Two gifts for Wales
Father Christmas made a descent of the only chimney at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Christmas Eve.
In his sack he had not one but two gifts: the members of the national team would be presented with 1) a head of women’s rugby (a new position); 2) a new head coach.
But attached to the two packages were the warning words: “Not to be opened until January” – just the sort of message to bring frustration to any child.
We’re used to Santa’s legendary generosity, but this visit was certainly out of the ordinary. We know why he came on Christmas Eve, every child does. But why the delay demanded?
From fairy-tale to reality
Back in the real world – these technical developments come as a result of an independent review carried out by two highly experienced women: Alison Thorne (an independent non-executive WRU director) and Claire Donovan (75 caps and a national board member).
The WRU let slip three months earlier the statement: “one of the best paid international women’s teams in the world game” – which, however true it may be, didn’t bear on the complaints the players were making. No reaction to the claim that months of negotiations were needed before agreement on terms was reached.
24 December is as good a date as any for a news item to be overlooked.
Nor is there any assurance that the person appointed to the new top job will be a woman. Our assumption must be that that is the hope, but despite World Rugby’s best efforts men are still being preferred for the posts that matter.
Do all national sports authorities first start considering replacements only once the office-holder announces a decision to step down? That’s the famous Plan B.
Decisions in the New Year
The two posts will carry great prestige, yet the doubt remains: who will be prepared to apply?
The first is of central importance. The successful candidate will be charged with overall responsibility for women’s rugby in Wales, from the new head coach to individual clubs and overarching structures.
Tha WRU’s January decision date leaves the head coach with a near-impossible task. Cymru finished sixth in this year’s 6 Nations. Their five rivals will have a headstart in preparation and familiarity between players and coaching staff.
After all the disasters the WRU has suffered in recent months, candidates must be sure that the bad times are firmly behind them. But the two principle figures in the organisation, Chair Richard Collier-Keywood and CE Abi Tierney, remain in place. Their explanations of what has gone wrong have not stifled loud criticisms from Welsh rugby fans. And their concerns are directed even more vehemently at the men’s game.
What can these two VIPs reasonably expect from their new appointees?
The head of rugby’s planning must be long-term; there is little chance of a quick fix.
The coach will have an unknown number of days to prepare; unknown, because January has 31 of them. The next Wales match will be in Edinburgh on 22 March. That is precious little time to select a squad and prepare a new match strategy. The two home games are toughies too: against England then Ireland.
Then there is the longer-term outlook: the one advantage the squad has is the tour to Australia in late July, in preparation for the World Cup. We can only hope that all works out for the best.
