Andy Friend Sacked!
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Grandmaster Flash
Johnnie Wallace (23)
Fresh off the wires, Brumbies have confirmed Friend's sacking...
The Brumbies have sacked Andy Friend as coach of the Super Rugby team.
A spokesman for the Brumbies confirmed reports on ABC Radio of the sacking of Friend.
This follows media reports in the past week of internal grumblings within the playing group.
Friend was in the final year of his three-year contract with the Canberra-based side.
The Brumbies will hold a press conference at 1200 AEDT on Tuesday.
The Brumbies have sacked Andy Friend as coach of the Super Rugby team.
A spokesman for the Brumbies confirmed reports on ABC Radio of the sacking of Friend.
This follows media reports in the past week of internal grumblings within the playing group.
Friend was in the final year of his three-year contract with the Canberra-based side.
The Brumbies will hold a press conference at 1200 AEDT on Tuesday.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Harrison to head coach!
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Andy Friend sacked by Brumbies
The ACT Brumbies have sensationally sacked coach Andy Friend after only two matches of the season.
The Canberra Times understands Friend has just been told he no longer has the club's support.
It is believed defence coach Tony Rea will take over as coach immediately.
It's unknown whether he is seen as a long-term coaching option, or whether he will be a custodian until Stephen Larkham or one of the other assistants gains enough experience.
Rea was appointed on Friend's recommendation after the pair worked together in the UK.
Friend told The Canberra Times recently of the precarious life of a coach.
"One of the things about being a coach is that you understand the fragile nature of your tenure," Friend said of the season.
"Regardless of what your contract is, there's always pressure in footy.
"The pressure is there if you've got three years left on your contract and you're not achieving what you should be achieving, or when you're not performing the way you think you should be performing."
Friend was in the third year of his contract after taking over Laurie Fisher in 2009.
The Brumbies sit in sixth spot on the table with one win and one loss.
However it was the 25-24 loss to the Melbourne Rebels that has sealed Friend's fate.
The Rebels had been humiliated 43-0 the week before, however the disjointed Brumbies failed to capitalise on their huge possession.
That defeat came amid revelations of team disharmony and a player push to have backline coach Stephen Larkham given more authority. Media reports over the last two days have amplified that pressure.
Friend was due to meet with chief executive Andrew Fagan to discuss his future after six weeks of the competition.
He had hoped to have an early decision on his position either to allow him to move his family if necessary.
"For me I've always wanted stability in the family," Friend said. "We've got two boys at school in Canberra and my idea would be to stay here and see them through [school]. In saying that, we're always very aware of the nature of this job and you can't control it sometimes."
However Friend has not even been given that chance to correct the situation.
Friend's saga brings back the memories of David Nucifora's sacking in 2004. Nucifora was the victim of a player revolt against his coaching style. He remained at the helm for the season and the team went on to win the title at home against the Canterbury Crusaders.
Canberra Times
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/andy-friend-sacked-by-brumbies-20110301-1bcdt.html
The ACT Brumbies have sensationally sacked coach Andy Friend after only two matches of the season.
The Canberra Times understands Friend has just been told he no longer has the club's support.
It is believed defence coach Tony Rea will take over as coach immediately.
It's unknown whether he is seen as a long-term coaching option, or whether he will be a custodian until Stephen Larkham or one of the other assistants gains enough experience.
Rea was appointed on Friend's recommendation after the pair worked together in the UK.
Friend told The Canberra Times recently of the precarious life of a coach.
"One of the things about being a coach is that you understand the fragile nature of your tenure," Friend said of the season.
"Regardless of what your contract is, there's always pressure in footy.
"The pressure is there if you've got three years left on your contract and you're not achieving what you should be achieving, or when you're not performing the way you think you should be performing."
Friend was in the third year of his contract after taking over Laurie Fisher in 2009.
The Brumbies sit in sixth spot on the table with one win and one loss.
However it was the 25-24 loss to the Melbourne Rebels that has sealed Friend's fate.
The Rebels had been humiliated 43-0 the week before, however the disjointed Brumbies failed to capitalise on their huge possession.
That defeat came amid revelations of team disharmony and a player push to have backline coach Stephen Larkham given more authority. Media reports over the last two days have amplified that pressure.
Friend was due to meet with chief executive Andrew Fagan to discuss his future after six weeks of the competition.
He had hoped to have an early decision on his position either to allow him to move his family if necessary.
"For me I've always wanted stability in the family," Friend said. "We've got two boys at school in Canberra and my idea would be to stay here and see them through [school]. In saying that, we're always very aware of the nature of this job and you can't control it sometimes."
However Friend has not even been given that chance to correct the situation.
Friend's saga brings back the memories of David Nucifora's sacking in 2004. Nucifora was the victim of a player revolt against his coaching style. He remained at the helm for the season and the team went on to win the title at home against the Canterbury Crusaders.
Canberra Times
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/andy-friend-sacked-by-brumbies-20110301-1bcdt.html
B
Burke's Boot
Guest
and to top it off, a Mungo in Tony Rea, who had a shit record at the London Broncos, is the new head coach. It should be a combined Larkham/Gregan ticket as i was told via the Old School Tie network that towards the end of the Macqueen Wallaby era those two were pretty much running the show.
Ok. On the way to Brumbies now for CEO Andrew Fagan to address the media, if this taxi hurries up. Speculation has been mounting that senior players were confused by the messages from coaches and sought a meeting to clarify. Further speculation is that some players approached club captain Stephen Hoiles to take it further which he allegedly did.
Once the presser is done I'll have all the details.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Once the presser is done I'll have all the details.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
RugbyFuture
Lord Logo
Besides Larkham and Gregan are basically the Brumbies embodied in rugby.
and that Culture is what you need at a time of disripute.
and that Culture is what you need at a time of disripute.
R
Richard D. James
Guest
Yeah, but do we know if they can coach? Seems so typical of the Brumbies these last few years, jobs for the boys regardless of whether or not they are the most qualified. Just because Larkham and Gregan were great players doesn't mean they know how to coach at Super Rugby level.
The Mayor of Perth
Ted Fahey (11)
...coupled with Reds record v Brumbies...
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
ite exactly what the brumbies need, they havnt moved on as an organisation since hey had success, now there going to go back to it even further, get rid of the players. they get payed to play, not to make the rules
louie
Desmond Connor (43)
the last time the brumbies had success they did this. they haven't moved on because their a player run team. they should be told to shut up and play.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
brendon cannon is about to be on foxsportsnews as soon as the presser is over.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
gits taught the ropes by larkham, larkham and gits back together, no surprise there.
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