Exactly this! What success did Blackadder have as a coach before being made Crusaders head coach? An assistant role with Scotland and a part as director of rugby for Tasman. Meanwhile we had Rod Penney win five ***les with Canterbury and still get overlooked. Dave Rennie had to wait year and years of not being the Hurricanes coach (despite improving Manawatu massively, winning the NPC with Wellington, winning everything with the U20s) for him finally to get a look in at the Chiefs with Ian Foster, who had eight years of not winning anything. Jamie Joseph was appointed as the Highlanders coach based off presumably his work with Wellington (who never won the NPC with him in charge), and some strong performances from the Maori All Blacks..
It's just not good enough. Super Rugby needs to be a natural progression for coaches who win the NPC/have a proven winning track record as head coach of an elite club. Being a coach of Italy and Japan in the case of Kirwan really doesn't mean much considering he never won anything with them - and I don't give a ***** what his mana is like in the Blues region.
Fast-tracking former players is really a worrying trend. If there is one thing I'm grateful for it is that there are some former players who now seem to be taking their time in progressing and not trying to make too bigger leaps to get a SR/overseas contract. Umaga, Kieran Kean/Leon MacDonald seem to be taking their time a bit more than we're used to seeing. One thing I can say is I'd certainly love to see Robbie Deans back coaching for the Crusaders!
. Looks like he has forgotten he is coaching Blues now..
