Mooney new Australia A rugby coach

[travelling_gerry]

Mooney new Australia A rugby coach

May 23, 2008 - 11:54AM


Queensland's rookie Super 14 coach Phil Mooney has been appointed to guide Australia A in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament.

Mooney, who replaces outgoing Brumbies head coach Laurie Fisher in the role, is rewarded after helping the struggling Reds to an improved season in his first year at the helm.

The 42-year-old guided the Australian Under-19 team to the world title in 2006 and his new role suggests the Australian Rugby Union see him as a potential future Wallabies coach.

"It's a great honour and responsibility," said Mooney, 42.

"It's also and opportunity to work with more of the country's top players.

"I have enjoyed enormously my first Super Rugby season with the Reds.

"I'm now looking forward to expanding on that experience in another high-quality competition with Australia A.

"This promises to be a new start for Australian rugby under Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and I'm excited to be part of the way forward with the Australia A program this season.


© 2008 AAP

[JediKnight]

Hmmm....rewarding mediocrity with a promotion?

[WF2006]

Hmmm....rewarding mediocrity with a promotion?

Bottom to 12th - still a lot of injuries - beat the best side?
maybe mediocrity isn't the fairest word?

Who'd be a better choice? Fisher and Mackenzie are out and I think JM has indicated he's not interested?

[BLR]

Bottom to 12th - still a lot of injuries - beat the best side?
maybe mediocrity isn't the fairest word?

The res didn't beat the Saders....

Wait till the clock brothers see you called him mediocre, they have a huge man crush on that Mooney. SAVIOUR OF AUSTRALIAN RUGBY!

[brokendown gunfighter]

The res didn't beat the Saders....

Wait till the clock brothers see you called him mediocre, they have a huge man crush on that Mooney. SAVIOUR OF AUSTRALIAN RUGBY!

tic,toc--the bomb's about to explode

[AndyS]

I think he'll do well, following on from his stints with U19s(?). He'll have a lot of the same faces (or better, at least.)

[tic]

Not biting - time will show how good he is as a coach.

[James]

Yeah its pretty rough calling Mooney mediocre at this point in time. He picked up the scraps left behind by Eddie and didnt embarrass himself like Eddie did. If he doesnt make progress next year you can call him what you like but give the man a little credit at least.