R
Red Rooster
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When was this job created? I note he is now doing a lot of the talking in the papers so are we seeing JON reponding to the pressure created by the Samoa result? I wonder if Deans asked for help?
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RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Actually, I recall Nucifora's increased, direct Wallabies role had its genesis in the 'in depth review' that was allegedly conducted by the ARU into Wallabies' coaching resources post the disappointing 2009 EOYT. This promised a full and open report at the time, but when early 2010 came around, the principal annoucement that came about was that Nucifora was to provide 'additional coaching support to the Wallabies' during 2010, period.
This was further enhanced when Graham departed for the Force in late 2010 (a highly unusual move in a pre-RWC year to give up a core member of a national coaching team, but, it happened that way), and Nucifora stepped in to become a core member of the national team but with an unclear title and role responsibility. I believe Nucifora coached the mid-week teams for the EOYT 2010 games. And just pre the 2010 EOYT, Blake (ex-league) was bought in as defence coach, and no one clearly seemed to take over from Graham as 'skills' and back line coach (if ever he was the latter, that was never quite clear).
I was then struck by how, at the beginning of this year's Test season, the official program for the Samoa match has RD as Head Coach, Nucifora as 'Coaching Co-ordinator' or some such, and Blake now assuming the mantle as 'Skills Coach', that title having morphed on from Defence Coach. There is no current evidence of any dedicated or clear back line or attack coach, and quite how Blake is qualified as a generalised union 'skills' coach (whatever that means, and I never fully understood what it meant with Graham in the role) with a league background, I know not.
No doubt there will be some who see genius and hidden depths in the current Wallabies' coaching structure. I see odd and unclear roles, and major unexplained specialist gaps in, for example, attack and backs. Until we see sustained and consistent results for the Wallabies over at least an annual period and against the top teams, I will continue to argue that RD's greatest deficiency is not within his own personal knowledge base, but in fact lies in a confused, or second-rate, or 'missing in parts' group of specialist support coaches that, in role terms, are crucial to success in the modern game (a la Henry's coaching team, a la Link's Reds team), but where, in the case of the 2009-10 Wallabies, are under strength and have badly under-performed (and perhaps too inclined to tell RD what he wants to hear, not what he needs to hear).
R
Red Rooster
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RedsHappy
It would be fair to sya that Nucifora then has been bought in to keep an eye on what Deans is doing and I doubt it was Dean's idea. So how well is the coach going if his employer is adding people to watch over him? The other problem I have is that Nucifora is employed as the high performance Manager and while the Wallabies are important who is managing the rest of the job and providing leadership for Academies (new structure atm), Sevens (olympic sport now) CBA negotiations. remmeber he also went away with the u20's for 5 weeks so it would seem he is trying to do more coaching (which will make his cv look better by the way for later) and less of the job he is employed to do.
It would be fair to sya that Nucifora then has been bought in to keep an eye on what Deans is doing and I doubt it was Dean's idea. So how well is the coach going if his employer is adding people to watch over him? The other problem I have is that Nucifora is employed as the high performance Manager and while the Wallabies are important who is managing the rest of the job and providing leadership for Academies (new structure atm), Sevens (olympic sport now) CBA negotiations. remmeber he also went away with the u20's for 5 weeks so it would seem he is trying to do more coaching (which will make his cv look better by the way for later) and less of the job he is employed to do.
EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7
Syd Malcolm (24)
It's why Giteau isn't getting a run.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
just want to throw it out there, Nuci wanted the wallaby job, he didnt get it, Nuci was then given the High performance job which included him leading a full review on the wallaby coaching structure, the review ended and Nuci ended up being appointed into that coaching structure. If deans is leaving when his contract finishes in 2 years, look for a memo saying that David will be appointed wallabies coach to minimise the transition and keep the wallabies on the same course.
Power is a wonderful thing for the ambitious.
Power is a wonderful thing for the ambitious.
R
Red Rooster
Guest
Not just a pretty face WJ - I reckon you are onto something
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
U jest, but heed my warning youngling.........
(germans and inside the statue of liberty)
W
What2040
Guest
WJ - H. Holt in China (by submarine) is that right
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Indeed RR, it's another impenetrable mystery of the whole current Wallaby coaching set-up how Nucifora combines many of the tasks and distractions above with being, as of now, a core member of the Wallaby coaching team in a RWC year.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
chinas right, but he actually got there by flounder.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
WJ, I agree with Mr R Rooster, I think you are onto an element of truth in all this. And WTF is this title Nucifora now has with the Wallabies - 'Coaching Co-ordinator'. What can that mean, and why would a 'co-ordinator' type of coaching role be needed when that is manifestly the head coach's job? "Q: Well Mr Nucifora, you have coached the Brumbies and the Blues, so what is your role now with the Wallabies? A: Well, I co-ordinate all coaching matters, my responsibility is co-ordination, and I co-ordinate the coaching rather well, even if I do say so myself, and this co-ordination is most important to our results."
And today, I look and find on the ARU website that under Wallabies - Coaching Staff, only 2 persons are even named and listed there with photos and notes - RD and Jim Williams - where have the others disappeared to?: http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/TheTeam/CoachingStaff.aspx . Perhaps their appointments have been made subject to Eden Park, and they will reappear only with a win there
Happy
Alex Ross (28)
That actually makes sense to me. Otherwise, what is this "Coaching Coordinator" role about? I don't usually listen to conspiracy theories, but this one might have legs.
R
Red Rooster
Guest
WJ, I agree with Mr R Rooster, I think you are onto an element of truth in all this. And WTF is this title Nucifora now has with the Wallabies - 'Coaching Co-ordinator'. What can that mean, and why would a 'co-ordinator' type of coaching role be needed when that is manifestly the head coach's job? "Q: Well Mr Nucifora, you have coached the Brumbies and the Blues, so what is your role now with the Wallabies? A: Well, I co-ordinate all coaching matters, my responsibility is co-ordination, and I co-ordinate the coaching rather well, even if I do say so myself, and this co-ordination is most important to our results."
And today, I look and find on the ARU website that under Wallabies - Coaching Staff, only 2 persons are even named and listed there with photos and notes - RD and Jim Williams - where have the others disappeared to?: http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/TheTeam/CoachingStaff.aspx . Perhaps their appointments have been made subject to Eden Park, and they will reappear only with a win there
So I asked around and heard Nucifora was coaching the breakdown on the GC the other day, Williams the lineout, Noriega the Scrum, Blake defence skill drills and the kicking I guess is still being done by Braam via video. That leaves Deans to Coach attack, backs I suppose - 5 coaches with the team full time plus Braam. It certainly has grown by stealth and must be costly to cart this bunch around
grievous
Johnnie Wallace (23)
who is doing a good job? Seem to be underachieving these days
MrTimms
Ken Catchpole (46)
Just had a bit of a chat with someone who knows a bit about what is going on there and that sounds about right.
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