IRELAND’S SCRUM COACH Greg Feek believes Ronan O’Gara would be a perfect fit at his old club the Crusaders if the Corkman’s mooted move to the New Zealand powerhouse goes through.
The legendary Ireland out-half has been rapidly growing his coaching reputation since moving to Racing 92 in 2013, firstly as a skills and kicking coach before taking charge of defence.
With a four-year stint in Paris and coaching growth behind him, O’Gara has been strongly linked with a switch to the southern hemisphere with the reigning Super Rugby champions.
“Obviously the Crusaders are a big part of my rugby career and a lot of the coaching staff I know,” says Feek, who also worked closely with O’Gara when Joe Schmidt invited him on the first leg of Ireland’s summer tour to help soften the blow of Andy Farrell’s Lions leave.
“ROG will slide in like a hand in a glove. It is a credit to him that he’s been approached. If you get the right people into the Crusader environment, then that’s a win straight away.
“In terms of the knowledge you have, that will come and, in terms of how you coach, that will come. Players will welcome him in with open arms if he goes there. The only thing he might need is an interpreter. Apart from that, I think he will enjoy it.
“I got to know him really well in New York. He is a top man. He is just so keen to learn. I forgot I was chatting to a guy who played over 100 Tests for Ireland. He doesn’t have a big ego.
“If it ends up happening, fair play to him.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
