Report - McLaughlin to be shown the door at UR

[Big-al]

Anscombe is the former head coach of NZ u20s (got replaced last season) that have dominnated world rugby at underage level is he not????

[BR]

Anscombe is the former head coach of NZ u20s (got replaced last season) that have dominnated world rugby at underage level is he not????

My understanding is that he only held the HEAD coach position for 1 season.

[Husky]

Hard to judge how good a recruitment this is.

It seems we have hired the Brian McLaughlin of NZ if this article is anything to go by.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/prov ... s-ditching

[Big-al]

Thought it was for more.

How long has he been Auckland coach?

[Husky]

Maybe he'll bring his son with him, and then we'll have the fly-half problem sorted as well.

[Rooster]

Maybe he'll bring his son with him, and then we'll have the fly-half problem sorted as well.

Wonder has he an Irish granny or anything ?

[OneMore]

Time will be the judge of this one I guess. I'm confident.

Do Ulster not break ANY of their own stories anymore? Or do you reckon they're secretly annoyed someone's tipped off Winker?

[Kofi Annan]

Time will be the judge of this one I guess. I'm confident.

Do Ulster not break ANY of their own stories anymore? Or do you reckon they're secretly annoyed someone's tipped off Winker?

Its okay for Watson to break news no one choked on their croissant this morning at Ravenhill.

This would be the Ulster Way according to Watson Jnr! Time will tell if this will work, however I can't help feeling sorry for Brian McL at the moment, being replaced by someone of possibly a lesser pedigree. But good luck to the man. I do not see any change in back room staff then? I think I will keep one's own counsel on this.

[AyeYerMa]

One can't help but get the impression that this appointment was 'Plan B', or possibly 'Plan C'.

However, naught to do but hope it works!

[BR]

Maybe he'll bring his son with him, and then we'll have the fly-half problem sorted as well.

Wonder has he an Irish granny or anything ?

Was Mark Anscombe not coaching in Ireland 20 odd years ago? Maybe Gareth is Irish born himself (... or has an Irish dad )

Realistically - if he's only launching his career at the Blues, he's hardly likely to move up here - maybe in 10 or 15 years time.

[Snipe Watson]

Mark Anscombe

Didn't see that coming. The name rings a bell, but couldn't have told you if he was a coach or a coach driver. Could be an inspired appointment.............

Let's hear it for Mark ........Thingy

[WhiteKnightoftheWeld]

Gareth must be an eternal source of disappointment.
Forwards coach, siring a fly-half???

He was born in Auckland. Top scorer in junior world cup 2011.
A prospect alright... Been described as having a bit of the old carlos spencer about him.
Certainly doing something right to stand out at that age, and be included with the senior set-up in auckland

[Setanta]

Sexton must have turned them down!

[WhiteKnightoftheWeld]

The only criticism you could give of this appointment is that it almost comes across as a bit of a damp squid. Certainly not a big name. So out of left field - I don't think there was one post where his name was mentioned as a consideration (which further demonstrates the ability of Ulster Rugby to - on occasion - run a tight ship).

Track record? Proven pedigree?
Could almost be viewed that Ulster is only a stepping stone to a bigger, more prestigious appointment somewhere else...

Anyways, hopeful. Nothing to criticise the appointment for, other than he's still to be proven.
If we start playing an Auckland brand of rugby... well, winning games 55-54 will at least be entertaining!

[Setanta]

Comment from a Kiwi on Anscombe:
*Coached Auckland (NZ's best resourced province) to 5th, 3rd and 5th in his three years in charge. Won with the Baby Blacks but Stevie Wonder could coach those boys to a Junior World Cup title.*