The Brumbies have let their coach Andy Friend go after a mere two matches into this year’s Super Rugby season. Former assistant coach Tony Rea has been appointed as Head Coach for the remainder of the 2011 Super Rugby season. The rest of the current coaching structure, including Stephen Larkham, Justin Harrison and Marco Caputo remains in place.
Superxv.com reports that Friend was sacked after a board meeting on Tuesday with reports of a rift in the camp. Friend was brought in as a replacement for Laurie Fisher in the 2009 season. In 2004 the Brumbies sacked coach David Nucifora half way through the season amid reports of a player revolt. Nucifora stayed on through the season and the Brumbies went on to win the Super 12 beating the Crusaders in the final.
On Monday Friend denied there was a rift in the team after their loss to the Rebels and said that he had raised the issue in the team meeting on Monday.
Rea was one of the assistant coaches and had focused on skills and defence. Friend had a three year contract which would have ended at the end of this season. Under Friend the Brumbies finished seventh in 2009 and sixth in 2010. In their first match this season the Brumbies beat the Chiefs 28-20 but lost to Super Rugby’s newcomers the Melbourne Rebels.
Tweet
So, don’t lose to the Rebels!
Zero tolerance policy.
Our LMS bloodbath have far reaching implications I see . . .
@Original Champion (Comment 2) : damn right… what the hell was Friend thinking?
Makes no sense. đŸ™„
Shame this is a little harsh, I think.
This is so bizarre, I actually checked that it was not April 1st when I first saw this story.