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Dick Marks produced his coaching manual in the late 60s or early 70s. It was the one that was in use when I obtained me Level 1 (which was then part of the Rothman's National Sport Coaching programme, but I digress). It served Australian rugby well in its time and its emphasis on catch, pass...

That was the area of the game in which he was very good as a player.

The NZRU would have a structure in place to ensure that all their young players have access to the best possible coaching and are thus prepared for whatever tournament in which they play, whether that be super rugby or U20 RWC. RA on the other hand have no such successful structure in place -...

The bigger question is why players who have been playing in a super rugby franchise don't have the requisite skills to be successful in a restricted age competition. Dare one suggest that they aren't learning the core skills as well as other countries. Further evidence of the abject...

Maybe his influence is already being felt?;)

Who considers him to be "one of ther foremost thinkers of the game?" By what criteria is this based? What evidence exists as to this conclusion? I recall him as a chubby 10 or 12 who had quite good ball skills. Playing career: 12 tests ( 7 starting and 5 from the bench) - scored 0...

That's before we even get to the massive conflict of interest in being employed by RA while at the same time being employed in the media to hold RA to account over their performance.

The most amusing thing today is the appearance of the ghost of Christmas past, aka JON talking of dysfunction. The same JON who instituted the top down model which is responsible for the current state of the game, including the dysfunction.

Talking as someone who's been a consistent Cheika supporter before he was even signed by the Waratahs, I'll make a couple of points: 1. He was appointed Wallaby coach before his time ( a point I made strongly at the time, so this is not some 20/20 hidsight revisionism). 2014 was the time to...

It's a bit of a odd discussion because, leaving out any issues of popularity and ability, the man is 73 years old and has serious back problems. He himself would acknowledge that every if the spirit was willing, his body wouldn't be able to stand it.

Of course the glaring problem we have is that RA are so dysfunctional and incompetent.

Clubs should affiliate directly to RA as the clubs in England do to the RFU. It gives the clubs a say in the running of the game (and the way England rugby is going at all levels, you'd have to say it's working). Using 19th century colonial borders to structure and administer a game which...

Success? (not that I'm advocating Jones - based on his age of 73, not on personal dislike or ability)

That's one year you're talking about - we haven't figured near the top for 8 years which is a little bit of a different situation. So, in the interests of fairness and having complete facts before us: 2008 - 1. NZ, 2. England, 3 SAF, 4. Wales 2009 - 1. NZ, 2. England, SAF, 4. Australia 2010...

You correctly recall the mediocre history of Kafer and Whitaker. Interesting that Kafer's name pops up as we learn that the prospective phone call is cancelled between Jake W and RA because of a leak. Hmm, Kafer clearing the path to appoint old mate Larkham?;) (the traditional ARU/RA...

Agree, RA should be starting the process of finding a coach for 2019 now - which is why they should have at the very least had a discussion with Jake White. I'm still baffled as to why a major sporting organisation would refuse to talk by telephone to a man who would be one of the people that...

I think that although he can be a polarising figure, you are correct in saying that he still has something to offer Australian rugby. However, he's in his mid 70s and I don't think he could realistically do the job beyond as a stop-gap role and possibly not even then. I'm not sure that he...

That was a prophetic comment. :)

Perfectly normal and proper for a professional coach to approach an organisation for possible future employment. RA just make themselves look more foolish than usual (and highly unprofessional) by cancelling the call and leaking it to their favoured journo.

The only people who would benefit from the leak are those who want Cheika to remain in place for whatever reason. EDIT: Or someone who would like to succeed Cheika, or someone who would like a mate of theirs to succeed Cheika. RK and SL?;)