The four man group has been tasked to immediately draw up a full preparation plan for the seven weeks leading up to the fixture between the teams which would have faced each other in a Rugby World Cup quarter final if Wales had beaten Fiji in Nantes.
Senior Welsh Rugby Union officials decided on the preparation strategy for the South Africa game last weekend and confirmed the proposal with the coaching team in meetings at their Vale of Glamorgan base yesterday (Wed).
The caretaker team headed up by Nigel Davies includes the set piece expert Robin McBryde, defence coach Rowland Phillips and kicking coach Neil Jenkins. As well as preparing for the South Africa encounter the four man group will today start drawing up detailed information reviews on future plans, players and match debriefs for the new Head Coach when he is appointed.
After the South Africa match the future make-up of the Wales coaching team will be reviewed when the new Head Coach has been identified and recruited following the worldwide search now underway.
The immediate confirmation of the caretaker team allows the WRU panel of Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis, Chairman David Pickering and Board Director Gerald Davies to focus on their search for the man to replace Gareth Jenkins. The caretaker coaching team has also been asked to begin work on a full debrief of their time in charge of the Wales squad up to and including the Rugby World Cup 2007 and will begin the player analysis process to draw up a squad for the South Africa game by analysing regional matches from this weekend.
That process is taking place alongside a full review of elite rugby in Wales which has now been ordered by the Welsh Rugby Union. Full details of the special match against South Africa which will include unique features and events will now be revealed at a press conference in the Millennium Stadium next Monday. Nigel Davies will also attend that conference to lay out the seven week build-up plans for the game.
Nigel Davies said today (Thur): “There is a tremendous amount of work to be done and as four proud Welshmen we are determined to ensure all the coaches and players pull together to go forward with confidence and style.
“As a group we see this South Africa match as an opportunity to put some things right and give the fans something to cheer and shout about. We are angry and hurting right now because we are bitterly disappointed that Wales did not get to the quarter finals of the World Cup and we want to channel those feelings into our preparations for this match.
“I would have wanted to go into this game working as assistant to Gareth Jenkins but I fully understand why, in the world of professional sport that cannot happen. I am a close friend of Gareth’s and have worked with him both as a player and coach for some twenty years. I am under contract and will continue with my duties as diligently and professionally as I am able to.
“We want the best for Wales and we realise it would be unfair to ask a new coach to step in and create a fresh approach in time for the game against South Africa. The reality is we will have one week with the squad and a limited number of training sessions in the run-up to the game and it would be very difficult for a new coach to just step in and take charge for a big international match. Now he will be able to observe the system, but of course, if an appointment is made and he has different ideas we will honour them with dignity.
“Personally I am also pleased we are being kept in place for this game because there is a lot of urgent work we must get on with which will be of great help to a new Head Coach. There is a report to be written on the Rugby World Cup, the elite player succession plan must be updated and as well as preparation and planning for South Africa a similar process has to start for the next Six Nations. Then there are player appraisals and debriefs of games to work on.
“Nothing is left to chance in the professional sporting arena and we know it is vital we leave a portfolio of information for any new coach. What happens with this coaching team after that will be up to him.”
Roger Lewis said: “A proper and professional handover process is vital so the Welsh Rugby Union took an early decision to keep the remaining coaching team in place. This is about being proactive. We knew the best way forward as the events of last weekend were being dealt with and our preferred plan is now firmly in place.
“Work on preparing the team for South Africa has now started and alongside that this coaching group will have vital input into our review of the systems and structures relating to not only the Regions but our academies and player development systems as well. As a business we must ensure every piece of relevant information is documented, analysed and utilised to construct the best possible strategies and systems going forward. That is good business practice.
“This coaching team is aware that the WRU has invested a lot of resource into their work and they are determined to deliver that value in full for the good of our game going forward. I have talked openly and honestly with the coaches and they have a clear set of targets to achieve over the weeks ahead.
“The focus will be on preparing the team for the South Africa game, keeping all our players and regional coaches in the loop, working on the reviews or debriefs and ensuring the documentation and information available to the new Head Coach is clear and detailed. Although the full squad for the South Africa game will only gather one week before the match there is so much work to be done before that both in the back room and on the field as there will probably be a need for some specific skill sessions.
“The new Head coach will have new ideas, a new strategy and a new approach. But that coach will also have a proper track of information on what has happened to lead us to where we are now. By adopting our current strategy we are ensuring that the information required will all be gathered so the decision making process in the future will be based on solid evidence and expert advice.
“With the caretaker team in place I can now focus on the search for a new Head Coach and that process is already charging ahead. The caretaker team understand the realities of working at the top level in sport and I greatly admire the way they are determined to do the best for themselves and the best for Wales.”
Wales v South Africa on 24th November 2007 will be officially announced next week, further information will be made available then regarding tickets & hospitality, kick off time and the special reason why the match is being played.
