Dear Mr Pulver, I imagine you’re pretty busy right now, but I don’t think this can wait.
As the CEO of another medium sized business, I thought it might be timely to point out what I’m sure you already know yourself.
That is, notwithstanding all the pressure on you at the moment, you simply cannot appoint Michael Cheika to coach the Wallabies this week.
Please note, these words are written as one CEO to another, not as just another Australian rugby tragic.
The reasons are pretty simple:
1. Big decisions should never be rushed
Do not let anyone tell you what you must do, or that you need to rush into an appointment. Of course you don’t. Take your time, work through the options, and make the decision with a cool head.
If you need time to do this, then you can simply appoint your assistant coaches as acting coaches until you’re ready.
2. What are assistant coaches for, if not this?
All CEOs must ensure there are succession plans in place for key personnel, and few are more key at the ARU than the head coach of the Wallabies.
If you didn’t ensure the assistant coaches were at least capable of acting in the role of head coach, then neither you, have been doing your job.
The timing of Ewen McKenzie’s resignation isn’t great (to put it mildly) but there’s still plenty of time until the World Cup.
3. Player power must not be rewarded
Who knows for sure what role so-called player power caused in McKenzie’s demise, but if there was an ounce (and there was probably at least that), and if it was exerted by players sympathetic to Michael Cheika (and they probably were), then appointing him would reward that sort of behaviour.
Rewarding player power would not be in the longer term interests of rugby in Australia. It is reported to have driven a number of other big decisions regarding coaches in Australia in recent years, and we are certainly weaker for it.
4. What happens if Cheika fails?
Think it through. There’s a scandal, you lose control of things, your chosen head coach resigns, you give in to all the pressure, appoint their chosen man, and he fails.
What next? You’d have to resign.
5. You can appoint him later
Letting the assistant coaches run things for the end of season tour doesn’t mean you can’t consider Cheika for head coach for the World Cup.
Cheika might apply, so might the assistant coaches and a dozen others. Heck, even Alan Jones probably will.
Point is, let them all apply, assess them thoroughly, and if Cheika is the best, he can be appointed after the tour. If he’s as good as they say, then he’ll have plenty of time to get them playing his way.
If he then fails, it’s his fault, not yours.
6. If you must rush something, rush the appointment of a team manager
Any team at this level needs a manager. He/she might also be the coach (seemingly Ewen’s model), but there must be one so all the players know – especially when they’re on tour, or on a plane – with whom the buck stops.
I suspect you could rush this decision with less risk than the head coach.
Good luck, Bill. Not that it’s luck you need. Just remember that you are the CEO of a substantial and significant organisation. Make sure you block out the noise coming from those who have contributed to your current predicament, and behave like a CEO.
Clelo
Guest
You guys are mostly all the same with your Ned Kelly type loyalties. While you have special deals on the side for anyone nothing will change. I read with interest that a lot more heads are ready to roll. Well, let's bring it on and not wait to a few weeks out from the world cup like Link's resignation was. The issues are really quite simple - 1. Kurtley Beale and all it's ramifications. 2. An incompetent CEO. 3. Selection of a new coach. For mine, getting rid of Pulver is paramount. He quite clearly sits both sides of the fence and hasn't got the guts to lead. Following that we need an interim coach for co-ordination/spokesman purposes only and it doesn't matter who it is because the players took no notice of the prescribed game plan on Saturday and played for the team, nearly stealing the game. So why can't they sit down and map out how they can approach the next 4 games with an honorable showing. Possibly that means Hooper has to go as captain (but not as a player) as he is not the tactician an on field leader needs to be. Again for mine Hodgson wins hands down. Going back to Cheika, he cannot be allowed to name his own terms and wear two hats, that would be internationally unprecedented and he would possibly make a hash of both. The Kurtley Beale affair has to be dealt with and all the information and evidence published acted on. This needs to be a clear and open process without the likes of anyone from the board, media, factions and any other person with a subjective view having an axe to grind. If we don't go through this process in it's entirety and be squeaky clean about it we are doomed as a rugby power without any credibility. It may take a year or two to rebuild but what is 1 world cup and a few tests against the all blacks. Another thing that needs to happen without delay they need to understand that to play for Australia is a unique privilege. It is not about an increased pay packet. Why do you think the test centurians from NZ have remained with the All Blacks. Players from countries like NZ, Wales, England, South Africa etc would kill to wear their national jersey. I had the privilege of watching my son play water polo at the London Olympics for Australia and can attest to the fact that no quarter was given or asked. I remember a 14 year old boy who dreamed of playing for his school 1st XV and then made it. I can tell you he went to bed every night dreaming of picking the ball up from the base of the scrum, 10 metres out and scoring under the posts like any really good No 8 would. I won't divulge which country he was playing for or against!
Waru (8)
Guest
David Lord for coach!
KIwi Rugby Fan
Guest
This is an excellent piece of writing from Paul Holmes, everyone is rushing around saying appoint Cheika but Pauls sitting back assessing the situation taking a deep breath and thinking with a clear head taking into consideration all the facts. The ARU has two priority issues to deal with here one is the appointment of a new coach and the other is to deal with Kurtley Beale and the incidents that occurred over the whole poorly handled business that has made team mangement look like they couldnt get it more wrong even if they tried. In saying that both issues will be connected if it works out that Cheika is appointed because then what happens to the Kurtley Beale situation does Cheika say well he worked really well under me and then tells the ARU Ill pick him then just look away and take him back. The ARU needs to make a strong statement with the new coach right by their side to say to Beale and to all rugby players under ARU contracts that this type of behaviour is unacceptable in this organisation and will not be tolerated. I think its really ridiculous that senior player made public statements of their support for Beale how does that look to the general publice let alone what message does that send to your coach and management well it actually sends a two fingered salute to them and says this is about us not you. These are grown men who have all signed a contract which covers off areas around code of conduct and loyalty to your employer and if you dont like it hey theres the road. What sort of message is being given out to the next generation.A young lad hoping to one day aspire to the wallaby jersey will be getting told by his mum thats not for you. So I agree hole heartedly with Pauls view that yes possibly a way forward is to put your faith in those assistants for the tour and after that look to carry out a robust recruitment process for the new coach on your own timeline, you only have one opportunity to get this right dont rush it because you cant back track once things have been put in place. Deal with the Beale case and send a strong message to all players that the ARU is in charge, your job is to play the game.
Arron
Guest
Well done on this article. Feel like I have read the same view 20 times today but finally another view with some common sense. People may not agree with your view, but they don't have to.
Andy
Guest
Who's Paul Holmes?
ThelmaWrites
Guest
I agree about the pragmatism.
Ronaldo
Guest
Slacky ... I have a man crush ... 100% on the money!! I don't have to write anything except to say MC has rugby in the 'home unions' sorted & that's where next year will be played. Does Michael Hawker ever say anything?
ozinsa
Guest
Whomever they choose I completely agree that the decision can't be taken this week. Send Foley and/or Larkham off to look after the team for the Spring tour and spend the right amount of time canvassing the board and interested parties for their requirements and a strict job description. Pulver admitted he gave Link too much scope - define what is the right amount of responsibility and then advertise for the role, conduct interviews and choose the best option. Half-baked process is what got us to this miserable point we now find ourselves - the world of rugby's laughing stock. Do it once, do it right..
Ignoramus
Guest
If there were such hard and fast rules for CEOs then why would we need one? Just get a robot to do it. I don't think your suggestions carry any more weight than every other punter on this site For what it's worth, Pulver is balancing the decision based on competing advantages... Maximising the time the new coach has with the team vs a more thorough search for a replacement. I'm not Pulver's biggest fan but this is exactly what he articulated and it makes sense. Falling back on a supposed rule of always take time for big decisions ignores commercial reality and is not always good business.
Gonzo
Guest
The Kiwis in his coaching group would have helped him achieve this.
Gonzo
Guest
I'd love for Alan Jones to be appointed. Lets see if his spin will have any impact on rugby again, because his Eden Park dribble only seemed to galvanise the ABs to put 51 past the Wallabies.
Gonzo
Guest
Laurie would rather roll over in his grave than help the Wallabies. Also, the chorus of "the coach must be Aussie" is absolutely hilarious. What year is this? Xenophobic much?
leftfield
Roar Pro
Laurie Mains, he doesn't take much rubbish.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
David lord, spiro and Georgina Robinson should run the ARU. They clearly have ideas of how it should be run and they all know how to formulate a message and stay on it relentlessly to achieve a desired outcome. Give them a chance to put their necks on the line and see what inventive criticism comes their way.
Rouaan
Guest
Take Jake White now! Last chance.....
Hertryk
Guest
Cheika won't be coaching the Wallabies part-time! He'll just be coaching the same team of players for Wallabies & Tahs :(
Hertryk
Guest
Cheika won't be coaching the Wallabies part-time! He'll just be coaching the same team of players for Wallabies & Tahs :(
AndrewWA
Guest
But the red hot tip is that he will and it's to be announced on Tuesday!!
AndrewWA
Guest
Sorry, I meant to also include Greg Martin (9 Tests) in the list of those who are not Wallaby Greats. I can tolerate the opinion of Phil Kearns (67 Tests) and I'll listen to Tim Horan (80 Tests) and John Eales (86 Tests) - IMO both qualify as Rugby Greats.
Benny
Guest
With Clive Woodward as assistant, he's spent some time in Australia and I'm sure he'd love the job. Perhaps Peter de Villiers as team spokesman. The players would never act out again