Knox claims Kidney appointment is a mistake
Tuesday, 13 May 2008 14:11Former Leinster assistant coach David Knox has described the appointment of Declan Kidney as Irish Rugby coach, as 'a big mistake'.
Knox, who has just parted company with Leinster in order to return to Austrlia, insisted that the IRFU made a major error in appointing Kidney in favour of a foreign coach.
'The Irish international team badly needed a foreign coach. After the Eddie O'Sullivan era, they wanted someone to test these guys, show them a new way to play,' he claimed.
In an interview with the Irish Independent, Australian coach Knox is very critical of the rugby played by Kidney's Munster, insisting their triumphs come at the expense of any style or flair.
'The Munster people think he [Kidney] is a messiah but I just don't understand that.
'Munster get 30 points on the board by grinding away and when the other team is shot, they try and throw the ball around a bit. Then people say, what a great team. It's rubbish.
Knox is also critical of Ronan O'Gara. 'I have been here for 3 years and I have never seen him create space for anybody,' he claimed. Yet over here he ranks with Dan Carter as the best fly-half in the world, I have never heard such rubbish.'
