NRL coach Smith joins Brumbies

I love a good flame war! fight fight fight fight

also all of white's teams are renowned for defence rather than attack, so true to form

also White's teams are more renowned for defence than attack, so this is true to form.

agree however every team needs a defensive coach and Smith by be really cheap.

Yeah I know TWAS, I just thought it a little ironic that just when a few are getting overly vocal about needing to remove Leaguies and their 'overt' and 'detrimental influence on the game ;) that an outsider thinks there is plenty that RL can offer.

I think it is a smart move and Smith will bring some difference to the Brumbies whether it be in attack or defence, he has twenty years of experience. The top teams are so close these days in all areas and if you can get an edge with some different thinking so be it. Smith just might bring that edge and that my friends is what White is hoping

Doesn't say much for whoever you support then, given the Brumbies scored the most tries of any Aussie team.

They have bernie coaching their backs. Nuff said

Touché

Mate Rugby has been hiring ex-league players as defence coaches for years. Less Kiss and Phil Blake are two examples. I think Muggleton hay have also been an ex-mungo.

Gidday Billy Bob. As they say great minds think alike. I've just commented above to PeterK on that very aspect of attack. ;) And I agree with you on looking at every code in the future. As crazy as it sounds, I'd extend that search to other sports such as Hockey, Basketball, Gridiron (sp?) or what ever just looking for an advantage in tactics, strategies, training methods, etc. But since we still struggle to catch the high ball & have AFL coaches right on our doorstep, I won't be holding my breath on too many initiatives. :(

PeterK - A 'good move'? You may well be right. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. It seems to me though with so few tries currently being scored that defense isn't the priority. Perhaps the better investment would in an attack coach.

Do me a favour and let me know when that's going to start. At the moment Rugby is in better shape than ever and as we all know there is still plenty that can be done to improve it. If the Tahs and Wallaby performances return to a more entertaining style then imagine what the numbers will do http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1699/ArticleID/8148/Default.aspx

I would say its a good move. Not that defense or tackling or systems are better in the NRL. However getting a new perspective, a different set of eyes is very useful. It challenges the existing way of doing things, you can take whats appropriate and improve.

They will never take the NRL on with a cash war because they will have every other nation puttting out there hands. The IRB might have more money but once divided among all its many nations, it will come short compared to the NRL. If the ARU dont care about the NRL using its 100million dedicated on growing the game against them as u suggest, Rugby in Aus is about to become alot worst off than it is now. The

You've hit the nail on the head. If it came down to who has the deepest pockets and the most resources worldwide then then it would only be a matter of time if the IRB decided to take on the NRL but I doubt they care enough.

A great NRL mind temporarily lost to the game. A big cue for the Brumbies- the ACT must be targeting rugby league administrators for their structures and systems.

I am only guessing Blinky but 20 years of professional coaching experience may be the sort of thing found in the NRL. Btw we haven't forgotten that the Wallabies last golden era had a league defence coach as a plank in the platform. Btw, I think the future will look at every code incl NRL. to find attack moves designed to crack watertight defences. Maybe Smith is there for attack advice as well as defence? You heard it here first.

Oh dear, I think I can hear Campo from here, I'm guessing inspiration for another anti league article :) Funny though, by all accounts Saffa's hardly know what Rugby League is, yet here is Jake White after only two years in country acknowleding what Campo and others can't: the two games are still relatd closely enough to be able to share skills and tactics, particularly defence. Rugby League appears to have a lot to offer RU, I assume that the reverse is also true. More power to Jake, we should be working towards assisting each other, not trying to distance ourselves further.

Tell me what IRB can do? Seriously i wanna know. Unless they are willing to match the sort of cash the NRL pull in, im sure there isnt much more they can do.