Originally posted by MarkQuick
Waiboy, have you seen this: EXCLUSIVE: Lancaster flies to South Africa for talks with Smith over role.
I know he turned down the role before, but do you think he'd change his mind (fingers crossed)?
First I've heard. Outside of the disgrace of calling the Chiefs "Waikato" in the article*, my understanding is he's open to a role with England but prolly doesn't want to waste his time without a clear role and appropriate direction from the ERFU. 'Appropriate direction' in this case probably means the current board bricked up in a coal cellar somewhere, sans mobile phone coverage LDO. It wouldn't shock me if he took up the job, and I'd imagine his decision would be based on how little bullshit Lancaster speaks in their face off (John Woo slow mo's FTW). He just wants to coach players who want to play footy, and doesn't want to play politics.
It'd be a shame to lose him from the Chiefs, but I'd expect he'd return to NZ as he did after his last stint in the UK and hook right back in to the system.
*the team were the Waikato Chiefs back in 1996, but changed in early '00s to the Chiefs, given it's a team made up of several provinces - as are all the NZ Super Rugby franchises. Confusing the two is akin to calling the Lions rugby team England. FWIW the AAP (Aussie news service) still calls them the Waikato Chiefs, and they'll be first against the wall when the revolution comes.
PS In other news, my new under 7 rugby side, the Ferraris, are a team of beasts.