'Waffly' recruitment ad for England head coach comes under fire

IF ENGLAND’S Rugby Football Union thought it could move seamlessly from its dwarf-tossing, ferry-diving marred World Cup exit, it was mistaken – if criticism of its head coach job advert is anything to go by.

After former head coach Martin Johnson’s decision to quit the England job following poor results, player misbehaviour and its poor public image, even the recruitment ad for his replacement has come under fire.

Rugby World Cup-winning New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith blasted the job description from the RFU as being more suited to “a public relations job”, in comments echoed by Welsh recruitment experts.

And in typically blunt All Black fashion he dismissed the way the job was being outlined as “waffly”.

Smith, Graham Henry's No2 during last October’s World Cup, had expressed an interest in forming a partnership with ex-Springboks coach Nick Mallett.

But after receiving a description for the England hot seat Smith, who played 35 times for New Zealand, said it looked like it was for the head of a PR company, rather than a rugby coach.

The 54-year-old also made it clear the timing of the appointment, set to begin with England's tour of South Africa in June, clashed with his new role as No2 at Waikato Chiefs.

But the job specification, including the non-sporty phrases “build positive relationships with all stakeholders through proven and effective communication strategies” and “ensure compliance from the players with any contractual obligations with all partners”, has also raised eyebrows among recruitment specialists.

Yesterday, Dan Langford, group marketing and communications director of Wales’ largest recruitment firm, Acorn, told the Western Mail he fully supported Smith’s comments.

And Mr Langford said the emphasis on dealing with the media in the job description was probably a reflection of England’s torrid time in the Rugby World Cup.

He said: “By reading the job description it is easy to see where Wayne Smith is coming from.

“The brief begins by focusing on the very specific need to create a winning and successful England national side, and it should, perhaps, have stopped there.

“As you read on, the overriding purpose for success on the field of play is weakened by appearing to give as much emphasis to harnessing commercial and media relationships.

“For the head coach of the England national team, those activities have to be secondary. But the way the job description is presented, the RFU seems to be attaching as much importance to those as the on-the-field success, presumably a reaction to what happened off the pitch in New Zealand last year.

“If the person who is appointed does a successful job on the pitch, the commercial and media relationships will fall into place, as Wales has discovered.

“It’s easy liaising with the media if all you’ve got to talk about it attractive, winning rugby – hence the singular purpose of the role should be emphasised – simply winning on the field of play, and the new coach can let the rest look after itself.”

As well as Wayne Smith, Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has ruled himself out of the race to be the next England coach.

His refusal to apply before Wednesday’s deadline will be seen as a blow across the Severn Bridge given his success in making test match-quality players out of the likes of Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Phil Dowson and Tom Wood.

Another player he has brought along, Lee Dickson, could also be picked ahead of Ben Youngs for the game against Wales.

The decision of Smith and Mallinder not to apply for the England coaching job have come as a major boost for England’s interim Six Nations coach Stuart Lancaster who already has two wins under his belt.

However, he has to face Wales at Twickenham next Saturday.

Lancaster is so far the only man to confirm he has applied for the role, with former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett previously stating he would find it hard to commit despite the attractiveness of the job.

World Cup-winning New Zealand coach and ex Wales boss Graham Henry also distanced himself from the position.

Neither the RFU nor executive head hunters Odgers Berndtson who are involved in the search for the new England coach commented on Wayne Smith’s remarks yesterday despite being contacted by the Western Mail.



http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/02/18/waffly-recruitment-ad-for-england-head-coach-comes-under-fire-91466-30353762/

Whoever takes over they will be in charge of the only NH team to have won a World cup, so whoever it is will have a lot to live up to. Just think how lucky those coaches are that are in charge of Wales ,Ireland or the Scots, who have little or nothing to match in their teams pasts pasts. So thanks for your concern, but i guess we'll still be one of the top 5 teams in the world, whoever gets it.

The moment I read "welsh recruitment experts" I realized that I was reading a very cleverly cut and pasted article from the western mail. This is the newspaper which seems to think that by coming fourth and losing 3 games, wales actually won the world cup. It is clearly the inspiration for a few welsh posters on here. A combination of taking the western mail as gospel, and an unhealthy dose of low IQ, is largely responsible for the delusion currently flowing out of the principality.

mr langford is an englishman and english rugby fan.

They have been brain washed by the Western Mail.

So Smith who couldn't take the job anyway because pf other commitments criticises an English ad which is sported by a Welshrecruitment agency and reported by the Western Mail.

This surely isn't news is it?

Any potential applicant will not be put off by words in an ad I have no doubt.

Get a life Smith, Langford & the Western Mail, Welshman4life ....

Far more to the point would be the question, why do we need a professional head hunting group for the England Managers job? Are there loads of unnoticed top level coaches with proven experience at the top level? Surely the only people who would be considered could be named by a top rugby administrator off the top of their head? Oh wait, no, they haven't a clue.

To be honest I doubt England would even consider Wayne Smith for the role given he has spent much of his time as a no.2.

Being a no.1 is far different (see Andy Robinson) and Smith's record is far from outstanding in that respect.
England have far better home grown and proven coaches that they could choose from.

We saw this when the bok job was going... half the coaches verbally distanced themselves from the role, most probably because they were trying to save face given the likelihood that most would be disappointed.

The last thing England need is a man just looking to top up his pension and would probably leave when the first bit of mud was slung at him. If SCW was not English he probably would have left straight after the RWC99 given the behind the scenes issues that were placed on him.

Western mail in tedious England rugby story shocker! I wouldn't wipe my arris with the rag.

Ive applied for the job

“build positive relationships with all stakeholders"

I love steak, so I've applied for the job as well.

The OP´s title is misleading. I have experience in breakfast diners so I applied for the job.

Able to waffle on in press conferences. Am able to make a real hash of relations with Rob Andrew have no problem telling porkies. When results don't go my way I always see the sunny side up.

Eggs-actly

Waffly topic poster comes under fire

wayne smith is a fiery waffle.