they think they are.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Where did you hear that, VC? I'd say that he's a big risk as a coach at the moment. He has been out of the game for so long, and personally I think his achievements are somewhat exaggerated.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
He's a rather difficult character, apparently.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I do wonder why Jake White has been unable to find employment, despite publicly linking himself to various jobs, since 2007?
Red Rooster
Guest
Alec Evans only does scrum Technique at the Reds and thats all. He is not in SA. The Lineouts are done by Link and lineout defence by Matt Taylor - your point though is valid
Owl
Guest
Yes the Brumbies need a coaching staff and I say A Coaching Staff of great elder statesmen, and greats from Australian Rugby. I say elder statesmen because we have all seen what Alec Evans has done with the forwards of the Qld franchise, Qld is arguably the best technical scrum and line-out currently in Australia. Consider this; David Clark (Head Coach) he ran the AIS program in Australia for years, coached Canada and in France, David is an eminent authority in Backs Play. Bob Dwyer (Forward Coach) he coached NSW and Australia, and wouldn't it be a coup if they could get Alec to leave Brisbane for a couple of seasons to take care of the technical aspects of forward play, scrum and line-out. All these men have both "man management skills" and "proven success as rugby coaches". There are other elder statesmen around (feel free to suggest them) that would also do a great job for this (or any other) franchise, some even home grown Canberra men. Apart from identifying talent, developing players and the franchise playing ability they would be great mentors to the next generation of coaches. And I am sure the smart mouthed brats that spoke out of turn would be dealt with in a professional manner, rather than being allowed to run to the CEO and have their will imposed on the rest of the franchise.
Sportym
Guest
Agree with you Ballboy. Brumbies need a good clean out, and Fagan must go. Hope Jake gets the job and brings in his own assistant coaches.
Sportym
Guest
And the tahs do?? The tahs had Ewen who I would argue is a great coach. How did that work out??? Lets not throw stones eh PK....
P.Tah
Guest
Jameswn, I hope that was tongue in cheek. We need the Brumbies to do well.
Ballboy
Guest
Mudskipper, your loyalty is commendable but seriously, you need to be shouting from the rafters that thie crap that has transpired at the Brumbies never happens again. fagan has to go and anyone who has supported what he has done to this once proud club should follow close behind him. the Brumbies are a shot duck this season. Until a few of the over paid underperforming Wallabies move on the club will continue to languish at the peril of their supporters. Jake White will only be a good decision if and only when the curtain dwelling scum that outed Friend are sent on their merry way.
Wylie
Guest
How are Pat Howard and a Canberra businessman 'player power' types???
mudskipper
Guest
Jeez a bit of a beat up here.... Brumbies have never been afraid of change and will restructure to be very competitive again. Jake White is a good player manager, if he goes to the Brumbies he'll work in fine. Perhaps some assistant coaches will go but not all. And Don’t panic just yet if your a Reds Tahs or Force fan the Brumbies will be back to make your life wretched once again.
Brett McKay
Guest
why not get rid of 3 of the other 4 then as well James, and just let the Waratahs play in Australian jumpers.... Can someone answer me this: is Pat Howard still part of the ARU somewhere (High Performance sounds vaguely familiar)?? If that's the case, it should ease some of the "promote from within" perceptions.
Wylie
Guest
Except he played most of the last game at 12.
jameswm
Guest
Who cares if the Brumbies become the forgotten team? We've got 4 others. I love how your typical "player power" types are on the coach selection committee. Maybe they'll just appoint themselves.
Jack
Guest
Fagan should also be replaced. The player retention policy at the Brumbies has seen too many good players leave and liabilities retained. Buying the underperforming halves from the Force and expecting that they would ignite the Brumbies backline was foolish at best. Keeping a spot open for a chronically injured number 6 and not using a overseas player spot for a quality back rower is barely forgivable. Sacking a coach two weeks in without a plan B is unforgivable. Having a senior coach who has a league background and letting backroom boys run the club are sacking offences. The Brumbies need a clear out of all admin and players who have their egos and self interest ahead of the club. Gviing players who are leaving the club a say in the future of the club is a joke. Bring back Nucifora.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I agree. And much as I think Pat Howard would make a good SupeRugby coach and respect guys like Larkham and Roff, to appoint any of them will be seen as further evidence of nepotism. There's no point them getting on the high horse of 'we don't care what people think' on this either. The fact is they are an entity that lives and dies based on exactly that - i.e. how they are perceived determines how many fans they have and that determines their revenue. They need a clean break: New players. New coaches. New image. New admin would be nice but I know that won't happen.