Yesterday the Emirates Western Force announced that former Wallaby Michael Foley had been appointed to ‘head the Emirates Western Force coaching staff for the 2013 FxPro Super Rugby season.’ Many assumed that this would mean that Foley would in fact be Head Coach for next season, but it would appear that he will in fact be taking on a role as Director of Coaching and a first team coach expected to be John Mulvihill will be announced today.
Mulvihill was a popular member of staff at the Force when he headed up the Perth Spirit in the now defunct Australian Rugby Championship. He is currently coaching at the Japanese club Mitsubishi Dynaboars, and is believed to have applied for the head coach role.
In his role under John Mitchell he was responsible for the backs, and at that time the Force scored more tries than in any other season. Nowadays Emirates fly to more destinations that Force score points!
The combination looks a promising one on paper, but questions are already being asked if, like in another code of Football, Foley’s opting for a Director of Coaching role as opposed to a head coach position has been chosen to assure him more job security rather than taking on the head coach role in an underachieving side. After the past season at the Waratahs he could not afford another similar season on his resume.
Once again it would be good to hear the thinking from the people running the club, as they appear to have created an extra role in addition to the position advertised. The pedigree is definitely there, let us hope for all concerned they can produce the desired results on the paddock.
