Aussie Pro Rugby

nostrildamus

I wouldn't be surprised to see him back, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they were contacting him to get him on the selection panel for the coaching appointment.

if the latter, why deny it? Perfect alibi.

gt12

@nostrildamus said in Aussie Rugby:

@gt12 said in Aussie Rugby:

I wouldn't be surprised to see him back, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they were contacting him to get him on the selection panel for the coaching appointment.

if the latter, why deny it? Perfect alibi.

Because if he thought things were going tits up with Australia, he may have said, 'Well, if I get fired I might be available?'

I think it's well in the realms of possibility that he could get re-hired, but I don't think that he would need to go through any serious interview process with Japan RFU to get that job.

Based on my experience with Japanese institutions and their reliance on relationships with past contributors (especially those considered successful), and given his standing with the key decision makers there, I could totally see a situation where they contacted him trying to get him to take on any role / or assist with the selection of the coach, in whatever capacity he would be available

That could easily be interpreted as 'interviewed for the coaching appointment' when it was actually 'interviewed for any role he might be prepared to take on'.

nostrildamus

@gt12 said in Aussie Rugby:

That could easily be interpreted as 'interviewed for the coaching appointment' when it was actually 'interviewed for any role he might be prepared to take on'.

That sounds plausible.

barbarian

I actually think that's what happened. He had a call with them, but it was a general chat about his future. Could he recommend coaching options? Could he coach the team? Is there anything else he could do?

So Eddie can truthfully say it wasn't a 'job interview' but it was a detailed chat about future employment.

Kiwiwomble

@barbarian quite possibly......im just not sure why he wouldnt just say something like that and straight up refuted it

KiwiMurph

It's semantics - why the fuck is he interviewing with another union 9 months Into a 5 year deal - 2 weeks before the RWC

barbarian

@Kiwiwomble said in Aussie Rugby:

@barbarian quite possibly......im just not sure why he wouldnt just say something like that and straight up refuted it

Because it's in his DNA to be as slippery and difficult as possible. Especially if a journalist is asking him.

Kiwiwomble

@barbarian good call

Stargazer

https://reds.rugby/news/queensland-rugby-union-centralisation-position-20231010

NTA

Good response from the Reds.

The Ponies have applauded this as "REDS JOIN US IN OUR CRUSADE TO TELL RUGBY AUSTRALIA TO FUCK OFF!" which makes me think they clearly haven't read it.

MajorPom

@barbarian said in Aussie Rugby:

I actually think that's what happened. He had a call with them, but it was a general chat about his future. Could he recommend coaching options? Could he coach the team? Is there anything else he could do?

So Eddie can truthfully say it wasn't a 'job interview' but it was a detailed chat about future employment.

IF I was in charge of Japan rugby, after watching the press conference at the Wallabies RWC departure, I'd have been calling him too.

Pretty clear that he was well off side with many in Oz rugby & should the Wallabies crash out of the RWC (likely situation at that point which did unfold) then it would be pragmatic to let him know there is another option beforehand.

What the feeling on the ground on if he'll get sacked?

All the noises seem to point to that he won't be. Bluster 'n bullshit and he's a dead man walking?

NTA

@MajorRage said in Aussie Rugby:

What the feeling on the ground on if he'll get sacked?

The feeling is he won't. We can't afford it on either a financial or reputational basis.

There will be another review, alongside centralisation of some of our HP elements. Hopefully that settles things for 2024, with Eddie lining up for some humble pie on selections.