John Mitchell

[Biffo]

What's he done?

 

[Turban]

Dunno, sounds bad. Better make a few phone calls.

http://www.rugbywa.com.au/news/2008/ewf_news/december/081224_mitchell_clarification,54771.html/section/50753

 

[Turban]

Called a mate who's kinda in the know about it, he reckons it's a continuation of the problems between Mitchell and the players which has now caused a huge rift. Nothing yet on what exactly prompted them to call in the QC (Quade Cooper) thou. Can't find anything else out till next year I don't reckon.

 

[Biffo]

Thanks. Interesting reference to differences between Mitchell and the "coaching staff". Who are the assistants and helpers?

Agree that is doesn't look good.

Love to get a copy of the judges's TOR

 

[RugbyReg]

Fark. They couldn't lose both Mitchell and Giteau could they?

 

[Turban]

Fark. They couldn't lose both Mitchell and Giteau could they?

If you belive the rumours one of them leaving would greatly increase our chances of retaining the other.

 

[Lee Grant]

This Mitchell saga smacks of the Nucifora saga at the Brumbies.

It may be that he and Nuci are/were dud coaches including not man-managing well; it may be that the Force and Brumbies players are/were too soft; or it may be something else that makes the coach, coaching staff and players not jell together - or a combination of factors.

It doesn't matter. Ideally Mitch should move on, even if it's not his fault. This may not be practicable because the Force will have to pay him out and they won't have the dosh.

Still, the Brumbies won the Super12 under such circumstances and perhaps the Force can do well despite the difficult situation.

 

[RugbyReg]

Turban so its not the money thing for Gits? Then I agree with Lee. Mitch needs to walk. The 4s can't afford to lose Gits, Drew and maybe Shep and JOC (James O'Connor).

 

[Aussie D]

I thought the most interesting bit in the article was:

Whilst Mr Anderson is undertaking his inquiries, Mr Mitchell will remain the Head Coach of the Emirates Western Force but some restrictions have been placed on his activities as Head Coach in the short term. These will not interfere with the Club's preparation for the 2009 Super 14 season.

Any ideas to what the restrictions might be?

Also, could his support problems be similar to the perceived problems of Eddie Jones in that he is too much of a control freak who won't let them do their jobs.

 

[Turban]

Turban so its not the money thing for Gits? Then I agree with Lee. Mitch needs to walk. The 4s can't afford to lose Gits, Drew and maybe Shep and JOC (James O'Connor).

I'm sure he's not happy about the money either but he was also included with Drew as discontent Force players who may have issues with the coaching. It's been a rumour for most of the year but I'm sure I saw it in an article at some point too.

If Mitchell goes who would replace him? That would be a big factor in any of the off contract players staying or going.

 

[Biffo]

If Mitchell goes who would replace him?

Eddie Jones - a shoo-in.

 

[brokendown gunfighter]

there are issues with the assistant coaches & Mitchell
there are issues with some senior players & Mitchell

The rumour is that Mitchell doesnt value input from either


something is rotten in the state of Denmark




ps Merry Christmas

 

[Blue]

there are issues with the assistant coaches & Mitchell
there are issues with some senior players & Mitchell

The rumour is that Mitchell doesnt value input from either


something is rotten in the state of Denmark




ps Merry Christmas

If you read Anton Oliver's book it is quite easy to see why people will develop a problem with Mitchell. He rules by divide and conquer and will listen to nobody. At least that was Oliver's version of the story.

 

[Lee Grant]

Good point Blue.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

This really does smack of Nucifora gate.
I personally feel Nuc and Mitchell are coaches par excellence. I wonder how and when someone gave the players the wherewithall to question and undermine the coaches.
It seems these days that whenever a player feels the coach isn't doing his job or has an unterior motive, the player's opinion and background count for more than that of the poor old coach.
Nucifora was crucified by a players bloc and I feel he has been vindicated. While he didn't personally supervise the S12 win he had already set the platform at the Brumbies for fast Eddie to capitalise.
Mitchell it appears is having the same problem.
I for one feel any dosconetent must be stemming from Gits being held to his agreement with the Force and now strategies are bieing played to subvert that chain of command to eventually provide a way out for Gits to leave.
Would this happen in the military. I think not.
Let Giteau go to Europe, ban him from wearing the Green and Gold for 3 years and let Mitchell complete his task in the way he does best.
Giteau is being a spoiled brat. There is no room for a player who sees himself bigger than the game itself. If it means a hiccup in the national cohesion, so be it - discipline and respect must be maintained.

 

[Aussie D]

This really does smack of Nucifora gate.
I personally feel Nuc and Mitchell are coaches par excellence. I wonder how and when someone gave the players the wherewithall to question and undermine the coaches.
It seems these days that whenever a player feels the coach isn't doing his job or has an unterior motive, the player's opinion and background count for more than that of the poor old coach.
Nucifora was crucified by a players bloc and I feel he has been vindicated. While he didn't personally supervise the S12 win he had already set the platform at the Brumbies for fast Eddie to capitalise.
Mitchell it appears is having the same problem.
I for one feel any dosconetent must be stemming from Gits being held to his agreement with the Force and now strategies are bieing played to subvert that chain of command to eventually provide a way out for Gits to leave.
Would this happen in the military. I think not.
Let Giteau go to Europe, ban him from wearing the Green and Gold for 3 years and let Mitchell complete his task in the way he does best.
Giteau is being a spoiled brat. There is no room for a player who sees himself bigger than the game itself. If it means a hiccup in the national cohesion, so be it - discipline and respect must be maintained.

Nuci joined the Brumbies after Eddie Jones.

Agree with you about Gitteau or any other player who wants who tries to destabilise a team to get out of a contract.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Nuci joined the Brumbies after Eddie Jones.
Agree with you about Gitteau or any other player who wants who tries to destabilise a team to get out of a contract.
[/quote]

Yeah, realise my gaffe, my bad. Twas written after a goodly christmas lunch with a healthy dose of cheer.

 

[Spook]

Nucifora was despised at the Blues and he underachieved with a good side. I don't have any sympathy for Mitchell. His players were out of control last year. Quokas, Henjak etc.

Giteau was lured to the West on false grounds. He didn't get the money he was promised. Now he wants out. This seems like a perfectly reasonable and rational business decision by a professional sportsman. I think you'll find Giteau is disciplined and respectful. If you have proof otherwise, please share or post me a link to the articles which show poor off-field behaviour, etc.

 

[Biffo]

Nucifora was despised at the Blues and he underachieved with a good side. I don't have any sympathy for Mitchell. His players were out of control last year. Quokas, Henjak etc.

Giteau was lured to the West on false grounds. He didn't get the money he was promised. Now he wants out. This seems like a perfectly reasonable and rational business decision by a professional sportsman. I think you'll find Giteau is disciplined and respectful. If you have proof otherwise, please share or post me a link to the articles which show poor off-field behaviour, etc.

Can not agree with a single proposition in your post, which smacks of turning the management of the zoo over to the monkeys.

Mitchell didn't toss a quokka. Mitchell didn't king hit a teammate in a bar. Players did that. Giving players with a dreadful record of indiscipline the right to fire (and hire?) the coach can have only one outcome.

Nucifora at Auckland is irrelevant. Insular small-island mentality mighty All Black types are never going to accept that someone from Australia knows anything about rugby - or, for that matter, about anything.

I understand that the Brumbies' Gang of Four (or was it really Six, with two silent members?) had two quarrels with Nucifora and that neither concerned his coaching abilities or performance - they were related solely to power-grabbing and protection of the interests of some players.

Giteau might feel that his contract has not been honoured and may believe the Force is to blame. He would be wrong to feel such. The third party deal was just that - a third party deal. Giteau's quarrel on that deal not being honoured is with Power-Whatever, not with the Force.

We shall be hearing and reading much more of such shenanigans in the future. Suppose George Smith decided that the way to get out of his contract with the Brumbies to join a French club - and if Giteau is worth $10 million, Smith is worth a massive sum. Hypothetically, agents (a gang of 3-5 "senior" players) of Smith stir it up to where the Brumbies' choice is Smith goes or Friend goes. What would you do, mate, as CEO?

 

[Donsteppa]

Mitchell is an interesting character. A few years ago when he was coach of the Waikato NPC side I got to attend a pre-match function including a talk from Mitchell prior to the Chiefs playing the Cats. While Mitchell was just an interested observer in the game rather than the coach, he wrote the South African side off so decisively and so scathingly that I nearly laughed a couple of times having initally mistaken his comments as tounge-in-cheek, but he was entirely serious. The Chiefs then went on to barely scrape a 2-3 point win, despite the prior preditions of an inept Cats side that could barely string three passes together.

It seems once Mitchell forms a view on something it is a very strong view, and it takes a lot to shake it. That may be quite good depending on the situation, but I imagine it could lead to some internal conflict from time to time.