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Former New South Wales hooker Phil Kearns has slammed the shock decision of coach Michael Foley to leave the Waratahs and join Western Force.
The Waratahs confirmed Foley's shock exit on Tuesday and reports suggest the 45-year-old will link with the Force, who are currently without a coach, for the 2013 season.
Kearns, who combined 73 NSW caps with 67 for Australia during his decorated career, was left stunned by the decision.
He said his former Wallabies teammate should have stayed with the Waratahs, especially after recently committing his future to the Sydney-based franchise.
"It's a little surprising from Michael given he confirmed and re-applied for his job as coach of the Waratahs," Kearns told Fox Sports News.
"They appointed him, they accepted his new strategy and his plan going forward and then he pulls the pin. It's a very, very strange situation. Given he was contracted and that contract was just renewed, it's a pretty poor decision to say the least"
"There will be some people around NSW rugby disappointed with what he's done."
Video interview here
"There will be some people around NSW rugby disappointed with what he's done."
They'll be few and far between.
Interesting that there is still no word from RugbyWA.
Also unusual that Kearns mentioned "They (EWF) still haven't appointed a coach and here he (Foley) is as coaching director..."
If it's pissed Kearns off I like it.
Interestingly, he must have saved up this vitriol from the Genia affair. If I remember he applauded Genia for making a smart rugby decision.
While I think of it. Did foley make a commitment to the tahs? Because that would be another reason why I'm not in favour of him coming over
C'mon the
BRET HARRIS From: The Australian August 01, 2012 12:00AM
WESTERN Force will today announce Michael Foley as the embattled Super Rugby team's director of coaching.
Foley resigned from his head coaching role at the NSW Waratahs yesterday to accept a guaranteed four-year deal with the Force, which is believed to be worth $400,000 a season.
Contrary to reports, Foley will not be Force's head coach, but he will assume a similar role to that of Ewen McKenzie at Queensland Reds.
The new head coach will most likely come from the list of candidates the Force has already considered, which included Todd Louden, Tim Lane, John Mulvihill, Matt O'Connor and Steve Meeham. All of those could also fill the backs coach role.
Foley is regarded as one of the best set-piece coaches in Australia, but the Force has already retained forwards coach Nick Stiles.It is understood retiring Wallabies and Force second-rower Nathan Sharpe will also be involved in the new structure, possibly as a lineout consultant.
Foley and Sharpe have a close relationship, dating back to Foley's period as Wallabies forwards coach from 2006 to 2008.
It is believed Sharpe, who is highly regarded in Perth, strongly supported Foley for the Force job.
The new coaching structure would allow Foley to concentrate on big-picture issues such as player retention and recruitment.
It is unclear whether former Waratahs team manager Chris Webb will follow Foley to Perth.
The rebuilding of the Force will be a challenge, particularly after the departure of Wallabies captain David Pocock, who has joined the Brumbies.
It is understood Foley was keen for Pocock to stay in Perth, but he had already decided he wanted to make a fresh start in Canberra.
Full article here
So, did he commit to the Waratahs or not....it's important to a bloke like me who thinks your word is your bond.
If he told the tahs he was on board and then backed out, that makes him no better than will Genia. If he was officially considering offers then that's ok.
Since the door is still open for some creative coaches to come in and fill the head coach job I guess this will probably not be a bad thing.
C'mon the