Force 'blocked Wallaby bid for Mitchell'

John Mitchell

Officials from Super 14 franchise Western Force blocked a move by the Australian Rugby Union to sign former All, Blacks coach John Mitchell as an assistant to their new Wallabies coaching staff, reports say.

Sydney's Saturday Telegraph reported former Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen flew to Perth earlier this year hoping to convince Force chief executive Peter O'Meara to release Mitchell for national duty on a part-time basis leading into the Rugby World Cup.

Macqueen was the man appointed by the ARU to build a coaching team after Eddie Jones was sacked following last November's disastrous tour to Europe.

At the recommendation of Macqueen's panel, John Connolly was handed the head coaching role and Michael Foley was confirmed this week as a forwards assistant.

But O'Meara said Macqueen at one stage also wanted Mitchell in the mix.

The former All Blacks coach, dumped by New Zealand after the 2003 Rugby World Cup and signed to a three-year deal by Force for their entry to Super 14, was mentioned this week as a possible replacement for Australian Scott Johnson at Wales.

"We had this same discussion with the ARU when they were looking to replace Eddie," he said.

"Rod Macqueen wanted Mitch as part of the (Wallaby coaching) squad post-Super 14. We said we couldn't give that commitment. He has a three-year contract with us and it means the whole year."

- NZPA