Sometimes, you need to step back to appreciate the magnitude of a masterpiece. Even of a painting whose reputation towers in comparison to its size. Because sometimes, we miss things that are right under our noses. We need to see the whole picture. But there are those in the IRFU who have their noses pressed up against the canvas and can't see a damned thing. Ulster coach, Brian McLaughlin was right under their noses and they missed him. Now, it's too late. But even if the IRFU were to lift its head once in a while, and cast it's Cyclopean gaze across the Irish Sea, toward Britain, it may still go unnoticed that two young and innovative Irish coaches, in Bradley and O'Shea, reside there, imparting their expertise abroad, and as such, are underutilised natural resources.
(Paradoxically, being net exporters of rugby coaches harms our domestic rugby economy. Lets bring this metaphor to a close, shall we?)
Our coaches are leaving, or being stood aside. But there is one young Irish coach who may overcome such ignorance, Munster forwards' coach, Anthony Foley. Since Tony McGahan announced his forthcoming departure in the summer, the hat has split its seams for all the names thrown into it. On Thursday night's Off the Ball road show in Cork, Ronan O'Gara said this, when asked of the imminent coaching vacancy in the province, "There's going to be, obviously, a few important change-overs and new staff [my italics] and new players", he then went on to say that, "I don't think sweeping changes are required," suggesting that he is putting his weight behind Foley, who has the advantage of not merely being a disciple, but a prophet of the Munster way , and is already integrated into the coaching set-up. An obvious inference. He then went onto clarify a quote put to him by the show's presenter Eoin McDevitt:
"I saw you were quoted this morning as saying, you [O'Gara] "hope they trawl the world for the best possible coach," so it doesn't necessarily have to be somebody that we know at the moment?"
The out-half went on to clarify, albeit, not accusatorially, "I was only thinking afterwards, it's easy twisting my words there, or that some people might read into that, that he [O'Gara himself] doesn't rate Foley, or something like that. But that couldn't be further from the truth, I think he's exceptional." Even though O'Gara goes on to say that Foley will have a huge role to play in Munster's success, as either the head, or the assistant coach, I read this merely as a sign of his loyalty to Munster, as an idea and a brand, that is greater than he. Incidentally, O'Gara's perceived honesty in interviews (it is not my intention to suggest any disingenuousness on O'Gara's part, merely, to point out that this is how he is perceived, in general), leads many people to underestimate him as a media performer.
So will Foley be the coach? Who knows? If there is any truth to my inferences, and if O'Gara's view is representative of the senior players, than quite possibly.
As Mark Anscombe readies to replace McLaughlin at Ulster, all we know with certainty is that come the start of next season, there will be only one Irish coach in charge among the four provinces. It is not my intention to sound like a xenophobic rugby nationalist. Importing coaches and ideas helped unearth and nurture the "golden generation." At Leinster, Joe Schmidt has developed a talented squad, brimming with youth, and their overall technical level is the envy of Europe. The point I'm trying to make, though obtusely, is brought into focus by Alan Quinlan, writing for the Irish Times*:
"When I heard McLaughlin was being moved aside from the head coach’s job, I was disappointed for him but I thought that if it meant that they were going to bring in a proven world-class coach then maybe it was fair enough.
"But Anscombe’s experience is with the All Blacks under-20s and some ITM teams in New Zealand.
"I’m sure he’s a fine coach.
"I’m not questioning his ability at all.
"What I am questioning is why we seem to think achievements at underage level and in provincial rugby in New Zealand are on a par with getting through the pool stages of the Heineken Cup. Whatever about what it says to McLaughlin, is that not a bit of an insult to Irish rugby in general? I think it sends a message to Irish coaches telling them that they better be very good because they won’t be judged by the same standards as a coach from the Southern Hemisphere."
I'm not saying lets slap a Q-Mark on "Axel's" backside and exclaim, "Try Irish!," but he is the best candidate. Ideally he would have more coaching experience, but his Munster pedigree is such that, his claim to the throne must not go unrecognised, or risk undermining his usurper. Regarding his lack of experience, one must remember that Schmidt's first season as Leinster head-coach was his first season as a head-coach. In the medium to long-term, Munster are bridging the gaps at academy level. At senior level, at least in the short-term, Foley can best negate the shortcomings of the panel.
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