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Mitchell's move to Lions confirmed
John Mitchell is set to continue as coach of the Lions, with Dick Muir working with him as director of rugby.
There has been speculation about Mitchell’s intentions for a while, but his move was confirmed, rather ironically, at a Wallaby press conference on Thursday, where Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe told reporters that Mitchell had sent him a text message to say he was going to leave the job a year ahead of his stipulated contracted tenure.
The former All Black coach has been working with the Lions in the Absa Currie Cup while Muir has been away with the Springboks. The Australian Rugby Union’s David Nucifora confirmed that Mitchell had notified his employers of his intentions, and said that current Wallaby assistant coach Richard Graham will take over as Western Force head coach.
“Obviously a few things are going to have to be sorted out before the Spring tour starts in November, but Richard worked with us up to now because he was able to dove-tail the two assistant coaching jobs. I think that situation will change now,” said Nucifora.
In other words Graham will relinquish his Wallaby role, and the national team will be looking for a new assistant coach.
Sharpe praised Mitchell for the work he had done in establishing the Western Force as a formidable and competitive franchise on the Super 14 circuit. Mitchell coached the Force in their first season in the Super 14 in 2006 and although they had a poor season in 2009, they have regularly been contenders for semifinal places.
“I think the Lions situation is different in that they already have a long established culture and tradition, but I do think John has a good ability to lay foundations for success and I am sure he will do it at the Lions,” said Sharpe.
Mitchell coached the All Blacks between 2000 and 2003 but despite an outstanding record in terms of wins and losses, he was sacked after his team lost to Australia in the 2003 World Cup semi-final. He has also served as assistant coach to Clive Woodward at England.
