Josh Van Der Flier is latest Irish casualty

If it came down to quality from anywhere versus picking from home I think they picked up the wrong end of the stick.

I recall he had some good players at Ulster, including several top South Africans. Ofc he survived the first cull of coaches only to go the next season.

And I’d agree he was better at Irish wih Kidney handling the DOR chores, and he’s carried a lot of that through to Qld now.

As the head coach of WBs having to handle all the media and do all the player managment himself? I have doubts. Which is why I feel Joe will reenter the picture.

Les wasn't the only Australian involved with the Boks in the 1st few years of the millennium - Frank Ponissi and Tim Lane were in the Boks set-up as well for a wee while with Ponissi present for infamous pre World Cup camp in 2003.

A strong year for the Wallabies will tempt Joe to consider staying on for the remainder of the World Cup cycle.

As you said in another comment Joe was filthy about the All Blacks not winning the World Cup in 2023. His ire was probably at Messrs Foley and Barnes.

Nuff said!

The difference was Saints believed, really believed and Leinster were cocksure, half baked and under prepared. They left themselves with a mountain to climb and then bottled it when the crunch came with no clarity or leadership on the pitch.

Schmidt, Hansen, Ted, Foster were never AB’s. Only Tamati Ellison and Razor in the current set-up have ‘experienced’ AB’s. Playing ‘greatness’ and good coaching/insights aren’t mutually inclusive.

Donald is one of the few ex players commentating that can ‘articulate’ his thoughts/perspectives with reason and objectivity. Long may he remain on the box.