McAree is the new boss at Coleraine
ULSTER head coach Dan McFarland is not getting carried away with his side’s strong start to the PRO14 season, saying he still has a lot to learn about leading the side.
The former Connacht man was appointed as Jono Gibbes’ successor this summer after a spell as Scotland’s forwards coach and has overseen two wins against Scarlets and Edinburgh to start the new campaign.
The province will be expected to make it three from three against the Southern Kings on Sunday (1.15pm) but McFarland admits he is still adjusting to his new role.
“I am learning that job of being head coach in the box, I do not mind saying that,” he reflected. “I am used to being a forwards coach for a long time.
“But as a head coach it is different, you are watching a big picture scenario. You are trying to see how the momentum of the game is flowing and ebbing one way or the other, and seeing if there is a bigger picture, tactical things that need to be passed down.
“At the moment I am learning that process and I am making use of the guys’ expertise either side of me. I will try and do that and get the information from Dwayne (Peel) and Jared (Payne) who are excellent in their areas at being able to distill that information and then pass it to me.
“I was not great in the first week, I do not believe I was. In the second week I was much better, much calmer, had a much better process to be able to process their information and make decisions and give feedback at half-time and stuff like that.”
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