This should be interesting
Coaches from one discipline moving to another is an increasing fact of the modern sporting life. Different skills, techniques and ideas are often the edge in close matches and if you need to find that from another sport, so be it.
Japan’s national rugby coach, former Aussie boss Eddie Jones, decided he wanted to get that litttle bit of extra help for his side ahead of next year’s World Cup and he went to the very top.
The Guardian are reporting that Jones has used Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola help his team. Famed for his attention to detail, his tactical innovations and, of course, possession football, the Spaniard might be the best manager in the world so what did he bring to the world of rugby?
“The main thing we learnt this year was that we have to be tactically more flexible. We need to react to situations on the field and make adjustments to the way we play.
“The soccer approach is called tactical periodisation, in which everything is done in preparation for the game and in order to be tactically aware.”
“I watched Bayern train and had a really good meeting with the head coach and I really think we can improve greatly with adjustments in the way we train. He is the best soccer coach in the world and you always want to learn from the best.
“Rugby and soccer are very similar in that you always want to move the ball into space and Bayern Munich and his previous team Barcelona played the most fantastic passing game you have ever seen. The principles are exactly the same.
“The very best soccer teams vary their depth and formation in order to make the most of the space. So when you get the chance to learn from the best it’s a fantastic opportunity.”
Will Japan, who are in a tough group with England and South Africa at next year’s event, try to pass the opposition off the field, just like Pep’s sides do? It should be fascinating to watch if nothing else.
