posted Jul 18, 2008

We now have a group of coaches,the various squads,a team manager and a director of Rugby.But who is head coach.The attack coach is one of many,Smith comes with high credentials but so did the last incumbent.Speaking personally,I feel the best player in each position .Should be picked,i will amplify what I mean.Take props for example,find the best scrummgers[primary role],then support work in lineout. and so on.The Scrum half arguably the most important position in team,requires a quick clean service from scrum/lineout/ruck/maul. dancing around like a headless chicken does not help team work. scrum law under Elvs require co -ordination between sh and no 8.practise set play moves.get some one like
Tait in a settled position be it centre or what ever.The Heineken league styles are different in round robin[where bonus points matter] and Knock out stages where it tends to be,keep it up front,defend,kick drop /penalty goals.At inter national level you must have a couple of plans available and people on the bench capable of implementing them.

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posted Jul 20, 2008

I feel that Englands attack problems start way before the ball reaches the outside half. The painfully slow and laboured recycling of ruck ball and a tendency for the scrum half to take 3 steps before passing mean no momentum can be built up and gives opposing defences time 2 snuff Englands backs out easily. We have some great runners but we need quick ball to enable a quality player such as Cipriani to release the runners in space, not with a tackler arriving with the ball! am interested to hear other points of view!

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posted Jul 21, 2008

toppo1, not wanting to have a go but we don't have Cipriani this season (however much we may wish we did) so its pointless factoring him into anything instead we have tro assume that any steps made will be made with wilkinson (or Flood?) at 10.

with that in mind i think Smith is a gud choice as he is gud at making his flyhalves line up flat to release the midfield and outside runners and emphasises a running style over kicking. hopefully some of this will rub off on wilko and he can get back towards his best, which will improve th team massively.

We also cant lose perspective, its our pack that helped us beat the world in 2003 and almost snatch a wolrd cup in 2007. if the forwards arent solid in the scrum (as i feel we are) and line-out (mmm) any back coach in the wrld cudnt make that much of an impact

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posted Jul 25, 2008

there are many talented coaches in the premiership working with some of the best players in the world in one of the most competitive domestic leagues in the world. this brings with it the wnderful dilemma in selecting head coaches and other coaching staff. as mentioned in rugby world this month smith has turned one of the most boring back lines into one of the most attacking. fact. now he has the chance to work with the best england have to offer under the leadership of johnno. i have to say i'm excited!! no more confused selections or rfu interference some clear direction will soon propel english rugby to the top again. edwards was a missed opportunity but he will be better after the experience of wales and will prefer working with no nonsense johnno as well. other coaches will have to continue to perform at the cutting edge of the game to compete for places in the national team set up due to the talent around. this is good domestically and nationally. good choice in smith but some harsh decieions to be made sooner rather than later with the rest of the coaching team.

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posted Jul 27, 2008

From what I have learned so far, we know nothing until we see the action.

From what I have seen, the important thing for England coaches to realise is that they have talented players, with normal sized brains. Although these brains may be massive compared to most footballers, they have a fixed capacity. It is important to get a functional unit that plays naturally well together.

It seems that too often I see England stop and consider which of the many very clever and carefully worked out plans to use, and by the time they've remembered it's all over.

If he can see through the woods and trees he might find the open fields, but the woods are thick with bushes and bracken wearing suits and ties. Hard job. Just hope they can do it.

K

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posted Jul 28, 2008

anenglandfan........if you are then spell defence the right way....not defense....that's american and if you are an american youve no business discussing rugby at all.

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posted Jul 28, 2008

"that's american and if you are an american youve no business discussing rugby at all."

The reigning Rugby Olympic Champions not allowed to discuss it? Thats a bit harsh and I used to know a couple of Americans that were quite the rugby players and used to tour England every couple of years.

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posted Jul 29, 2008

How many coaches does England need? It is not a dificult game, one ball and 15 players. The object is to get it over the line! Soon you will end up with more coaches than players! Another coach is just going to confuse the players. A head coach should have the vision to coach all area's of the team. maybe england does not have the right head coach?

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posted Jul 29, 2008

>>> maybe england does not have the right head coach? <<<

Indeed.

England does not have a head coach at all, at the moment.

Though I suspect Smith will get the job.

Johnson - Manager
Smith - Head Coach and Attack Coach
Wells - Forwards Coach
Ford - Defence Coach
Callard - Kicking Coach
Rowntree - Scrummaging Coach

I think that's the lot.

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posted Aug 23, 2008

AusChrisO- How is it possible that you can be that thick. In international rugby, one does not simply get the ball over the line. International defences are much more organised and aggressive, so obviously a coach is needed for this, and backlines need to learn new skills and moves in order to break down these increasingly potent defences. How can you think that rugby is a simple game where you just get the ball over the line. Are you sick in the head?

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