Thirteen months ago former Wallaby and Brumbies coach David Nucifora all but ruled out a return to Australia in any capacity with Rugby Australia.
On Friday his return to the fold in an “advisory role” was confirmed by RA CEO Phil Waugh, alongside the appointment of Peter Horne in the role of Director of High Performance Rugby.
Horne will start in March but before then he’s expected to help RA decide on a replacement for the disastrous Eddie Jones.
Horne has spent 14 years with World Rugby in high performance and he will be tasked with leading leading all aspects of Australia’s HP from the Wallabies, Wallaroos and Sevens programs to the alignment of Super Rugby clubs’ high-performance programs and pathway structures.
RA said his remit will cover coaching, strength-and-conditioning, player development and will focus on setting the systems and structures that will create a successful future for Australian Rugby teams.
The appointment seems a commonsense one. The selection of the next coach will garner most headlines, but there are clearly many other important areas of concern in the Australian game.
There will be some excitement about the return of Nucifora, who told The Roar in November last year that he couldn’t see himself back in Australian rugby after nine years running high performance in ireland and helping them to the top of the world rankings.
A year before that former RA CEO Andy Marinos flew to Dublin in a bifd to bring him home to lead the move towards centralisation – or alignment to give it its flash new branding.
“It was nice of Andy to come and chat,” Nucifora said.
“I don’t get any delight in watching Australian Rugby struggle, as an ex-player. You have a fair bit of pride in Australian Rugby, it’s not great to see it struggling.
“But I had my go at it. I tried to do my best to put in place certain things that I thought would work and there were other people that had different views.
“What’s changed back there that I could think that, what I can offer, can change what they’re doing still?
“I’ll always love rugby. I’ll always love Australian rugby. Could I see myself working in Australia again? I doubt it.”
Nucifora will commence in his advisory role after he finishes his commitments to Irish Rugby following next year’s Olympics.
“David has well-regarded experience delivering a successful, aligned national high-performance Rugby structure with Ireland – whose results in recent years have shown the benefits of such a system,” said Waugh in a statement on Friday.
“We have been clear that we do not want to copy systems from around the world – rather we want to take ideas and concepts from similar structures and apply them locally.
“We know Australian Rugby is quite unique in its structure, and we need to be conscious of that as we build something more fit-for-purpose, that delivers better performing Wallabies, Wallaroos, Sevens and Super Rugby teams.”
Horne said he was honoured to be chosen.
“There are some really positive things going on in Australian rugby,” said Horne.
“Our Women’s Sevens team has won the first two rounds of the world series, and the men’s team showed great progress over those first two weekends – it’s obviously a huge year for them with the Olympics in July.
“The Wallaroos finished the year on a high, finishing third in World Rugby’s WXV competition – they have made great strides, and RA is strengthening that program with a new full-time head coach and dedicated HP manager.
“We are seeing growth in participation at the community level – especially with women and girls, which shows the extent of the opportunity in Women’s Rugby.
“We have an opportunity to purpose-build a new Wallabies program from scratch.
“And there is universal agreement cross the Super Rugby clubs that the high-performance systems and pathways need a major overhaul to ensure everyone is pushing in the same direction; to deliver sustainable success for our Wallabies, Wallaroos and Sevens teams.
“To have this sort of agreement and understanding on the path forward is exciting and I look forward to working with the Australian Rugby community.”
“Peter has a great understanding of the way nations around the world have structured their high performance programs, and he understands that it cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Waugh.
“We need to build a more aligned system that is tailored to the nuances of the game here.
“Peter understands Australian Rugby, and he has a keen sense for what we need to do to get everyone working towards the same goals.
“Combine that understanding with strong expertise of high-performance environments and he is clearly the right person for the job all five Super Rugby clubs agree; they have all expressed their support for Peter’s appointment and enthusiasm at the prospect of working with him.”
Henry
Roar Rookie
Nucifora another stuff up by RA in not backing him 9 years ago. Such a rabble is RA.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Nucofora wouldn’t work for Hamish McDilbert
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
He could move any player from any Irish team and he couldn't be seen as partial. Now if he moves a play to the Brumbies or from a rival people will just say he is helping his own team. Doesn't mean he is but it's perceptions. DN to controversial decisions was not renewing Piennar and moving Connachrs backup to Ulster and moving Carbery from Leinster to Munster. Not for it would have been accepted if DN was a Munster man but as a neutral fans got over it. Oz fans seem to remember alot of the past which makes DN role harder in Oz.
FieldGoal
Roar Rookie
It’s ’worth noting’ that we haven’t had them for most of the last 10 years. Although I don’t agree with ‘no egos’. Every great sportsperson has a very strong ego.
Jack
Roar Rookie
And don’t lose sight of super form because 4 weeks has passed since the Semis and select a player who has not consistently delivered during the season because he’s “trained the house down”.
Jack
Roar Rookie
What does “Brumbies focused” mean Brendan?
Peta Smith
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh on clowns & the circus Grumpy. Unlike RA “clowns” et al are extremely hard working, professional & most importantly, for the people…attributes RA has lacked consistently. Things are looking up though, RA may just get to be on the circus level one day?!?!
TPC
Roar Rookie
Bernie hasn't proved himself at SR level imo. Last time he coached the Brumbies they didn't play an attractive style of rugby.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Opinion is divided?
Phil
Roar Rookie
Agree. And having centres that can and will pass well is super important. An over reliance on power never a good strategy.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
No DN worked in Ireland because he held the provinces to account and the IRFU held him to account. Before the IRFU were made up of the provinces so harder to find someone responsible. In Ireland it was clear who was responsible which gave him the power to do things.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Great to see him back. It worked in Ireland because he was not connected to anyone so interested to see if people view his actions a Brumbies focused or for the good of the overall system. If people oppose him because they don't think he is impartial then there will be issues. I am sure he will do great if given freedom
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
For sure ..If you have say a Duhan Van der Merwe at 6'4" and 110kgs as your biggest attacking weapon your strategies to maximise his physical presence on attack would be quite different than if your biggest asset is Cheslin Kolbe at 5'10" and 85kgs ..But if properly utilized both can be try machines ..
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Quite correct JD ....
Phil
Roar Rookie
Pretty good summary! In terms of attack plans I would like an attack that looks to identify and attack space. So prioritises high rugby intellect and skills to complement physical attributes.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Joe Schmidt for HC. Not Cheika please.
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
Merry Christmas Bfb. I like where RA is heading and getting back to processes in what they do. They are starting to remind me that rugby is a professional sport. :rugby: :rugby: I was just having a little fun in reply to Ben’s post above.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Hope so.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Great list JN... and it's worth noting that Australia under Hamish and Eddie scored 0/5!