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Bloody Monday New South Wales, Queensland axe coaches
Posted: Tuesday June 27, 2000 10:42 AM
SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Two of Australia's three Super 12 teams -- New South Wales and Queensland -- have sacked their coaches after their rugby union boards reacted savagely to missing this year's semifinals. Queensland, seventh this year with six wins and five losses, dumped John Connolly on Monday after he guided the Reds to three championships in his 12-year reign. Connolly has been replaced by former Australian hooker Mark McBain, who has been coaching Brisbane club University. New South Wales, who finished ninth, were hurt by players such as former South African captain Tiaan Strauss and ex-Wallaby Tom Bowman speaking out against coach Ian Kennedy late in the season. Kennedy was also sacked on Monday, halfway through a two-year contract. His failure to secure a second season prompted speculation that former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains and ex-Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer were contenders to lead the Waratahs next season. Connolly is also regarded as being interested in the job. "It was a condition in Ian Kennedy's contract as head coach that the Citibank Waratahs must complete the 2000 season with a winning record of greater than 50 percent to ensure a second season in the position," the New South Wales board said in a statement on Monday night after a five-and-a-half hour meeting. The Waratahs won five games and lost six. The statement also noted that New South Wales had produced only one player in Australia's starting 15 for the two tests against Argentina this month. "During the two Test match series with Argentina, NSW supplied one player [Richard Harry] to the starting lineup and two to the reserves bench." Kennedy said in the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday: "I've got nothing to say. I don't know the reason for it. I'll find out more tomorrow." Connolly took over as Queensland coach from Bob Templeton in 1989, leading the Reds to the Super Six title in 1992 and claiming the Super 10 tournament in 1994 and 1995. They finished on top of the Super 12 ladder in 1996 and 1999 but lost in the semifinals. Queensland beat France in 1990, England and Wales in 1991 and drew with Scotland in 1992 under Connolly. Connolly said he was disappointed and he would have liked more time in the role but wished McBain good luck. "That's the way it goes. I enjoyed tremendous support from the Queensland players," Connolly was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald. "We have developed a lot of good players." McBain played seven tests for Australia and 67 matches for Queensland between 1983 and 1990. Queensland Rugby Union chairman David Crombie said in a prepared statement that McBain would provide "a new approach and a new direction." "The Reds have enjoyed moderate success in the AAMI Super 12, but in the five years of the competition are yet to make a final, with a winning ratio of 60 percent," Crombie said. The other Australian Super 12 side, the ACT Brumbies, lost the final in Canberra 20-19 to Canterbury on May 27.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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