O'Gara poised to join Sexton at Racing Metro

vienne86

Well it's not a joke, as I first thought yesterday! How will Sexton and O'Gara rub along together in Racing? There were lots of rumours about them not getting on in the past, but that is actually none of our business....my gut feeling is that Sexton would not be too bothered bothered, and might actually be happy to have O'Gara in Paris. It is a good reflection on Irish rugby that the two of them have been snapped up by Racing.

wicklowwonder

vienne86 wrote: »

Well it's not a joke, as I first thought yesterday! How will Sexton and O'Gara rub along together in Racing? There were lots of rumours about them not getting on in the past, but that is actually none of our business....my gut feeling is that Sexton would not be too bothered bothered, and might actually be happy to have O'Gara in Paris. It is a good reflection on Irish rugby that the two of them have been snapped up by Racing.

The truth here is very few know how well they get on. Fair enough Sexton had a go at him a few years ago but I have seen both of them on their own practising kicking in international weeks. They would have to build some sort of friendship in these hours alone.

ROG might not be everyone's cup of tea and same for Sexton but look at it this way Racing are making Jonny the highest paid player in France of course they are going to consult him on a kicking coach especially one he knows so well and really ROG is hardly going to start his coaching career with a player he hates. It could ruin his career before it starts. They obviously have built a good relationship and feel they will work well together.

Best of luck to both once ROG doesn't pinch him in two years when both could be potentially returning to these shores.

vienne86

wicklowwonder wrote: »

The truth here is very few know how well they get on. Fair enough Sexton had a go at him a few years ago but I have seen both of them on their own practising kicking in international weeks. They would have to build some sort of friendship in these hours alone.

ROG might not be everyone's cup of tea and same for Sexton but look at it this way Racing are making Jonny the highest paid player in France of course they are going to consult him on a kicking coach especially one he knows so well and really ROG is hardly going to start his coaching career with a player he hates. It could ruin his career before it starts. They obviously have built a good relationship and feel they will work well together.

Best of luck to both once ROG doesn't pinch him in two years when both could be potentially returning to these shores.

Agree with all of this. I know ROG made it clear that he wants to get in to coaching. Funny enough, just listening to his interviews etc over the years, he would not have struck me as a coach in the making. Hope it goes well for him - he has served Irish rugby well.

Lelantos

thomond2006 wrote: »

Some are saying that Sexton recommended ROG as a coach.

Now this made me laugh

vienne86

Lelantos wrote: »

Now this made me laugh

....you never know, and we probably never will.

Lelantos

vienne86 wrote: »

....you never know, and we probably never will.

It was more about the positioning of the post, certain posters were wondering what Rog could possibly teach Sexton, that post may have caused some apoplectic reactions

wicklowwonder

Cloty wrote: »

Might it be possible for the frogs to tempt O'Gara out of retirement to finally finish off Jonny's education in game management. An area he never mastered for Ireland a la O'Gara

Not a chance . ROG will get about a million back in tax from the Irish government for finishing his playing career here, he won't want to hand that back so no he won't be playing.

The rest of your post is trolling....

totallegend

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Best of luck to both once ROG doesn't pinch him in two years when both could be potentially returning to these shores.

What does this mean?

vienne86

Cloty wrote: »

Might it be possible for the frogs to tempt O'Gara out of retirement to finally finish off Jonny's education in game management. An area he never mastered for Ireland a la O'Gara

No way!

wicklowwonder

totallegend wrote: »

What does this mean?

Both signed two year deals with Racing. ROG could return to form an old school back room team under Axel at Munster I hope he doesn't encourage Sexton to wear a red jersey instead of coming back to Leinster. Bit of a joke at end of my post but could make sense if Munster need a 10 and Leinster have Madigan and Ulster have PJ. Anyway that's two years away.

Lelantos

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Both signed two year deals with Racing. ROG could return to form an old school back room team under Axel at Munster I hope he doesn't encourage Sexton to wear a red jersey instead of coming back to Leinster. Bit of a joke at end of my post but could make sense if Munster need a 10 and Leinster have Madigan and Ulster have PJ. Anyway that's two years away.

In 2 years time, Mads will be Leinsters outhalf of choice, he may even be Ireland's choice, couldn't see him being happy with Sextons return, don't think Leinster will need Sexton back by then, so in all probability, if Sexton wants to return to Ireland in the future, it most likely would be to Munster.

wicklowwonder

Lelantos wrote: »

In 2 years time, Mads will be Leinsters outhalf of choice, he may even be Ireland's choice, couldn't see him being happy with Sextons return, don't think Leinster will need Sexton back by then, so in all probability, if Sexton wants to return to Ireland in the future, it most likely would be to Munster.

Could say the same about Keatley or JJ at Munster.

Anyway it was in jest my main point was the pair obviously get on and media and posters here are trying to make out there will be some sort of tensions. It just wouldn't make sense for ROG to start a career under those circumstances and wouldn't make sense for Racing to spend so much on JS and then bring in a coach he dislikes so obviously they get on well, work well together and hopefully both still have loads to offer Irish rugby.

Benny Cake

Nothing brings out the crazies round here like a good old fashioned ROG/Sexton debate.......

Fireball07

And they're not even in direct competition any more, it's weird.

Larbre34

Why is what people are saying crazy?

If someone suggested this turn of events last weekend they would have been called crazy but its happened anyway. Why shouldnt there be speculation about further outcomes

mr_edge_to_you

According to this mornings Indo newstalk are broadcasting an interview with Sexton in which he fully endorses ROGs appointment. Sexton is a smart professional rugby player who knows that a) public image is everything and b) ROG has an amazing rugby brain who he can learn so much from.

Article also mentioned that in recent times their relationship has noticibly improved over the last year or so.

I hope Sexton sees it as an opportunity to develop his game and that Rog gets good experience as he begins his coaching career.

Its a great opportunity for both and I wish them both every success. They have both been fantastic servants to their provinces and country.

.ak

ROG/Sexton crap aside, I honestly don't think there's much Sexton could actually learn from ROG. Before people start jumping out of their seats, let me explain - ROG is known for his dead-eye kicking, but in recent years Sexton is no slouch at it either. Is ROG better at it than Sexton? I'm not entirely sure. However, none of this should really come into it. If ROG was there to teach Sexton how to improve his tactical kicking, well, that would defeat the entire purpose of signing Sexton in the first place. You want him because he's not the stand-off archetype tactical kicker that ROG is/was. It's chalk and cheese, and you don't want to mix the two.

However, ROG will make an absolutely fantastic kicking coach for the other younger players at the squad.

jm08

Not sure about that theory that Sexton would think he knows it all now .ak - saw this last week in an article about Dave Alred the kicking coach.

He is unsure whether or not his work with Sexton will continue beyond this summer, with the Leinster man likely to be the Lions' Test out-half in Australia before beginning a new career with Racing Metro in Paris.

"I suspect Jonny would like us to continue," he says. "Unlike a golfer, though, who has absolute control as the employer, there's a third party who must make that decision. But we'll see."

Interesting article on what a kicking coach does do.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/brutal-practice-session-at-harringtons-home-really-helped-sexton-29271147.html

According to a poster on Munsterfans (from ROG's article in the Examiner today):

At Racing Metro, from July he will be on the coaching staff for the first team, half backs at all age levels and the academy.

Buer

ROG will be working with the Espoirs mostly and will be providing kicking coaching to the senior panel also. Sexton will only be a fraction of those he will work with. I would think his signing will be much more to do with the wider group than Sexton. I reckon his remit will be broader than we know; few club sides have dedicated kicking coaches. It's mostly done in conjunction with other duties or on a consultancy basis.

Fireball07

.ak wrote: »

ROG/Sexton crap aside, I honestly don't think there's much Sexton could actually learn from ROG. Before people start jumping out of their seats, let me explain - ROG is known for his dead-eye kicking, but in recent years Sexton is no slouch at it either. Is ROG better at it than Sexton? I'm not entirely sure. However, none of this should really come into it. If ROG was there to teach Sexton how to improve his tactical kicking, well, that would defeat the entire purpose of signing Sexton in the first place. You want him because he's not the stand-off archetype tactical kicker that ROG is/was. It's chalk and cheese, and you don't want to mix the two.

However, ROG will make an absolutely fantastic kicking coach for the other younger players at the squad.

Again, I disagree. Obviously we don't actually know how good a coach ROG will be.....but most teams do have some sort of kicking coach, even for top class kickers. I can almost guarantee that ROG was a better kicker than the majority of kicking coaches he has had in his career...he still had them though.


Obviously his main work will be with the youth teams, where I think his role extends beyond just kicking?

.ak

Well that brings up another question. Does a good player make a good coach? I'm fairly undecided on that. I think it takes a particular attitude to be a good coach, not just skills. For example, a lot of people are sold on the fact BOD will make a good backs coach, but for me I'm not sure he would...

Buer

A good coach does not have to be able to do, just instruct. I would consider analysis and communication far more important attributes. Greg Feek was a good prop but certainly not someone that stands out as one of the great scrummagers. He has been an outstanding coach though due to his ability to identify weaknesses and rectify his own sides shortcomings or attack the opposition's.

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

ROG/Sexton aside, I honestly don't think there's much Sexton could actually learn from ROG. Before people start jumping out of their seats, let me explain - ROG is known for his dead-eye kicking, but recentent years Sexton is no slouch at it either. Is ROG better at it than Sexton? However, none of this should really come into it. If ROG was there to teach Sexton how to improve his tactical kicking, well, that would defeat the entire purpose of signing Sexton in the first place. You want him because he's not the stand-off archetype tactical kicker that ROG is/was. It's chalk and cheese, and you don't want to mix the two.

However, ROG will make an absolutely fantastic kicking coach for the other younger players at the squad.

Completely disagree on certain things. Sexton can be the archetypical stand off. If he couldn't he wouldn't be let within a million miles of the Top 14 given the nature of the game there. He's shown it for both Leinster and Ireland in big games and hes getting better at it all the time. I think he has learned a fair bit from ROG about it.

Also what do you mean it's chalk and cheese? The only way to be a top class fly half is to be capable of controlling games with and without possession. Sexton is the NHs best example of a 10 who can mix the two imo.

Chabals Beard

When Sexton's kicking form drops (like most kickers at some point) ROG will be the first person he talks to.

Fireball07

.ak wrote: »

Well that brings up another question. Does a good player make a good coach? I'm fairly undecided on that. I think it takes a particular attitude to be a good coach, not just skills. For example, a lot of people are sold on the fact BOD will make a good backs coach, but for me I'm not sure he would...

Buer is right...analysis & communication are more important than talent. An instinctive knowledge of rugby would help too... "a good rugby brain", so to speak. It's why I think Foley will be a great coach...someone like Heaslip too.

It actually might be harder for someone like BOD, who has so much natural talent to be able to get things across to the less-talented. But his role in organising defensive lines for Leinster & Ireland, plus his astuteness mean I think he has what it takes.

jamiedav2011

Does this new indicate that ROG and Sexton actually have a really good working relationship?

I'd always presumed that the sort of noises and images coming out were for show more than anything, but surely Sexton would have been consulted in this decision and must have given it his ok?

19543261

How do even know they'll be working together?

trouttrout

Well if he's a kicking coach one would presume they'll have some interaction

jm08

19543261 wrote: »

How do even know they'll be working together?

'

'But I am hugely excited about the prospect and looking forward to the new challenge. I will be working mainly with their first team and will also look after the half backs at all age levels. "I will also be working with Racing's Academy and that excites me because I need to understand principles of coaching the younger aged."

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/news/21203.php#.UZdyTa4jsYs

astonaidan

.ak wrote: »

Well that brings up another question. Does a good player make a good coach? I'm fairly undecided on that. I think it takes a particular attitude to be a good coach, not just skills. For example, a lot of people are sold on the fact BOD will make a good backs coach, but for me I'm not sure he would...

Where will BOD find time to be a coach when hes running for president

Also I presume as kicking coach, he wont just be working with Jonny, surely fullbacks and wings will benefit from him being there

bilston

Have I missed something or is this the first official confirmation that ROG has retired?

That being the case I want to congratulate him on his retirement and on a brillant career. He may not always have been my favourite player in the early days but he has become one of Irelands best out halfs and has been a key member of the so called Golden Generation. Good luck to him in France and great to seeing him staying involved in rugby.

Mahatma Geansai

Will we now see the camera pan to ROG every time Sexton nails a kick?

Annabella1

I thought Sexton played unbelievable last night living off 35% possession and deserved to be Motm.
I can think of no Irish player who is mentally tougher than o gara and hopefully this will translate into coaching talent.I also believe his French is good.
I suspect racing metro have a massive coaching team-I would love to have o gara in my corner if I was a oh in a new country..

gOst

Obviously the club rivalry and competition for the Ireland jersey being the main source of tension, was there a particular reason or incident that caused the rivalry to be so spiteful between these two early on?

The only really niggly thing I can recall happening was JS screaming into ROG's face after Leinster scoring a try.

Was there any media slagging between the two or is most of this "they hate each other" simply supporters exaggerating a healthy competitive rivalry?

Ruck Inspector

Think most of the supposed tension came from that semifinal.

Sexton:
“We’ve developed a really good friendship over the last few years.
"Obviously we didn’t get off on the best note, but we’ve had a really strong relationship and I really look forward to working with him.”

Think it started with some of the older munster lads trying to get to Sexton when he came on, escalated when Sexton screamed in ROG's face after the try.

trouttrout

Ruck Inspector wrote: »

Think most of the supposed tension came from that semifinal.

Sexton:
“We’ve developed a really good friendship over the last few years.
"Obviously we didn’t get off on the best note, but we’ve had a really strong relationship and I really look forward to working with him.”

Think it started with some of the older munster lads trying to get to Sexton when he came on, escalated when Sexton screamed in ROG's face after the try.

In what way exactly?

Zuffer

I wouldn't have any worries about O'Gara and Sexton working together. O'Gara's job will be to help the players he's working with and help bring success to Racing. I'm sure he'll approach it with the same 100% dedication and professionalism that he brought to his playing career.

On the idea that O'Gara has nothing to teach Sexton: Everyone needs a coach. All top athletes, especially in individual sports such as sprinting, and boxing, have a coach. You need an external person to help with motivation, provide feedback, criticism, etc. At the highest level, the vast majority of coaches are not as good as the people they coach, but it doesn't stop them from contributing.

Edit: (Acknowledging that O'Gara was one of the all time greats, and is still a very good player, but I think it is agreed he is passed his best, whereas Sexton is still in his prime).

CatFromHue

trouttrout wrote: »

In what way exactly?

You don't really need that explained do you?

trouttrout

CatFromHue wrote: »

You don't really need that explained do you?

Targeted in what way though, off the ball? Genuinely can't remember the game

Ruck Inspector

trouttrout wrote: »

Targeted in what way though, off the ball? Genuinely can't remember the game

the usual way a team targets an young inexperienced outhalf.

CatFromHue

trouttrout wrote: »

Targeted in what way though, off the ball? Genuinely can't remember the game

Sledging

Foxtrol

gOst wrote: »

Obviously the club rivalry and competition for the Ireland jersey being the main source of tension, was there a particular reason or incident that caused the rivalry to be so spiteful between these two early on?

The only really niggly thing I can recall happening was JS screaming into ROG's face after Leinster scoring a try.

Was there any media slagging between the two or is most of this "they hate each other" simply supporters exaggerating a healthy competitive rivalry?

ROG gave Sexton a serious amount of in game sledging early in his career culminating in the Sexton post try reaction in the Croke Park victory.

Since that I think a lot of the more recent perceived tension come down to ROG's dealings with the media when he lost his spot and the conclusion many drew that Sexton couldn't like the way he was being spoken about by ROG. As DOC said in an interview I'm sure the players around ROG get used to his reactions so his comments were probably water off a ducks back to Sexton but fans read more into them.

CoDy1

ROG on Sky re Sexton: "our relationship has come full circle" "in camp, myself and Johny would usually head off for lunch together" :P

Ruck Inspector

ROG on Sky "There isn't much coaching left in Jonny", suggesting a hands-off approach at Racing.

wp_rathead

Am loving ROG as a pundit on SKY- priceless stuff
on Johnny wilkinson : "He has prob done 3 hours practice already today, maybe not the best role model for young kickers out there"* :pac:

*paraphrased

Chabals Beard

How is ROG at being a pundit lads? I have the poverty channels all the time

Ruck Inspector

Chabals Beard wrote: »

How is ROG at being a pundit lads? I have the poverty channels all the time

you can tell he is new to it

CoDy1

He's not said too much so far but he seems pretty laid back.

lologram

Think ROG is doing grand. Bod was a bit ropey his first time on sky. Rog is doing ok and will get used to it

mr_edge_to_you

lologram wrote: »

Think ROG is doing grand. Bod was a bit ropey his first time on sky. Rog is doing ok and will get used to it

bod was $hitin himself at the big screen. Thought Rog did well there

no one does the touch screen better than will greenwood.