Graham quits Force
20 Apr 2012
Richard Graham has resigned as head coach of the Force in the middle of the season.
On Monday, Graham announced that he would be moving to the Reds ahead of the 2013 season but was still committed to seeing out the current season with the Force. On Friday, however, Australian media reported that Graham has left the Force and is likely to be replaced by former league player Phil Blake.
The Force have a bye this weekend but will host the Stormers in Perth next week. The players are reportedly shocked with Graham’s decision to abandon them in the middle of the season.
Graham is set to assume the head coaching duties at the Reds next season, while Ewen McKenzie will move into a director of coaching role.
12 Comments
20 Apr 2012, 09:53 am
Sacking your coach mid-season and replacing him with a former league player. Because that worked so damn well for the Brumbies last year, didn’t it…
I think the Force will be desperate to get Michael Cheika back from Europe.
20 Apr 2012, 10:03 am
This could go either way,either the players rally and play with new enthusiasm under the new coach,or they go to pieces.
20 Apr 2012, 10:13 am
Western Force coach Richard Graham has reportedly been sacked by the embattled club following his decision to defect to the Reds next season.
Graham was unveiled as Ewen McKenzie’s replacement in a shock announcement on Monday, with the former Wallabies assistant coach signing a three-year deal with the Super Rugby champions.
Reports of player unrest have flowed steadily from the Force camp since news of Graham’s move was made public, making his position untenable.
The Force board will hold an emergency meeting on Friday night where an interim coach is expected to be named.
Sportal understands former rugby league star and current Force assistant Phil Blake is the front runner to take over from Graham ahead of next Saturday’s clash against the Stormers in Perth.
Stade Francais coach Michael Cheika and newly appointed Wallabies assistant Tony McGahan have both been linked with the Force as possible permanent replacements for Graham.
20 Apr 2012, 12:52 pm
I have no respect for a coach who bails on his team halfway through the season just out of self-interest. Maybe he was fired, but it was his decision to leave the club that made his position untenable.
Even Pat Lam is determined to stay on despite the Blues’ woes, that takes courage. This Richard Graham guy, it doesn’t sound like he has the fortitude to stay on with the Force. Pity.
20 Apr 2012, 13:47 pm
Swak Dragon. The Stormers should give these guys a 50 pointer next week.
20 Apr 2012, 14:16 pm
shocking and only in Australia.
20 Apr 2012, 16:22 pm
Silly. It sounds like he was forced out because he has different plans for next season. The Force administrators have shot themselves in their collective feet.
20 Apr 2012, 16:30 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-7: no, boet…how would the Sharks feel if Plum on monday was unveiled as the Stormers coach for next season without the KZNRU knowing anything about it?
20 Apr 2012, 16:36 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-8: I can’t speak for the Sharks but the Stormers would feel pretty kuk…..
20 Apr 2012, 16:41 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-9:
20 Apr 2012, 16:43 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-9:
post of the day.
go grap yourself a a breezer from that office you keep in your bar…
20 Apr 2012, 21:26 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-8: @stormersboy(stormersboy)-9:
I was thinking along the same lines. I guess most Sharks fans would just be curious about who the replacement might be
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