Wallabies 2025

[TSR]

I don’t think it was actually chest puffing.

Phil Clinton reported that Kiss was already in extended discussions.

Tomkin commented to that and I responded - mostly tongue in cheek I will add. Maybe my comment comes across as chest puffing but it’s more just throwing out some pre-season chat.

 

[cyclopath]

Look what the east coast elitists did to the last reds coach to go on to the wallabies.

Not that we want to go down that wormhole again, but that is not really the full story of that part of Aus rugby history. Best left alone on these boards, I reckon.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Not that we want to go down that wormhole again,

 

[cyclopath]

Nice work, sir, with the tie-in to the Devil's anus - the mother of all wormholes.

 

[Major Tom]

I don't think any Queenslander is pushing for Larkham or McKellar either!

Tomikin is right that the backs at the Reds are their Achilles heel. If Hunter and Daungunu go down there is absolutely no size or punch in that back line left. Then again, that seems to be a problem across almost every Australian super side which carries over to the Wallabies.

I’d have Daungunu on the wing 1st and back up as centre 2nd. Hunter and Flook get it done on in the middle. Henry should hopefully be back, and Goldsbrough and Dre get minutes. I think there’s enough depth there. If the piggies secure quick enough ball like they did last year, and with the bolstered 2nd row, the reds will have very handy front foot ball. Backline just needs to finish the job and defend well.

 

[Adam84]

Look what the east coast elitists did to the last reds coach to go on to the wallabies.

 

[Derpus]

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Bloke in the armour would have to be @Braveheart81 wouldn't it?

 

[cyclopath]

View attachment 20966

Which bit of "We don't want to go down that wormhole again" was ambiguous?
FFS.

 

[Adam84]

Which bit of "We don't want to go down that wormhole again" was ambiguous?
FFS.

noted

 

[stillmissit]

Regardless of what comes next - the whole situation is still a reflection of the poor coaching pathways and lack of genuine standout Tier 1 coaches we have available when needed.

This is where our focus needs to be set. If Schmidt can lift the Wallabies, who can lift the coaches?

 

[TSR]

I assume that falls within Peter Horne’s remit at elite levels.

Looking at the 4 Super Rugby coaching groups I’d say the respective Super teams have done a good job this year of assembling strong coaching groups.

Establishing more high level opportunities for domestic coaches is probably one of the biggest challenges.

The pathway under Super level seems pretty tricky with the jump from Shute Shield/Hospital Cup being a similiar gulf for coaches as it is for players. In that sense I think it’s beneficial for Australian coaches to continue to get experience OS regardless of what pathways we set up here. For example I think it’s a real positive that Stephen Hoiles has gone OS.

I also worry that a group of the same names continue to circle around coaching appointments without necessarily demonstrating they are ready to move on. Someone like Nathan Grey for example. To me he has been around for a while - had experience at each level of fhe Australian system and the jury seems out as to whether he is effective. Maybe some tough decisions need to be made as to whether someone else should be given an opportunity in the spot he is currently filling. I dunno - I have no first hand knowledge of how good the guy is so maybe I’m off target - but I wonder if some of these guys have got themselves inside the system without the level of foundation work they should have.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Off topic a bit but in the context of coaching paths, has anyone seen who will be taking over from Grey at the U20s? Thought it was meant to be announced last year some time and a squad put together before Xmas.

 

[Yoda]

I assume that falls within Peter Horne’s remit at elite levels.

Looking at the 4 Super Rugby coaching groups I’d say the respective Super teams have done a good job this year of assembling strong coaching groups.

Establishing more high level opportunities for domestic coaches is probably one of the biggest challenges.

The pathway under Super level seems pretty tricky with the jump from Shute Shield/Hospital Cup being a similiar gulf for coaches as it is for players. In that sense I think it’s beneficial for Australian coaches to continue to get experience OS regardless of what pathways we set up here. For example I think it’s a real positive that Stephen Hoiles has gone OS.

I also worry that a group of the same names continue to circle around coaching appointments without necessarily demonstrating they are ready to move on. Someone like Nathan Grey for example. To me he has been around for a while - had experience at each level of fhe Australian system and the jury seems out as to whether he is effective. Maybe some tough decisions need to be made as to whether someone else should be given an opportunity in the spot he is currently filling. I dunno - I have no first hand knowledge of how good the guy is so maybe I’m off target - but I wonder if some of these guys have got themselves inside the system without the level of foundation work they should have.

Very good point TSR. I think you are right.

 

[Adam84]

Off topic a bit but in the context of coaching paths, has anyone seen who will be taking over from Grey at the U20s? Thought it was meant to be announced last year some time and a squad put together before Xmas.

Could do worse then Brad Thorn, he had strong success at an U20s level in QLD for Super Rugby U20s and whilst his attitude may have worn thin on some of the players as they got older, he resonated with the young guys from the age bracket. A lot of coaching IP went into him so would be good to see invested back into the players. He was coaching BBC 1st XV alongside Dan Leo last year, unsure if that's continuing into 2025.

 

[Derpus]

Could do worse then Brad Thorn, he had strong success at an U20s level in QLD for Super Rugby U20s and whilst his attitude may have worn thin on some of the players as they got older, he resonated with the young guys from the age bracket. A lot of coaching IP went into him so would be good to see invested back into the players. He was coaching BBC 1st XV alongside Dan Leo last year, unsure if that's continuing into 2025.

Yeah not sure why we aren't keeping Brad Thorn involved... He may not be the next Wallabies coach but he clearly has something to add.

 

[TSR]

Yeah not sure why we aren't keeping Brad Thorn involved... He may not be the next Wallabies coach but he clearly has something to add.

I think Brad said after he left the Reds he needed a break. I’m assuming his current abscence from higher level programs is at least partly self-imposed.

Having said that, whilst I can see Brad as a very good fit for one of our pathways positions if he has aspirations to coach at a higher level again I wonder if he is someone who would benefit from a stint in an OS coaching set up to broaden his coaching IP. Thorn is on record as saying he was unprepared when he started out as the Reds HC. It would be good to see him come back after broadening his experience a bit at a higher level.

On the other hand if he has no such aspirations then I think he would be a fantastic choice to be part of the pathways coaching set up if/when he is ready.

 

[Wilson]

I don't think there has been an official announcement, but Christy had Chris Whitaker getting the job late last year:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/11/22/exclusive-whitaker-edges-out-former-colleague-to-take-on-junior-wallabies-head-coaching-role/

It's not a bad appointment, but it's not a particularly inspiring one either. With the crop coming through there should be a pretty high performance expectation on him, Shannon Fraser and maybe Ben Mowen might be breathing down his neck for the job pretty soon. Possibly Jim Mckay and Zak Beer too, given their names have come up for recent roles, but I don't think they're in as strong a positon to press their case as the other two.

 

[TSR]

Chris Whittaker seems to me a very good example of someone in the system without any clear evidence of success. Maybe he is actually very good, but does he have any results to back up his selection?

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

I don't think there has been an official announcement, but Christy had Chris Whitaker getting the job late last year:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/11/22/exclusive-whitaker-edges-out-former-colleague-to-take-on-junior-wallabies-head-coaching-role/

It's not a bad appointment, but it's not a particularly inspiring one either. With the crop coming through there should be a pretty high performance expectation on him, Shannon Fraser and maybe Ben Mowen might be breathing down his neck for the job pretty soon. Possibly Jim Mckay and Zak Beer too, given their names have come up for recent roles, but I don't think they're in as strong a positon to press their case as the other two.

Brad thorn would be a great pick for that role