1000% to every point

Absolutely and this is definitely in line with my point. Certainly in a Super Rugby context Coaching and Management staff no longer ensure ‘Equipment & weapons are checked, arms test fired etc. and with a small population – these things used to be what the coaches focussed on. Always had to be better prepared in all aspects than the opposition. At the moment we’re abrogating for just 1 or 2 things.

Just to clarify the Head Coach recommendations for both the Waratahs and Rebels were based on who would potentially apply and who was available. Thorn & Timmy Sampson are obviously already in positions, and Laurie has no interest in being a Head Coach again.
To further clarify I rate Dan MacKellar and Timmy Sampson and I worked with Laurie over a 3 stints for a number of years and I’ve also worked with Dan. Laurie has been one of the best coaches in the World for many years. But I feel and I can say this because I was at the Brumbies during all 3 of his stints. Since coming back from Gloucester – He’s moved away from the things that turned him into being one of the best coaches in the World – which was making each individual better – to just tactics and mindset for the weekend. Hence my issues with the quote. I just want the ‘old’ Laurie Fisher back and frankly I believe that Australian Rugby needs the old Laurie Fisher back.
The issues about competitions – The NRC won’t be coming back because it’s unaffordable and it does create too many divisions. Further despite what was propagated above – the Brumbies had no control over the Canberra Vikings – they were wholly and solely run by Tuggeranong. So my point was without a third tier what are the coaches going to do to make their teams better. No point saying we need this – when it’s not there and won’t be. Hence my issue with Thorn’s quote.
But again if it’s not clear in the article – the Coaches I recommended were those that would be available and had relevant experience for the two Head Coaching positions on offer.

Link to the part of the Ewen McKenzie Interview referenced in the article can be found here:
https://vimeo.com/556140390
If link doesn’t work copy it and place it into the browser. Part II to follow next week

Hey Mate, Apologies for the fact this is just one paragraph. Can’t work out how to get the paragraph breaks in. Restricted in the article in terms of words. So I’ll provide more detail here: 2 – 4 -2 I actually said it was a derivative of the Canterbury 2 – 4 – 2, not the ‘actual 2 – 4 – 2’. Most Southern Hemisphere systems are derivative’s of the old 2 – 4 – 2 as it was the first time in this region a system like that had been used.
This system based coaching actually started in the Northern Hemisphere by Gloucester – they called it the Gloucester Pod System. The Coach at the time – John Mitchell – he was the one that actually bought it back to the All Blacks and Robbie Deans as his Assistant Coach integrated and evolved it in to the 2 – 4 – 2 with the Crusaders.
But I digress – the issue with the old 2 – 4 – 2 philosophy and the same philosophy that Penney won 3 NPC titles with, was that inside backs get into bad habits of just standing and delivering. It was a massive issue for the All Black Coaching Staff from 2004 on as when the Crusaders players came into the All Black Coaching environment – they almost had to be retrained to always be a ‘triple threat’.
Exactly the same thing was evident with the Waratahs play with Will Harrison at 10 always playing deep and generally just standing and delivering without being a threat. That was my point. I don’t have an opinion either way on Whitaker. I do have issues with the fact that the Coach they sacrificed to bring him back to the Waratahs was Chris Malone, who had significantly changed their skillsets along with Steve Tandy and Simon Cron in 2018. The Waratahs were a shadow of that in 2019 and Cron and Tandy couldn’t get out quick enough!
But, the reality is that the attack has improved since Penney left – the have greater options – actually attack off 9 and 10 and Donaldson plays flatter and in particular is a genuine threat as a runner as well as a passer. That alone is a massive change. The depth and track of the 10 was system based and looked exactly the same as the old 2 – 4 – 2. As even when they achieved both advantage line and quick ball – which is when you want the 10 to flatten up – in the Penney era – the 10 still sat back deep and delivered based on the system. While under Whitaker – Donaldson & I’d be interested to see whether there is change in Harrison as well, bases his lines, alignment and track on the speed and position of the breakdown. This is what good 10’s should do and like it or not Whitaker is the Attack Coach. So I was just offering credit where it was due.
In terms of Penney – I’ve met him, spent some time with him in Christchurch around 12 years ago and he was very knowledgeable, particularly around culture and a pretty good guy. However, there’s a reason he was never considered for Head Coaching positions in New Zealand and their Coach Development is significantly better than ours. So, particularly when we (Australia) have some very good Coaches that have created success Internationally and Provincially in Europe and Japan – where he couldn’t – was struck that he was given the Waratahs Coaching position in the first place.
Defence – again it’s and inconvenient truth particularly for Gilmore – but he is the defence coach!
I didn’t see Press Conference where Whitaker said that the Waratahs were known as an attacking team, but I did see the rhetoric in a number of articles during the week where Gilmore was also promoting it. Interesting that it also came from the Captain after the Blues loss – so it’s clearly now an embedded team message – which again lacks accountability. It’s the last thing a young list needs and we are generally hearing from young coaches – when things don’t go their way – it’s always someone else’s fault. Hence the article.
Ironic also, and this was pointed out to me by a professional coach of note only yesterday. That at 1/2 time during the Waratahs Hurricanes game – Jake Gordon pointed out – we are way too narrow around the ruck – I also think he said – It’s killing us. When Gilmore was interviewed – nothing about their spacing. The Captain knew what the issue was then – but the Coach either didn’t or more likely wouldn’t admit it – as it’s his system. Now we also have the Captain preaching the rhetoric.
I know the defensive system he uses – It hasn’t been used in Professional Rugby for over 10 years because of the issues around getting set with spacing early. Everyone in Australian Rugby knows the system he uses – because as the U20’s coach he tried to get all of the Academies to train their players based on the system. Most politely declined. But at no point has there been an admission that the system was flawed. Moreover – it’s deflected to the players and a mythical culture. Further I’m told that during a High Performance Coaching Conference this week – a photo of the Waratahs defensive line was presented with a question – why are sides only defending 2/3’s of the field and expecting to win games?
So, I’m not the only one questioning it. In terms of the point that he stiffened up the defence when he came in last year. Again unfortunately I disagree – the Force having just been reintroduced at last minute into Super Rugby AU were underdone and a shadow of where they got to this year. Further in the game that they beat the Reds last year – they played 14 in the defensive line and only 1 player back. The Reds weren’t prepared for that as the Waratahs hadn’t shown it before. A week later against the Brumbies – they were pumped as the Brumbies scored tries off kicking to space. This was again a bandaid fix. You take those games out of it they still average giving up over 30 points a game. When he was the Reds defensive coach – arguable he cost Nick Stiles his job – again their defence averaged over 30 points per game. Stiles was punted and Thorn didn’t want Gilmore involved – so he was moved to cushy ARU position.
The other point which is pertinent – and which we are finding out pretty bluntly with the Trans Tasman competition – playing just Australian teams doesn’t test your defence as much as the old Super Rugby Competition. While in Super Rugby AU the the Waratahs have leaked over 30 points per game. In the Trans Tasman Competition the Waratahs are averaging over 50 points per game.
Unbeknownst to many, the Waratahs are actually doing some really good things in behind the scenes. Particularly with the guys in the ‘Positive Rugby Foundation’. They’re rebuilding relationships with grassroots, the schools and providing resource. In a short term transactional world – these are brave long term fixes that will yield benefits in 3 – 5 years. The Waratahs need to make a good choice with their next Head Coach as if they don’t we’ll be back having the same conversation in 2- 3 years time and all the good work being done in behind the scenes gets undermined and drowned out. The Waratahs have a good young list and they’re good kids – they’re kids with value sets that people will want to follow. But they need a good accountable mentor and they and the organisation will fly. As mentioned there are plenty of really good Australian Coaches that are doing and have done some fantastic work overseas. Many of them also started in Club Rugby in Australia – were successful in club rugby – which I think is important. Many also have Super Rugby experience.
They’re also accountable – you don’t survive as a foreign coach if you’re not – particularly over long periods.

Hey Mate, Appreciate the comments and – Fair Point. My name is Nick Leah. My nickname and the name I’m known in rugby circles is Leahry. Our Company which has recently been rebranded is also Six Degree Sports – which is the Logo that I use. All the guys that I’ve mentioned in the article know who I am and call me by the nickname. I also put the articles up on my LinkedIn and Facebook account as well.

So I take the point – I used the nickname more so because for most in rugby that is the name that I’m known as and it seemed that most people on the roar site had a moniker of some sort.

Cheers
NL

Head is with the Reds – Heart is with the Brumbies!

But for Australian Rugby think it would be better if the Reds win.

Brumbies GamePlan too structured and based around narrow skill sets – didn’t get a chance to provide analysis on attack prior to the game. But contrary to popular thought the Brumbies breakdown is a weakness. It’s a flat track bully against teams that are technically flawed at the tackle. But struggles against teams that are. COVID has limited exposure- until the Force last week. Tight forwards drop at contact & against teams that tackle well – there’s always a contest. Plus they only have one attacking shape and don’t have the variety of attacking kicking options that the Reds do.

As I said hearts with the Brumbies – but the Reds game and skill sets will transfer better to the Wallabies. So for Australian Rugby’s health & promotion of a type of game that people will follow – the Reds need to win.

If the Reds tackle & defend well – they’ll have too much variety in attack and gas in the tank.

But… I’ve been wrong plenty of times ????