Tahs coach a race in two

[KenyaQuin]

Tahs coach a race in two
By Jon Geddes Tahs coach a race in two | The Daily Telegraph

April 28, 2008 12:00am

THE selection of a new Waratahs coach appears to have come down to a two-horse race between Chris Hickey and Scott Johnson.

"We are into final interviews and we will see where that takes us," NSW Rugby CEO Jim L'Estrange said last night.

"Right now it's down to one or two and it is very, very close.

"We are feeling quite good where we are - good about the people we have seen and good about the final candidates."

L'Estrange would not divulge the identities of the final candidates but has a board meeting on May 12 in which he will make a recommendation to the board.

"We are very close, it's been a very positive process and we have actually spoken to lots of people," he said. "I'm not as worried as a lot of other people - the biggest issue is to make sure you get the right person in what is a job that has many, many challenges on and off the field."

Warringah coach John McKee has not had any contact with NSW since his initial interview last week. Nor has Eastwood coach Hickey, who significantly said he would be happy to work with Johnson.

"He is a very good coach and I have a lot of respect for his personal integrity," Hickey said.

L'Estrange is now hoping the Waratahs can get a crowd of 40,000 for a Super 14 semi-final at the SFS after their final three away games.

"Phil Waugh's 100th game will potentially be a home semi and it would also be a fitting farewell for Ewen (McKenzie)," L'Estrange said.

"The team is going really well, they have a great spirit about them and they are showing that they are on track."

[chook]

Scott Johnston's chin scares me.

That could be a good thing though, it might keep the players on best behaviour. Also, he doesn't like late nights out by players so they will have to be drinking tea and snacking on scones when out socially.

Does anyone know if Hickey's chin is as scary as Scott's?

[force addict]

Scott Johnston's chin scares me.

That could be a good thing though, it might keep the players on best behaviour. Also, he doesn't like late nights out by players so they will have to be drinking tea and snacking on scones when out socially.

Does anyone know if Hickey's chin is as scary as Scott's?

here is chris hickey
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN
on the right

[BLR]

Isn't Scott Johnson in charge of the USA national team?

[The InnFORCEr]

Isn't Scott Johnson in charge of the USA national team?

With an out clause if he gets the Tahs gig.

Glad Mulvers will be staying at the

[jargan83]

I thought Scott Johnson ruled himself out last week?

[no.8]

Well this is going to be a step up for the 'Tahs - a donkey to a horse...
Maybe one day they'll get a thoroughbred like Mitchell!

[chook]

Hickey's chin doesn't inspire fear but he looks normal enough.

[travelling_gerry]

Tahs could kiss goodbye to staff

By Darren Walton
April 28, 2008 NEW South Wales face an exodus of key staff unless long-time assistant Les Kiss is appointed as head coach for the 2009 Super 14 season.

With the Waratahs flying high in second position and on course for a home semi-final, the board may already be regretting their early decision not to extend Ewen McKenzie's coaching contract beyond this season.

But as if finding a better alternative than the meticulous McKenzie - NSW's most successful mentor in the 13-season history of Super rugby - was not hard enough, it now appears that his successor, unless it is Kiss, will be asked to start from scratch.

In addition to McKenzie leaving, attack coach Todd Louden has signed with the Ricoh club in Japan, defence coach Kiss is not expected to stay unless he gets the top job and forwards coach Steve Tuynman is also tipped to depart.

Below McKenzie, Louden, Kiss and Tuynman, the entire back-room staff, including team managers, doctors, physios and kicking and strength and conditioning coaches, are said to be nervously awaiting the appointment of McKenzie's replacement.

"There's no way Less Kiss will hang around for a seventh straight season as defence coach, not with his aspirations,'' a Waratahs insider said.

"And The Bird (Tuynman) won't hang around ... the entire coaching structure is up in the air.''

But with Kiss believed to have been overlooked for a second interview and speculation rife the job is down to a race in two between former Australia attack coach Scott Johnson and ex-Australia under-21s coach Chris Hickey, all McKenzie's carefully built structure could be lost in a twinkling.

"The players don't want to start learning all over again, new moves and strategies and what-not,'' the insider said.

In his five seasons in charge, McKenzie has taken the Waratahs to their only final in 2005, the semi-finals in 2006 and he has them on the brink of the play-offs this campaign.

Off the field, the hard-working former World Cup-winning prop and Wallabies assistant coach has been equally influential.

He has played a major role in recruiting big-name players to the franchise, most recently rugby league international Timana Tahu, and was also largely responsible for the Waratahs moving from adequate training amenities at Narrabeen on Sydney's northern beaches to the state-of-the-art facilities at Sydney Football Stadium.

McKenzie's departure is already having a bearing on the Waratahs' future, with Wallabies flanker Rocky Elsom saying he for one would not commit to a new playing contract until he knows who the next coach will be.

Despite reports of division at board level over the decision to sever ties with McKenzie, who is poised to sign a lucrative deal with French premiership club Stade Francais, NSWRU chief executive Jim L'Estrange maintains he has no regrets.

L'Estrange is expected to make a recommendation to the board early next month after an independent panel decides on a shortlist of contenders to replace McKenzie.

AAP

Tahs could kiss goodbye to staff - Rugby - Fox Sports

[Thequeerone]

Book Book Book

The other possible canditates could be:
Glen Ella from the Aus Sevens
David Campeeze been doing a bit in Sth Africa and claims to have helped discover O'Conor
Louden
Kiss
Tuynman (look at the work Phil Mooney is doing for the Reds !)
Mulvihill
Jake White - why not he's been mentioned for every other job
Eddie Jones (just checking that Frontrow is still with us)
Eddie O'Sullivan ex Irish Coach
Phil Ashton ex English Coach just remembered Johnson hasn't sacked him yet !!
Bernard LaPorte ex French Coach
John Connolly

Bring out your dead - there are heaps more coachs around - what about the guy they sacked to give McKenzie the job ?

[travelling_gerry]

Wendell Sailor
Mark Ella
Lote ( Captain Coach)
John O'Neill
TahMan and his little brother Bitumen Boy to coach the backs.

[Thequeerone]

Grumbles Growden - it would be his dream job Oops sorry that's another thread.

[laura]

I feel sorry for Ewen, he really got screwed over & the Tahs have been performing well just lately. I accredit this mostly to Ewen & wish him good luck in the future.

[GIGS20]

I acredit the current form of the 'Tahs ENTIRELY to Link.

It's significant that since he's been sacked they have ACTUALLY played like a different team. I think he's said "screw what the board thinks, let's go out and play rugby to win"

and they are!

They'll fall back into the same bad habits once they get a coach who the board has control over again!

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Board : ie trouble at mill.