“We believe you’re the best candidate to be the next Wallabies coach Dave, but we only want to give you a two-year contract,” says Raelene Castle.
“You see, we locked in the last coach, Michael Cheika, to a long-term deal up until the last World Cup and we all know that was a Mount Fuji-sized disaster.”
Take yourself into this hypothetical negotiation between Rugby Australia’s CEO and Dave Rennie, their No.1 target as Cheika’s successor.
It’s entirely likely that this scenario could eventuate – or may have even already happened – given the media reports that the New Zealander was as good as over the line for the job.
Jamie Joseph and Vern Cotter are two other notable candidates, with hope seemingly dying off that Eddie Jones will cut his stay with England short to return to Australia.
But no matter who is asked during any job interview how long a contract they are seeking might come up with a similar response. That is, give me four years.
John Connolly is spot on when he says we’re way too preoccupied with the World Cup cycle. Coaches use it as leverage because they need to see a four-year plan through.
But this Wallabies situation is different.
Eight Wallabies from the World Cup squad have moved on to take up deals with clubs in Japan and Europe, leaving a massive hole to fill. David Pocock, Samu Kerevi, Will Genia, Christian Lealiifano, Rory Arnold, Bernard Foley, Sekope Kepu and Adam Coleman have all moved on – and despite some of them still being eligible for Test rugby, it’s unlikely they’ll be called up.
How do the Wallabies rebuild? (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It means a large-scale Wallabies rebuild starting in 2020.
When the Wallabies face Ireland in the first Test of next year, most won’t have vast experience at international level, and there will probably be a few fresh faces.
It will take time to mould them into a side with the confidence to take down sides like the All Blacks, Springboks, England and Ireland.
So why would Rennie, or any other candidate, be keen to sign up for only two years?
When there’s a big exodus of players – including a number of quality top-liners in key positions – then the four-year plan seems reasonable and legitimate.
RA might be eager to be circumspect with their contracts, but it’s a tough sell if you’ve been offered the job of coaching Australia, now ranked No.6 in the world, and who are missing a decent chunk of their best players.
Confidence is well down after copping a thumping from England in the World Cup quarter-finals and 2018 produced a dismal four Test wins from 13 games.
Coaches chase job security as much as the next worker wary of a small and volatile market.
Of course, it would be a top result if RA could attract a well-credentialed coach on a two-year deal. Not only does it reduce their risk, but it would appease an Australian rugby community that demands results following the slide of the Cheika era.
Aussie rugby fans don’t want to be sold a philosophy, they want wins in whatever form they need to come in.
The new coach will get a bit of leeway, but fans will want to notice pretty early on a significant shift in style and a clear indication that the coach has the players fit and firing. It’s a tough initiation given the tenure will begin with a series against the Irish and then into an always arduous Rugby Championship.
That said, there’s enough talent in the newer Wallabies and Wallabies-in-waiting that should excite the new coach.
Jordan Petaia, Isi Naisirani, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese and Liam Wright are itching for more Test rugby.
Isaac Lucas, Tate McDermott, Rob Valetini, Harry Hoopert, Harry Wilson, Nick Frost and Fraser McReight are top prospects ready to take the next step.
Dave Rennie. (AAP Image/SNPA, David Rowland)
RA also have the Israel Folau court case hanging over them. There’s a chance they could have to pay a large sum in compensation, so that might make RA reluctant to lock in the next coach on a long deal that opens them up to a mid-contract payout if wins are rare and public sentiment is diving.
As mentioned by Connolly, who coached the Wallabies in 25 Tests between 2006-07, probably the best solution lies with an incentive-based contract. That is, if the coach can achieve a win rate of 60 per cent or above over the first two or three years of a contract, then that activates the fourth year.
Good if you can get it. One thing is for certain: following the Folau saga, you can be sure that RA will have doubled up on due diligence by the time the contract is signed with the next Wallabies coach.
Grugby Fan
Roar Rookie
Much has been said regarding the quality of the players and the approach the coach(s) have taken over previous terms in Australia. The coach may go anywhere in the world and prove to be quite successful as they inevitably do. Why is that? The super coaches in Australia I believe are poor quality...or is it that the players are just not good enough? Perhaps a combination of both. If you really believe that we need to revert to the Australian way of playing you are delusional. Because Australia had some world cup success then that is automatically branded the Aussie style of rugby. That is part of the problem. Those players were good, very good. It's has nothing to do with an Australian brand. First off you develop a style of play to suit your player group. You teach grass root rugby all the skills available and develop that to the point where it becomes second nature. Strategies must be developed around your player strengths. In Australia we struggle to recognise the basic issues and challenges. It's a simple game where finger pointing and problems take up way too much air time and is a distraction. Develop a pathway built around fun, skills and people who have a feel for the game and want our young men to be competitive and know they can foot it against the best. Currently they believe they can but are in effect firing blanks. They are just not good enough.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Chris, people have ignored you ask how much rugby RC played. The absurdity of the comment can be proved in 2 minutes at Google : Mcarty won 7 world series with Yankees, Levey with Buffallo Bills 4 championships, Bowman 6 Stanley Cups, Brazil soccer coach Parreira, ................ hopefully that paints a picture.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
MC's style suits club level, where he will once again succeed I am sure. But we all have a ceiling that our best can achieve, Cheika's ceiling just isn't high enough at international level.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Just – Some fair points. She inherited a bag of spanners. And her history with Bulldogs cannot be hung over her head for her work/achievements to date at RA. Roarer’s are being naive with regards the new coach’s contract. The queue for the role is not long. They’ll have to pay up to try and keep clauses favourbale to RA. RC does need to get a system in place to keep these proven youngsters in Union. She should also keep in contact with Twiggy, simply to be prepared for any opportunity that may arise, or that she may do well to seek. Ireland will be a great series. They’re in similar position to WBs. It will be interesting to see two new coaches going head to head.
Val Saunders
Guest
Will, while I agree with much of your article re how a coach approaches the contract negotiation there is a point that I disagree with. It is also in my opinion one of the reasons holding back Australian Rugby - rose tinted glasses (or an over optimistic view) of our game. You have named a number of players "itching for more test rugby" and a list of "top prospects". They may be itching for more test rugby but are they good enough! The names you have suggested as top prospects actually frightens me about the state of Australian rugby. I watch a lot of rugby, both Australian and from overseas and these prospects will struggle to match overseas players in the next two or even four years and therefore the Wallabies will not improve their standing on the world stage. Like most supporters I am happy to see progress (without results) if I believe that the team and the coaches know what they are doing which in the end was Cheika's problem and it may be for Thorn and the Reds with his No 10 selections. No obvious improvement results in a slide in fan faith!!
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I know I risk getting smashed for this but while I agree he gives 100% every day and he has amazing speed around the field I don’t actually think he’s that effective, or rather hasn’t been under Cheika. He certainly doesn’t dominate in either the drive or tackle and while he has scored some good try’s at times I feel that he needs to get involved more in close and let the wings score the wing try’s rather than him.
Dubbo shark expert
Guest
Brian Smith (the rugby league Smith) should be the next Wallabies coach- no kidding He'd rip- no baggage just a no stone unturned strategist and problem solver Most of the teams in the recent World Cup were playing NRL style attack anyway 'D' is all league and has been for years
PeterK
Roar Guru
Fionn - You could move towards an incentive bonus system. You look honestly and fairly (neither highball or lowball) and not with stretch targets but where your team is ranked against the opposition. You have a portion of your salary at risk. For every place you finish above that fair ranking you get extra and for every position below it you lose some. Sure for a team that is ranked no 1 or in the top 3 or 4 a different system would be needed and different metrics but for aust teams that is a long way off.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
WayneS, I agree with you about the current RA CEO, on AUD 800 K pa +. But M.Cheika, with his coaching philosophies, one would think that after being WR 2015 Coach of the Year, would now be unemployable. S.Johnson should be given more time.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Every team gets paid to smart for just turning up. I wouldn’t agree to a contract that stipulated a wining percentage if I was a player of coach.
SAVAGE
Guest
I'd agree, if the lower levels of the game were healthy and up to standard administratively and operationally.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
WayneS thank you for your response. It kinda means a lot to me when someone takes the time to read my own posts. I do disagree with you but that’s OK with me. I may not be correct, often I am not and often get called out here on this site but what I can do is present an opinion. My own opinion contrasts yours… My reasoning… How can one single person in a seriously complex organization like RA be responsible for its national teams underpar performance? She must be seriously powerful to have that kind of influence.. If Raelene Castle is to be held responsible for the Wallabies poor performances, then by sheer logic she should be credited with the excellence shown by Aussie junior representative sides on the World stage and as a rugby supporter you will know that great junior rep teams eventually default to great National teams. History supports that.. She is being imo seriously scapegoated.
LeftRight
Guest
Fionn, RA offers contracts to players, players can accept or not (it's not the other way round). If the players and coaches (and their managers) don't agree that winning is the only metric of importance, and the only metric they should be paid on, then what's the good of having any of them at all? You'll find this is one of the major problems with RA, the WBs and SR teams, they get paid top dollar for just turning up. If you're in a sales job, your principle metric/KPI is making your sales target each month, try telling your employer you don't agree with this - you'll be given your marching orders real quick!
Double Agent
Guest
I think if you haven't improved something in 2 years then just forget about it.
Double Agent
Guest
RFET I agree with all that but I think it would apply to any incoming coach no matter his background.
Double Agent
Guest
Hooper's no Captain and he's been brainwashed this PC corporate-speak but he's a helluva warrior on the field.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
‘Performance’ would only mean ‘winning’ if the two contracting parties agree to clauses in the contract specifying a certain win percentage being required I would imagine.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Simple fix -We just need to play more Tier 3 teams, mid year (3 Tests) and 4 or 5 games on EOYT. That should fix the percentages !
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Fair enough.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
That’s the real question mate and one to really set the cat amongst the pigeons. I’m not that enamored with Hooper as either a 7 or captain and in my mind they need a new wing and fullback. I’m pretty happy with the tight 5 but not sure on the 3 loosies as I think they lack balance.