Wallaby coach John Connolly has dismissed suggestions that a rift in the coaching staff threatens to ruin the team’s chances at the Rugby World Cup in France, which starts in September.
A report has claimed that the relationship of the four-man coaching staff of Connolly, Michael Foley (restarts), Scott Johnson (attack) and John Muggleton (defence) was ”edgy” and there were intense divisions within the camp.
”We’ve got no problems,” Connolly told the Australian newspaper on Tuesday. ”It’s a shame this story has come out when there are so many good things in the game.
”Most people are feeling positive and confident about the World Cup. This story does the game no good.
”It’s the greatest beat-up of all time. We have a lot of coaches’ meetings and a lot of debate. The coaching team was put together because we wanted the best people and strong personalities.
”Of course, there will be differences. We have discussions and debate and then we decide what we are going to do.”
While the coaching staff may not be fractured, it is certainly fractious.
Former Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive Gary Flowers appointed the coaching staff on the recommendation of former Wallaby coach Rod MacQueen and former Test captain Simon Poidevin.
The ARU wanted to get away from the dominant coaching style of Eddie Jones and there was a conscious decision to empower the assistant coaches.
Connolly’s main role is to oversee the coaching of the team and manage the coaches, which is a difficult job at times.
The relationship between Connolly and Foley is extremely close, personally and philosophically.
While Connolly gets on well with Johnson, their views on the way the game should be played are poles apart. Connolly is a conservative who promotes a forward-oriented game based on kicking for field position, while Johnson is more adventurous, preferring to use ball-in-hand and the width of the field.
It is understood Connolly does not have the same rapport with Muggleton, who has been the Wallaby defence coach since the late 1990s and was a key figure in their 1999 World Cup victory. Muggleton is seen by some as a frustrated head coach and feels his contribution to the team is overlooked.
Muggleton walked out of the John Eales Medal dinner in Brisbane last Monday night after ARU president Paul McLean forgot to mention him when acknowledging the assistant coaches, and he had to be pacified by Connolly.
”I’ve worked for the Wallabies for 10 years now and you’d think that someone would remember my name and I’m committed to this team,” Muggleton said. ”I’ve seen a lot of people come and go.
”It’s just disappointing that people can’t see past that and say ‘he’s done well’.
”There should be some recognition. I know it sounds selfish, but if they just want me to be a defensive coach, give me that name and don’t call me an assistant coach.”
Muggleton was adamant he had no issues with his fellow coaches after working through their teething problems. But there is an element of competitiveness between the assistant coaches, which may be fuelled in part by post-World Cup ambitions and conflicting agendas.
In the past there was a clear demarcation line between a backs and forwards coach, but the way the game has evolved the responsibilities of assistant coaches have increasingly overlapped.
For example, an attack coach may have a preference for ball-running forwards, while a restarts coach is perhaps more interested in a player’s ability at the set pieces.
There is no doubt there were divisions in the coaching staff last year, particularly on the Wallaby tour of Europe.
But Flowers facilitated a meeting between the coaches early in the year to ensure they were on the same page heading into the World Cup.
Rugby insiders do not believe differences of opinion among the coaching staff are sufficient to adversely affect the World Cup campaign.
”I’ve enjoyed the working relationship with the coaches and players this season,” Foley said.
”Last season was different. I was coaching [English club] Bath two weeks before Australia played and there was no time to plan.
”This season we sat down and planned as much as we could and it has been very beneficial.
”Differences of opinion are not unique to this coaching staff.
”We tackled those things and agree on each and every aspect of our play. Those different views have not been apparent this year because we’ve had the time to discuss things.” — Sapa