McGahan set to leave at the end of the season

First topic message reminder :

Apparently Tony is off back to Aus at the end of the season, to the national setup I believe from reports. Been at Munster since 05, and head coach since 08.

Mixed feelings about this but would like to see Axel take over with possibly Bradley as backs coach. These would be my preferences.

roddersm wrote:ignore

I'll do my best to ignore you Rods Won't be easy

roddersm wrote:I think Mafi had been a real spark in Munsters backline this season, much more so than Earls.

He makes a lot of breaks and half breaks with his quick feet and whilst he doesn't always pick the right offload he creates a lot of space for the players outside him.

Earls has hardly played for Munster this season between world cup and injury.

Sin é wrote:[ I think Reggie is more involved in coaching the amateur game around the province rather than in the academy.

This rings a bell,I think I remember a few of the front row forwards at my club (Leinster J3 level) going to a series of scrummaging sessions with Corrigan and Roly Meates.

SecretFly wrote:O'Shea belongs in Leinster? Oh right, he moved there so abdicated his birthcert in the process.

His rugby philosophy would have been developed in Leinster as he learned the game there. If he grew up in Kerry, he would be playing gaelic football.

I think the coach sometimes gets too much credit and yes, sometimes too much stick...

But my point would be that Munster remain Munster and Leinster remain Leinster and a coach coming in or coming through can add to it (and yes, can take it down a notch perhaps, but it's that something that can't be measured that has taken Munster and Leinster to the top. Maybe it's just the ground underfoot - the soil that makes horses thrive here too) Sometimes it's more than a coach at work.

I think the Munster camp worry that someone new will disrupt the rhythms of Munster and that even if he isn't a success he might have done too much damage by the time he leaves - damage that might take quite some time to correct, if correction can be made at all.

So yes, Foley is a natural for continuity and as a person who understands the psyche of Munster, knows how it rose to prominence and how it sustained itself there.

But I think Wayne Smith and I think of where Munster and Leinster could go with Smith and Schmidt facing each other in combat. I think the potential for dragging Irish progess up another few notches in quality is tempting. That could be a grand battle of wits that would take Irish players to the next level they'll need to be at to compete in this next decade.

Would not a Smith AND Foley compromise be ideal?

Secret fly I'd be very happy with Wayne Smith and Foley.

SinE, maybe he is. However he was one of 3 coaches that travelled with the Leinster U20s during their tour of Toulouse last year.

Mickado wrote:What would Munster fans think of Les Kiss for head coach?

I think he’s still got another season left in his Irish contract but if that could be cut short I think he’d make a good coach, with Foley in tow.

I'd be very happy with that appointment. Good option for him as well if he wants to be in the reckoning for the Wallabies in 2 years time. The Wallabies seem to rate coaches who serve their time in Munster.

That would suit Munster as well - a coach that knows the Ireland set-up well, would be backs orientated to Foley's forwards and he seems to be well liked and respected by the players and would might be interested in having a NH club coaching on his already pretty decent cv (having coached in SA as well).

Sin é wrote:

SecretFly wrote:O'Shea belongs in Leinster? Oh right, he moved there so abdicated his birthcert in the process.

His rugby philosophy would have been developed in Leinster as he learned the game there. If he grew up in Kerry, he would be playing gaelic football.

Frankly, in my opinion, and in his opinions, he's always projected himself as too much on the wavelength of hoary old Irish arguments about players being in positions on past merit, about not taking too much risk in replacements, about players perhaps not being good enough for the plan rather than the plan not suiting the players. He's been much too apologetic in the past for Ireland's shortfalls...only now am I seeing him stand a little more erect and admit that Ireland could be doing things differently.

So he'd never be my ideal coach - for Leinster or for Ireland. And no, I don't think he'd suit Munster either.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:[ I think Reggie is more involved in coaching the amateur game around the province rather than in the academy.

This rings a bell,I think I remember a few of the front row forwards at my club (Leinster J3 level) going to a series of scrummaging sessions with Corrigan and Roly Meates.

I looked it up on the Leinster website: Reggie's title is Provincial Scrum Coach. (Reggie will be developing knowledge of the scrum across the province, in the Under-20's, Academy as well as the various age grade groups in clubs and schools across the province.)

Girvan is Elite Player Development Officer for the Branch.

No mention of Fogs or Mal - but I've seen video of them coaching.

SecretFly wrote:
Would not a Smith AND Foley compromise be ideal?

I'd be happy enough with that combination. Munster's experience is that in the long run, the local coaches, ex-players or coaches who have moved worked their way up are the best. Gaffney nearly destroyed Munster bringing in journeymen players from the SH. I wouldn't want to see that kind of thing happening again.

I don't have any worries about Foley taking the job. Woody claimed that Foley has the best rugby brain that he has ever come across. He won't take the job if he thinks its too soon for him because he isn't stupid.

Only coaches I don't want to see anywhere near the Munster job are Eddie O'Sullivan and Mike Ruddock.

Sin é wrote: Gaffney nearly destroyed Munster bringing in journeymen players from the SH. I wouldn't want to see that kind of thing happening again.

Given the IRFU's more stringent quality control directives on numbers of foreign signings etc, I think the risks of SH journeymen (ever present when you buy abroad anyway) but I think the risks of such a policy is less than it perhaps once was. And you did pick up a few guys who cruised well above 'Journeyman' altitude

When I read that first I thought it said “McGahan nearly destroyed Munster bringing in SH journeymen…”, which I agree with. But Gaffney? Did Gaffney sign Sammy Tuitipou (sp?), Will Chambers, Peter Borlase and Nick Williams?

Mickado wrote:When I read that first I thought it said “McGahan nearly destroyed Munster bringing in SH journeymen…”, which I agree with. But Gaffney? Did Gaffney sign Sammy Tuitipou (sp?), Will Chambers, Peter Borlase and Nick Williams?

The problem was Gaffney played them. He released Eoin Reddan. He had Flannery sitting on the bench.

Nothing wrong with Will Chambers. If he didn't want to go back to Aus, he would have been kept. Borlase has been injured.

Sam & Nick Williams were on short contracts, so no big deal.

Gaffney's best signing was Shaune Payne.

No big deal, but surely the point is that they were signed, played, added nothing to the club and left. Journeymen.

Leinster have been guilty of it in the past but our signings have been good over the last couple of years.

Sin é wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:[ I think Reggie is more involved in coaching the amateur game around the province rather than in the academy.

This rings a bell,I think I remember a few of the front row forwards at my club (Leinster J3 level) going to a series of scrummaging sessions with Corrigan and Roly Meates.

I looked it up on the Leinster website: Reggie's title is Provincial Scrum Coach. (Reggie will be developing knowledge of the scrum across the province, in the Under-20's, Academy as well as the various age grade groups in clubs and schools across the province.)

Girvan is Elite Player Development Officer for the Branch.

No mention of Fogs or Mal - but I've seen video of them coaching.

Reggie is also head coach of Greystones Rugby Club and doing pretty well there after the last season or two that they have had

I think we all want to eliminate journeymen. But I wouldn't want IRFU rules preventing the likes of Elsom and Nacewa coming. They are good for Irish rugby.

What happened with Sykes exactly. Did he want to leave because of no game time? Or did Leinster offload him for being rubbish?

I think the quality control of the provinces has improved a lot when it comes to foreign signings.

He was injured, then he was sick, then his wife fell pregnant and I think he got homesick. Played just over 100 mins for us, what a bloody waste.

Mickado wrote:Leinster have been guilty of it in the past but our signings have been good over the last couple of years.

Apart from this year obviously. Nathan White, Steven Sykes and Matt Berquist.

Luckily for Madigan, Berquist was injured. I don't think anybody expected Madigan to be so good this year. The fact that we signed Berquist suggests that not even Schmidt thought Madigan was ready to be Sextons understudy.

red_stag wrote:

Mickado wrote:Leinster have been guilty of it in the past but our signings have been good over the last couple of years.

Apart from this year obviously. Nathan White, Steven Sykes and Matt Berquist.

Nathan White is a fine player. Berquist is also a fine player but was unlucky to pick up a bad injury. Sykes was a disaster, granted. But he was at least a project player so he was planning on staying for 3 years.

My preference is Foley and Bradley. I think they would compliment each other perfectly with Foley as head coach. Bradley is an excellent backs coach and would have Munster playing the Cork Con way in terms of attacking rugby.

DOD wrote:My preference is Foley and Bradley. I think they would compliment each other perfectly with Foley as head coach. Bradley is an excellent backs coach and would have Munster playing the Cork Con way in terms of attacking rugby.

Wouldn't be against that myself. But can't see it happening. I doubt Bradley would leave for an assistant role considering he has been a head coach for the past 8/9 years. If it was the other way around with Bradley as head coach then maybe ya I could see it.

Yeah, I was thinking that as well. Wouldn't be surprised if he was thinking more of the Irish job down the line

Ya but that could work. Bring in Bradley as head coach. In two/three years if he has proved himself he would be a candidate for the Ireland job and hopefully by then Foley can step up to the Munster job.

[quote="Feckless Rogue"]Luckily for Madigan, Berquist was injured. I don't think anybody expected Madigan to be so good this year. The fact that we signed Berquist suggests that not even Schmidt thought Madigan was ready to be Sextons understudy.[/quote]

Smacks of Cheika with Sexton and Contepomi. History repeating itself. All I am saying... is give youth a chance. Before you have to - by necessity. Vision. Schmidt, for all his backline nous and trust in youth - feiced up there. He knows that now. In fairness - he made the call, with minimal knowledge of his inherited squad.

Madigan will play for his country. Just like Sexton. Ireland's 2 x 10's. Sad to say, Berquists injury, accelerated that. As did Felipe's injury v Munster. For Cheika and Schmidt - it forced their hands to a better place.

Back to Munster. Totally agree with DOD and Raw. Way to go. Munster and foreign coaches dont mix. It takes them far too long to buy into it. Bradley and Axel have what it takes to re-develop one of the best European club-sides of all time. Bring them back to the summit. McGahan has taken years to get to this stage. Its a hard nut to crack as a blow-in. But. He may do it just before he goes.
I know Williams was there on the coaching-team, as were others, but the guiding-hand has to be a Munster man. 99% of all Munster fans know this (that was for Sin E). In all the posts on here, it's what they want. And they are right.

As for Bradley, if Edinburgh beat Toulouse, his price and credibility - rockets. I think they can. Nowhere even near in the same class as a team, squad or club, but they believe in him. And it shows. Toulouse are not the same force they once were. Quins proved that beyond any doubt. They are vunerable now. A massive crowd of 6,500, at Murrayfield, will only add to that pressure on them. Sorry, couldnt help it...

Seriously though, if that happens, he goes way beyond Robbo's stint there. A HC SF, for a team that normally struggles in the PRO12? I actually think Bradley may stay in Scotland beyond his 2 year contract. Possibly be in the running for Robbo's job. Even if he runs them close - he'll be a saviour for showing it is realistically possible to take on the best in Europe. He has, in effect - Munster-ised them.

Managing Munster or Ireland, can be a Poisoned-Chalice for an Irish coach on the up. Edinburgh and Scotland? Far easier to make yourself a hero. Less baggage and an in-built lower-expectancy. No offence to the Jocks btw. But, its true. It has happened with O Shea at Quins. Far less pressure than at Munster or Leinster. No offence to the English Jeff. But, it's also true.
He will never come back to Ireland - if he has any sense. And he does. One smart cookie.

The only way he will, is if he has full control. And for that to happen, we would have to get rid of most of the non-rugby men at the IRFU. Id love David Humphrey's to run the whole show with O' Shea. Lose the D4 morkeshing men and bean-counters. Get real rugby men in. Men, who know what it takes.

Diesel and sucking. Make a sentence.

Maybe Im a Dreamer. But Im not the only one.

You are right Gidson. How do we know Bradley even wants the job.

But I suppose (and I mean no offense) but the chances of actually winning silverware is higher at a team like munster then it is at edinburgh. Its a great achievement taking a team to semi final that has never done that before but i'm sure winning the comp outright would be most coaches preference.

If bradley can put up with the crap thrown at him from the irfu while at connacht I would imagine having to deal with the munster suits wouldn't put him off.

Was he considered a series candidate before McGahan was appointed? I can't remember.

Raw,
He was laughed at as a prospect - just one year ago. By 99.7% of Munster and Irish fans (me included) - and all the Connacht fans I know.
That, he wont forget. I think it is driving him. And he's driving grand now, with a better squad and more freedom. Delighted to see an exiled-Paddy show em how its done.

Hope he comes home when he's good, ready and more respected as a coach. Something tells me, it wont be for a while.

Bradley's problem is that as the son in law of a certain person, he could be hamstrung

?

Please illucidate DOD. Lost.com.

A certain Noel Murphy... I don't think as long as noisy is in the irfu Bradley will get a look in.
You might think otherwise...but awkward for all concerned

I dont think anything on that Decco. Didnt know.

Im really intrigued now man.

Bradley is married into the Kiernan/Murphy dynasty that some say have an inordinate amount of power in the IRFU. But having family in the job would be far too crass for them...

Ah. Irish politics in rugby still rules. Bu88er.

We really need a foreign dictator to shoot em all and evolve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG0L86DRuC8

I believe that Bradley is/will be an excellent coach. I think his connections are holding him back rather than the opposite.

DOD,
I talked to Ummm, (remember him?) the other day, He' s flumoxed.

Hated Bradley. Now?

I admire Bradley and think the best thing for him is stay well away from it all. Do an O' Shea.

Connacht would be the 1st up against the wall, in a New Yuropean League. And Dragons. It really makes me laugh, that the Welsh are looking for a new region. Like us, they have 3 and a child that needs minding.

Bit worried that we have a forwards coach who cant see and a Head-coach who has no vision, for tomorrow. But hey. Maybe its for the best.

Delighted for Axel. Good move. And for the future

Anyway. If orf to watch some hardcore Italian porno.

Geloof!

DOD wrote:I believe that Bradley is/will be an excellent coach. I think his connections are holding him back rather than the opposite.

I agree with you that he has suffered. He got a lot of stick for Connacht's woes - even moans from Connacht fans that he was only there 3 days a week (which is probably all Connacht could afford to pay him for).

I thought he did really well on tour to the SH 2/3 years ago. Ireland nearly pulled off a win in NZ! The way things are going for him now, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up as the Scotland coach. Best of luck to him.

Sin é wrote:

DOD wrote:I believe that Bradley is/will be an excellent coach. I think his connections are holding him back rather than the opposite.

I agree with you that he has suffered. He got a lot of stick for Connacht's woes - even moans from Connacht fans that he was only there 3 days a week (which is probably all Connacht could afford to pay him for).

I thought he did really well on tour to the SH 2/3 years ago. Ireland nearly pulled off a win in NZ! The way things are going for him now, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up as the Scotland coach. Best of luck to him.

+1

Former London Irish and England coach Brian Smith is the latest to be linked to the job.