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French club in pursuit of Crusaders coach
By Online Editors
Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O'Gara is being eyed up by Top 14 club La Rochelle, according to reports from various French media outlets.
It is believed the western French club, led by head coach Jono Gibbes, want to bring in the former 130-test Ireland and British and Irish Lions first-five as a replacement for outgoing backs coach Xavier Garbajosa.
Rugby Rama reported that La Rochelle were "getting closer to Ronan O'Gara to find a replacement", with negotiations expected to be completed this week.
O'Gara's contract with the Crusaders expires at the end of this season, almost two years after first signing on from French club Racing 92 to help steer the franchise to a second successive Super Rugby title.
The 42-year-old had earlier been linked to a role with the French national side on a short-term basis which would have seen him attend this year's World Cup as an assistant coach, but he ruled out such a move when speaking to Radio Sport.
"There was one or two approaches from an agent, that's as far we've got," he said.
"As anyone knows I have an amount of work to do here, which is really important to me, and if there is anything Razor [Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson] and the Crusaders would be the first to know about it.
"You just keep working, keep trying to get the best out of the boys, that is what my short term goal is.
"I love being involved with a club on a daily basis where you persistent and continuous challenges. That is exactly where my focus is. It's not a distraction. These are all conversations that happen. Next week it will be someone else."
O'Gara told Stuff in February that he wouldn't shy away from pursuing a head coaching role with the Crusaders or an assistant position with the All Blacks should Robertson be selected as the next All Blacks coach.
"Everything is possible. I'm ambitious and competitive, but I think the most important thing is if I do my job then these things look after themselves ...
"It would be something you'd aspire to do, but maybe the timing at this stage might be a bit soon. Some people might think differently.
"I'd back myself, like Razor [Robertson] would back himself. That's what you get being in this environment, you become very positive."
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Latest Comments
Early days for sure with SP but my gut tells me there could just be something very promising there, and once he fills out defence should be top order too!
Moving porter is a little bit of robbing Peter to pay Paul, Ireland’s cupboard is pretty bare on both sides of the scrum and Cian Healy sure ain’t lasting 80 any more.
Go to commentsNot so many when you compare it to the squad of 50 plus players used by SA. Four main problems with the team and Schmidt shows he is a good technician but poor international coach by not selecting the best players and rotating and developing key positions.
First, the scrum is woeful if Bell and Thor don’t play. AAA and Nongoor in particular are poor. Talea may be good but is not good enough. Schmidt should select Sio, Ainsley and Latu as the bench front row. All playing well in Europe. He should also be doing better with Pone and perhaps getting him over to France to work on his scrummaging. Pone is our best running prop but poor coaching has killed him. Needs better coaching OS provided eg Skelton and Meafou. Secondly, 9 and 10 combo. McDermott is a confidence player and is terrible on a bad day. He takes several steps before passing which kills the speed of ball and results in turnovers. Better off with Kerr Barlow who is playing well with La Rochelle and making McDermott work on his skills. Edmed probably does need a run too. Thirdly, centre and fullback. Perese is our best defender at centre and should be in the squad. The outside back defence is poor without Joe and needs to be shored up. Wright is also a confidence player and has poor defence. When he is off like he was last week better to replace him with someone like Reece Hodge who has a great boot and good D. Fourthly, lack of ball runners who break tackles outside of Bobby V and Skelton. Wilson is not up to international standard and dosent break tackles nor does McReight. Replace him with Gleeson and Leota on the bench if fit. Would also be better playing Pone than Nongoor as Pone at least has a good running game. Latu also makes ground. Amatesero is also a better player than Williams. Frost has been the standout fine. Finally, player rotation. Schmidt is grinding key players like Bell and Bobby V into dust. He needs to give them breaks by utilising OS players more and developing youngsters. The loss of Meafou to France and the guy who captained Scotland exemplifies the poor coaching and development in Aus.
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