Martin Johnson

[Teh Mite]

Steve Diamond chiming in:
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/rugby_union/s/1461510_rugby-world-cup-shambolic-england-need-to-sort-it-out

Basically: RFU is a shambles, if Johnson wants to keep the job he should have "re-apply" (in essence - he shouldn't just be given it because he's there, but have to go through the same process as anyone else wanting it, to see if he's good enough)

Maybe Diamond could go in and give England that spark it's lac...


No, sorry, I can't say that with a straight face!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would certainly make the stories coming out of the England camp more interesting

"Young England centre jumps into sea"
replaced with
"England manager downs bottle of port and head butts Daily Mail reporter"

 

[j'nuh]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15286104.stm

An independent board which is not only reviewing Johnson (who the head of the board isn't a fan of), but also has the power to recommend Rob Andrew leaving? Good?

 

[Peat]

Tbh, while Rob Andrew isn't likeable, I'm not certain what he's done wrong - other than be forced to preside over a mess not of his own choosing. He could always have resigned earlier I guess...

 

[McTallshort]

Tbh, while Rob Andrew isn't likeable, I'm not certain what he's done wrong - other than be forced to preside over a mess not of his own choosing. He could always have resigned earlier I guess...

He hasnt done anything wrong because he hasnt anything

 

[Peat]

He hasnt done anything wrong because he hasnt anything

I am led to believe he has a fairly major role in overseeing the Academies and stuff - which, if true, is something he can take major credit for.

 

[Teh Mite]

I am led to believe he has a fairly major role in overseeing the Academies and stuff - which, if true, is something he can take major credit for.

No he didn't. Individual club look after their academies and decide themselves how much of their own resource they put into it.

Rob Andrew got his job by acting as Francis Barons private groinial vacuum purely because he wanted SCWs job in 2000.

 

[Rhondda Rudie]

Got to say I thought it was a strange appointment in the first place.While unquestionably an all time great as a player his inexperience as a coach/manager has been cruelly exposed.He has made no secret of the fact he is not worried about playing attractive rugby,only winning and has therefore failed by his own measuring stick.England have tried to play in the same way as in 2003 in this tournament but lack the dominant pack which included the inspirational Johnson himself and one of the greatest back rows in history.The lack of creativity from the 10-12 axis has been a problem for England since even before the Johnson era.I feel he should resign and return to the club game.Then,with more coaching experience under his belt,there's no reason why the great rugby man can't return to the England helm at a later date.

 

[gingergenius]

England's fundamental problem since the resignation of Woodward is style.

As stated before, we won the world cup in 2003 largely down to one of the greatest packs of forwards ever assembled, plus a world class 9, a points machine at 10 and some class in the outside backs, even if they weren't utilised that much. That team was able to 'win ugly' because it had the players that suited it.

The problem since then is that, for whatever reason, we've tried to replicate 2003's style without having the players and coaching staff to do it. The game of rugby has also changed (for the better I believe), and now having a quality openside and a creative backline is vital.

England simply have not attempted to account for this, and Johnson must shoulder much of the blame since he took over.