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Australia’s rugby director Johnson draws up future plans
SYDNEY, Nov 2, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s director of rugby Scott Johnson
is already thinking about the 2023 World Cup in France, and investing in
youth is a big part of his plan to rejuvenate the Wallabies.
Sydney-born Johnson was recruited to the newly-created role in March from a
similar position with Scotland, but there was not sufficient time to properly
enact his plans ahead of the World Cup in Japan.
Australia crashed out in the quarter-finals and coach Michael Cheika, who
admitted he had issues having to answer to his new boss, fell on his sword.
Securing the right new coach is paramount for Johnson, with New Zealander
Dave Rennie the bookies’ favourite.
But with so many Wallabies retiring or moving to overseas club contracts
after Japan, working with the country’s four Super Rugby franchises to bring
the next wave of players to the fore, and keep them in Australia, is also
key.
“There are only three things that I am about for the next four years,”
Johnson said in an interview with the Weekend Australian newspaper.
“One, secure the talent. Two, get them fit. And three, coach the coaches.”
His plan, effectively, is to pick and stick, maintain some continuity and
make sure those players are in peak condition.
Of the current Wallabies squad, he said the entire front row could be the
backbone for France 2023, while also nominating Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr
from the under-18s as emerging talent to be fast-tracked.
Johnson also pointed to plenty of back row quality in the under-20s and
below to nurture, while highlighting Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor and Marika
Koroibete as mainstays among the backs over the next few years.
Moving forward, he said the Wallabies’ tactics, which were criticised by
some at the World Cup, would also be addressed to help keep pace with the top
teams.
“It’s no fluke that teams that kick the most seem to be winning,” he told
the newspaper.
“Now that doesn’t mean that’s great but what it does mean is that we have
to look at it. It doesn’t mean kicking in a negative way. It means kicking to
control the game.”
Johnson also wants the Wallabies to stop “thinking” so much on the field.
“There are three parts to mastering a skill. There’s learning the skills,
thinking about the skill and implementing the skill,” he said.
“What we want to be able to do in time is get rid of the ‘thinking’ part so
it’s just learn the skill and do it. If we get rid of that thinking element –
– and it sounds like a dumb thing to say — then it becomes a quality
product.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/0939 hrs