'It's a line in the sand': Warning to dropped Wallabies hooker
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has encouraged the NSW Waratahs to have faith in Australian talent in their search for a new coach.
And he has tipped his out-of-favour hooker Folau Fainga'a to have "plenty of fire in the belly" as the Brumbies prepare for the Waratahs' response on Friday, just days after coach Rob Penney was axed.
With the unbeaten Reds in the box seat to earn Super Rugby AU grand final hosting rights, the Brumbies cannot afford to slip up against the winless Waratahs.
"They'll have a bit more emotion and motivation on board this week no doubt," McKellar said.
"Other codes and sports will talk about when a coach is unfortunately sacked, teams really front up the next week."
Penney was booted less than two seasons into the job, despite a spate of injuries to key players and a long list of departures before and after he arrived, as the club tightened their recruitment purse strings.
Assistant coaches Jason Gilmore and Chris Whitaker will lead the Waratahs at the SCG, while Australian women's sevens coach John Manenti is in the frame to take the job full time.
McKellar admitted Penney appeared to have received a rough hand but said the Waratahs' job should still be appealing, particularly to an emerging Australian coach.
"There's a lot of very, very good coaches in Australia," he said.
"And coaches are no different to players; until you give them a chance or opportunity you'll never know."
Wallabies winger Tom Wright (knee) will play his first game of the season for the Brumbies while Jake Gordon (ankle) will return to captain the Waratahs.
Fainga'a will start for the Brumbies after Australia coach Dave Rennie left him out of a 40-man Wallabies squad that will gather next month.
"It's a little bit of fire in the belly I suppose and (he needs to) understand it's not the final squad for the Bledisloe or Rugby Championship," McKellar said of his 16-test hooker.
"It's a line in the sand there and I'm sure Dave's given them good feedback and (Fainga'a) will have that bit of competitive edge there and want to prove a point."
Meanwhile, Australian sevens talents Lewis Holland and Jeral Skelton have been named on the bench for the Melbourne Rebels, who will host the Reds on Saturday.
Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring) will not play, with Bryce Hegarty promoted to fullback, Hamish Stewart back in the centres for his 50th Super Rugby game and Jock Campbell and Jordan Petaia sent to the wings.
- Murray Wenzel
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Everywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
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