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The Australian Rugby Union wants full control of coaching appointments for its Super Rugby franchises under a model used by New Zealand.
Having borne the brunt of criticism for the poor performance of the Wallabies and the Super Rugby franchises this year, the ARU is trying to emulate the NZRU system that places greatest weight on the national team's interests.
The radical move would be one of the biggest shake-ups in Australian rugby history and will be resisted by franchises who want the power to operate as separate entities.
But ARU high-performance manager David Nucifora said it was time for alignment.
Nucifora, responding to comments from former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer about a lack of coaching talent in Australia, said there was talent but many good coaches were not being given opportunities at the higher levels.
"We get rocks thrown at us, but the ARU doesn't have the power to appoint Super Rugby coaches, unlike New Zealand Rugby Union, who have a say in all of those coaching positions," Nucifora said.
"If we're going to cop the blame then we should be given the responsibility.
"If we could get that alignment from the top to the bottom, with regards to coaching pathways that aligns premier (club) rugby, Super Rugby through to the national level, then we do get good pathways for development.
"If we're allowed to work closely around coaching development and selection, something similar to the New Zealand model, I think that would be advantageous to us."
Prior to this interview with Nucifora, Dwyer had said: "I believe the biggest problem in Australian rugby is that our coach education programs are fundamentally flawed. Within those programs they teach things contrary to best performance in the playing of the game.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...-1226463663271