On Caravelli and O'Sullivan

Eddie O'Sullivan's acceding to the 15s job just as Al Caravelli leads the surging Eagles to the 7s World Cup is both promising and ironic.

Once more there is hope for a recognizably American approach to test rugby. Like Caravelli, O'Sullivan has arrived with both domestic and international seasoning.

In Caravelli, the fourth-year 7s leader, USARFU has a man who has not felt compelled to 'professionalize' the grassroots, but instead sought to take the best of what there is, create and enforce expectations and accountability, and above all coached.

Note well that funding has not become a distraction to the team, or undue burden to the union.

Of course it helps that Chris Wyles was brought in. But more characteristic has been James Gillenwater, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Kevin Swiryn, and so on.

The hope in O'Sullivan's leadership lies not so much in that he is a far better coach than Peter Thorburn or Scott Johnson -- though it will not require much to improve on the past three international campaigns -- as in the union's tacit acknowledgement that the national team coach is not the point man in rugby's quixotic bid to revolutionize the American approach to elite sports. It is splendid to bring on a Triple Crown-winning coach, but more important to have a man who won't be learning the country on the taxpayer's dime.

The most distressing aspect of 2006-08's 4-16 record is not collapsing IRB  rankings or winless seasons, but the opportunity cost of what could have been done the Dublin's grants. This is the irony: that a man who knows the score arrives as the windfall looks like ending.

Of course, much as we all long for O'Sullivan to succeed, the really transformative work is taking place on the community (and increasingly school) fields where the varsity approach obtains. It is not greater playing numbers but more elite athletes and programs, pace Caravellis 7s, that will fuel the drive to 2011.

Related: As expected, O'Sullivan tapped as Eagles coach

Comments

[Say ahh......]

He has some intensive work ahead of him if he is going to be successful at the WC. He is going to have to battle the 9 headed Hydra in the next of his 12 labors. He has already slain the Nemean lion (who lived in a cave) and returned alive within 30 days of leaving.

Unfortunately, the 9 heads are protected so deep within its own ass - it is going to require an industrial winch and some black pudding to draw them out. This particular labor is going to take a long time.

My suggestion to Eddie: Hire a medical consultant to conduct a lower endoscopy prior to meeting with the Board of Derelictors. Then you will know what you are getting into.

Mark my words, I will never post a negative about EO - ever. He is a good man and needs our help.

[ARN pod cast]

Eddie spoke about the SL and building bridges with the SL coaches on the ARN pod cast. I guess that's alright, but he didn't seem to understand the power of the US varsity sports system any better than Thornburn or Johnson.

I don't think we should over-estimate what EOS knows about American sport. It's good he has worked in the US previously and understands our rugby circumstances, but I would stop short of expecting him to promote varsity. He's just like all the other foreign coaches in this regard, he doesn't really understand it.

We know Nigel isn't going to explain it.

[Dan Ransom]

In the ERN interview, he mentions slotting some All-Americans into the national team and setting up tracking systems for the rest. He certainly seems interested in tapping the quality of collegiate athletes, which is as close to promoting the "varsity system" as the Senior Men's Coach can be expected to do.

Like it or not, some players will always be coming out of the Super League ranks -- we can't rely on overseas pros (not enough of them) and college players (only a certain, small percentage are seasoned enough to play as internationals). So it'll pay to have a US coach who demands higher standards of skills and fitness across the board in Super League.

As far as I'm concerned, he said all the right things in the ERN interview (I haven't listened to the ARN podcast yet), so hopefully he'll put into practice the things he's saying now.

[USArFU]

Ok, we can live with that lip service.

The Welcome letter from USArFU reads something like this:

Welcome Coach, sorry we haven't had a chance to clear out Mr. Johnson's stuff from his desk. There may be a leftover meat pie or two in the desk (he loved those things). When I walked through last week, it was a bit dusty and the power had been turned off, we ran over budget already for 2009.

No problem, just call the city and they will turn the power back on. The CEO has been a way for awhile, maybe you could tidy up a bit?
The lysol is in the closet and a there are a few fresh-n-wipes in Nige's desk.

You may want to see some highlight videos from a gentleman named Mike Harvey, they are sitting on Nigel's desk, underneath the unfinished crossword puzzle, and the latest issue from Conde Nast. Please do not disturb the signed portrait of Mr. Roberts - he is expected to pop in some time in March. Nigel is away on business, please dust the cobwebs off his chair.

Make yourself at home.
FYI, the shredder jams. SJ caught his shirt in there last August, you should have seen it. Also, the printer is out of ink, and there is no toilet paper. We'll get everything sorted out as soon as the dues money form the rookie rugby campaign starts rolling later this Spring.

If you need anything give us a call, we'll get back to as soon as possible.
Please lock the doors at the end of the day we have had a rash of break-ins - sorry about the lawn chair.

[card board of a USArFU board]

USArFU,

Now that's funny. Good visual with the lawn chair.

What isn't funny is these punks going unchecked and blowing through 8 million dollars over the last three years and four seasons chasing near meaningless Eagle victories.

Now we allow them to change coaches, once again, and continue the same practice.

We need to focus inward and build a stronger rugby union capable of fielding world competitive international teams for decades to come.

We are on a path to once again not invest in youth, high school or college, but yet spend millions on the senior Eagles. The single most stupid strategic direction in our history.

[Jason]

Well then, maybe "card board of a USArFU board" should take over. I'm sure I will feel secure that my membership money is going towards your salary.

People talk sh*t, but most who do wouldn't know what the hell to do if they were in the position Nigel is in.

He's made mistakes. However, he just made a great hire for the Eagles and Eddie will help grow rugby from top to bottom in this country. Nobody knows what they are paying him. I think everyone is assuming he is getting 250k. I seriously doubt that.

Let Eddie do his job and I'm sure you'll be cool with the results. Well actually, the Eagles could win the RWC in 2011 and some of you will still find a reason to whine.

[A. Hitler]

Jason,

I know what I'd do if I were in Nigel's position.

A monkey could have hired EO - 4 weeks ago.

Jason, has anyone ever called you an idiot? Nigel's expenses are more than we paid Billups to coach. Are you proud of that?

Are you proud that they spent more on crappy 2nd and 3rd tier flyover players than they spent on the the National team with Billups?

Jason man, you need to come over into my bunker. Eva darling, get a glass for Jason, he will be joining us.

[where is the leadership]

Jason is one of the tools meant to be led by Melville.

Melville, the guy screwing US rugby to the ground forever on the sum of $275k a year. Melville, the guy making a living off the kids cipp dues.

BTW, Billups was three coaches ago, we have more timely indications of the failures of this administration.

[Hugh Jassole]

I hope the Board at least got a Shane Williams T-shirt for paying Johnson's 3 month externship with the Ospreys.

Thank God that we have 100,000 dues paying children coming through the ranks to cover Nigel and SJ's T&E this winter.

Otherwise, we would have to get another line of credit with the IRB...