All Blacks hit with dramatic late twist following Ian Foster's appointment as head coach
New Zealand Rugby could be left to fork out a large financial sum to bring together Ian Foster’s coaching group in the wake of his announcement as the next boss of the All Blacks.
It’s believed that the 54-year-old wants to make Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar a key component of his backroom staff as backs and attack coach, but the appointment of the ex-Crusaders assistant could come at a cost.
A report from the New Zealand Herald states that Mooar, who has been at Scarlets for just four months since being recruited from the Crusaders ahead of the 2019-20 PRO14 campaign, only told his bosses in Wales of his desire to move back to New Zealand to link up with Foster “within the past 48 hours”.
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The Herald says that executives from the Llanelli-based club “were blindsided by the news and are yet to hear from anyone at New Zealand Rugby”.
It’s an awkward situation for both parties, especially given that Mooar, who has been signed to Scarlets on a three-year deal, has proven to be hugely popular in the region after having sold his long-term vision to players, staff and fans of creating a dynasty at the club.
Since his arrival at the Parc y Scarlets, the 45-year-old former lawyer has led his side to five wins in his opening seven matches in the PRO14, while he has won a further two matches from three outings in the European Challenge Cup.
After being met with an onslaught of public backlash in the wake of being named as the next @AllBlacks head coach, Ian Foster has a lot to prove over the next two years. #AllBlackshttps://t.co/mINIDQU3wu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 13, 2019
As such a popular and compelling figure in Llanelli, it’s expected that Scarlets will want significant compensation should Mooar exit his contract with more than two-and-a-half years remaining on his deal.
WalesOnline are reporting that Scarlets have since held urgent meetings with their Kiwi mentor as they scramble to solidify their future.
“The Scarlets are in discussions with Brad Mooar amid increasing speculation linking him to a role in the new All Blacks coaching team,” the news outlet reported on Friday.
“Neither the New Zealand Rugby Union nor the Scarlets have yet spoken publicly about the rumours.
“But it is believed the west Wales region are in talks with Mooar as fears grow that he could be poised for a return to his homeland.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_S_G6Aw74/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
If he does defect back to his homeland, it would be a hefty blow to Scarlets, who would be forced to dip back into the market so soon after losing their ex-head coach Wayne Pivac to the Welsh national side as Warren Gatland’s successor.
Foster hasn’t yet revealed his lineup of assistant coaches as contracts continue to be worked through, but Mooar looms as one of four henchmen, alongside Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree, current All Blacks defence coach Scott McLeod, Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek and incoming Chiefs kicking coach David Hill.
In other news:
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Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments