Western Mail's top 10 replacements for Dai Young

by polotechnics Thu 23 Jun 2011, 9:40 am

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/06/22/analysis-who-will-replace-dai-young-at-the-blues-91466-28925621/

Justin Burnell
The 43-year-old ex-Pontypridd and Bridgend flanker is Young’s right-hand man at the Blues and favourite for the top job if there’s to be an internal promotion.
Began his coaching career with his home town club of Llantwit Fardre, going on to take the helm at Ponty.
Guided Wales U-19s to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2006 and was appointed head coach of Cardiff later that year, while also serving as Academy manager ahead of becoming Blues forwards coach in 2008.

Rob Howley
Former Lions scrum-half Howley spent three years with the Blues as backs coach ahead of moving on to work as an assistant to Warren Gatland with Wales in 2008.
As a player, he had two spells with Cardiff and won 59 caps for his country, 22 as captain, while also scoring the try that brought Wasps the Heineken Cup in 2004.
He was part of the Lions coaching team in South Africa two years ago, but, at the age of 40, he is yet to take on a head coaching role.

Kingsley Jones
Much travelled both as a player and a coach, Jones is currently on his furthest-flung assignment, as coach of Russia.

He parted company with Sale in January after seven years at the club, during which time he had been forwards coach, head coach and director of rugby, winning the Premiership title in 2006.
Cut his coaching teeth at Doncaster after a back-row playing career that took in spells at Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd, Worcester and Gloucester and brought 10 Welsh caps.

Phil Davies
Has just gained promotion to the Aviva Premiership with Worcester, who he joined last summer as forwards coach.
Has had previous coaching spells with Leeds - where he spent a decade - the Scarlets, Wales U20s and Cardiff, helping the Blue & Blacks win the Premiership title in 2009.
Now 46, he earned exactly that number of caps in the back five of the scrum.
Applied for the Wales coaching job in 2006, but lost out to his former Llanelli boss Gareth Jenkins.

Mike Rayer
Born and bred in Cardiff, this Llandaff North product was a hugely popular player during two spells as a side-stepping full-back with the Blue & Blacks. Won 21 caps for Wales, scoring two tries as a replacement against Scotland in the 1994 Five Nations.
Has spent the past six years as director of rugby of Bedford, who reached the final of the British & Irish Cup last season and finished second in the Championship, losing in the last minute of the play-off semi-final to Worcester.

Graham Henry
This may be a bit left-field, but the former Wales boss will have time on his hands after the World Cup, as he’s set to step down as coach of New Zealand following the tournament, ideally after securing that elusive Webb Ellis trophy.
He’s no spring chicken at 65, but he still has a razor-sharp mind and knows the game like virtually no-one else alive. He also has a good relationship with Blues chairman Peter Thomas and a strong affection for Welsh rugby and Wales. Stranger things have happened.

Dale McIntosh
Is it time for the Chief to become the boss? McIntosh, 41, has certainly had a year to remember, having guided Pontypridd to WRU Cup glory and top spot in the Premiership at the end of the regular season.
The Kiwi-born Welsh international has extensive coaching experience at age-grade level, having worked as a development officer for both the Blues and the WRU. He's now doing the business at senior level with Ponty, where he is a real cult hero having played for the club for close on two decades.

Xavier Rush
It would be a huge ask for Rush to step straight into such a high-profile coaching role with no experience under his belt. But Young started out as player-coach and has remained at the helm for nine years.
Former New Zealand back-rower Rush would certainly command respect. He's a real warrior who lays his body on the line week-in, week-out and has made a huge contribution to the Blues since arriving in Cardiff in 2005. A natural leader who will turn 34 next month.

Lyn Jones
Has recently returned to British rugby, as coach of London Welsh, having spent two years working out in Abu Dhabi.
Knows the Welsh regional scene inside out, having been head coach of the Ospreys for five years, while also having had a short spell with the Dragons.

Having stepped up from his role in charge of Neath, former flanker Jones guided the Ospreys to silverware in both the Celtic League and EDF Trophy. Has made it clear that he would like to be Warren Gatland's successor as Wales coach.

Mike Ruddock
Has been coaching for more than 20 years, having started out with Swansea in his early 30s after being forced to retire from playing early because of an accident at work.
Spells with Leinster, Ebbw Vale, Wales A and the Dragons followed ahead of his shock appointment as Wales coach ahead of Gareth Jenkins in 2004.
Guided Wales to the Grand Slam the following year, but left the post amid much acrimony in 2006 and didn't enjoy the most successful time with Worcester. Now 51, he is coaching Ireland's U-20 team.

There are a few likely contenders in this list of 10.

But some of the rest are just pie in the sky – Xavier Rush? Graham Henry?

Why don’t they just put together a list of 5 candidates who have a realistic chance?

by red_stag Thu 23 Jun 2011, 9:45 am

Lyn Jones, Rob Howley, Kingsley Jones and Mike Ruddock would all be good appointments IMO. As an outside bet what would the Blues say to Eddie O'Sullivan?

by polotechnics Thu 23 Jun 2011, 9:48 am

I'd also like to see McIntosh being given a shot or even Mike Rayer. It would be good to blood some new Welsh coaching talent

by wales606 Thu 23 Jun 2011, 9:53 am

Burnell is the most likely candidate, McIntosh possibly.

If they bring someone else from the outside, id say it would likely be Howley (although Ruddock would be interesting)

by Adam D Thu 23 Jun 2011, 9:53 am

Added a poll and quoted the nominees in the article thumbsup

by wales606 Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:00 am

Who I would like to see - Graham Henry

Who I will see - Justin Burnell

by XR Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:00 am

Burnell?

by wales606 Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:01 am

Correction, who I would like to see - Nick Mallett Wink

by polotechnics Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:11 am

cheers hobo

by manofgwent Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:25 am

Have the blues got the money to bring in z bog name? No. Also would a big name coach take on such a tough role. No money to spend and the squad nerds an overhaul. Young has not seen ahead and replaced players and brought in fresh faces. A lot of the blues best players are overseas and over 30.
Lyn jones has just taken the London welsh job, ruddock won't come back to Wales. Anyone mentioning Paul turner?

by XR Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:33 am

Of course we have money, Peter Thomas is worth a bucket load. The whole 'we have to reduce our budget' and all that is just because he's stingy with the money!

by polotechnics Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:34 am

Paul Tuner is a good shout. I wonder why his name isn't being touted. Is it because of the Western Mail's frought relationship with Mr Turner.

by manofgwent Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:38 am

And because the blues are leaking money on renting a football ground that they have to give out thousands of tickets to cover up just how poorly the move has gone. I think they should have let rush go to ulster. He's been a great servant, but he's had his day and his wages are huge.

by Shifty Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:42 am

Mike Rayer would be my pick.
He's part of the Cardiff coaching team until 2005 when he went to be head coach at Bedford, despite not having the finances of other clubs in the division their always there or there abouts each season in the English second division and thats done with a team of nearly all Englishmen.

He's sown a silk purse out of a sows ear at Bedford and coaches who can get average players playing like good players is exactly what Welsh rugby needs, and talented coaches like him need to be given a chance at regional level. He's a Cardiff boy through and through as well so he will be determined to succeed there.

by bedfordwelsh Thu 23 Jun 2011, 10:54 am

I have voted for Kingsley Jones, even though he is a Gwent boy I would just to see him back in Wales coaching. Also out of the list I would say names like Lyn Jones and Ruddock would figure hevaily as they are exoerienced and would do well as Directors of Rugby.

That said with future Welsh coaches in mind it would be great to see the likes of Mikey Rayer, Gareth Llewellyn and McIntosh at least involved in our Regions. Maybe not as Director of Rugby but certainly head coach etc etc.

by Shifty Thu 23 Jun 2011, 11:08 am

I guess another possibility would be to have Mike Rayer as head / backs coach and Dale Mcintosh as Assistant / forwards coach. That could be interesting.

by bedfordwelsh Thu 23 Jun 2011, 11:14 am

Alyn,

I think that would work with maybe a Ruddock or Jones type person about them as Director of Rugby.

by Sin é Thu 23 Jun 2011, 11:35 am

AFAIK, Mike Ruddock is the new coach of Lansdowne Rugby club from next season. You'd think the Western Mail would know that Whistle

by Guest Thu 23 Jun 2011, 11:39 am

I voted for Kingsley, I reckon welsh rugby needs him back here in some sort of coaching capacity.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 23 Jun 2011, 11:59 am

Only a paper as rudey poo as the Western Mail could include Graham Henry on the list. As someone's already said, it would have been better to have compiled a credible list of five candidates, rather than struggling to find ten.

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 23 Jun 2011, 12:33 pm

It will be interesting to see who does get thet job (if there is a job to get?) as it will really state the sort of intent/cash the Blues have. I voted Burnell as I have a feeling they will try and keep everything done internally

by kiwicraving Thu 23 Jun 2011, 12:43 pm

Kingsley is the obvious choice, i really feel like he was left with a mess in sale after PSA left, would like to see him get a decent shot. Eddie O'Sullivan would also be a great choice. Definite advantage over the irish teams. Mike Ruddock no way. since the grand slam he's been terrible. Whens dean richards available?

by red_stag Thu 23 Jun 2011, 5:01 pm

The non Welsh options:

- Michael Cheika
- Eddie O'Sullivan
- Nick Mallet

by PackaPunch Thu 23 Jun 2011, 5:08 pm

The most important factor in all of this is finances - there aren't any!!!! Any notions of big name signings can instantly be forgotten about - not going to happen.
On the plus side, if they brought in Mcintosh he could be responsible for organising the social aspect of things - hear he's rather good at that!!!! Whistle

by Shifty Thu 23 Jun 2011, 6:52 pm

PackaPunch wrote:The most important factor in all of this is finances - there aren't any!!!! Any notions of big name signings can instantly be forgotten about - not going to happen.
On the plus side, if they brought in Mcintosh he could be responsible for organising the social aspect of things - hear he's rather good at that!!!!

Well if they went for my Rayer / Mcintosh combo, Rayer's nickname is Hoover so while Dale Mcintosh is throwing people around the bar, Mike could be gobbling up the buffet! laughing

by maestegmafia Thu 23 Jun 2011, 6:57 pm

On a serious note Mackintosh and Rayer could be a great combo.

I thought phill Kingsley jones was busy coaching Russia for the world cup? Henry won't be available until the knockout stages of the world cup, mike tussock is the new coach at landsdown and Howley is still the Welsh backs coach

by Shifty Thu 23 Jun 2011, 7:43 pm

maestegmafia wrote:On a serious note Mackintosh and Rayer could be a great combo.

I thought phill Kingsley jones was busy coaching Russia for the world cup? Henry won't be available until the knockout stages of the world cup, mike tussock is the new coach at landsdown and Howley is still the Welsh backs coach

Henry is 65, lets be honest he's probably had a guts full of Welsh rugby after last time, does he really want to come into this nasty, spiteful enviroment where he is going to have to push average Blues players to the heights their fans will expect?
Secondly the Blues dont have 2 pennies to rub together and Henry wont be dragged here for anything less than a fortune.

by Aberdareboy Thu 23 Jun 2011, 7:51 pm

Kingsley was given a chance at Sale after PSA left - as a result he was very swiftly moved to the back room!! Good at mooching and talking the talk but that's about it.

by Shifty Thu 23 Jun 2011, 8:31 pm

Aberdareboy wrote:Kingsley was given a chance at Sale after PSA left - as a result he was very swiftly moved to the back room!! Good at mooching and talking the talk but that's about it.

Yes I agree quite a few people sound very good on the Scrum V bench when their giving their reasons and opinions but when their teams play as badly as Sale did you have to wonder what their doing in the training sessions, he nearly got them relegated!

by PackaPunch Thu 23 Jun 2011, 8:56 pm

At the end of the day, whoever comes in/takes over has a thankless task - not a penny in the bank and a pack of forwards that desperately need a revamp. Dai has got some quality backs but has made (financially costly) mistakes with the number 10 position. Being a forward, you would have thought he would have concentrated on building up a new front row. That is really going to cost them this season. Without a cash injection, the best coach in the world would only achieve mediocre results this season.

by red_stag Fri 24 Jun 2011, 12:49 am

Things aren't that bad for the Blues IMO. They had excellent backs. An ageing pack but I would say they are grizzled. DEFINITELY capable of Quarter Finals and Playoffs. After that anything is possible.

by wales606 Fri 24 Jun 2011, 7:51 am

At least our backrow is getting younger,

A year ago it was

6. Mamma Molitika (36)
7. Martyn Williams (35)
8. Xavier Rush (34)

Now its,

6. Andreus Pretorious (25)
7. Sam Warburton (22)
8. Xavier Rush (34)

In fact, the forwards are not that old if you use

1. Gethin Jenkins (30)
2. TRThomas (29)
3. Scott Andrews (21)
4. Bradley Davies (24)
5. Mike Paterson (26)
6. Andreus Pretorious (25)
7. Sam Warburton (22)
8. Xavier Rush (34)

That gives an average age of just 26!

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 24 Jun 2011, 7:53 am

maestegmafia wrote:Howley is still the Welsh backs coach

Don't remind me! steam

by Coleman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 8:56 am

I voted Kingsley but as hes with the Ruskies McIntosh would be a good regional selection as it could help to bring people down from the Ponty end, also they've got some good tallent coming through up there who deserve a shot in the Blues squad.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 9:52 am

AlynDavies wrote:
Aberdareboy wrote:Kingsley was given a chance at Sale after PSA left - as a result he was very swiftly moved to the back room!! Good at mooching and talking the talk but that's about it.

Yes I agree quite a few people sound very good on the Scrum V bench when their giving their reasons and opinions but when their teams play as badly as Sale did you have to wonder what their doing in the training sessions, he nearly got them relegated!

I got to agree with you boys there too. Kingsely does appear to give off a feeling of being right at home in front o fthe TV cameras, but it does not mean he is a good coach. I have seen a few people that I rate as decent coaches look very uncomfortable when the TV cameras are to them. That said maybe seeing Kingsley coach a welsh region may be an eye opener.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 9:54 am

Coleman wrote: McIntosh would be a good regional selection as it could help to bring people down from the Ponty end.

Or he could end up ruining his legacy with the Ponty lot?

by bedfordwelsh Fri 24 Jun 2011, 10:15 am

Despite having a bad end to his spell at Sale he proved what he could do early on and during his time there and previously at Gloucester.

by Coleman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 10:45 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Coleman wrote: McIntosh would be a good regional selection as it could help to bring people down from the Ponty end.

Or he could end up ruining his legacy with the Ponty lot?

Thats a fair point, but i'd hope that they wouldnt be so fickle, as we really need some one to bring the whole region together so we can push on.

by wales606 Fri 24 Jun 2011, 11:53 am

Blues chairman Peter Thomas has declared he didn’t want Dai Young to leave for Wasps and that his contractual situation would have to be resolved before he could move on.

It’s understood the Blues would want around £100,000 in compensation from Wasps to release Young from the remaining 12 months of his contract.

Thomas insists he has no desire to stand in the way of the former Wales skipper, who has been at the helm for nine years.

But he says he has an obligation to the shareholders to find a suitable resolution to the contractual situation.

He met with Young yesterday morning and last night outlined the current position.

“Dai wants to go,” revealed Thomas.

“He has made that clear to me.

“Personally I don’t want him to go and I think I speak for many people when I say that.

“He is the best recruit we have ever made.

“I’ve nothing but admiration for him as a coach and a person.

“He has been with us for 15 years, both as player and coach, and nobody holds him in higher esteem than I do.

“He has done a huge amount for the club.

“He has been here for 15 years because of the person he is.

“So I would love him to stay.

“But he has got his decision to make. He has his career and his family to think of.

“If he wants to go and try something different I wouldn’t want to stand in his way.

“I will give him all the support I can.”

Thomas continued: “Dai has never hidden the fact that in order to further his career he feels he might need to go out of Wales with a view to coming back and getting the national job.

“I understand that and there is no way I would stand in the way of him wanting to further his career.

“He would go with my support and blessing.

“But there are contractual obligations to consider.

“He still has a year to run on his current contract and, as chairman of the company, I have a responsibility to the shareholders and fellow employees.

“A contract is a contract.

“Dai understands that.

“There is a contract in place that safeguards him and us as well.

“I am no lawyer.

“I have left it to the legal people at Cardiff and Wasps to find the right solution.

“They are going to review that contract of employment and hopefully there will be a way forward.

“The contract of employment is what it is.

“It has to be reviewed by the two parties and, as a result of that, decisions will be made.”

Thomas added: “I am not resigned to losing Dai.

“He does want to go, but if it weren’t to be, then I don’t think he would cry over it.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/06/24/blues-chairman-i-won-t-stand-in-dai-young-s-way-but-contract-situation-must-be-resolved-91466-28932705/#ixzz1QBp2pK6P

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 12:07 pm

So Pieman doesn't want to stop Dai from going, however he wil slap such a large price on his head that it will make it pretty awkward for him to go?

by wales606 Fri 24 Jun 2011, 12:15 pm

Yep, I wonder what the Blues will do with £100,000 - Any 10s...roll out your 10s....anyone....seriously.....we have money now right?

by red_stag Fri 24 Jun 2011, 12:18 pm

Could Stade Francais' financial worrys allow Contepomi or Warwick to move to Cardiff?

by wales606 Fri 24 Jun 2011, 12:21 pm

red_stag - thats an excellent idea....If only I had Peter Thomas's phone number.

Contepomi would be an excellent signing, even though he is slipping with age.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 1:37 pm

I bet they wish they had sorted this out earlier, they could have bid for Hook, Priestland and Henson properly then.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 1:41 pm

wales606 wrote:It’s understood the Blues would want around £100,000 in compensation from Wasps to release Young from the remaining 12 months of his contract......
“But there are contractual obligations to consider.......
“A contract is a contract.
“Dai understands that.

Just thinking about those specific lines, Dai (and Pieman) should know that contracts mean nothing after all didn't Rush have a contract with Ulster to be playing for them last season?

by wales606 Fri 24 Jun 2011, 1:59 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
wales606 wrote:It’s understood the Blues would want around £100,000 in compensation from Wasps to release Young from the remaining 12 months of his contract......
“But there are contractual obligations to consider.......
“A contract is a contract.
“Dai understands that.

Just thinking about those specific lines, Dai (and Pieman) should know that contracts mean nothing after all didn't Rush have a contract with Ulster to be playing for them last season?

Yeah, but the Blues/Rush had to pay Ulster a lot of money to buy him out of his contract.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 24 Jun 2011, 2:21 pm

Yeah I guess, it just seems rather funny that it's only a season on from Rush, but people have him as an option to replace Dai, and also that Peter Thomas is claiming not to know the exact dealings on how to deal with these contractual issues. Doh

by Shifty Fri 24 Jun 2011, 5:36 pm

red_stag wrote:Could Stade Francais' financial worrys allow Contepomi or Warwick to move to Cardiff?

Oh god please not Contepomi......
Does he still take 3 minutes per goal kick?
He was the guy that started the fans booing before kicks at goal in Wales. He took so long people just got annoyed, the IRB actually brought in rules and time limits because of him.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 24 Jun 2011, 5:42 pm

No, it wasn't him, it was whoever the Pumas' outside half was in the 1999 World Cup. His name escapes me, but it wasn't Contepomi.

by Shifty Fri 24 Jun 2011, 5:48 pm

luckless_pedestrian wrote:No, it wasn't him, it was whoever the Pumas' outside half was in the 1999 World Cup. His name escapes me, but it wasn't Contepomi.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/1646871.stm

Wales 16-30 Argentina

Argentina fly-half Felipe Contemponi stole the show at the Millennium Stadium to lead his team to a deserved win over a poor Wales side.

All the pre-match attention focused on Wales' Iestyn Harris much anticipated debut in international rugby union, but his opposite number was the master on the day.

Contemponi's tally of 25 points gave the Pumas their first ever Test match win over Wales.

"We believed we could do this. We've come here three times in the last four years and it's third time lucky," Contepomi said.

The home side were booed off the field by the home fans after they sat through another disorganised and lethargic Welsh performance.

The Argentina forwards gave Agustin Pichot a perfect attacking platform
Despite impressing with some fine long passing and competent kicks at goal, Harris' debut will be remembered for two elementary kicking errors.

An attempted clearance kick in the first half was charged down by Contemponi, who then held off Colin Charvis to reach the ball first over the tryline.

And a poorly placed kick in the second half led to a try for winger Gonzalo Camardon in the left corner.

But it would be unfair to attribute Argentina's win to mistakes from Harris' silver boots.

Their forwards looked hungry and sharp while the Welsh forwards struggled time and again to build a platform for their backs to launch any meaningful attacks.

Argentina dominated possession and territory which allow Contemponi to kick five penalties and a drop-goal.

Harris made an inauspicious start to life in the red jersey.
Harris kept Wales in touch with three penalties of his own but the Pumas led from start to finish and never looked in danger of relinquishing their advantage.

Wales did manage a superbly worked try from prop Darren Morris late in the first-half, but any attacking play from then on was either spoiled by poor handling or aggressive Argentine tackling.

After last month's humiliating defeat against Ireland in the Six Nations, this result piles yet more pressure on Wales coach Graham Henry.

He claimed this match was the beginning of his rebuilding for the 2003 World Cup.

Harris should be a major part of the restructuring and he will hope for a more productive afternoon against Tonga next weekend before world champions Australia come calling.

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Who would you like to see from that list as the next Blues manager