Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

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Jimmy Skitz
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Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by Jimmy Skitz »

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49733089

Wales backs coach Rob Howley has been sent home from the World Cup for an alleged breach of World Rugby's laws covering betting and anti-corruption.

The 48-year-old's departure is a huge blow just six days before Wales' opening game in Japan against Pool D opponents Georgia.

Howley has been an integral part of boss Warren Gatland's backroom team since the New Zealander took charge.

World Rugby says it will comment on the situation on Wednesday.

World Rugby's regulation 6.3.1 reads: "No connected person shall, directly or indirectly, bet and/or attempt to bet on the outcome or any aspect of any connected event and/or receive and/or attempt to receive part or all of the proceeds of any such bet and/or any other benefit in relation to a bet."

Wales are likely to turn to Stephen Jones to fill the gap left by Howley's sudden departure.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Jones has already been confirmed as the next Wales backs coach under Wayne Pivac, who will take the reins from Gatland after the tournament.

Ex-Wales and Lions scrum-half Howley was already set to leave his role after the World Cup.

Howley had been linked with the Italy head coach job with current incumbent Conor O'Shea expected to depart next year, but that now looks unlikely.

The former Wales scrum-half has been part of Gatland's backroom staff since being appointed in January 2008 and was one of the first backroom recruits, and also played under him at Wasps.

Since he became part of the coaching set-up, Wales have won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams.

Howley was in charge of Wales' 2013 Six Nations success when Gatland was away on a British and Irish Lions head coach sabbatical.

He was also part of Gatland's winning Lions coaching team in Australia in 2013 and the drawn series in New Zealand four years later.
Mark62
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by Mark62 »

Timing couldn’t be much worse. Stephen Jones taking over early apparently
Traveller
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by Traveller »

If true! If true!! If true!!! How can anyone be so stupid. He's a welshman though and through and would know what disruption it would cause to his countries chances of success. Repeat - if true. Unbelievably stupid.
JP14
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by JP14 »

Very strange!
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CitizenSmiff
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by CitizenSmiff »

Bananas if true, although you'd imagine it'd be pretty cut and dry with computerised records. I never understand in these cases why those involved don't just get their mates to lash bets on for them.
strawclearer
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by strawclearer »

Fissler suggesting he's been under investigation for 2 months. If true, one wonders whether flying him out to Japan was the best move.
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Hot_Charlie
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by Hot_Charlie »

Mark62 wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:39 pm Timing couldn’t be much worse. Stephen Jones taking over early apparently
Stephen Jones the former fly-half or Stephen Jones of The Sunday Times? :smt003
Scott1
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by Scott1 »

Won't really effect Wales,their attack is awful! If it was Edwards then thats time to worry,our attack looked a lot better with Wisemantel around the camp before he even started working with our backs. If anything I think this will give the Welsh a lift. Can't beat a fresh voice,the timing could be just what they need!
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by POSTIGER »

If this is true then he is an idiot.
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sam16111986
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by sam16111986 »

Stupidity of the highest level. He's a professional he should know better.
Starburst
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by Starburst »

strawclearer wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2019 6:08 pm Fissler suggesting he's been under investigation for 2 months. If true, one wonders whether flying him out to Japan was the best move.
It actually looks as if this has all happened very very quickly and the WRU for once have been quite responsive. A statement from Welsh Rugby Union CEO Martyn Phillips:-

“We were contacted on Wednesday of last week informally to suggest there was a potential breach of regulation 6, which you’ll now be familiar with.
“We were then contacted formally with further information on Friday evening. We took Saturday to digest that information.
“We reached the decision on Saturday that we were best-placed to come out to Japan.
“At that point we informed World Rugby that there was a potential breach and we would be seeking face to face time with Rob to get his perspective.
“We caught the flight on Sunday and arrived on Monday lunchtime.
“At that point I sat down with Warren. There was an open training session and that carried on as normal.
“Then when that concluded, one of my exec colleagues, who travelled with me, and I sat down with Rob. He was very co-operative.
“Then we had a second meeting later that day and determined the right course of action would be for Rob to return to Wales.
“That triggered the formal process we’re now in. That process will carry on back in Wales.

As mentioned elsewhere though, if true, Rob Howley you numpty.
JP14
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by JP14 »

I saw on Twitter that the betting company blew the whistle to the WRU.
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strawclearer
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Re: Wales assistant coach sent home from World Cup

Post by strawclearer »

For those who want a better understanding of the ins and outs.....

https://therugbymagazine.com/internatio ... -explained
Happy days clearing straw from the pitch before the Baa-Baas games! KBO
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