Coaching roundabout: who's in line for what

Coaching roundabout: who's in line for what
By MARC HINTON - RugbyHeaven | Thursday, 25 October 2007
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4250345a10295.html

The All Blacks may be on a downward curve, but New Zealanders still feature prominently on the short-lists for the handful of high-profile international head coaching jobs that are up for grabs over coming weeks.

As we all well know, New Zealand has a key coaching reappointment of its own to make regarding the All Blacks, which may or may not see a change at the helm after the disappointing World Cup exit at the quarter-final stage in France.

But with the sixth edition of the global tournament now been and gone there are a number of other vacancies at the highest level. Australia definitely need a new head coach, as do Wales and Argentina. England, too, may also be in the market for an appointment of some sort, depending on what their review process decides to do with Brian Ashton. Even the world champion Springboks may need a new mentor, with doubts existing over whether Jake White is either wanted or wants the job for the next term.

Prior to the Boks' charge to their second World Cup title in France this month, it had been accepted that White would be a non-starter, with his relationship with national body Saru hardly on firm footing. He had told confidants that he was resigned to looking for a job away from South Africa.

But the French success has evidently swung opinion in South Africa markedly, with high-placed officials now lobbying publicly for White to be reinstated. It seems a world title helps sweep a lot of problems under the carpet.

South African president Thabo Mbeki has even entered the discussions. "This team went through the whole tournament undefeated. We end up with player of the year, the coach of the year and the team of the year. Drop the coach - why?" he asked, rightly.

Anyway, in terms of top international jobs, the list of those signed, sealed and delivered is far shorter than the 'Help Wanted' column. Frank Hadden is still pondering his future with Scotland with the job thought to be his if he wants it, while Eddie O'Sullivan is already re-signed with Ireland despite their dismal tournament. Italy have made their appointment, with South African Nick Mallett a high-qualified replacement for Pierre Berbizier, and France this week announced that former international loose forward Marc Lievremont would succeed Bernard Laporte.

But the rest remain up in the air. Which brings us to the contenders. The same names tend to be cropping up on most nations' short-lists and it's a group with a fair New Zealand presence.

Many had presumed that Graham Henry would either retire or take up a cushy front office job after he'd claimed the World Cup that would complete his resume. Now, it appears he's back in the market, with the New Zealand public strongly backing his retention for the All Blacks job, and England and Wales apparently also interested.

(It should be noted at this point that Wales are in such a parlous state, and so desperate to secure a heavy-hitter, that they appear to be adopting the scattergun approach to their recruitment drive.)

Robbie Deans shapes as the other Kiwi in hot demand, with the successful Crusaders mentor not only considered the leading contender to replace Henry (or his assistant Steve Hansen), but also being heavily courted by the Australian Rugby Union for the Wallabies job. It's fairly clear he's John O'Neill's favoured candidate across the ditch, though the boss is apparently battling strong support for the role to stay with an Australian.

Deans is also on the Welsh list, though there would be some heavy irony in a descendant of Bob Deans coaching the Red Dragons.

Hansen, Henry's assistant with the All Blacks, and Waikato's Warren Gatland are the other Kiwis cropping up in despatches.

Hansen is considered a contender for the top All Blacks job (should Henry not stand again) or a good chance to return on the Henry ticket should that scenario eventuate. He's also being linked with a return to Wales, whom he coached at the previous World Cup.

Gatland is the dark horse. He had a promising stint with Ireland between 1998-2001 and then took Wasps to a hat-trick of Premiership titles and one European triumph. But he returned to New Zealand in 2005 for family reasons and since then has been content to guide Waikato in the domestic competition and spend one season in a backup role with the Chiefs.

Wales and England are apparently both looking at the former All Black hooker, but his preference is very much to stay in New Zealand, with a school-age family he is reluctant to move again. The England job could be the one role he is prepared to uproot for, given the profile, money and playing stocks that go with it.

Outside of New Zealand, White has quickly become the hottest property in the international game in the wake of the Boks' triumph and he too is apparently in the sights of the Welsh and English.

England, it is thought, will appoint a football-style manager and leave Ashton to take a more hands-on role. That could be a role that would tempt White away from South Africa where he has already conquered the summit.

Others whose names are cropping up include Australian assistant Scott Johnson, Chiefs coach Ian Foster, John Connolly who has now finished with the Wallabies and former England No 8 and current Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards.

Eddie Jones, who played a key role in the Boks' triumph, is committed to a position with Saracens but could re-enter calculations if he has an out-clause for a top international role. The South African success has underlined his coaching value, something England and Argentina, in particular, might be interested in.

Here, then, is a rundown of the coaches on the roundabout, just waiting to see where they're going to get off.

Graham Henry (NZ): In the frame for: New Zealand. The skinny: some media have also linked him with Wales, but this is highly unlikely. Has public backing for another term with All Blacks, but has yet to declare his interest in standing. Currently completing coaching review with NZRU who are likely to be sympathetic given they rubber-stamped his controversial R 'n R policies.

Robbie Deans (NZ): In the frame for: New Zealand, Australia & Wales. The skinny: Impeccable credentials at Super 14 level, though does have a failed All Black World Cup campaign as an assistant on his CV. Has made no secret he would love the NZ job, and likely to take Wallabies role as second option. Whether O'Neill and co are prepared to wait for the NZ process to play out remains to be seen.

Warren Gatland (NZ): In the frame for: NZ & Wales. The skinny: Some media also have him on England's radar, which is likely to be the only job to prise him from NZ. Best chance of an All Black role might be as assistant with Deans, but it's not clear how that personality mix would work. Has very solid credentials and deserves close look from NZRU.

Steve Hansen (NZ): In the frame for: NZ & Wales. The skinny: World Cup failure may lower his stock a little, though still highly regarded, particularly as a "player's coach".

Jake White (SA): In the frame for: South Africa, England, Australia & Wales. The skinny: Man of the moment, likely to be top of everyone's hit-list, except for New Zealand.

Eddie Jones (Aus): In the frame for: England & Argentina. The skinny: Doesn't enjoy a fond relationship with O'Neill, so forget about a return to Australia. Also has a job with Saracens, so any chances will depend on fine print there.

Scott Johnson (Aus): In the frame for: Australia & Wales. The skinny: A character, and rated as an excellent skill coach. Doubts over whether he's head man material.

John Connolly (Aus): In the frame for: Wales. The skinny: Veteran operator who could be ideal to start the salvage job in principality.

Others in the mix: David Nucifora (Aus), Ian Foster (NZ), Dean Richards (Eng).