Mallett rules out England job
17 Nov 2011
Nick Mallett says he will not apply for the vacant England head coach post following the resignation of Martin Johnson.
Media reports believed former Springbok and Italy coach Mallett was one of the favourites to replace Johnson after the latter announced stepping down on Wednesday. However, in a statement released on Wednesday night, Mallett said he will not put his name forward.
‘The RFU contacted me earlier this week to enquire about my availability for the position, should Martin Johnson resign. I had previously expressed my interest in the position publicly and was interested to hear what RFU representatives had to say,’ said Mallett.
‘After mulling it over for a few days and discussing the opportunity with close friends and family, I have decided that I will not be making myself available for the position and I have disclosed this to the RFU.’
Mallett listed family reasons for not making himself available.
‘I am happy to have returned home to South Africa after a tremendous four-year term with the Italian national team. We are settled in Cape Town and it is my wish to be able to enjoy time with my wife and kids after four years in Italy.
‘The job of England coach is one of the most prestigious in world rugby and I wish them all the best in their quest for the best possible man for the job.’
Meanwhile, former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, who is currently based at Japanese club Suntory, confirmed his interest in succeeding Johnson.
‘You’d always be interested in coaching England,’ Jones told BBC Radio. ‘It has got a fantastic domestic competition, very, very good players and you have just got to get the right program in place and they should be good enough to win the next World Cup.’

125 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
17 Nov 2011, 09:32 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-85: Should have read like this!
Really? I think England actually have a pretty decent bunch of young players, who have just gone of the rails. There is a lot of exciting young talent to come looking at the under 20?s teams of the last 4 years. They need a decent man manger more then anything else. Coaches can provide ideas and help with the tactics, but I think you’re selling the greatest British and Irish Lions coach well short in your opinions!
17 Nov 2011, 09:37 am
@Ufo – will let you know asap. Personally, i think saru’s going for AC.
17 Nov 2011, 09:38 am
1st choice:
Head Coach: Mallett
Forwards Coach: Gert Smal
Backs Coach: Todd Louden
17 Nov 2011, 09:54 am
@Slappes(Slappes)-102:
thanks bud
17 Nov 2011, 10:25 am
@Brads(Brads)-98:
no, not an idiot…a doos- yes but not an idiot.
anyway, the point is some feel we need a strongman in rugby again and i’m of the opinion too.
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-99:
i just feel the boks seriously need more a henry type thinker’s coach than they need an inspirational man-manager.
17 Nov 2011, 10:26 am
Hmmm…so does Mallett have his eye on an even bigger job?
I would hope so…
17 Nov 2011, 10:35 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-101:
my apology, i thought you were recommending him for the boks.
if its for england then sure, dont know if he’d be the man to rebuild after a mediocre performance by johnson though.
17 Nov 2011, 11:40 am
@stew(stew)-77: You’ve refuted nothing of henry’s record nor game strategy. Super 15 and test level coaching abilities are separate, you forget that Wayne smith started the crusader dynasty not deans.
17 Nov 2011, 11:53 am
@mpundulu(mpundulu)-108:
Ted’s greatest achievement was never losing The Bledisloe Cup while he was at the helm.
8 straight years.
The NZRFU view the Bledisloe as second only to Bill in importance.
GH’s Coaching record is friggen amazing.
17 Nov 2011, 12:02 pm
mshiniwami #103 – Wow that is a strong coaching team. Oen can only wish and dream for that to happen. Mind you if AC has already been quoted as he hasnt been approached by SARU then maybe there is a reason for Mallet refusing England coach job and returning to SA!!!
17 Nov 2011, 12:08 pm
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-109: lol how is that an achievement, Australia are **** and haven’t won/retained the bledisloe since the last time they were actually good – 2002
17 Nov 2011, 12:16 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-111:
if Australia are so cr*p Biggles,
then how is it they are 7 from 7 against Old Blighty, since 2002?
BTW…………………………………Told you so re Marty. A real shame actually. He should have been groomed for 5 or 6 years before being thrown to the dogs.
17 Nov 2011, 12:20 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-72:
I don’t want Wayne Smith for the boks, nor GH. I want the Boks to stick with ****** SA coaches.
17 Nov 2011, 12:26 pm
@BULLET(BULLET)-79: Luyt was a filthy, classless racist. Nothing more.
I would like a John O’Neil type character.
17 Nov 2011, 12:34 pm
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-112: they’re not 7 from 7 since 2002, it’s Oz 8-6 Eng and they’ve had more home games. Australia are not a great side and have not been since the turn of the century.
I never understand why NZers talk up the Bled, their battle with SA is a much closer and more competitive affair. I think it’s NZ 6-5 SA since the last WC? the Bledisloe Cup during that time is NZ 12-2 Oz.
Agree re. Johnno, he should not have been fired, especially since there now doesn’t appear to be anyone to replace him.
17 Nov 2011, 12:43 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-115:
You are almost correct re the Eng/Oz clashes BH.
I was of course TOTALY WRONG.
It is actually 7 all.
As for Aus or SA being the stronger rivalry. Not much in it, since the professional era began.
Marty showed a lot a dignity today. He will be back.
17 Nov 2011, 12:45 pm
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-112: 19 june 2010 Australia 20 – England 21
13 November 2010 England 35 – Australia 18
17 Nov 2011, 12:52 pm
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-116: agree, MJ will be back one day, I think it’s inevitable.
17 Nov 2011, 15:02 pm
I see the bookies have P Divvy as a 16/1 bet to take the England Job…
CAN YOU IMAGINE P DIVVY COACHING THE ENGLISH?!
17 Nov 2011, 15:14 pm
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-119:

i can picture him saying, in well accented english and deep voice, through the muzzle of his moustache: “i want you boys to play whats in front of you”…
17 Nov 2011, 16:22 pm
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-119: that would be the funniest thing
17 Nov 2011, 16:24 pm
we can all hope for Mallet, but when last did SARU not disappoint? it will be AC, which is not terrible but not ideal.
17 Nov 2011, 17:01 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-103:
Well other than Mallet stating he is ‘never’ going back to South Africa… Louden has stated he’s only interested in a head-coach position hence his move to Sydney University…
His track-record from 2004 is exceptional not just on attack and in the backs… he’s certainly got all the credentials… but would he want to come back and live in South Africa is a different story…
20 Nov 2011, 00:39 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-111:
Hang on, i thought the RWC told the true story as you have been saying over Keo for years.
OZ made the SF, England and SA didnt. That makes OZ a better team than those two, of course thats going on your logic over the years. Have you changed your mind now?
20 Nov 2011, 06:19 am
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-119: If something as absurd ever happened, Smit could also change nationality and be captain
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.