Declan Kidney sacked

[Rosco]

Not sure what to make of this one to be honest:


IRFU ends Kidney's reign as Ireland head coach
Updated: Tuesday, 02 Apr 2013 16:04
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By Micil Glennon
Declan Kidney's tenure as Ireland head coach has come to an end.
The IRFU announced this afternoon that it would not be renewing his contract - Les Kiss will take charge of the summer tour to North America.
Kidney's contract was due to expire on 30 June but the IRFU issued a statement this afternoon saying that his role as head coach ceases today.
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: "We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish Rugby.
"His contribution and involvement across the spectrum of Irish rugby delivered Under Age, Provincial, Grand Slam and Triple Crown success, and epitomises his passion, belief and commitment to the game.
"With a host of new and emerging talent at every level, and despite the clear challenges ahead, we are confident of securing another world-class coach to work with this talented and ambitious group of players.”
The IRFU said the decision was made after a in-depth review carried out by the National Team Review Group.
The group will now begin the process of "identifying suitable candidates" for the job.

The former Munster coach took over the job in 2009 and led Ireland to their first Grand Slam since 1948 in his first year in charge.
However, since that historic campaign Ireland failed to make an impact on the big stage.
The injury-ravaged side finished in fifth place in this year's Six Nations championship, recording just a solitary win, against eventual champions Wales, and a draw with France, putting the 53-year-old's position under scrutiny.
Ireland play the USA on 8 June and Canada a week later.
Former assistant coach Kiss will take charge as interim head coach and will be assisted by Gert Smal and Anthony Foley.
Bookies have installed Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie as favourite to take the job.

 

[Athens]

I'm not surprised after this years display.

 

[Rosco]

Yeah but given the amount of injuries he had to deal with I'm not sure it's entirely fair if its just this years 6Nations performance that got him the boot.

That said I think he's made mistakes - Heaslip as captain, throwing Paddy Jackson into a shitty situation. But ultimately Ireland played pretty well but overplayed the game. Not taking easy points, not being clinical enough when breaks were made. In past years we didnt play as well or dominate as much but we had this knack for scoring off set pieces and turnover ball almost at will. We've lost that - our lineout needs fresh ideas since everyone seemed to know our plan. Jackson brought some invention to the backline though, I can't help thinking if Bowe had been out there we'd have scored more and Kidneys contract would have been renewed.

It might be best for him to go now though if we've got a good option lined up and I'd be surprised if we don't.

 

[Athens]

There was a few mistakes that cost us dearly this year. Trying to play fancy rugby in England in those conditions was one. Was he at fault for that or the players?

Who would replace him?

 

[nealmac]

Injuries aside, some of his team selections have been bizarre. I could see this coming a mile away.

 

[Rosco]

What calls were bizarre?

 

[nealmac]

Not so much who he played, but more who he didn't play. Sexton never deserved to be benched in a million years. O'Callaghan only started 1 game. There were a couple of others but they're the ones who spring to mind.

 

[Rosco]

Wasn't Sexton injured rather than benched?

 

[nealmac]

That's very possible. I remember him playing the first couple of games, and not playing the rest. I assumed he was benched.

Even so, I don't think Jackson should be playing ahead of ROG.

 

[Leo]

He basically had no option.
Sexton was crocked and O Gara is a shadow of his former self.
Heaslip as captain was probably his only real mistake.

McKenzie is the bookies hot favorite to replace him and it's really baffling me.
He hardly had the most successful of European stints in the past.
Got to be Schmidt or Ruddock for me.

 

[Rosco]

Mckenzie had already handed in his notice at Queensland and is said to have international ambitions, so it looks like 2+2 by the bookies.

The IRFU say they're looking for an outside consultant at the moment to help them identify candidates - if that's true then the bookies are playing silly buggers.

 

[Judge Jules]

He basically had no option.
Sexton was crocked and O Gara is a shadow of his former self.
Heaslip as captain was probably his only real mistake.

McKenzie is the bookies hot favorite to replace him and it's really baffling me.
He hardly had the most successful of European stints in the past.
Got to be Schmidt or Ruddock for me.

Is your nomination of Ruddock based on work he's done in Ireland itself? He was pretty poor at Worcester Warriors in his last major job.

 

[Leo]

Is your nomination of Ruddock based on work he's done in Ireland itself? He was pretty poor at Worcester Warriors in his last major job.

His work with Wales is what impresses me more.
Schmidt would be my first choice but he seems to be a bit of a loose cannon at times and the fact that he hasn't been seeing eye to eye with the IRFU will probably rule him out.

 

[LarryHagman]

McKenzie declares an interest in jobs in the hope that the ARU will sack Deans and install him; rather than lose him elsewhere. However, despite the fact that they should have on numerous occasions, I doubt the ARU are going to sack Deans anytime soon. So, I suspect that McKenzie probably is genuinely interested in Ireland.
That is, until Deans is eventually sacked. Then he will be offered the Wallabies job and will take it straight away.

 

[StevieM]

Can't see Deans being sacked before the Lions tour.

 

[Rosco]

Deans is a Kiwi isn't he?

 

[Judge Jules]

Yes.

 

[doctor_mac]

Kidney needed to go. He has been far too slow to react to bring in form players, instead sticking with his lads. He has overlooked loads of good players for years, failing even to bring them into the Wolfhounds. Mark McCall please.