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Coaching job hangs on board challenge
AN attempt to overthrow the chairman of the Waratahs may have important ramifications for the team's next coach.
There is speculation NSWRU board member Allan Williamson will challenge chairman Arvid Petersen at a board meeting in Sydney on Monday.
It is understood if Williamson is successful, it could determine whether Waratahs assistant coach Todd Louden replaces Ewen McKenzie, whose contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.
There is believed to be a groundswell of disenchantment among some board members and senior players about the way the coaching issue has been handled by Petersen and Waratahs chief executive Jim L'Estrange.
A well informed source told The Australian that any commitment to Louden could be overturned by a new leadership team at the Waratahs.
L'Estrange has denied the rumour that the Waratahs have already offered the head coaching position to Louden to prevent him from accepting an overseas job.
But speculation was rife yesterday, with some sources saying Louden was no chance of getting the job because he didn't show enough support for McKenzie, while others said he was still the administration's No1 choice and there was no viable alternative.
One senior Waratahs player even questioned whether Louden was interested in the top job because of the media frenzy over McKenzie's axing.
There has also been speculation Louden would be interested in the Brumbies job if Laurie Fisher were not re-appointed.
Former Randwick coach Michael Cheika was approached by the Waratahs recently, but he has re-signed with Irish province Leinster for two years.
The only other genuine contender to surface is former Waratahs assistant coach Andy Friend, who is coaching English club Harlequins.
Blues coach David Nucifora is poised to accept the ARU high performance manager's job and has distanced himself from the Waratahs. Despite his track record, which includes a Super rugby title with the Brumbies, the Waratahs never considered Nucifora.
Sources contacted last night said there were a number of senior players ready to quit the Waratahs at the end of the season unless there was change at the top.
"The senior players within the present player roster have had enough," one source said.
A loose collection of powerful rugby figures have approached Williamson to stand against Petersen. Williamson, who has been variously described as a maverick and is seen in some circles as an aggressive character, chairs the influential premiership sub-committee representing the 12 major clubs in the Sydney competition.
"I have been approached to consider standing," Williamson said last night. "But I want to stress I've not lobbied for the job, nor have I orchestrated any push to get rid of the current chairman. I'm also not denying the fact some key people, whom I have the utmost respect for, have sounded me out to stand against him.
"The current chairman still enjoys my wholehearted support, but the people I met put forward a very compelling case for change and urged me to consider my position.
"I'm a little reluctant because I'm thoroughly enjoying my present role on the board."
Waratahs captain Phil Waugh said yesterday he was surprised at how political the coaching position had become.
"At the moment all the speculation about Ewen going and who's going to be the next coach is taking up all of our space in the media," Waugh said. "We're all a bit sick of the speculation around the place. It's surprising how political it has become because it is coming from all angles at the moment."
Meanwhile, halfback Luke Burgess has been promoted to the starting line-up for the match against the Blues in Sydney tonight with Brett Sheehan relegated to the bench.
Wallabies number eight David Lyons will make his first appearance off the bench after recovering from a leg injury sustained during the World Cup.
Coaching job hangs on board challenge | The Australian