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In a recent article by David Lord, the question was asked, would Ewen McKenzie or Jake White be the next Wallaby coach? It was a good question and clearly a compliment to the work and results both McKenzie and White have achieved with their respective Super Rugby teams.
McKenzie has turned the Reds from cellar dwellers to champions and White has turned the Brumbies from wood ducks into genuine title contenders for 2012. Both deserve to be contenders for the Wallaby coaching role if Robbie Deans leaves, or is moved on.
However this got me thinking further about the Jake White situation as it stands now. Isn’t he already a de-facto Wallaby coach when you consider the positive impact he has had with the Brumbies?
Undoubtedly, his changes will permeate through to the Wallaby ranks as young charges like Hooper, Palmer, Holmes, Fardy, Carter and Mogg all look bound for higher honours in the future. Credit goes to the players themselves however credit must also go to White for his management of his young chargers.
Clearly Australian rugby is already benefiting from the South African school master making the move to the Brumbies.
The style of rugby the Brumbies are playing is committed, aggressive and disciplined. It is fuelled on youth and the endless possibility of opportunity. All they need is a few old heads in the mould of Stephen Moore to steady the ship and they are a complete side. The Brumbies are intent on playing their rugby over the gain line and usually only in the oppositions half.
Australia could learn much from this now and when these young Brumbies find their way into Wallaby teams in the not too distant future. The lessons learnt from White will undoubtedly find their way into the Wallaby game. You can’t unlearn what has already been learned.
Robbie Deans should have the courage to harness this and incorporate it into the Wallaby game. After all Jake White has already won one World Cup more than Robbie.
So how can we replicate this through the other provinces? Richard Graham will no doubt receive guidance from McKenzie when both take up new roles with the Reds next season. I like the look of Damien Hill and the Rebels are starting to show genuine signs of improvement illustrated by their historic victory over the Crusaders and pushing Queensland all the way at Suncorp earlier in the season.
Melbourne should persevere with Hill. New South Wales may hang onto Michael Foley however there is little doubt Foley is already getting advice from mentor John Connolly but it’s just not happening for the ‘son of knuckles’ in ye olde Sydney town.
Although I am no Waratahs fan, I like to see Australian rugby do well and a weak Waratahs is not good for Australian rugby. The situation needs to be fixed and soon. As for the Force, well they really need to pick the right coach for 2013 and beyond. They need to attract some proven talent, not just people looking for an opportunity.
So when I hear names such as Eddie O’Sullivan and Michael Chieka being thrown around I think not only should New South Wales and the Western Force stand up and pay attention, the Australian Rugby Union should also look at tipping in a quid to get this kind of coaching experience down under. We need to get the ‘Jake White Effect’ into the Waratahs and Force camps.
O’Sullivan was a very good Irish coach who did not get the success at world cups but Ireland under his reign were a highly competitive unit. Cheika, an Australian, has already won a Heineken Cup with Leinster and has years under his belt as a provincial coach. Both would be bring fresh ideas into the Australian rugby mind set and hopefully attract some quality European talent to assist in bolstering the ranks of our teams. Also, I think the Force are in desperate need of a fly half that Cheika or O’Sullivan may attract to the club.
Others to consider might be current Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, outgoing Ulster coach Brian McLachlan and Pat Howard whose rugby brain is wasted on his duties with Cricket Australia. Either way the ARU should get involved in getting quality coaches to our shores.
Any moves to boost the coaching talent in Australia can only benefit Australian rugby.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.