RA director of rugby Johnson departs, national Sevens coaches swap jobs

Good to see some nice things said about Scott. I have always been harsh on him but I wish him well. Not enough money , too many sinecures at RA. He would make a good franchise coach. I can’t wait for his book “ Checkmate “ .

Bokke! Please give my best wishes to Spiro Zavos, a true gentleman and nice as guy, as well as being exceptionally knowledgeable. I am 76, South African, and Spiro and I have met a few times at Eastgate Centre in Bondi Junction. Always so interesting chatting to him. Thanks.

Thank you Scott Johnson for your efforts which by and large were in the right direction. Inherited an utter mess and had to deal with Covid. Great respect for acting in Australian rugby's best interests against our good friends (not) the players agents, who very simply put their own interests, and that of their players financial stature (I seriously question whether they benefit the players rugby career) ahead of Australian rugby. To argue otherwise is ludicrous. These agents are quite happy to reap the benefits of Australian development programs and monetise individuals abilities. Which is fair enough but it does create a conflict having this system constantly detracting from the well being and good health of Australian rugby. It will always be a question of balance and counterpoints of course but I do admire Johnson's efforts in this regard.

Solving the problem at 10 - Give a young gun a go ✅ - Assess and consider options ✅ - Select best playmaker available ✅ - Ensure an attack plan that makes best use of running assets with said enabling 10 ✅ - Craft 5 consecutive wins with best available attack stock, including two over the current world champions ✅

Sorry - clear approach to solving the problem at 10 and a very successful northern hemisphere tour.

It shouldn’t have be hard to convince Rennie to take on a national team for a $1 mill plus. Johnson didn’t have to twist his arm.

Bit harsh Bobbles. I don’t think Australian Rugby are sacking him, they just don’t have the money to pay him. Financial situation is pretty dire in the new contract era. You’ll see it affecting the Super rugby rosters over the next couple of seasons

“ we are yet to see much from his replacement” There are none so blind as those that will not …..

I thought ScoJo did okay. Our cohesion from coach to 1 to 23 has improved since his arrival in my view. I am counting this as a win. And if it is true that SJ was involved in the Rennie deal, then that is another credit to bank. Thanks Scott.

You need to read the article!!

Mick, that is amazingly true and I, as many did met Peter F in those days, you could add Bob Dwyer, I think he was a consultant. Rugby was, and I hope still is, full of excellent men with high moral fibre and a commitment to raising young people up. Not just posting crap on twitter or FB. Unfortunately, the youngsters consider themselves overworked professionals, who need all sorts of attention, as many have only a passing respect for themselves and little commitment to high levels of professional competence.

That he did stillmissit, as did his successor Peter Fenton (my neighbour) who was also as contributive to rugby generally. The interesting difference in those days was these good people had real jobs - Geoff had an engineering business, Peter was a leading film editor during Australian films' golden years (awarded an OAM for it) - Paul Dalton at Two Blues and Jeff Sayle - they did not rely on rugby for their income and produced the most competitive, successful Club, State and Wallaby teams we have seen. The current Australian coach is paid about $1,000,000 per annum, to babysit amateurs.

Very much agree. I think Walshy is a bit of a favourite at Rugby AU, was a bit surprised when he took over from Andy Friend also. My guess is that politics is still a bit entrenched at RA, with no evidence it maybe a bit of not what you know but who you know. Actually feel for Mananti. He must be mighty 'annoyed', finally got a team which is his (&a bit of size on the edges with Levi, Dick & Hayes) as opposed to still being Rio based.

He was brought in to assemble the new coaching team of Rennie & Wisemantle as he had prior working or personal relations with the both. O’Connor was the one parachuted in as co-selector to stop Chieka from automatically selecting Nic Phipps et al

Mick, In the early days he also did what he could to help Penrith rugby club (ex Shute Shield Sydney) from what I was told from one of the managers there.

Scott Johnson's father Geoff was a fine coach at Eastwood during its strongest growth period and Scott served a valuable apprenticeship in rugby there as well. He has succeeded in many rugby roles since, something of which the ignorant dills criticising him here are unaware. The Roar has many loud voices which have never visited a rugby field, or been inside a dressing room, that is certain.

IMO it is a backwards step literally and metaphorically. Walsh was the womens sevens coach from 2013–2018. He made them reach their peak which was great, but then was unable to continue to improve them, in fact they declined and did not adapt to the power game being used against them. He was not that good for the mens team either. Manenti was adapting the women's and finally had them on an upwards curve, their game had changed as it needed. Walsh will stop that improvement IMO. There is nothing in what he did with the men that shows he has improved or changed as a 7's coach.

I imagine there was some politics involved. The men only have 8 F/T contracted players, the women have a near full squad with 16 F/T players. The women's program seems to be being positioned as the main 7s program, so between the lines, I think Walshy was keen to have that.

Shame we got nothing from him.

Yes he removed Cheika but we are yet to see much from his replacement. Would be nice to look at the winning percentage of the Wallabies under Johnson against 6 nations teams, NZ and SA over this period- I would expect close to a record low.