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On This Day: Ireland turn to Declan Kidney
By PA
Declan Kidney was confirmed as the new Ireland rugby head coach on May 7, 2008.
Kidney was Munster’s director of rugby at the time and his appointment was delayed until after that summer’s tour of New Zealand and Australia, with the Irish province chasing another Heineken Cup triumph.
Kidney replaced Eddie O’Sullivan, who resigned following Ireland’s dismal World Cup and then worst ever Six Nations campaign.
Irish Rugby Football Union chief executive Philip Browne said: “While the need to make the appointment as soon as was practicable was important, the IRFU was conscious of keeping any disruption to the preparations of the Munster team to a minimum.
“Declan Kidney’s record speaks for itself and it was obvious from the very beginning of this process that he was one of the main contenders to lead Ireland to the next Rugby World Cup in 2011.”
Kidney’s appointment was an open secret, and his CV gained another notable entry when Munster did win a second Heineken Cup title in three years.
Kidney, who had previously been assistant to O’Sullivan, said: “There is no greater honour for any coach than to lead his own country. I am delighted to have this opportunity and to be here at what is the pinnacle of my career.
“I have worked with many exceptional players during my career at both international and provincial level and there is no doubt that we have the talent in Ireland to be successful at the highest level.”
Kidney’s tenure got off to the perfect start as he led Ireland to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009. They then beat Australia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup before losing in the quarter-finals to Wales.
In 2012, Ireland suffered a record 60-0 loss to New Zealand, and Kidney’s contract was terminated in 2013 after they finished fifth in the Six Nations, including a loss to Italy.
He is currently director of rugby at London Irish.
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Latest Comments
Steve Hansen stepped down as ABs coach aged 60, Graham Henry did so at 65, Robbie Deans quit the Wallabies job at 54, and Wayne Smith left the ABs aged 60.
Most of them have had lesser jobs since then, but its only Graham Henry who could really be said to have coached at the top level “well into his 60s”. He’s a bit of an outlier, and that was 14 years ago. Its very possible that that will change, but I’m not seeing much evidence of that!
One factor that might be important is that NBA and the NFL are 1 league sports. Rugby league is pretty much a 2 league sport, and those 2 leagues are so far apart there can’t be much trading between them. Rugby union and especially association football have many more leagues, and so there are more opportunities for younger managers to break through.
Also, the fact that Rugby tends to have less chopping and changing of coaches is an argument against hiring older coaches. Hire a good coach in his 40s and he could stay in the job for 20 years, but realistically how long would Les Kiss be the best coach in Australia for?
Go to commentsI’d probably agree this is a tour too early but Lions do have a rich history of capping bolters and Pollock isnt as far behind as many say. I think you under-estimate his jackle work as he has a great turnover rate at club level and even at England A, he even got one against Wales
Fact is the nature of the game is changing and fast lighter backrows becoming more and more common as ball in play times go up and teams look to play wider. He is faces a challenge to make the initial squad but he is definately part of the conversation
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