McIsaac sets his sights on coaching role
McIsaac sets his sights on coaching role
NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian March 12, 2010, 7:34 am
Western Force foundation player Tai McIsaac has set his sights on getting back to the club in a coaching role.
The former hooker, currently in charge of Japanese club Honda, is prepared to bide his time, recognising that he is still a novice in the coaching game.
He knows he still has plenty to learn as a coach, but believes he would have a lot to offer if given the chance to return to the Force.
When McIsaac, 35, retired at the end of last season he was the most capped Force player - his 52 appearances will be bettered by captain Nathan Sharpe on Sunday - and he had played in every game in the club's first four years.
He took up the forwards coaching role with Honda but will return this season as their head coach.
Back in WA on a short break (he and wife Penny have a home in Perth), McIsaac admitted to being a little homesick. "I'd love to have a role with the Force, I'd love to come back," he said.
But he is realistic enough to know he needs a break from the club where he has many friends.
"It's going well in Japan but I'd love to be back here in the future; not right now though, it's too soon," he said. "It's hard to coach players who you've played with.
"Being back this week made me a bit homesick but I've no regrets on the career front.
"Taking on challenges like moving to Japan is something you have to do in life and I'm really enjoying the coaching sides of things.
"The cultural side of things can be hard though."
McIsaac, who studied Japanese at university and has daily lessons, said club structures were different from anything he had experienced.
"Companies don't just sponsor clubs, they are the clubs," he said.
Big money is earned by overseas imports and the number of players heading to Japan is growing. Former Wallabies George Gregan, Mark Gerrard, and Stephen Larkham, ex-All Black Tony Brown, and one-time National Rugby League star Craig Wing are just a few.
"Imports are being paid big bucks, ridiculously good money," McIsaac said.
He said the standard of rugby was a long way from Super 14, probably closer to the Sydney club competition.
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