NZRU set to score own goal over Crusaders’ coach

NZRU set to score own goal over Crusaders’ coach 

The NZRU board met yesterday to discuss whether Super 14 coaches Robbie Deans and David Nucifora should be allowed to remain in charge of New Zealand franchises for the 2008 Super 14 should one of them be appointed to the vacant Wallabies coach’s role. However, the loss of a head coach will be devastating for either franchise, should the board decide to oust them.

After suffering a great deal of damage to their “rugby brand” because of a lacklustre 2007 Super 14 season and the All Blacks’ World Cup failure, it seems the NZRU board is intent on shooting itself in the foot further with their meeting and subsequent secret decision on whether to allow the Wallabies’ head coach to remain with his Super 14 franchise.

After failing to land the All Blacks’ coaching job, Crusaders’ coach Deans is being interviewed for the vacant Wallabies’ job, with the new coach expected to be announced by the end of the week. Joining him in applying for this role is Blues’ coach Nucifora who is considered to be an outside chance.

Should the job go to one of these men, and all indications are that it will, the NZRU faces the prospect of having the coach of their arch rival Wallabies holding the reigns of one of their most successful Super Rugby franchises. The NZRU board met on Wednesday, but will not announce its decision until after the ARU have named the Wallabies’ head coach.

In keeping their decision secret, the NZRU have created a great deal of uncertainty for their two glamour franchises. As two of just four franchises to ever win a Super Rugby title, the Blues and Crusaders now face the very real possibility of going into the 2008 season without their long-time coach and very limited preparation time for his replacement.

Deans, who is the most successful Super 14 coach of all time, deserves better treatment from New Zealand Rugby’s administrators. The NZRU is charged with looking after New Zealand rugby’s best interests, but the reappointment of Graham Henry and the shabby treatment of Deans suggests that they are putting their own interests first.

While it is not an ideal solution, the most sensible way forward would be to allow Deans or Nucifora to complete the 2008 Super 14 season with their franchise, while adding the 2009 coach as an assistant. But then again, sensible is not a word that has been associated with the NZRU of late.

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