Matt O'Connor to Leinster job?

by Portnoy's Complaint Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:07 pm

Just heard that Matt is to replace Joe as Leinster coach. I'm surprised as he's disappointed me as backs coach at Welford Rd.

R5 quoting Richard Cockerill's 'expectations'.

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:15 pm

He's helped us progress to a more fluent brand of rugby with good continuity in attack. He's fallen short of giving us the ruthless streak our backs require but he's not a bad choice for Leinster. Will be interesting to see how he does as the main man.

Mauger or Gibson for Tigers please.

by Artful_Dodger Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:16 pm

He's been the front runner since it became apparent that Schmidt was taking the Ireland job. Leinster do have a bit of history of taking punts on guys who aren't top level head coaches, such as Cheika and Schmidt who were both punts but left Leinster with HC's and are now regarded as top level head coaches. Whether or not O'Connor will be the same remains to be seen.

by Portnoy's Complaint Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:25 pm

Matt's blurb on the Tigers's site:

The son of a former Australian rugby league professional, Matt played most of his club rugby in Canberra with ACT and then the Brumbies.

he was capped at senior level by Australia, while also fitting in a spell in Super League and a couple of seasons in Japan.

Matt coached in Japan before his return to Australia where he worked for four years with the exciting Brumbies backline which included national team skippers George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock.

His abilities were further recognised with three years working with Australia A before joining Heyneke Meyer at Welford Road in time for the start of the 2008/09 season.

Matt played a major part alongside Richard Cockerill when Meyer returned to South Africa in early 2009, with Tigers picking up the Premiership trophy at Twickenham and reaching a fifth Heineken Cup Final.

After retaining the Premiership crown in May 2010, O'Connor became Head Coach in July 2010 and he reached a third Twickenham final in May 2011.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/team/coaches/11834.php

Well Meyer wasn't very good at WR as he didn't understand the Tigers' culture and left suddenly and mysteriously.

Presumably O'Connor had Cocker's Goonhilly ears, but has overseen the departure of some major academy graduate talent although he's overseen some impressive signings.

But the backs never really clicked consistently imo.

Still it'll be interesting to see how he fares in Dublin.

And if Niall Morris returns...

by LeinsterFan4life Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:30 pm

I just hope its not Less Kiss. I can't believe He's linked with us

by Portnoy's Complaint Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:36 pm

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I just hope its not Less Kiss. I can't believe He's linked with us

Capital H LF4l? Isn't He already linked? Wink

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:38 pm

GT. Meyer states he refound his love of rugby as Tigers so I'd say he understood the club fairly well. Meyer gets a bad rap because he signed a Poopie 10 in Hougaard and spent time laying the foundation for the positive changes that helped the club grow.

Also, Morris turned down Leinster this summer to sign a new deal at Tigers.

Agree about O'Connor not bringing through academy talent though.

As another option, how's Ollie Smith doing at Esher?

by Portnoy's Complaint Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:47 pm

I suppose Pat Howard is out of the question?

Only men that know our culture can fit our needs.

And Hougaard was beginning to learn before le Euro lured him away.

by **LondonTiger** Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:01 pm

greytiger wrote:I suppose Pat Howard is out of the question?

Only men that know our culture can fit our needs.

And Hougaard was beginning to learn before le Euro lured him away.

If Australia are pants in this summer's ashes, he may be fired by Cricket Australia.

Of course Austin Healey must be looking for a job right now Very Happy

by yappysnap Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:21 pm

If only Dean Ryan hadn't signed for Wuss!!

Still there is Martin Johnson...

by yappysnap Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:22 pm

Or other potential ex Leicester boys:

Greenwood, Healey, Kay, Smith or Mauger, Rowntree

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:32 pm

Austin and Cockers have always gotten on spectacularly well... erm maybe not.

Pat Howard has shown no interest in leaving Oz since moving back there I'd guess not.

Gibson, Mauger, Smith and Burke are all ex Tigers backs coaching in various ways. Gibson backs coach for the Brumbies (I think), Mauger attack coach for Canterbury, Smith DOR at Esher and Burke kicking and A league coach at Tigers. Plenty of options. Harry Ellis is coaching in Leicestershire as well though that may be too big a step for him. Scott Bemand is involved with Loughborough Uni.

Yappy, O'Connor was primarily in charge of the backs. Kay and Rowntree would be superfluous given Cockers and Blaze are already coaching at the club. Greenwood has no experience and Austin well, see my comment on that.

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