In many ways Brook is a radical signing given his lack of senior coaching experience and looks like part of the transition from the old regime, new broom sweeping clean. My fears are that while I admire and respect the need to be innovative introducing someone new with fresh ideas we are still very much untested all round, still vulnerable and suffering from the past three seasons of decline. I would have thought bringing in a coach with a proven tract record, with some merit of success like Jason Strange, would have offered greater continuity having been the under 20's coach after a time of so much turmoil. I read that the Blues let him go and appointed ex-player Richie Rees as a money saving exercise.
An opposing argument as put forward is Brook's European influence and possible ability to attract a better quality of players in the long run. But this would require a measure of success and a demonstration of potential thus nothing like increasing pressure.
I think the key point in the presser is that Brock James will complement the coaching strategy Booth wants to introduce. This stinks of a decision made for rugby reasons, and not jobs for the boys or stamp collecting, long may it continue
If Strange was any good Cardiff Blues would have retained him or a decent side would have picked him up. If we interviewed 10 candidates then I would be surprised if Strange did not apply for the process so we clearly thought there were better candidates.
Are the rumours of Filo coming in as forwards true i wonder ,we definitely need a 10 /12 as a backup also a 8 would be great,Brock was a class act as a player hopefully he can do a good job as attack coach ,welcome Brock.
I do not think Filo coming in when we already have probably the best technical forwards coach we have ever had in Hogg would be a sensible decision. Not sure he would be want you want for NH rugby. Booth is also a forwards coach a job he has been doing at Quins for the past season. The only possible role for Filo I could see would be as defence coach but if we were doing that you would expect some serious investment on the playing side. I don't think any coaches will turn the likes of Price Ashley and Cracknell into pro players who are not going to get dominated by their opposite numbers. Is the rumour from a credible source?
I think that Richie Pugh has already got the defence coach job. In terms of the 10 the ideal player would be a back up 10 who could also compete for a midfield role, given that Scott Williams is starting to look more and more as if his body has failed him and he is a bust. The type of player we have been linked with being Williams Madigan Lance and Flood are all 10's who can play pretty well at centre as well. If money was no object the ideal type of player would be Matt Toouma who went back from Leicester to Melbourne last year or Christian Leali'ifona, who is currently playing in Japan but money probably will be factor and we will be looking at a lower budget option.
Edit another quality 10/12 option is Tom Taylor who has just been sacked from Pau for going home to NZ during the Covid outbreak. Not sure how easy visa's will be to get for any overseas players. It is probably fair to say though that a lot more players will want to join a team with Brock James as attack coach than with Matt Sheratt.
I wonder if he was the other 10 Milldew reckoned we were talking to along with Flood? Is there any intention for him to be player coach or are we still in the market for a back up 10? A back up 10 who can double as an effective midfielder remains our most critical hole in the squad.
Yes I noticed that in the press release and he is 38 whereas Flood is 34. Ideally we get a decent back up 10 who can double up as a midfielder although when Booth and James actually realise Price is on the books as a back up 10 rather than a ball boy James may have to rethink his retirement plans.
Is that a hopeful thought or I know something post ?
we should start hearing soon about the rest of the coaching staff "hopefully ". And the last few new players coming in .
In many ways Brook is a radical signing given his lack of senior coaching experience and looks like part of the transition from the old regime, new broom sweeping clean. My fears are that while I admire and respect the need to be innovative introducing someone new with fresh ideas we are still very much untested all round, still vulnerable and suffering from the past three seasons of decline. I would have thought bringing in a coach with a proven tract record, with some merit of success like Jason Strange, would have offered greater continuity having been the under 20's coach after a time of so much turmoil. I read that the Blues let him go and appointed ex-player Richie Rees as a money saving exercise.
An opposing argument as put forward is Brook's European influence and possible ability to attract a better quality of players in the long run. But this would require a measure of success and a demonstration of potential thus nothing like increasing pressure.
Are the rumours of Filo coming in as forwards true i wonder ,we definitely need a 10 /12 as a backup also a 8 would be great,Brock was a class act as a player hopefully he can do a good job as attack coach ,welcome Brock.
Croeso Brock!! Hopefully a defence coach named next and a dedicated back up 10.
I wonder if he was the other 10 Milldew reckoned we were talking to along with Flood? Is there any intention for him to be player coach or are we still in the market for a back up 10? A back up 10 who can double as an effective midfielder remains our most critical hole in the squad.
Straight out of left field but welcome Brock