[Ranelite]

Munster today announced the appointment of New Zealander Rob Penney as Head Coach, subject to him securing a valid work permit.

Penney has been Head Coach of Canterbury since 2006, and last season took them to their fourth straight ITM Cup national provincial title. He also has Super Rugby coaching experience with the Crusaders where he was assistant coach in 2005 when they won the Super 12 title and he has maintained his involvement with the Crusaders as Development Squad Coach.

A former Canterbury Academy Manager, Penney will coach the defending World Champion New Zealand Under 20 sideduring next month’s IRB Junior World Championshipin South Africa,and he is expected to arrive in Munster in mid July for the start of a two year contract.

Anthony Foley will continue on as Forwards Coach while expected change in the rest of the management team will be finalised following consultation with the new Head Coach.

Commenting on the appointment Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said, " We conducted a thorough search to find a replacement for Tony McGahan and were delighted with the calibre of the candidates. Rob Penney's record speaks for itself and we look forward to welcoming him to Munster.”

Canterbury Rugby Football Union CEO Hamish Riach said, “Rob has been a great servant for Canterbury rugby. We are very sorry to lose a talented coach, but this is a fantastic opportunity for him and we wish him all the best.”

[ray jay]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10444.php

[.ak]

Wow, so it's Blues vs Reds only in Ireland!

[Larbre34]

No doubt controversial but very interesting.

As a Leinster man I can understand what the feelings will be initially after the appointment, but if they have unearthed another Joe Schmidt then good luck to them. Foley will continue to progress within the rebuild and get his chance down the line

Although a Kiwi is replacing and Aussie in this case, it shows again what a crisis there is at the top level of coaching in Ireland, and Leinster are the worst offenders. 3 Kiwis as head coaches, another multitude of SANZARs on the provincial staffs, the former Irish players who are getting into coaching are working way down the pecking order at development level and showing no signs of progress, Foley apart.

[wicklowdub]

Thats a fairly serious appointment.

[.ak]

Originally Posted by Larbre34

No doubt controversial but very interesting.

As a Leinster man I can understand what the feelings will be initially after the appointment, but if they have unearthed another Joe Schmidt then good luck to them. Foley will continue to progress within the rebuild and get his chance down the line

Although a Kiwi is replacing and Aussie in this case, it shows again what a crisis there is at the top level of coaching in Ireland, and Leinster are the worst offenders. 3 Kiwis as head coaches, another multitude of SANZARs on the provincial staffs, the former Irish players who are getting into coaching are working way down the pecking order at development level and showing no signs of progress, Foley apart.

It doesn't bother me. Because we shouldn't have Irish coaches just because they're Irish. Ireland is hardly known for producing great coaches. The only way you'll get a good developing coach is for the Foleys and the Dempseys to work with the Schmidts and the Pennys.

[Brian]

It's Penney. Seriously, it's in the article you copied and pasted.

PS. It's Peter O'Mahony, as well, not O'Mahoney.

[tolosenc]

Originally Posted by Larbre34

if they have unearthed another Joe Schmidt then good luck to them.

There's only 1 Joe Schmidt.

[Otacon]

Originally Posted by tolosenc

There's only 1 Joe Schmidt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Schmidt

[Clegg]

I think Penney will be a very good appointment for Munster but he's not really that similar to Schmidt.

Penney is a forwards coach while Schmidts area of expertise is in the backs.

[justsomebloke]

Originally Posted by .ak

Ireland is hardly known for producing great coaches.

Is this not something that we should looking into though. It's one thing to say it doesn't matter where the coach comes from in respect to the big jobs cause there is the budget there to bring them but does the lack of good coaches not indicate that the level of coaching at lower levels isn't up to the standard it could be and this may be hampering us from generating more players and better players further down the line?

[its_phil]

Best appointment from the shortlist. Just a bit too early for Foley. He'll learn from Penney and be ready for the top job in a few years

[thomond2006]

Originally Posted by Brian

It's Penney. Seriously, it's in the article you copied and pasted.

PS. It's Peter O'Mahony, as well, not O'Mahoney.

[justsomebloke]

Originally Posted by thomond2006

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/007/508/watch-out-we-got-a-badass-over-here-meme.png

I was thinking the same myself

[profitius]

Coaching in Ireland is still miles behind NZ's level. Coaching is so important to player development too so I think its the one area where we should look abroad.

Not only do these coaches improve the players but they're passing on their knowledge to the Irish coaches and players who will be future coaches. Anthony Foley will benefit from Penneys arrival. I've little doubt about that.

Penney is a good appointment but we also need a top class backs coach now. Penney would know one or two of those so it would be good if he can bring one over from NZ.