JONES MAKING A BIG IMPRESSION WITH CRUSADERS
RONAN O’Gara likened the Crusaders rugby set-up in New Zealand to a Formula One pit-stop team, with everyone working together and operating at maximum efficiency.
He reckoned his experience as part of the coaching operation there changed the way he thought.
“Being a so-called star player and coaching in France, I thought my way was the best way, like a lot of people do,” he said.
“That’s a strength and a weakness. But then you come here and get completely reshaped.”
It was the positivity of Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson that helped bring about the shift in how the former Ireland No. 10 approached things.
The assumption is former Scarlets flyer Mark Jones is benefiting from the same mind-altering process.
The former Wales wing and coach moved to the southern hemisphere in January to become defence chief with the all-conquering Christchurch-based outfit.
After four games of Super Rugby Aotearoa, Crusaders sit at the top of the New Zealand conference, boasting an unbeaten record. They head the chart for tries scored and have had their line crossed fewer times than anyone else.
New Scarlets team boss Glenn Delaney, who developed as a player in Canterbury before moving to a tracksuit role, is convinced the whole experience will be the making of the Welshman as a coach.
“It’s great to see a Welshman over there, doing well and from what I hear Mark is really enjoying himself and the boys there are enjoying him,” says Delaney.
“He’s getting some great experience.
“I think that’s part of the fabric of going somewhere else and learning a bit about teaching in a different place.
“Ultimately, that’s what coaching is – teaching. He’s just learning a new way to do it with a different group of people and it will broaden his horizons.
“There’s no doubt every experience you have as a coach makes you much better and I’m sure Mark will really be enjoying his time there and he’ll return a much better coach for it.”
Jones could also return as a very
Mark Jones (left) talks to Crusaders and All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga.
successful one if the Crusaders continue their dominance of southern hemisphere rugby.
Three successive Super Rugby titles have laid the platform for their control so far of the new domestic tournament.
Crusaders sat things out last weekend as it’s their turn among the five teams to take a break.
Delaney believes the Crusaders and their Welsh defence coach are already looking a good bet for silverware.
“The Crusaders are showing their class at the top of the tree,” says Delaney.
“It was an epic game between the Blues and the Crusaders and the Blues really threw everything at the Crusaders.
“But they defended well weathered that storm and it showed their title credentials.” and just