Waratahs 2013

[Hugh Jarse]

IS,

The Lords of Darkness (AKA the NZRFU) appointed Dingo Deans to the Wobs Head Coach. Not sure that I would trust them with the Tahs Head Coach position.

 

[waratahjesus]

Is Kearns an independent commentator?
Is he an ex waratahs & wallaby player who provides "color" commentary?
Is Marto an independent commentator?
Is Marto an ex reds & wallaby player who provides "color" commentary?
Etc etc.
There independence is non existent even without being consulted.

How is there any relation to cash for comment? What profit does Kearns get from his opinion? Are there loads of Gaffney fans sending him dollars in the post? Advertisers lining up to sponsor him cos they agree with his stance?

As I said, to prove a conflict of interest you would have to prove that his position on the rugby club unfairly influences the process. As there is no actual proof of Kearns involvment beyond spiro throwing his name out there,I fail to see how he has done anything wrong at all.

That said, a couple of months ago Kearns did sit on the rugby club and say he believed Foley was the right man for the job and should continue next year, so clearly his great influence and politicking is at levels of untold powers.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

As I said, to prove a conflict of interest you would have to prove that his position on the rugby club unfairly influences the process. As there is no actual proof of Kearns involvment beyond spiro throwing his name out there,I fail to see how he has done anything wrong at all.

I guess it depends whether you want your information straight or with a twist of lemon. Shaken or stirred.
The tahs need probing analysis by a media with no direct involvement in procuring outcomes.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TOCC]

No coach comes without 'political baggage'...

What the Waratahs need is a CEO unchallenged in his position with a strong willed coach free to make his own destiny.

A good relationship between the main players(coach-ceo) at the organization lays the foundation of trust and longevity in knowing his tenure is secure... A few things no Tahs coach has being befit of having the last few years.

 

[waratahjesus]

The tahs need probing analysis by a media with no direct involvement in procuring outcomes.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I agree with you. Now ask the question is Phil Kearns in his role as a color commentator on fox sports part of the media that provides probing analysis or is he payed to give sound bites and opinion?

The media you talk of is in the papers. Fox sports job is to sell the game to the broadest audience therefore opening possibility for them to increase revenue. Phil Kearns is not a probing journalist. He is not sold as one and nor does he pretend to be one.

 

[waratahjesus]

And the Waratahs continued to be the masters of the secrecy act yesterday by sending out a press release which said a rugby sub-committee had been appointed to oversee the head-coach appointment process. The only problem is, that they don't tell us who is actually on the sub-committee

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ow-its-done-20120804-23m5t.html#ixzz22adwLfLM


So is Kearns actually on said sub committee or was spiro only referring to him being used as a consultant earlier in the season?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Rather rely on Grumbles Gossip the actual Press Release from Tahs is here:
http://www.nswrugby.com.au/NSWRugby/News/NewsArticle/tabid/374/ArticleID/7330/Default.aspx

Al Baxter appointed acting Chairman
4/08/2012
By HSBC Waratahs Media Unit
Led by acting Chairman Al Baxter, the Waratahs Rugby Board has started the process of appointing a new head coach, appointing a rugby sub-committee to oversee the process.

“Whilst we welcome and value the views of our stakeholders including NSWRU, the Waratahs Rugby players and staff, ultimately the Board will make the decision, based on the recommendations of the rugby sub-committee,” said Baxter, who is also part of the sub-committee.

Baxter added that no timeframe will be put on the appointment. “Our priority is the long term interests of our members and fans and in ensuring that we appoint the most suitably qualified candidate for the role.”

Until a new head coach is appointed, the Board has installed Alan Gaffney as interim coach to run the rugby program. To protect their confidentiality, the details of potential candidates will not be released.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Rather rely on Grumbles Gossip the actual Press Release from Tahs is here:
http://www.nswrugby.com.au/NSWRugby/News/NewsArticle/tabid/374/ArticleID/7330/Default.aspx

Al Baxter appointed acting Chairman
4/08/2012
By HSBC Waratahs Media Unit
Led by acting Chairman Al Baxter, the Waratahs Rugby Board has started the process of appointing a new head coach, appointing a rugby sub-committee to oversee the process.

“Whilst we welcome and value the views of our stakeholders including NSWRU, the Waratahs Rugby players and staff, ultimately the Board will make the decision, based on the recommendations of the rugby sub-committee,” said Baxter, who is also part of the sub-committee.

Baxter added that no timeframe will be put on the appointment. “Our priority is the long term interests of our members and fans and in ensuring that we appoint the most suitably qualified candidate for the role.”

Until a new head coach is appointed, the Board has installed Alan Gaffney as interim coach to run the rugby program. To protect their confidentiality, the details of potential candidates will not be released.

I have a lot of man love for Al Baxter but this is a ridiculous appointment.
Firstly the guy has not been long enough out of the game for him to be clear of the wreckage. He will have friends and maybe non-friends in the squad and elsewhere in what might be called the organization.
Secondly, he is really a bit young to be acting chairman of a company of such significance: for gods sake his working life has been as a rugby player he has never had to negotiate or plan a season or a 5 year plan. Has he ever seen a budget, a set of accounts etc? I know he's a uni graduate: but that's in architecture as I understand it.
While I realise it is an interim appointment it sends a disturbing hint that there is just no judgment being exercised in Tahland.
I could see Al as the CEO with a good experienced board helping him learn on the job but this is a different role.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Sully]

I can't see any problem with the guys on the rugby club consulting. I certainly wouldn't call them journalists let alone hard hitting ones.
have you guys ever read what you've posted and thought 'I may have been a bit negative there'? Just saying.
Sent using Tapatalk

 

[Gnostic]

WJ - I think we have been over this before, with regard to the individuals I named previously.

There is a clear conflict of interest when somebody is paid to make comment, pure opinion or as a true Journalist, which these individuals are not, and to then provide consulting services to Professional Rugby bodies.

The conflict arises at both sides of their employment, somebody is going to be short changed. Foxsports may not get forthright comment from those individuals they are paying for as they use that position to push the advice they have provided under consulting role. On top of that the uninformed fan will look at these commentators and hear their statements without knowledge of the qualifying information that could read, "Oh yeah , I also selected this bloke as the coach by the way."

I find it amazing that two years ago I started writing about the structural and cultural issues surrounding the Tahs, now after we have seen such clear evidence of the issues, and largely general agreement of the existence of them, we can still get people arguing over such basic points of ethics. Indeed so many here derided me for my scathing comments about the whole Captaincy issue at the start of the year. The issue is made worse when the public sees an organisation that has engaged in questionable behaviour, shrouded in secrecy, tainted by continued leaking of information and politicking, continue said behaviour even on a minor level.

How will such ethical issues sit with the Tahs sponsors. I am sure they would like to see open transparent practices and behaviour.

Finally, and from another point of view, the fact that so many of the consultants discussed and obviously the "review" that was conducted by the board supported Foley to remain in his position after the shocking results this year and the major structural issues surrounding issues like the Captaincy prove their worth to me as "consultants".

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Sounds very Masonic doesn't it.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Sounds very Masonic doesn't it.

no one who knows is allowed to comment....Yossarian for chariman

 

[I like to watch]

The Waratahs had a winning percentage of 25%
They had a coach who asked for a demotion next year,because even he couldn't believe anyone would tolerate such a performance.
They conducted an end of season review (before the end of the season)
and decided that retaining the coach was their best option for next year.
They couldn't retain a coach with a 25% winning record!
They appoint an acting chairman, who has 12 months full time work experience.
A member of the panel to select the new coach is championing one applicant as the best option only 48 hours after Foley resigned.Who is the applicant? His former club and state coach, who happens to part of the existing failed coaching staff.
How could you find a positive in any of that?

 

[Slim 293]

Don't forget the playing group want to have input into the selection of the coach, because player input has been a roaring success at the Tahs this year.......

 

[waratahjesus]

Gnostic - when Kearns and Kafe spoke of their consulting roles earlier this year, it amassed to two meetings. Just two. Not week to week or in depth but rather an organisation getting opinion from ex players and rugby commentators. I am still not sure what influence these two meetings are meant to have had that could cause the structure of the Tahs organisation to hinge on what is said during an episode of the rugby club.

There is further more no proof that Kearns or anyone else was payed for this opinion, had an official title or were alone in their roles.

I again ask what conflict arises. If Kearns is asked to sit on a committee to select a new coach (again a point being argued based on Spiro speculation with zero proof) he sits round a table is asked his opinion ad says Gaffney, how is Gaffney more likely to get the job because he has also stated this on a tv show that draws ratings low enough for channel ten to no longer run it during breakfast? Is the general public now so swept up in Kearns opinion that they will march on the Tahs head office if Gaffney isn't oppointed?

Do you honestly think HSBC has major concerns over the issue of ethics of Kearns opinion? Or do you think they are looking at pie charts of exposure and revenue flow to justify sponsorship against brand perception?

 

[Badger]

Have the non Wallaby Tahs started any training for 2013 yet? Jake White mentioned on The Clubhouse last week that the Brumbies were working on some training now. Considering the the fitness of the Tahs this year, I would have thought someone at the Tahs would take a leaf out of the Brumbies book and get the players on to it ASAP.

Agree with the comments about Al Baxter. Nice guy, highly intelligent as well by most accounts. However, acting as interim chairman while the search for a new head coach is on is a stretch. Taking into account Al's comments about having no timeframe set to appoint a coach, I reckon they won't get someone to start before the end of August. So September/October at best? It seems 2013 could be a wipeout before it starts as most of the other teams would have their plans for 2013 at an advanced stage so the Tahs are already behind. Having Riff in as interim coach means they are just jogging on the spot. It would surprise if they appoint a stop gap coach for 2013, before appointing someone for a longer period in 2014. One thing I hope they don't do is try to entice a candidate to walk out on an existing contract.

Why is the acting chairman also on the sub committee to select the new coach? Who else in this sub committee?

If the Tahs are the team identified as rorting the salary cap, is this then the get out clause for the NSWRU to terminate the licensing agreement with Waratahs Rugby Ltd?

So many questions. So many no comments. Either the Tahs HQ don't want to tell, or worse still, they have no idea themselves.

 

[I like to watch]

I again ask what conflict arises. If Kearns is asked to sit on a committee to select a new coach (again a point being argued based on Spiro speculation with zero proof) he sits round a table is asked his opinion ad says Gaffney, how is Gaffney more likely to get the job because he has also stated this on a tv show that draws ratings low enough for channel ten to no longer run it during breakfast? Is the general public now so swept up in Kearns opinion that they will march on the Tahs head office if Gaffney isn't oppointed?

He is more likely to get the job because at least 1 member of the panel that selects the coach, is saying on TV that he has already made up his mind who should get the job, before he even know who else will apply!
He has to be removed from the panel immediately.

 

[en_force_er]

At this stage of the season the 2 important things for the Tahs are recruitment and injury management.

They have the strength and conditioning staff but not the coach to execute his recruitment vision. So, it's not all good but not all bad either.

I don't think things are anywhere near as bad as people think they are.

NOTE: Not saying they're good either.

 

[en_force_er]

He is more likely to get the job because at least 1 member of the panel that selects the coach, is saying on TV that he has already made up his mind who should get the job, before he even know who else will apply!
He has to be removed from the panel immediately.

I'm sure every other member of the panel has at least partly made up their mind too.

How often does anyone go into an election willing to be swayed? I mean those people exist, but they aren't a majority.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

There is further more no proof that Kearns or anyone else was payed for this opinion, had an official title or were alone in their roles.

Unpaid opinions are usually worth about what you pay for them.
Whether they are paid or not is not what gives rise to the conflict of interest.

Apparently we should expect the shit to hit the fan this week over salary cap breaches.