Crusaders, All Blacks jobs appeal to O’Gara
Ronan O’Gara isn’t ruling out the possibility of the Crusaders head coaching job in the future or assisting the All Blacks.
The former Irish playmaker, who was capped 128 times for his nation, is in his second season as assistant backs coach with the Crusaders.
O’Gara, 41, could be in an interesting position later this year, depending on how the All Blacks’ head coaching chips fall when Steve Hansen finishes up after this year’s World Cup.
Should Scott Robertson, who is contracted to New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders to the end of 2021, steer the red-and-blacks to a third straight Super Rugby title this year, he would have to be in consideration for an interview with the All Blacks.
With fellow Crusaders assistant Brad Mooar off to Welsh club Scarlets at the end of the season, it might be a case of right time, right place for O’Gara, should NZR swoop for Robertson.
O’Gara is contracted with the Crusaders to the end of this year and was non-committal when asked whether the top job might appeal.
‘‘Everything is possible. I’m ambitious and competitive, but I think the most important thing is if I do my job then these things look after themselves.
‘‘It would be something you’d aspire to do, but maybe the timing at this stage might be a bit soon. Some people might think differently.
‘‘I’d back myself, like Razor [Robertson] would back himself. That’s what you get being in this environment, you become very positive.’’
Australian David Nucifora, who guided the Brumbies to Super Rugby glory in 2004, is the lone foreigner to coach a New Zealand Super Rugby side with the Blues between 2006-08.
Plenty will depend on what route NZR decide to go down after the World Cup and how the All
Blacks perform in Japan.
O’Gara said there were a variety of possibilities and even mentioned how enticing an All Blacks assistant coaching role would be if Robertson was head coach.
Being a former Irish international would never cloud his thinking if that kind of opportunity came up. Kiwi Joe Schmidt, who will step down after the World Cup, has thrived as Ireland coach and O’Gara said rugby was a global game.
‘‘I’m very at ease. You look at all the best coaches around the world, you look at who’s coaching Ireland. I don’t think he has a conscience of it does he? He’s doing a good job.
‘‘It’d be a fantastic opportunity. The game is changing and a lot of ideas are being intermingled between the northern and southern hemisphere.’’
O’Gara stressed any decision around his coaching future in New Zealand would depend on wife Jessica and their five children, who have given up a lot to chase his rugby dreams.
‘‘If it was my decision I’d know where I want to be. You have to stop being selfish some day and be realistic.
‘‘Believe me, it comes up at the dinner table a lot.’’
The Crusaders, who improved to 2-0 with a 38-22 victory over the Hurricanes on Saturday have turned their focus to their trip across the Tasman to face the Queensland Reds on Saturday night in Brisbane.
Blockbusting wing Manasa Mataele, who suffered what appeared a serious knee injury on Saturday night, is awaiting a scan, and O’Gara said they were hoping for the best.
Mataele wasn’t able to walk off the field by himself though, indicating it could be severe.
O’Gara said they were in the ‘‘lap of the gods’’ until they knew the scan results and Mataele was wearing a precautionary leg bandage.
Loosehead prop Tim Perry is expected to be out for the next three to four months after it was confirmed he suffered a clean fracture when he broke an arm against the Blues in week one.
The Crusaders weren’t planning on bringing in a replacement loosehead prop for Perry. ‘‘We’re kind of backing the guys that are there at the moment.’’
With All Blacks’ managed workloads being a hot topic in the first two rounds, the Crusaders hadn’t yet decided on leaving anyone behind in Christchurch, barring Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read, who are on four-week breaks.
Lock Scott Barrett and midfielder Ryan Crotty loom as All Black candidates to potentially sit out the Reds game.