Stephen Larkham says no to Wallaby coaching job

He has trepidations about entering the circus. I understand. He may handle the taunts from the dwarfs...but a powder puff, a pie thrower and grown men dressed as hobbits was all too much. He backed away.

Spot on Sheek. I honestly believe that at this stage with the Super Rugby pre-season about to start, the optimum situation would be to give Jake White a contract til the end of the World Cup, with Cheika, Larkham, Foley or whoever to join as assistants AFTER the Super Rugby season. This would give them guidance from a RWC winning coach at the major international event in our code, with a view to them carrying on as mooted post RWC 2015. Jake probably wouldn't want to hang around much longer than that anyway.

Gee, there's intrigue behind every shadow, isn't there? I think Gatesy got closest to nailing this. Larkham has just completed his first year as Brumbies coach, & isn't willing to give that up for the Wallabies assistant coach, even if he's allowed to coach the Brumbies next year. Where's the mystery in that? Larkham hasn't ruled out joining the national set-up in the future, but obviously, for now, he wants to establish his own credentials as a head coach at super level.

The Wallabies are definitely not a lost cause. However: 1) A single coach with dedicated assistant coaches that he picks is the best model to go forward with, not some bizarre power-sharing arrangement that could only have been dreamed up by someone like Pulver. 2) In the present climate, so much scrutiny is directed at the Wallabies that reputations can crumble in a second, particularly when the media start intervening with their siege mentality narratives. Until that settles down, it's best if the Super coaches are left to get on with their jobs without being drawn into the Wallaby saga too much, otherwise Aus rugby will keep purging itself faster than Stalin on steroids. 3) Larkham needs more time to actually grow into the role of head coach, and being a Wallabies back coach is only going to impede that.

I would put up Daryl Gibson, but maybe too NZ and Tahs leaning. The guy is good though and it was ok for Ewen to take his with him. I certainly wouldn't be picking guys like Kafe or any other commentator who is good at drawing circles on a board and telling it how it is after the event. They need to have proven credentials at least at SXV level in my view. Anyway I doubt Chieka would accept any of these media blokes... high on opinion but zero runs on the board where it counts. He needs coaches not commentators.

Are you serious?

He only plays games with men in tweed jackets

What about Gordon Bray while you're at it?

Yeah good plan. The wallabies are a lost cause there is no point to try fix it, let them burn. It won't hurt our favorite S15 franchises......

The two aren't mutually exclusive eagleJack. I am simply saying once Cheika said "I want Larkham and Foley" (let's assume that part of your scenario is true) the ARU spin machine started churning (including the strategic leaks) and then Larkham said "get stuffed". The ARU is nothing but an office of a*%e-covering politicians, there's not a real sports administrator in there, certainly not a public relations and media department or an NRC division.

Cheika doesn't play games with men in suits. He gets the job done his way, and is blessed with enouigh financial stability and significant leverage given the current that he can drive the my way or the highway method. He'll live or die by results on field and keep the politics out of the shed the same way he did in NSW. Exactly what's needed.

He wasn't being asked to give up the Brumbies gig. It sounded like finally a way to bring the provinces together to work towards a common goal. Shame the Brumbies are his No.1 priority as it sounds like a impediment to co-operation at the national team level.

Except you ignore the fact that Cheika would have demanded that if he was to take the role, then this is the coaching staff he would have wanted. If he had asked for other guys, and the ARU said "No you have to have Larkham and Foley as we want to shore up ACT and WA in the voting", Cheika would have politely told them to go and get f #@ked. Now what I also don't understand about your conspiracy, now forgive me as I have always been a little slow when it comes to understanding them, is why are the ARU doing what you say to specifically ensure Cheika stays in the job for longer? Wouldn't they always hire a coach with the intention to have him on for as long as possible? In other words, to succeed? Or do they only do this for guys with an affiliation to NSW? Coaches from other states or from overseas are simply caretakers until the next NSW guy comes along. And they are simply making up for lost time seeing as they haven't had a coach from NSW in, what, 16 years. Perhaps the plan all along was for Link to quit, supposedly unexpectedly, 5 days before boarding a flight to Europe, a year out from a World Cup. Give Cheika absolutely minimal time to prepare, and barely enough time to meet all the players he is about to lead on a tour. Truly brilliant.

Agree with EagleJack... Steve was a brilliant 5eight and would compliment Cheika's experience in forward play.

Wasn't it gough who also said "the impotent are always pure"? Take note fellow Roarers!

It's really sad that these state based conspiracy theories still get a mention. I'm 40 years old, still play subbies rugby in NSW but grew up playing rugby in QLD and in the middle played rugby all over the world. What a pass Australian rugby has come to!

Good news. Too many cooks spoil the broth, and I'd rather see Bernie keep the Brumbies ticking along. The Wallabies are a political nightmare at the moment.

On the passing of Gough Whitlam writing in the London Daily Telegraph October 19, 1989 still has relavence today. "The punters know that the horse named Morality rarely gets past the post, whereas the nag named Self-interest always runs a good race."

I am disappointed. I have a great deal of respect for Larkham. He worked very hard to hone his skills and with a little direction from McQueen became a wallaby legend (who will ever forget the 1999 RWC SF?). Further I believe the idea of three national coaches, a triumvirate if you will, coaching Australian SR franchise and then joining to coach the WB's in the RWC would have been both novel and successful. Nonetheless we now have to consider other options. Who would you choose to coach the backs. I'll throw some names out there: 1. My first choice Matte Burke 2. OK too NSW for you then what about Rod Kafer. I know he's a commentator but surely you'd have to agree his rugby brain is exceptional. Not to mention the fact he had (with respect) limited football ability (still 100 times better than mine) but a great understanding of the way a game needs to be managed. I do believe if he could teach Foley his game management then Foley would be world class (I don't mention Cooper because when you have that much talent it is almost impossible to teach you mortal traits). 3. Scott Johnson. Don't know where he is at the moment but geez that man knows rugby. 4. Tim Horan (see 1 & 2 above). 5. George Gregan - nuff said.

Yes Red. My point of view was from the ARU perspective. I have no doubt MC is honourable and would accept Larkham into the fold however I also think the ARU are looking to ensure there is overwhelming support for Cheika by "stacking" the coaching / management staff. That way win or lose he will at least have the chance to stay in the job long enough to make whatever "real change" he deems necessary.