'He'd do a great job': Ireland legend backed as Wallabies coach
Updated . First published at
Former Wallabies captain Will Skelton has given Ronan O'Gara a ringing endorsement as Joe Schmidt's Australia coaching successor.
After retiring as one of Ireland's greatest-ever fly-halves - the sixth highest points scorer in the history of Test rugby - O'Gara has carried that success into his coaching career.
The 47-year-old had stints as an assistant at Racing 92 and the Crusaders before taking the top job with Skelton's La Rochelle.
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La Rochelle players including Will Skelton celebrate a title with coach Ronan O'Gara. Getty
O'Gara has masterminded two European titles with the French club and has publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the Wallabies job.
"I think he'd do a great job. He's a great coach and his experience coaching in Top 14 has been class," Skelton told the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast.
"He's coaching a top European side and coaching against top European sides. How we approach games is similar to Joe in terms of attention to detail and then just connecting with the team.
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Ronan O'Gara of La Rochelle celebrates at Aviva Stadium. Getty
"He's really diligent around what he wants and he really tries to bring the best out of us but he's hard on me. We've got a great relationship but then he'll fly into me at meetings without any warning, even if I'm not playing...
"To transfer that into a Wallabies team with weapons like Bobby Valetini, Taniela Tupou, Noah Lolesio… he'd have a lot of insight and experience in helping him in those big moments, moving forward with Noah and the other 10s like Ben (Donaldson)."
Skelton also confirmed he would be available to play for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions this year.
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"It's tough because you want to play for the Wallabies all the time and I'm in a unique situation where I'm eligible but then I've also got club commitments and this comp is a grind," Skelton said.
"Hopefully I get a text from Joe soon to see if I'm still keen."
Meanwhile, NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar told reporters he wasn't expecting to be offered the Wallabies job.
Jake Gordon, Dan McKellar and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Waratahs. NSW Waratahs
McKellar also expressed surprise when Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss' comments were relayed to him.
Kiss said he had spoken to Rugby Australia about the position - but claimed that was no different to the country's other Super Rugby coaches.
"Have we? That's news to me," McKellar said.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and assistant Les Kiss discuss tactics in 2015. Getty
"I haven't spoken to Kissy in a couple of months but, no, honestly, I'm just cracking on and worrying about the Waratahs... I'm not expecting to be offered the Wallabies job. I'm at the Waratahs."
McKellar also played down injury concerns over Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who missed training on Thursday.
"Joe's fine. Sometimes you've got to put the Ferraris in the garage."
