0
Force field around John Mitchell fading
By Bret Harris
February 20, 2009
Western Force are believed to be considering appointing another high-profile coach if, or when, the Super 14 team releases the embattled John Mitchell.
The recruitment of Mitchell, a former New Zealand mentor, as the Force's foundation coach was regarded as a coup when the team was admitted to an expanded Super series in 2006.
But three years later the Force has conducted an inquiry into Mitchell's coaching following a player revolt.
While the Force has stated Mitchell has a contract to 2011, this can be interpreted in different ways. The fact Mitchell's future at the Force still appears uncertain has the potential to create more problems for the team.
As a result of the inquiry, the Force has put a new structure in place which has lessened Mitchell's control over the team. The players and coaching staff now have more "buy-in" on how the Force plays.
The Force was hoping the coaching situation would galvanise the team, but there was little evidence of that in their loss to the Blues in Perth last Friday.
Although the Force players had been empowered by the new coaching set-up, they seemed to struggle with the burden of extra responsibility.
Players respond to certainty, not uncertainty. Sooner or later the Force will have to inform the players definitively whether Mitchell is coaching the team beyond this season or not.
They will want to know who is coaching the team before they re-sign. The same will apply to players the Force is trying to recruit. Given Mitchell's high profile in world rugby, there is a feeling at the Force that it would need another big-name coach to replace him if it were decided to let him go.
Australian Michael Cheika is out of contract with Irish province Leinster at the end of the European season. Cheika has had some success during his four years at Leinster, but there is pressure on him to deliver some silverware after spending big on foreign players such as Australian Rocky Elsom and South African CJ Van der Linde.
Sources in Ireland suggest Cheika's fate could be decided on the outcome of Leinster's Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown with English club Harlequins in April.
If Cheika decided to leave Dublin, he could be a potential option for the Force if it was looking for a new coach.
After enjoying success with Sydney club Randwick, Cheika was encouraged to apply for the Force job when it was first offered. NSW Waratahs also expressed interest in Cheika as a replacement for Ewen McKenzie, a move which would have been supported by the ARU.
Another high-profile Australian coaching overseas is former Australia backs coach Scott Johnson, who has recently left the US to take over Welsh club Ospreys.
If the Force decides to release Mitchell at the end of the year, it would have to pay him out the last two years of his contract, about $600,000.
But the cost of keeping Mitchell could be higher if there was still player discontent in Perth.
It is understood the Force has about 20 players coming off contract at the end of the year.
There is strong speculation Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau is certain to return to the Brumbies, while winger/fullback Drew Mitchell is expected to follow him to Canberra.
If there were an exodus of players, it would create a difficult situation for Mitchell and the Force.
In this circumstance, the Force may well decide it would be easier to replace a coach than a team.
This was the issue the Brumbies faced when they decided not to renew David Nucifora's contract at the end of 2004.
But if Mitchell can reconcile his differences with the players and make the new structure work, he may well see out his contract.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by MI5_Dog
