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Report on Mitchell's methods must pull no punches: Cannon
Rupert Guinness | January 13, 2009
THE findings of an independent inquiry into allegations against Western Force coach John Mitchell must be "brutally honest" and "confronting" if they are to serve any purpose, says Brendan Cannon, the first player signed by the Force.
Cannon, who is retired, also believes the show of no confidence in Mitchell - as shown by a vote of 31 of 36 players and 10 staff, which prompted the inquiry - is "a pretty blatant acknowledgement that something has to change".
Western Force chief executive Greg Harris yesterday said, "My understanding is there are a couple of interviews to be conducted" by retired judge Robert Anderson, QC, who is heading the inquiry, but he was confident of receiving a report "in the next week or so".
Harris said he believed "the issue will be resolved well and truly before" the Super 14 season kick offs on February 13.
"It is pretty overwhelming when you have such strong numbers in disapproval, but at the end of the day everyone would acknowledge that John Mitchell as a rugby coach is a fantastic person," Cannon said.
"There may be other elements in the coaching role … he needs to share responsibilities with and let other people take that on. He can't be expected to soldier the burden for everything, but I think he probably has the last 3½ years.
"It is sad to see when a player group outnumbers the coach and all of a sudden and you have the unrest there."
Cannon has applauded Harris's initiative to call for an independent inquiry.
The club would be reluctant to pay out Mitchell - he is contracted until 2011, and the cost of termination is said to be $1 million - but with many players off contract after this year, it needs to restore confidence in its coaches or risk an exodus of players and staff.
"It will be interesting what the report findings are," Cannon said. "It is a significant step and you don't want them to be fluffy findings. They need to be fairly confronting, and the direction that the findings advise the club and people involved take should be adhered to and followed closely.
"[They must be] brutally honest and confronting and all parties [need] to stand up and take notice. It is easy to get behind a little momentum and blame or push against someone else, but all parties have to be held accountable."
Harris said that whatever direction the Anderson report mooted should be followed by everybody.
"Not everyone gets what they want at Christmas, but you make do with what you have got and be savvy with the outcome," he said. "That is how it has to work: here is the decision, let's move on and start playing football."
Harris countered criticism that the report would be handed down too close to the start of the season.
"The most difficult thing is that it has occurred at such a critical time," he said. "We had no control over that. The issue didn't really become one that needed to be addressed until a month before Christmas.
"If there are some serious allegations or issues raised and there is a fair amount of momentum in that as far as people's opinion are concerned, you have to put a process in place."
■ Giant Waratahs winger Ratu Nasiganiyavi has been ruled out for at least two months with a foot injury after pulling up sore after training late last week.
He is the fourth Waratah sidelined for an extended spell after back Ben Batger (shoulder reconstruction) and props Matt Dunning (Achilles tendon) and Sekope Kepu (pectoral).
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...608617279.html
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Originally Posted by travelling_gerry
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 