Rob Penney looking to work with Anthony Foley – Rugby News Update
The newly appointed head coach of Munster, Rob Penney has dismissed any rumours, which suggest that he cannot work with Anthony Foley, the attack coach of Munster.
Penney was appointed the head coach last week, ahead of Anthony Foley and Tana Umaga, who were also in the running for the coveted position. However, the former Canterbury coach received the nod, and after coaching the New Zealand Under-20’s at the Junior
World Championship in South Africa, he will take up the position in Ireland.
Speaking ahead of joining the team, he outlined his first impressions of the club and how he plans to forge good working relationship with all coaches, including Foley. He said, "What I heard from him in our conversation today really warmed my heart and
I am looking forward to building a strong relationship with him and with the other coaches and players."
Penney also added that he had a pleasant chat with the attacks coach and he says that their relationship will develop over the next six weeks, before he returns to Ireland to replace the outgoing Tony McGahan, who has taken up a coaching position with the
Australian national team.
Commenting on the credentials of Foley and easing the rumour mill, he gave the former Munster player a rapacious backing. He said of him, “Anthony was a wonderful player, his playing record is second to none with Munster and Ireland, and he's now transitioning
into coaching and is well respected by the players there.”
However, every new coach wants to bring in a different style and make the team work in his mould. Penney will be no different when he says that he has plans to bring in a new backs’ coach.
He further added, "Without, as you can appreciate, naming names we have someone in mind and if things go to plan we will be introducing a new face as the backs' coach in the coming weeks."
It is an exciting time to be a Munster fan and player, as a new coach will bring in added verve, and with a few new additions to the team management, they can challenge for the title.
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