The Wallabies will be up against familiar accents at Twickenham on Saturday.
Not only are England coached by Eddie Jones, they have Anthony Seibold on board as well.
The 47-year-old Queenslander’s most recent coaching job in Australia ended abruptly, after presiding over the worst season in Brisbane’s NRL history and enduring appalling abuse on social media.
Now Seibold finds himself in a different code on the other side of the world, his arrival described by former England international Stuart Barnes as “the most staggering appointment since (Eddie Jones) took the reins at Twickenham”.
Barnes, writing in the Sunday Times, said: “There isn’t another person on the rugby planet who would have come up with the former Broncos coach as part of England’s World Cup package.”
Nevertheless Barnes said Jones has “an acute rugby brain, not afraid to trust his beliefs and gamble in a way no one else would” and “who knows, may have pulled a rabbit out of his hat again”.
Seibold, indeed a former Rabbitoh and NRL coach of the year, said on Tuesday he had settled in quickly since replacing New Zealander John Mitchell last month as England’s defence coach.
“I have really enjoyed my time so far – it’s been really interesting working with the group and the coaching staff as well,” he said.
“I’ve been super-impressed with the professionalism of staff and players and I have really enjoyed myself, but we know there are some bigger tests to come over the next couple of weeks.”
England lost captain Owen Farrell before the weekend rout of Tonga to a positive test for COVID-19, and have now had prop Joe Marler ruled out of the clash with the Wallabies for the same reason.
“At the weekend we showed we were able to handle that disruption if you want to call it that and I’ve been really impressed with the way the group handled this morning,” Seibold said.
Seibold knows his way around the UK.
Having begun in the lower grades with Brisbane, he played for Canberra in the NRL before moving to Super League where he played for the London Broncos and with Hull in the north of England, then had stints playing and coaching in Wales.
Back home he had spells coaching in various roles with Melbourne and Manly before becoming South Sydney’s head coach in 2017.
Having impressed at Redfern, Seibold switched to Brisbane in late 2018 but the homecoming was not a success and he was gone in August 2020.
It was at Souths that Seibold got to know Jones, a Rabbitohs fan.
“I have had a relationship with Eddie since probably 2017,” he said.
“I was head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL and Eddie did some professional development learning with me and we stayed in contact.
“We have had a relationship that has been going for four or five years now – a lot of shared learning.
“I am hopeful I have been able to pass on a couple of things to him that he has been able to take away.”
On his own philosophy, Seibold said: “All good defensive sides, in union and league, are built around attitude and working hard for your mate. You build that trust over a period of time.
“Making sure that the players understand their roles initially and then having the attitude to make sure they perform are at the heart of what I do.”
Cam
Roar Rookie
G'day OS, sorry late response, absolutely agree with your assessment of the inherent problems which were already in play when Seibold arrived at the club. The lack of support from the club really set him up to fail. But my statement still stands "Seib’s time at the Broncos would go down as one of the most spectacularly unsuccessful head coaching roles in the history of the NRL". He arrived at the club as incumbent NRL Coach of the Year and inherited a top 8 team (actually a top 6 team). Seibs was trumpeted as the next Wayne Bennett and promptly signed to a 5 year deal, plus a reported year option. They were tipped by the board and many astute league experts to finish top 4 and challenge for the title, but fast forward 20 months and Seibold is released with years left on his contract. He walked away with the clubs first ever wooden spoon and just about every conceivable record that you would never want, worst loss, worst differential, worst defence, worst attack, worst finish on the ladder. Towards the end of his tenure, the media coverage was similar to watching a car crash, you know you don't really want to witness it, but it's impossible not to look. I suspect I will never see a coach fail so hard in my life time, with many clubs learning from the mismanagement of Seibold and putting fail-safes in place. Kev Walters is on lowball contract which is heavily incentive based and gives the club the power to boot him at any time. Canterbury have recruited Gus Gould to help Trent Barratt, Tim Sheens has joined the Tigers to help Madge. Seibs proved at the Rabbitohs that he can coach a decent team to a decent position on the ladder, but rightly or wrongly, those 20 months at the Broncos will follow him around for the rest of his career. As mentioned, he has definitely landed on his feet with the England gig, their record the past 5 years or so wouldn't be too far behind the All Blacks. Coaching is a whole easier when the team can't stop winning and his stock should go up with his involvement in such a strong team.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I don't mind the Queen FB, but i couldn't care less about the Royal Family.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Well, she is your Queen as well. :happy:
Paul
Roar Guru
He'd also have access to a lot more coaching opportunities in England in both codes, because he;s physically there. I'd like to see him succeed, just not this week against Australia. :happy:
Marshy
Guest
Working for Eddie has been described by many as akin to being a human doorstop. Maybe Siebold is more than happy with that short term. Take the money and run fella. He got some real grief from the rabid NRL community so all power to him.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Maybe it was the captain's fault. Like the Wobblies.
Paul
Roar Guru
I find it amusing that so many people have piled onto Siebold, yet a) he's only an assistant coach with the England team and b) he's only been involved with the team for 3 or 4 weeks. No doubt the Siebold haters will pile on if Australia wins and the same haters will explain an England win by say, the previous defensive coach left them in a good place. Why not see how this squad goes over a few games before casting judgement? At the end of the day, there are way too many people involved in professional team sport for ongoing results to be due to one person.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure you mean Raelene Castle, the CEO who tidied up the finances, called out Israel Folau for being a loose cannon uncaring of team Code of Conduct, recruited a decent coach, and fixed some of the development pathways. So I read this as an obsessed Lockyer was absolutely focussed on what was good for the sport. Even though I don't think that's what you meant.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
It just goes to show all failed NRL coaches don't end up on the scrap heap. Look at at Mary got the NSW under 19 without lifting a finger and now a consultant at Parramatta .
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Only when it is humorous, your effort was lame.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
There's this thing called a joke. Not sure if you've heard of it?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree mate. I wonder how bad Webber’s injury is? I also gave the benefit of doubt to Foster, but now I have serious doubts! It seems like 2015 RWC All over again. Oh by the way, enjoy your Highland water! A good Scottish drink :thumbup:
Marshy
Guest
Add me to that list of confusion MK. You will find me last on the list of people willing to support the current coaching group too. I had given Foster benefit of doubt many times. They have had enough time now and also now too many chances to get a few big selection calls correct, royally stuffing it on many occasions. Not a fan. In saying that, both Brad and Finlay are quality humans who will take that jersey and make it their own.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
My feeling Marshy. Is why spend the money on him first, second to take him away from his newborn, third would he not be thinking at least he would get some game time against Ireland. If he does play against France he needs game time, I am confused.
Marshy
Guest
I do think they need Aaron around the playing group ASAP but I had hoped he was going to be taking the field. Shall be having a dram or so of some ‘Highland water’ myself!
Marshy
Guest
Eddie’s version of a good “assistant” coach is any human who can perform an accurate impression of an inanimate object. E.g., be rarely seen and never heard. This has been well known for a long time. If Seibold can effectively perform that role, he will survive with Eddie.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Eddie wouldn’t have him if he was useless. His problem was as head coach and man management. That’s Eddie’s job so don’t get excited.
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
oh my, Eddie, Eddie what are you doing these days.. :unhappy: :unhappy: His whole selection and coaching processes are mystifying to say the least.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree mate. We are blessed with very good number 9’s, I am getting my quiet drinks tomorrow for the game. Gentlemen Jacks, so yes not so quiet! :happy:
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
:stoked: :stoked: