Wynne Gray: Brumbies never do things by halves

Former Brumbies coach Andy Friend. Photo / Getty Images

The Brumbies must have some coaching depth. Their media guide gushes that Andy Friend is a "world class" coach, a description they cannot change while the Super 15 side pushes on with replacement coach Tony Rae for the rest of the season.

Friend's culling yesterday was as dramatic as the Broncos' sacking their coach Ivan Henjak just weeks before the start of the NRL. It had either been brewing for some time as chief executive Andrew Fagan suggested or it is the most staggering reaction to any result in Super rugby history.

The Brumbies lost to the new Rebels side at the weekend, after playing like they were the new pickup side in the competition. They were woeful but somehow managed to hit the lead before an unfathomable penalty from referee Jonathan Kaplan sank them in the last minute.

Three days on, Friend got the bullet after a board meeting, with the decision apparently made public yesterday before the coach was informed. In a recent interview, Friend alluded to the uncertainty of his work.

"One of the things about being a coach is that you understand the fragile nature of your tenure," he said. "Regardless of what your contract is, there's always pressure in footy."

Amid a mid-season player revolt in 2004, Brumbies officials told David Nucifora that year would be his last and the side went on to win the title.

The Brumbies have not won another crown, not even made the playoffs.

Friend took over at the start of the 2009 series and his regime had 17 wins and 11 defeats, in comparison with Pat Lam and the Blues who have won 13 and lost 15 in the same period.

Things happen differently across the Ditch.

Earlier this week we were told Waratahs captain Phil Waugh was unlikely to play again this season because of a bicep injury but he is now due to lead his side into action on Friday against the Crusaders.

Meanwhile, Fagan took all the inquiries and the flak yesterday as he said the decision to replace Friend came at his instigation. He'd sounded out a variety of people about the club's performances and work this season.

The verdict was emphatic.

Friend had to be replaced immediately if the Brumbies were to make any positive headway.

A decision to alter the coaching dynamics this season, shifting Friend to an overseeing role while his assistants provided more of the training ground instructions, had not been a success.

Sacking Friend gave the Brumbies the best chance of reversing that trend.

"We did put in remedial steps a couple of weeks ago in trying to address some of the issues we were facing," said Fagan.

"But I felt these steps did not produce the results we desire and the decision was taken overnight to make an immediate change."