Nick Mallett and Wayne Smith

I notice that the English papers have picked up on the fact that Wayne Smith may be interested in a job with England. Has a get out clause in his contract with Waikato Chiefs which allows him to take an international coaching job if one arises. Getting quite pally with Nick Mallett while they're both in England for the Help The Heroes game and, judging by their remarks to the media, both seem to be hinting at a partnership after the 6N. If true this could be a very good appointment. Living in NZ I hear a lot about Wayne Smith and it's all good. Very highly regarded over here and has international experience.

Only possible hitch could be Mallett saying he won't report to a Director of Rugby. Please don't take this as another "get rid of squeaky" thread.

What do you reckon?

I think get rid of Squeaky

Potentially great news for England. Can't see them both taking it under the current setup though. To many cheifs in the RFU.

Think they would both be excellent appointments. However, can't help but feel slightly deflated that no English coaches appear to be warranting the same attention or putting their hands up.
Imagine Deano coming in as forwards coach with those 2 after his ban.....

I'd still do for Mallinder and West with a defence coach (preferably Gustard from Sarries). They know the league they know the English players and more importantly Mallinder and West have worked successfully with a decent number of the current players whilst they were with the Saxons.

Very sensible of Nick Mallett and Wayne Smith. They want what we all want - Rob Andrew to be sacked and the RFU to get their house in order. A reasonable demand. This should definitely be considered very seriously.

It's good because it gives an added incentive for decisions about the RFU and Rob Andrew to be made. The ball is in their court.

Nick Mallett and Wayne Smith would be better than Jim Mallinder and Dorian West or even Paul Gustard in my opinion because they will have no inbuilt bias.

They will have a fresh approach and not be part of the old boys club. Nick Mallett in particular has a lot of experience as an international coach. He also does have ties with England - having being born here and studied here so isn't a complete outsider.

Fromw hat I understand he isnt objecting to Rob Andrew the person, its the DORs role he objects to.

The role was bought in because Andrew and other wanted to undermine Johnson who they never beleived should have hgad the job in the first place. Andrew is currently only in the role on a temportarry basis.

After the 6 nations MAllet has said hed be interested if approacheed to take on a job without having to reprot to a DOR, I think Andrews contarct will expire anyway?

beshocked wrote:Very sensible of Nick Mallett and Wayne Smith. They want what we all want - Rob Andrew to be sacked and the RFU to get their house in order. A reasonable demand. This should definitely be considered very seriously.

It's good because it gives an added incentive for decisions about the RFU and Rob Andrew to be made. The ball is in their court.

Nick Mallett and Wayne Smith would be better than Jim Mallinder and Dorian West or even Paul Gustard in my opinion because they will have no inbuilt bias.

They will have a fresh approach and not be part of the old boys club. Nick Mallett in particular has a lot of experience as an international coach. He also does have ties with England - having being born here and studied here so isn't a complete outsider.

Didnt Wayne Smith run Northampton RFC for a few seasons as head coach? Both have a great eye for the game.

Mallet is not saying he will not work for Rob Andrew, Mallet is saying that he doesn't understand why the RFU need a Director Of Rugby...! None of the top Rugby nations have one, certainly not as such a key figure.

Peter Seabiscuit if Andrew's contract is expiring that's excellent. It means he won't get a fat payoff cheque.

Well I can understand why Nick Mallett objects to a DOR.

Maestegmafia if that's the case then both him and Nick Mallett would be excellent appointments. They sound like they have the ideal qualifications.

They have to be allowed to have complete control - I agree and should be allowed their own staff.

I personally don't mind what nationality the coach is as long as they are the best available for the job.

I think the scenario is far more one or the other rather than both.

The message is clear..."We'd take the job but on our terms".

Sounds great, but until there is a huge upheaval at HQ, it's not gonna happen. I'm excited about that double act though...

so, where does that leave us for the 6N then? Stuart Lancaster in a caretaker capacity? Or do the RFU convince Mallett to take the job now?

maest in agreement with you on this one. Mallet has the pedigree and experience to take the job, and hes quite sensible to say he wants a structure in place that s there to support not undermine him ( something that upset Johnosn a lot when they tried to isntall Woodward directly above him)
Right now its just as well theres someone in Andrews' position with seniority who can organise and lead whats left of the coaches through the 6 nations, but after that its a role that isnt required unless they go without a senior coach./manager figurehead which I find highly unlikley. Doesnt mean Andrew cant find employment elsewhere within the Union, maybe mucking out the stables or as a crash bag. He was suppossed to be applying for teh operations director before he became DOER

Beshocked I just checked on Andrews' contarct ...it apparently expires at the end of this year.
Unless they have appointed someoen by then its highly unliklley it wont be extended though. I would hope any extension would just take him to the end of the 6 nations though.

If they do get rid of Rob Andrew I'm sure his book will be quite interesting.
I think he knows too much and that is one reason they will either extend his contract or promote him but he will not be asked to leave.

Cymroglan wrote:If they do get rid of Rob Andrew I'm sure his book will be quite interesting.
I think he knows too much and that is one reason they will either extend his contract or promote him but he will not be asked to leave.

Theres certainly plenty of people who would have things to say about him too and his role in the political shenanigans that have gone on over the last few years. No question that hes up to his neck in the politics, its pretty inevitable.

I assume he'd either move back to or reapply for the operations role or a new post on a similar basis....if they do get rid of the DOER job again. Otherwise he will appoint someone who is willing to work under him, and that wont be Mallet.

Of former international coaches, I'd prefer Jones, Kirwan or White to Mallett.

Please god, not Eddie Jones. A saboteur from within if ever I saw one....

so, re my previous question....what do we do for the 6N?

Pray?

Certainly looks as though England is attracting overseas interest so theres probably something in that.

Smith, besides being a backs/ attack expert will bring with him huge knowledge of things down under, is a real 'learner' and analyst of the game and applies it whenever he can. Mallet will bring the hard SA approach that the forwards will appreciate and they'll need a specialist 3rd man in whatever Mallet's lesser side is (forwards or defence I'm not sure what his technical strengths are but you generally need the 3 areas covered)

I'd have thought Mallet and Kirwan might be a good mix too both having worked with Italy and Kirwan brings a lot of what Smith offers with perhaps less experience.

They've all also tasted both winning and losing the world cups directly so that's got to help. Lessons from losing previous world cups tends to provide a real learning curve.

I hope it happens. Frankly why isnt Mallet and Kirwan/ Smith being considered for the AB's. I'm not a great fan of Hansen's and his media approach is sometimes gutter stuff that few like Henry know how to rise above.

If Smith and Mallett are both interested in being England head coach..is it possible that they could work together?....Both be joint head coach, i suppose their will have to be a boss.

Toss a coin for it. Maybe.

Smith can work with anyone- hes just that type that is in it for the work, the love of the game, not necessarily the 'glory' so to speak, though winning is certainly highest on his agenda.

I'd see Mallet as the head coach (not for the glory reasons) but feel he commands more presence as a leading figure and would drive the direction more.

Taylorman wrote: hes just that type that is in it for the work, the love of the game, not necessarily the 'glory' so to speak,

He'd be coming to the right place then

It seems that the RFU have been listening to some of the comments made by potential candidates. Rob Andrew has been moved to Director of Rugby with no direct responsibility for the senior team. Paves the way for Mallett to take over in June as head coach and Wayne Smith as his no 2 once the Super XV season finishes in July.

Here's hoping!!

Personally I think both of them need their heads examined,they should be careful as to what they are getting them selves into.
My take on it is that the players cant stand the administrators and have no respect for the coaches
the administrators cant stand the players and dont know how to appoint coaches.
Its like fighting for a place on the bridge of the Titanic.

It seems squeaky has been moved to one side and will be out of the loop as far as coaching goes and this can only be a good thing. It would also appear to clear the way for Nick Mallett and others to operate in workable set up. I have no doubt that there is the talent in the English game and it must be attractive to top coaches to have a shot with a potentially very successful national side. I would be very happy to see Mallet in post. I have a lot of respect for him, good bloke and good rugby brain.