Coach Swapping
So the AB’s coaches are swapping roles and responsibilities.
Chris Rattue for one smells a … err, rat and he’s taking the distinctly un-nationalistic approach of support Wales. And not just the beached ones either.
This particular rugby rivalry, not to mention the pompous All Black coaching panel, needs a giant kick up the behind.
Yep, our boyo Chris would be happy to see the Dragons fire to stick it up the three AB coaches.
The latest instalment of grandiose nonsense out of New Zealand rugby, involving the All Black coaches swapping their jobs, only makes the thought of a Welsh victory, however remote, even more mouth-watering.
Funny when you think that both Henry and Hansen (not the boy band) coached Wales too.
After a fair-to-hopeless season, a shock defeat would be a welcome comeuppance for the Teflon trio, a panel which escapes the serious scrutiny that has shaped All Black history and been a cross to bear for their predecessors.
It is fair to say that coaches with better records have fallen on their swords or, shall we save, have been through an assisted suicide process.
Perhaps – schock, horror! – we no longer expect the ABs to win every game and we’ve become more realistic when they do lose.
Perhaps we’re sick on winning everything every year and then falling over in World Cup year?
Perhaps not, according to Chris the Rat:
Having scuppered the prospects of other genuine All Black coaching aspirants, the NZRU and its wonder-boys are engaging in more of their mad-scientist schemes, arranging new job descriptions for themselves, minor tweaks they claim, apparently at the suggestion of senior players.
It’s interesting decision because if a player wasn’t performing in a core role (eg Latimer, Ross) they wouldn’t be given a different role would they?
Here’s a novel concept: if Steve Hansen really isn’t good enough to coach the forwards any more, then get someone in who is rather than let these 2007 World Cup failures become insiders trading places.
Indeed. If Hansen is to take the blame, why give him another role?
In fairness, Rattue’s main focus is on what the Welsh need to do to beat the ABs. Scoring more points than the Blacks would be a good start.
However in terms of the broader issue, Rattue’s point is valid – we either need an unexpected sweep with the ABs playing majestic football or a complete disaster of a tour which will force the NZRFU to react.
Anything else will see the focus remain on who is coaching the ABs off the field rather than what the ABs are doing on the field.
