By WYNNE GRAY
From Twickenham to Tahuna.
The rugby route was very different for John Mitchell this Waikato winter after he quit his job as assistant coach with the England rugby team.
But Mitchell was on a mission. He quit a 33-test job with England to become a Waikato rugby development officer as the first stage in his long-term aim to coach the All Blacks. He had to go back to go forwards.
After travelling throughout the Waikato in his new role, while also coaching the Killer Bees, the union's development side, to a national title showdown in Wellington today, Mitchell hit stage two in his coaching plan quicker than many expected.
The new Chiefs coach has been charged with breathing some vitality into a franchise which has not finished better than sixth since the Super 12 started.
A week ago, Mitchell was feeling less than lively himself after a two-hour interview for his new job. A touch of flu did not help, and when he came out he felt "absolutely knackered."
The interview panel had worked him over, tested his reaction to pressure. Just the sort of grilling the 36-year-old will give the Chiefs before and after he makes his choices for the 2001 season.
Tough decisions start close at home for Mitchell, who will have to decide whether younger brother Paul, the King Country hooker, makes his squad. Mitchell is keen to select players from within his catchment area and is opposed to using overseas imports.
"I am keen on promoting the region and I want Chiefs players to become All Blacks. It can be done. Just look at the Crusaders five years ago. They did not have many test players then, and look at them now."
Then Mitchell must settle on a captain. He considers New Zealanders get a bit too hung up on that issue, but names players such as Deon Muir, Danny Lee and Glenn Marsh as contenders.
But he is more concerned about the mix of his side.
"The team profile may mean I do not pick the best players but get the most appropriate combination of those who work hard and those who play smart football," he said.
"My philosophy will be very defence-focused so we can work from there in earning people's respect. We have to achieve together from day one."
The former project manager has achieved in rugby since he finished as a No 8 with more than 100 games for Waikato, and six matches for the All Blacks in 1993.
A season spent playing in Ireland produced a phone call five years later asking if he could come and assist the national side. Mitchell left his wife and two young children in their new home on New Year's Eve 1996 for that four-month job.
While there he sussed out the Sale club in England who had approached him, and in June he started there as player-coach.
Project management and coaching Fraser-Tech was history. During his three years with Sale, Mitchell was headhunted by England officials Fran Cotton and Steve Smith to work with the national team.
"I deliberated for some time about that, but it was a great opportunity," Mitchell said.
The experience taught him some concrete rugby credos.
"Preparation is essential, so is attention to detail. You can never be too thorough, and that was Clive Woodward's strength as coach. He was very organised."
During that spell Mitchell was part of the ill-equipped England side who toured Australia and New Zealand in 1998. After the opening 0-76 drubbing by the Wallabies, Woodward allowed the squad to relax the next day at the beach.
That was not the Mitchell Mantra.
"If I had my way they wouldn't be spending the day swimming. I would have them running round the paddock hitting the tackle bags," he said that day. "Humiliation is not easy to accept. I find it hard to console players or pass on sympathy when they have not performed to capacity.
"It is not quite their life, whereas rugby is my life. My life is driven by a seven-day cycle and it is all based round the result."
Cue the Chiefs and Mitchell again this week as he thought about 2001.
"We have to progress. I want people who are driven by outcomes. We have to earn respect and there is only one way you can do that. You can't survive at this level by not winning," he said.
As a player, Mitchell gave plenty for his team. He was inclusive rather than looking for personal glory. He wants to give again as a coach. He wants players to develop, and to achieve that he will demand excessive work.
"Sometimes I am not easy to work with," he conceded. "I can be ruthless, but I love working technically with players."
Mitchell expects to have next weekend off from coaching, though he anticipates watching some rugby. He has coached more than 200 games of club and international rugby in the past four years - he is due one change of pace.
But the Chiefs' season is only 18 weeks away and Mitchell, assistant coach Kevin Greene and the support staff will need all that time for planning, training and organisation.
Mitchell looks ready to start now. As he talks he edges forward in his chair as though he is addressing his new troops.
"Coaching in those test matches with England was just like an addiction. It can be most frustrating, but it is the ultimate challenge, dealing with players' minds. I love doing it and love seeing players grasp new concepts."
Rugby: Earning respect Mitchell's priority
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