Who should be the next ARU CEO?

[Ruggo]

Are we blamming Deans for this selection?

This selection doesn't fill me with confidence but in fairness we should wait and see how he goes first. First thing I will judge him on will be if he can not be a mouth piece for Rugby's traditional niche and work to expand the code across a broader social spectrum. Not looking to steal it but just share it among the wider masses. I want the Wallaby jersey to be cherished as winters version of the baggy green. Not a symbol of rugby itself but that of the nation.

 

[Jets]

I blame Robbie for everything.

I watched the 7:30 Report and wasn't convinced. I don't think he gave great answers but as I said before its the answers he's giving in 6-12 months that I'll be more interested in.

 

[fatprop]

Again, why is anyone surprised with the support of Deans.

The board had already provided that support.

No CEO on his first day gets to not push the party line

 

[Quick Hands]

Normally in professional sport, unequivocal support from management means that the coach in question should be sounding out potential employers. We shall see.

I must say, I don't know Mr Pulver, he seems a decent enough bloke, knows how to run an organisation and has significant rugby knowledge. The reservation that I have is that he is from a GPS and north shore background. These are rugby strongholds and a big perception in the rest of Sydney is that rugby is an elitist game, played in private schools and in the northern and eastern suburbs and inner city. This is a big problem for rugby and needs to be addressed.

To give an example Manly JRU, despite a small geographic area and small population have 5 village clubs, the 3 bigger ones running 4 teams in the younger age groups, while the Penrith JRU have 3 junior clubs in an area covering most of western Sydney from the Hawkesbury Valley to the Blue Mountains. You're never going to make a mark in western Sydney unless there are village clubs all over the place. This will need to be supported by the ARU and won't be cheap.

 

[Brumby Jack]

For those who didn't see the 7:30 interview with Pulver.

 

[RedsHappy]

I don't read too much into the Deans thing. Plenty of coaches have recieved hearty guarantees and endorsements from CEOs/Chairmen in the history of sport, and plenty of those coaches have been turfed just weeks later.

Unfortunately your reassurance as above is not proven by the ARU's particular conduct in this area. Perhaps they seek pride in being the exception that proves your rule.

Rather the opposite is the post 2007 ARU rule re Wallabies coach - a relatively mild gesture of support for the national coach is often predictably succeeded by the generous outcome of multiple extensions of time to prove results, lowered KPIs to lower expectations without censure, updated excuses for ordinary performance, and fresh commitments of support from various ARU board members.

Hence my - and others - grave fears when we have a brand new ARU CEO offering effusive support for Deans to have his whole 2013 in place, come what may. On past form, this will mean that 2013 can deliver another pile of disillusioning mediocrities, and in late 2013, Robbie will be enthusiastically endorsed for RWC 2015, as he desires.

 

[Badger]

From the ABC interview, Mr Pulver thinks there are many passionate rugby fans who are delighted with how the game is going at the moment. Really? Where are they?

Pissed off, frustrated, disillusioned? Yes, know plenty of those. Delighted? None.

Any word on the length of his contract?

 

[I like to watch]

For those who didn't see the 7:30 interview with Pulver.

Checkout his forehead.It's Botox Bill
And the same barber as JON.

 

[Slim 293]

And the same barber as JON.

Ha!

With that play symbol covering his face it nearly looks like JON.........

 

[Lior]

Thought I would give him a chance but I would have thought the ARU would have gone for someone with a bit of political clout to reap some of the governmental benefits. Pulver has barely any connections in that area and neither does Hawker it seems as if they are clones of each other. He seems just like JON which isn't a bad thing but JON lost his way in his second term with his wacky and short sighted Deans man love it appears Hawker has the same problems. Pulver's a great PR man we all know that but either he's heavy on the PR basically saying there isn't a problem or he's been bored by the Wallabies attacking play that he actually fell asleep and remained asleep for the waves of discontent which have flooded Australian rugby.

Really smells of jobs for the mates here. A successful Sporting CEO with strong government ties was the way to go I think. Appears that Hawker shown once again to be divorced from reality.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

I don't read too much into the Deans thing. Plenty of coaches have recieved hearty guarantees and endorsements from CEOs/Chairmen in the history of sport, and plenty of those coaches have been turfed just weeks later.

I agree: he has to settle in himself and gauge the lay of the land. He could hardly be seen undermining the chairman on day 1 - much as we here might enjoy and endorse it.
I cant see Hawker putting up with drivel from the Wobbs - and he has has the personality to carry the board I expect - there is a question as to whether we (me included) were not expecting too much of them in 2012 all things considered.
A good sign, however, (perhaps something of a backdown from 7:30 report - which I have not seen) is here:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/deans-must-reapply-says-pulver-20130109-2cgva.htmls
I guess anyone who attended a Sydney GPS school and plays golf would be a good shot at the job

 

[fatprop]

I am pretty sure Scotch College, Melbourne will be deemed acceptable as well

 

[emuarse]

Yes, and a totally fucking stupid, unnecessary and reckless commitment - Deans for all of 2013 - to make in January 2013.

Blind Freddy can see that, short of 3 totally dominant Wallaby, big wins over the Lions, it would make huge sense to review the national coach's position in July 2013 (just as the position should have been reviewed in November 2011) after then 5.5 years in the job, and the longest serving ever.

So now we have it that _whatever_ the calibre of Deans' Wallabies performances in the Lions and the 2013 BC, TRC and EOYT, a potentially new coach will not have control of the national side until c. June 2014, and then through to the RWC 2015, a game span of 15 months only, just as Connolly had for 2006-7 and which even ardent Connolly detractors admitted was too short a window for a pre-RWC coaching appointment if we were to maximise our chances in a WC.

And Pulver was jumping in saying what a wise move it was, wholly supported by him, to unambiguously endorse Deans for all of a 6th year. He had absolutely no need to be so effusive and unqualified at this juncture. Surely he should be bringing a spirit of at least some judgemental independence from the ARU board.

It was the touching display of a no doubt happy and mate-infused history as displayed in the 9th photo down, left side, within this link, taken on the very day before JO'N resigned in 2012, that grew my concerns that this heavily-status quo-networked appointment could condemn us all to more of the same, and the appalling judgements (or lack thereof) applied to our code's strategic development since 2003.

http://www.shoreoldboys.org.au/obu-news-events/2012-events/2012-sydney-sports-day

I don't think a contract has been put on the table yet for Deans beyond the Lions series.
I'm curious as to what Pulver was thinking when he said that - It wasn't necessary to make a commitment (all be it only a verbal one) straight up front. It's like showing your hand when you don't need to.
If this is the caliber of the new CEO, then I foresee problems. But early days.

 

[Scott Allen]

Robbie's contract was always through until the end of 2013, not until the end of the Lions series.

Pulver's comments in the article referenced by IS in post 251 above seem appropriate to me. No CEO would make an announcement three weeks before he starts a job that he intends to look at terminating a contract that is already in place.

 

[emuarse]

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald titled "Deans must reapply, says Pulver" updates the Deans situation:

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/deans-must-reapply-says-pulver-20130109-2cgva.html

Pulver indeed appears to be media savvy.

 

[Lindommer]

I'm pretty sure Scotch College, Melbourne will be deemed acceptable as well.

fp, Link's Scotch background pales in comparison when examining his success coaching the Reds.

Rugby desperately needs to engage a whole new group of people (those who currently don't play rugby) as well as put a flag in the fertile ground of western Sydney. I sincerely hope a private schoolboy, who's spent most of the past two decades overseas before settling back into the familiar surrounds of Sydney's North Shore, with an elite business background is up to the task. I really do, and I look forward to meeting Bill at my local rugby ground at Penrith.

 

[rugbyisfun]

fp, Link's Scotch background pales into comparison when examining his success coaching the Reds.

Rugby desperately needs to engage a whole new group of people (those who currently don't play rugby) as well as put a flag in the fertile ground of western Sydney. I sincerely hope a private schoolboy, who's spent most of the past two decades overseas before settling back into the familiar surrounds of Sydney's North Shore, with an elite business background is up to the task. I really do, and I look forward to meeting Bill at my local rugby ground at Penrith.

Don't hold your breath. I like the idea though. A true measure of any rugby man is how they handle the world famous emu burger. It's taken me ten years but I can now devour one without the gravy reaching both of my elbows...

 

[kronic]

Haven't really seen a mention of Super Rugby yet from him or the media, with exception to one SMH article today.

In terms of a domestic product this is the platform, not the Wallabies.

 

[barbarian]

Haven't really seen a mention of Super Rugby yet from him or the media, with exception to one SMH article today.

In terms of a domestic product this is the platform, not the Wallabies.

Disagree. The Wallabies are the centre of Australian rugby, and the principle product of the ARU. It is entirely appropriate that he should focus on that over Super Rugby, which the ARU don't have much to do with on a day to day, week to week basis.
.

 

[kiap]

Mentioned it on the 7.30 Report (although he called it "Super 15").