Wednesday’s top rugby news has more coaching news of both the Wallabies and Rebels variety, as well as the latest on the rumours of Benji Marshall heading to the Waratahs.
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Link on Quade and JOC
In the flurry of media that followed his unveiling as Wallabies coach, Ewen McKenzie opened up about two of the most contentious players in our code – James O’Connor and Quade Cooper. Many believe Cooper is a certainty for the no. 10 jersey the next time the Wallabies run out and McKenzie did nothing to play down that possibility, while trying to be as diplomatic as possible. “Quade is ready to play Test rugby again” the new coach said, whilst stressing that he hasn’t “made any calls yet and I don’t have a closed mind.”
McKenzie also shared his thoughts about O’Connor’s ongoing disciplinary issues. He stressed he has yet to have a proper discussion with the troublesome player, something he is keen to do, but also had the ominous warning that “if you can’t change behaviours, you change the people.”
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Hill blames Beale for sacking
The other coaching news announced over the last couple of days which has been drowned out a little by the change at the helm of the Wallabies, is announcement that Tony McGahan will be taking over from Damien Hill at the Rebels. Hill was not shy in pinpointing the reason yesterday, describing Kurtley Beale’s conduct in South Africa where he was involved in a physical altercation with teammates as a “major factor” behind his fate. Hill is clearly disappointed by what took place on the South African tour, but is also accepting of the fact that someone needs to be held accountable for the off-field conduct of players. “In sport, that is the head coach” Hill said.
Hill will coach the Rebels for the final time this weekend. Beale will not be there though as he continues his off-field program in Sydney.
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White disappointed to miss out
Alongside Ewen McKenzie, current Brumbies coach Jake White was considered a real chance of securing the Wallabies job. The World Cup-winning coach was approached by the ARU in regards to the job, but was overlooked in favour of McKenzie.
Invoking the recent replacement of Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur with Boof Lehmann, White thinks he knows the reason he was overlooked. When pressed on whether he thought there was a perception Aussie coaches were currently being preferred to foreign ones, White stated “It’s not a perception. It’s a fact … They’ve tried foreigners and I appreciate that. That doesn’t mean that I have to agree or disagree with it.” White was exceedingly honest about his thoughts on the situation yesterday, but was also gracious in his praise of McKenzie, lauding his coaching record and wishing him all the best in his new job.
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Benji probably not a Tah
Earlier this week, there was a major rumour doing the rounds that Wests Tigers’ five-eighth Benji Marshall was on his way to the Waratahs. While contracted to the League club for another couple of years, Marshall has been vocal about his disappointment at not being offered a further extension.
It has now been revealed the Tahs did indeed speak to the New Zealand international, but it looks doubtful he will be on his way to the Tahs. The main issue is money – with NSW on the verge of re-signing Israel Folau and still hopeful of securing Kurtley Beale, there is not too much to go around. This is complicated by the fact that it is doubtful Marshall, a proud Kiwi, would declare himself eligible for the Wallabies, which would rule out any additional ARU top up. How do you guys think Benji would handle the fifteen man code?
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