Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

…They'll have concerns when we're competitive against them at a world cup, where they always up their game.

…since 2011.

I never said it didn't matter to them. I said they won't fear us in a world cup game and I stand by that.

I never said this

It didn't matter to us. No one in NZ cared. No one even knew it was on. No you shut up. We beat you in the cricket!

So in that case the PD strikes me as being all about rugby philosophy, integrating a vision for both how the game should be played, but also, a pragmatic read on what game can conceivably be played within the context, i.e., Ireland, and how to develop/curate that.

In which case, the immediate risk that jumps out to me, regarding an "outsider", is that you have someone come in what a vision that just won't work in the Irish context. And it takes us several years of destructive policy to figure that out.

An insider (like Cullen) will have a better read on what's feasible, but the biggest risk I'd see with a character like that, is basically the opposite. They are almost too empathetic to the context, become pathologically pragmatic, and no concrete plans get adhered to.

So maybe.... hire one of each?

It was reported that in Nucifora's big state of the union address is early November that his contract was up after the World Cup but he wanted to stay longer but he wanted to be transitioning to his replacement rather than finishing up and have his replacement start when he finished.

Money stuff. Consulting with Nucifora on money vs rugby decisions.

I posted a summary of a bunch of things he spoke about during his big address in early November. He has a significant role in everything he spoke about.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119801940/#Comment_119801940

His contract is up after the world cup. He expects to add another year but would like it to be with his successor in place and slowly transition his role.

There's a lot going on that Nucifora is involved in that requires a delicate handover.

it's a fair point but I think this position is very different to a rugby coach or a role like that where someone is often hired because they bring a new vision and have a path to success that they wish to implement. Right now the IRFU seems to already have much of that development and strategy part figured out. As much as anything I'd say they will be looking for continuity and to build on what's been achieved already. The role is one of the few that has visibility into the entire state of rugby on the island and the most important components are (likely) player pathways and coaching talent, so nurturing those and continuing to develop the parts of the system that are working while helping clubs develop in their ability to bring players to the professional track are, I'd say, the most vital parts of the role. Yes, they have a massive say in what players can be brought in from abroad, who gets central contracts, etc. but I doubt Nucifora is down in the weeds about the style of play that should be developed between the provinces and the Irish team, I would say that job is much more concerned with the production line of young players/coaches and how that can be improved and how the IRFU needs to orient itself to maximize success there. I doubt they'll hire someone who wants to make drastic changes to the system that's place.