I have learnt through credible confidential sources there is an ARU board member and members of the broader Australian rugby community, who have influence on such matters, who do not support Robbie Deans continuing as Wallabies coach into 2013.
This is despite Australian Rugby Union Chairman Michael Hawker stating there was “very little chance” of a change of national coach in his recent interview with The Australian.
If you read into the language used by Hawker – who stated, “There is no view to moving the incumbent on until there is reason to,” and, “There is very little chance of a change” – at no stage has Hawker confirmed Deans will remain 100%.
Furthermore how much credence can be given to these comments when Hawker has exempted himself from the review process?
Robbie Deans’ Wallaby coaching future has been left up to John Eales, George Gregan and Brett Robinson to determine as they form the review panel. Perhaps they might determine there is a reason to change the national coach?
Time will tell, however Hawker, by his own exemption, is providing comment on a subject out of his control.
I am in possession of documentary evidence that strongly indicates at least one ARU board member thinks the Wallabies were lucky in their recent victories over Italy and Wales.
Furthermore, this board member believes Robbie Deans has no idea when it comes to tactics and selections and will leave Australian rugby in a worse place than when he found it and a complete ‘clean out’ is required.
Interestingly though, the ARU board member does not appear to have any idea on who should replace Deans, if he indeed is to be replaced.
I can only interpret from this that the much respected Ewen McKenzie is not a certainty if the position were it to become vacant. This is not a bad thing as McKenzie and any other party should actually have to apply!
It appears the ARU is treading gently but with intent and does not wish to expose the possibility of a new coach until a new CEO is in place. All is calm, move along, nothing to see here!
What alarms me is clearly the ARU has never adopted the notion of succession planning for the position of national coach. I can only interpret the plan was that Deans is the man until further notified.
This is just clear amateurism when you consider how the All Blacks develop their coaches. How long as Steve Hansen been a part of the All Black fold?
What is encouraging is that there is at least a review to determine if Deans is to remain. The manner in which Deans was firstly appointed then re-appointed to the position was inappropriate and should never be repeated.
In considering this information I can only conclude the ARU is taking a leaf straight out of the Australian political arena by forming its own ‘judicial enquiry’ and will take its recommendation on the coaching issue from the Eales, Gregan and Robinson review, which I suspect will come before the announcement of the new CEO.
This will essentially distance the current ARU power-brokers from making the final decision and leaving the new CEO to potentially sack Robbie Deans as one of their first orders of business in the chair if his coaching review is unfavourable.
About the time I came into possession of this evidence I had a long conversation with an associate, who is a former Queensland Red and Wallaby, who appears to be well versed in the current machinations concerning the broader Wallaby playing group.
Without disclosing my documentary evidence, my associate volunteered that it was his understanding there were senior elements of the playing group who liked Deans as a person but not his coaching methods. That there were at times unclear and fortuned favourites.
Furthermore Deans has a total lack of man management skills and failed to develop a genuine homogenous group culture.
What was expressed to me in no uncertain terms by my associate was, in his opinion, Ewen McKenzie was the best coach to fill the role due to his ability to develop a team culture and a game plan that can be executed.
Furthermore, McKenzie is widely respected by many Australian players from outside the Red’s program.
While I support the notion of a panel review, I am not too sure if John Eales, George Gregan and Brett Robinson are best qualified to actually determine who our next national coach should be, as none of this trio have any professional coaching experience.
That is not to say their opinions should not be considered, but don’t we have a raft of successful coaches in this country who understand what the requirements of a successful coach are?
Why are Alan Jones, Dick Marks, Peter Crittle, Bob Dwyer, Rod McQueen and John Connolly not being asked to conduct this national coaching review when they are some of the most successful rugby coaching brains Australia have ever produced?
In my opinion, when it comes the future of the Wallaby coaching position, the wrong people are being asked the right question.
What are the ARU scared of – a qualified informed answer?
—
Editor’s note: At the time of publishing, The Roar could not confirm the opinion in this Roar of the crowd.
Rob Doyle
Guest
Deans is doing a good job . Some of you people just have to accept 2nd or 3rd best in the world is okay . Leave Ewen at the Reds for a bit , he can have the job next . Who do you want in the job Uncle Argyle ....... I suspect you would want Alan Jones and Campo to team up !
joeb
Guest
"...with the 2013 Super Rugby season to kick off on February 15-16 with two local derbies - Rebels v Western Force in Melbourne and Brumbies v Reds in Canberra - it would be way too late to change the Wallabies coach ahead of the three-Test series in June against the British and Irish Lions, especially as the two leading candidates are the Reds and Brumbies coaches, Ewen McKenzie and Jake White." http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/robbie-deans-safe-as-david-nucifora-resigns/story-e6frg7o6-1226541431430
joeb
Guest
“Why are Alan Jones, Dick Marks, Peter Crittle, Bob Dwyer, Rod McQueen and John Connolly not being asked to conduct this national coaching review when they are some of the most successful rugby coaching brains Australia have ever produced?” Well said Uncle, though I don’t disapprove of Eales’ and Greegs’ input consdiering their success when they played. Howvere to take the ARU forward, Macqueen (correct spelling, ;) would still if he were available make a decent (and even visionary) CEO who’d take into consideration the overall health of the code. (meaning here in Oz). “In my opinion, when it comes the future of the Wallaby coaching position, the wrong people are being asked the right question. “What are the ARU scared of – a qualified informed answer?” Seemeth so, ;) We could become too successful, and that might put the iRB offside, or something, :) "I have learnt through credible confidential sources there is an ARU board member and members of the broader Australian rugby community, ..." Intriguing, had no idea you rubbed shoulders with Woodward & Bernstein every now and then, ;)
Mike
Guest
I spent 5 minutes of my life reading this article, which I will not get back. Really, who cares whether Deans is dropped for 2013 or not? Only people misguided enough to think it will make the slightest difference. Articles like this made some limited sense a year ago. Now, with Deans' tenure almost at an end, they are a waste of time. Far more important is the change to governance which the ARU has accepted, and how it is implemented.
Lindsay Freeman
Guest
I called for NUCIFORA to resign some 9 monthe ago in this very Rugby blog - at last it has happened along with his mentor JON. Matt CARROLL you must be watching another game to praise NUCIFORA who has disrupted Australian Rugby for the past 2 years. DEANS now has the opportunity to select his 3 assistants - not be given what NUCIFORA gave him. After the World Cup players were asked their opinion on a number of issues - who was on the panel; NUCIFORA, As much as I frown on what COOPER said in the open I beleive many of the players agreed with him. 2013 will see a far better Aust. side and I would let DEANS coach against the LIONS. He will be successful now his 2 protagonists have gone.
Mr T
Guest
Seriously NickF, Alan Jones = Hitler? Really?
wannabprop
Guest
Smith is writing an OPINION piece here, just as Mark Ella also does for The Australian, Reporting is what Georgina Robinson does for the SMH. Steve Samuelson(sp?) (SMH) gave a clear explanation of this on another thread (regarding Campo's complaints I think).
mark
Guest
and you think it all comes down to the coach? nothing to do with the fact our super xv teams are struggling? ie not a great deal of talent depth?
Handles
Guest
Finally some common sense. Every time I post I get accuse of being anti-Deans because of some long held bias. I thought he was a great appointment, but I was wrong. I believe I was wrong because, after watching the last 18 months of the Wallabies, I don't see a team that is developing, and I don't see a team that is entertaining, and I don't (often) see a team that is capable of beating NZ, SAf and England.
NickF
Guest
Hey I have an idea. Why don't you hire that guy from Germany back in the late 30s, to run the country. He will add the passion, fire and will to attack. Just for a year though, and then pick a new leader. Madness, utter madness.
Sage
Guest
KPM perhaps you didn't use the specific word in this thread but you have elsewhere. Stating "remember the entire reason behind such ferocious, obsessive criticism is that he is not Australian" = reasoning based on a dislike of people from other countries = xenophobia. It appears your memory is selective and short but your spell check is working just fine. R Deans does garble like he's in a Zen state at times so perhaps it's more correct than you think.
soapit`
Guest
doing it hightacklestyle
Justin2
Guest
And taps wasn't brought straight back into the set up either. Unlike others he waited at least 4-6 weeks playing football. I don't have a problem with that except Deans has been inconsistent in this area, where other players, not in Taps class are rushed back in.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
These are some pretty hard-nosed and successful Wallabies, John Eales, George Gregan and Brett Robinson, on the selection panel. Faint bias toward the ACT, to be totally discounted. If they think Dingo is ok, or that there is no one else on the radar then it may very well be true. DIngo does not yet have at his disposal a core group of game changers, just one world class player, Bambam, with a couple of marginals and with that he has kept the Wallabies on the podium. Not a bad outcome. I think that selection panel is right, DIngo is providing maximum output from the squad. Can't ask more than that.
mania
Guest
i reckon the coach should follow the same eligibility rules as the players . its all one team isnt it?
Malo
Guest
Great points totally agree, a new coach wont be like a messiah and suddenly we will just win the world cup but yeah time for a change. I mean I think if he did coach the ABs they would be just as good with him because they have a fantastic rugby culture and there players are on the same page and they get combinations in their domestic competitions.
Crazy Horse
Guest
For mine, I don't care if the coach is Australian, Kiwi or Chinese as long as he gets the optimum out of the team. Deans is clearly not do this. He can't even use his bench properly. Time to go Robbie.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Unless of course they are working for any of the Murdoch owned publications when that is exactly their job although the biases are Murdoch's.
gb
Guest
Frank, time to change your meds, when Alan Jones jump in the ocean the dolphins jump out in disgust, when AJ touches lead it turns to lead, seriously though the man is a bitter twisted individual who seems a total narcicist and should be keep a million miles from any thing important.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I didn't say anything of the kind. I just asked you a question, which in any case wouldn't mean Zenophobia as you call it, which is presumably a Buddhist version of the normal kind.