Any old Iron Man?International Wales by Scrum V reporter Rick O'Shea (U9394043) 03 January 2008 ![]() The post of Elite Performance Director is such a new concept that unlike coaching it does not yet have its own Merry-Go-Round obligingly spewing up names that can be linked to any vacancies. For that reason, and with no wish to be unkind, I should imagine that I was not the only person who greeted the appointment of Graeme Maw as WRU Elite Performance Director with a resounding “Graeme who?” Latest 10 commentsRead members' comments or add your own
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GingerMogwai (U634879) posted Jan 4, 2008 Great article Rick, glad someone can shed some light on who this fella is. I just hope he can deliver.
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hugh1556 (U10767319) posted Jan 4, 2008 This appointment looks excellent. We have too many ex Rugby greats who are poor managers in positions of authority. Maw's lack of a Rugby background also means there will be no conflict with Gatland on how to play Ruby.
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Friend (U1028400) posted Jan 4, 2008 I love the way people knock this guy before he hasn't even started his job properly.. it's typical welsh narrow mindedness. Its good to see the WRU thinking outside the box and giving it to a neutral and not a 'yes man'.
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JulesJon (U10767701) posted Jan 4, 2008 If he keeps the 'elite' players out of the pubs, we may have a chance this year. Drug and alcohol councillor's we need just as much as anything else!
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JPRmark2 (U10768199) posted Jan 4, 2008 The background on Mr Maw was useful and time alone will tell if the WRU have made the right appointment.I expect many objective observers of the Welsh team-that excludes most of us in Wales-will have seen a decline in comparative fitness and skill levels or is it simply that other nations have got their acts together and overtaken us?If Mr Maw can arrest and reverse this decline I for one will be singing again,but it is an indictment of the running of the game in Wales if ex-internationals are so critical of the basic skills of the current crop of players,where has it all gone wrong and what does it say about the organisation of the professional game which has been in place for quite a few years now?
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GerryE (U10769609) posted Jan 4, 2008 So sad to hear Devereux & Hadley on Scrum 5 last night.The only surprise today is that our National Newspaper has yet to join the criticism.It can only be a matter of time!
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Count von Feckdorff (U9225182) posted Jan 5, 2008 Good article, your iron man telephone call shed a bit more light on his credentials than I'd seen before. I feel optimistic about the appointment, lets just support the man and let him get on with his job. Getting an outsider (and true professional) in to cut through the bias and b/s will be a good thing.
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PIP_CAERPHILLY_RFC (U10526237) posted Jan 5, 2008 I have to agree with Rick this can't be bad for Wales what we must not do though is expect this guy to be the be all and end all of our problems in Welsh rugby. I never believed in the need for this appointment but now it's here let's hope it works.
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GerryE (U10769609) posted Jan 5, 2008 Have to agree witrh Hanriverking regarding former players.Even Jonathan has become too cocky and was caught out badly on Scrum 5 with his comments on Andrew Hoare.It will take him a long time to live down that episode.
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evlis (U6159432) posted Jan 7, 2008 Good article Rick. It is a shame that there is so much negativity about this appointment coming from the press and former players. We need to do something different and bring in new skills to gain an advantage over other nations. Comment on this article
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