Good morning Russ,

A rugby brain from around the time Dick et al were ushering in the National Coaching Program was that of Carwyn James. I understand he was the father of the ‘player-led’ coaching as he empowered his players as opposed to direct, miniature taskings. I understand politics robbed James of ever coaching Wales despite his success with the Lions.

You played against Fred Allen coached All-Black sides, what was the best coached team in your era and why?

Best,

Nick

Thanks. 👍

I wouldn’t do it if it weren’t enjoyable.

I’d like to add cohesion to the ‘sharper / robust’ matrix. I am a believer in Ben Darwin’s line of thought on playing cohesion. I feel the same about coaching.

Thanks mate. 👍

Greetings from Noosa Geoff,

A thought-provoking read.

Mate, I am a Level 3 coach with aspirations to simply keep on the learning path as the more you learn the more you can impart. However from what I have learned on my coaching journey is that learning isn’t as simple as turning up to a course, looking at a few slides, run a few drills and get ticked off. To learn, the teacher must understand the student and the student must understand themselves. A failure to do so delivers failure.

In Australia we used to embrace a cohesive model under the National Coaching Program ushered in by Dick Marks et al in 1975. The model served Australia well and I argue it should have never been disbanded. That argument has been prosecuted by Dick and others of which I am sure you’re aware and don’t wish to exhaust that again. In short, it worked as it invited critical thinking.

In 2022 I did a coaching course with the Crusdasers and found it fascinating, relevant and am a better person and coach for doing so. I was pleased to see when doing my Level 3’s later in 22/23 that there wasn’t such a great difference in the message and each organisation looks to embrace the individual and ‘Group-Think’ wasn’t part of the agenda.

One criticism I have of RA is that they allow former professional players onto the Level 3 course with little to no record of coaching and that would be in conflict with the Crusaders model. Some of our most successful coaches such as Bob Dwyer, Alan Jones, Rod MacQueen and Eddie Jones were never capped and made their way through the club system. However how many ex-Wallabies are parachuted into developmental coaching roles without ever really coaching anyone? Why? They are different skills altogether.

In Christchurch, Scott Robertson didn’t return from abroad to be ushered into a plumb role. He learned his craft by coaching breakdown sessions in Hagley Park to anyone. Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan through the club system in Canterbury. Somewhat different to some former Wallabies.

I’m encouraged to see the likes of Darren Coleman and Mick Heenan coming through the ranks from Clubland but this is somewhat of a new development. I hope it continues however I question who are some of these people identifying coaching talent in Australia. Have they coached at any level?

Here’s an anecdote on the subject. About 15 years ago former Wallaby and former Waratah’s Coach Peter Crittle decided to attend a Level 1 coaching course in Murwullimbah. The facilitator asked if any of them had any coaching experience. Crittle responded in the affirmative. When asked whom he had coached, he responded, “Sydney & the Waratah’s” to which the facilitator responded, “I see we have a comedian in the group.” Get my point?

I think RA is heading in the right direction on the subject however there are some very good coaches out there in club land who may have not played the game at the highest level but are proven to be very good coaches such as Mick Heenan; Darren Coleman; Elwee Prinsloo; Cassidy Holland; Darryl McNamara; Elton Berrange and Shane Arnold in Queensland.

These are all coaches who have been in the trenches in club land who understand themselves and their game. If you don’t know yourself as a coach, why would you be ushered into a plumb coaching gig simply because you were a good player in your day? Do all builders make good architects?

Thanks for the article mate and hope you’re well.

Morning Geoff,

I thought the better team lost, but you take your wins anyway you can get them. The Wallabies were second best physically, that hindered their breakdown. However they didn’t get the numbers to the breakdown either and were outthought and outplayed in that aspect of the game.

The breakdown has become the new Achilles Heal of Wallaby Rugby. For years it was the set piece, now that has been cured, the way to stop the Australians is at the breakdown. We were dreadful in our detail.

On Luke Pearce, I thought he generally did a good job, yet I can’t understand the hit on Tate by Young only being a yellow. However what confused me even more was his adjudication of the intentional knock down.

When Hunter Paisami was penalised, that appeared to be a genuine attempt, and he was not that far off a regather. Move onto Hamish Watson getting penalised for off-side, with the Wallabies on the attack and advantage played, Watson does not retreat, he continues on to put his arm/hand out to thwart a McDermott pass. Yet, Pearce goes back to the initial off-side and does not address the second infringement whilst that was aggravating considering the circumstances.

I’d like to see Samu come back in if fit, otherwise leave the team as is and get some cohesion into this side.

Cheers.

A bit late to the party here, but for me, the attributes of a good coach start with care. Does the coach care for his players? Players will not really care what a coach has to say if they don’t think the coach cares for them as people and players. I think Alan did but he also had his falling outs with some players, notably Peter Fitzsimmons. His lack of man-management led to his demise no doubt.

Another indicator is what team did the coach inherit? And what team did he pass onto the incoming coach?

With respect to the previous Wallaby coaches, I think when Alan came into the role he inherited a side that had enjoyed mixed success from 1978 to 1983. There were defeats of Wales, New Zealand, France and Scotland but also an average tour of the UK in 81/82. But Australian rugby was very much on an upward trajectory when Jones became coach in 1984.

However, the pathways were also clear and provided talent. Sydney had defeated France, NSW pushed the All Blacks and NSW Country was still producing players such as David Codey and David Carter. Queensland was a provincial powerhouse. Jones inherited this, he wasn’t asked to fix the pathways.

Alan was the first ‘professional’ coach of the Wallabies. But he did stand on the shoulders of giants. Darryll Harberecht, Dave Brockhoff, Bob Templeton and Bobby Dwyer all contributed to the side he inherited. Don’t forget when he managed the NSW Team in 1982, their coach was Peter Crittle, arguably the best Wallaby coach there never was.

Jones did not pick up a team on the slide and make them into a force. He sharpened up a side that had an infinite ability but lacked cohesion and self-belief to a degree. But that is what the time demanded of him and he delivered a Grand Slam and Bledisloe Cup both won offshore. I doubt there was another coach in the land, arguably Peter Crittle who could have achieved what Jones did in his time.

What team did Jones leave the second coming of Bob Dwyer? I would say there was a side that had a core to work with. Lawton, Cutler, Tynuman, Farr-Jones, Lynagh and Campese however as Jones departed the Wallaby scene this side had to find itself again and not until a 1990 defeat of New Zealand in Wellington did it.

Ultimately Alan Jones was the right man for that window between 84-86 and brought Australia success that still shines brightly today. But as said, he inherited players that had some significant IP put into it by previous coaches and the pathways delivered him serious talent. I’m not convinced that he would have enjoyed such success in other periods of Australian rugby.

If I had to make a call on who I’d have as my best Wallaby coach – Charles Peter Crittle – the best we never had.

Pleasure mate.

It really has been a privilege to coach our group and immensely satisfying to see them develop as young men and players.

Forget the naysayers mate. The future is bright and the reconnection of the professional game and those who aspire to it in clubland has been beneficial to all.

Good morning Geoff,

Mate I’m one of the Colts coaches at Wests Bulldogs and have seen first-hand what the Rebels players have brought to the club. They are very much part of it. It has been a very positive relationship.

There are several players not mentioned who are part of the broader Rebels family who have also turned out for us who I have little doubt will become familiar to rugby fans in the near future.

Keep an eye out for Max Johnson (lock); Pat Lavermai (Prop); Chris Sami (Prop) and LeBron Naea (Centre). All great young men off the park with plenty of ability on it.

Good mate.

Hi Sheek,
I just love you used the cut of the jib line. 😁
Best
Nick

Good morning Nick,

Great read. I agree with you regarding Hamish Stewart;

https://amp.rugbypass.com/news/james-oconnor-shouldnt-be-the-only-reds-player-dave-rennie-looks-at-for-the-wallabies-backline/

NZ wanted a way to get SA back into the international rugby and saw RWC as a vehicle but Jenko places too much weight on Lords tournament as the Australian spark! It was contribUtory but not singular.

I understood the move away from the SCG as Rugby was going to play second fiddle to the trust. It didn’t work out in the end but when rugby moved back to the SFS it did so for a one off capped price. Not good business!

Hello, Gents (Sheek inc),

I’ve really enjoyed your comments and Muglair I think you have been a breath of fresh air on the The Roar. However, your statement “While those attitudes might not have been prevalent in the 80s, the game was still run by a bunch of ivory tower guys who just kept running the game the same way it had been for decades before. They enjoyed status, influence and power and resisted all change.” would be applicable to Northern Hemisphere administrators only.

Whilst David Lord’s attempt to get the game into the professional arena was admirable it was not the ‘lightbulb moment’ that lit the fire of the professionalism progression, nor was it the genesis of the World Cup concept but I deeply respect Lord for his vision.

Australian and New Zealanders were thinking of such concepts at that time. They fought hard to get the IRB (World Rugby at the time) to actually get a RWC up and running. Thanks to Dannie Craven of SA, the French and Keith Rowlands of Wales the British block was splintered. Rowlands took some convincing but the Scots, English & Irish block were dragged along.

Roll onto 1995 and again it was predominantly Australian’s who drove professional rugby be it the Packer camp or the Murdoch camp. It is such a paradox that Australia has had such a hand in the advent of open professionalism, yet we have dwindled since 02 and not really experienced stunning success despite being drivers of the professional game.

Good discussion those gents – thankyou!

I reckon Judas would have been a non-tackling winger, who would have worn head tape and gloves. Probably had flouro sandals too!

How did that work out for him?

Which Coast?

You know Berrange?

Morning Rhino,

Are you suggesting HH never missed a tackle in his channel or that a bit of high veldt hyperbole?

Great player, and good call.

Butch James was another physical Springbok 10, but I think he and Owen Farrell has the same tackling coach at some stage. Venus de milo perhaps?

Cheers.

Hi Nick,

In selecting a fly half nowadays I’d suggest looking at a 10 who is more physical than his predecessors. The game has lost its space and is transitioning from from one of continuity, as in the days of Barry John to Mark Ella to Stephen Larkham, to Now being a game of collision.

I fear the loss of the playmaker who thrives in the unstructured moment as the game is now more based on structured play to structured play with the aim of limiting space for the side in possession.

If Bill and World Rugby are to make changes to how the game is played, space must be a priority otherwise names such as John, Ella, Lynagh, Spencer, Larkham, Cooper, Carter, Barrett, will not have modern contemporaries in the near future.

Did you know Mark Ella was still running around for Randwick in 1989? Imagine turning up for your club match and seeing his name on the sheet. A day to remember I’d suggest!

Yeh love it down there. Bit cool mate.

Thanks, Scrum.

From my time already in NZ I’ve really only experienced several times. Other times, when wearing Wallaby merchandise I’ve had people stop me for a chat about the game, Wallabies etc.

I also had a Taranaki farmer ask for for a fight. Albeit politely. Not because he disliked me, he just thought it could add to the enjoyment of the evening…

I politely declined. He said he was not the least offended and wished me a good evening but to be wary of Aucklander’s….

😛

????

I think you make you point Scrum.

I’m actually pretty fond of New Zealand and New Zealander’s on the whole. I actually plan on moving there in semi-retirement I enjoy it so much. Perhaps not forever but maybe for a year or two.

Through our great game, I’ve made a few mates over the ditch. I’m thinking Bay of Islands, Hawkes Bay or Nelson Bay area. I hope to able to watch trans Tasman rugby, cricket etc, take a few walks, drink a few vines and annoy my wife.

Ok, so your economy isn’t reliant on tourism. I’ll let Tourism NZ know and the New Zealand Government know they can do without slightly over %5 of their GDP then. I’ll let all the overseas visitors know there is no need to visit New Zealand, they have it covered themselves. Stand down tourist operators old mate here has you covered. You talk of arrogance….

Are you aware of the broadcasting deal NZ is currently attached to? Do you think Bay of Plenty playing Southland will attract those same revenues?

Myopic…..