John Mitchell

It's basically an extension of four months, really, taking him from the end of the World Cup until the end of the following Six Nations.

England did the same with John Mitchell ahead of the Women's World Cup last year.

They essentially, gents, have said they don't want coaches looking for their next job during a World Cup year.

As you would expect, Alex, with England, with Steve Borthwick, always a big reaction to this.

I think the wider points it gets to in terms of how the RFU operate and, and people losing patience with this Borthwick project is, is for me what it puts a bit of a spotlight on.

And we'll get onto the Red Roses probably next.

But Elgin, if, one of the things that Connor said in that pod was John Mitchell was, has been hired for two weeks over a four-year period really to deliver semi-final and final week.

But they're basing this Borthwick and the England management team model on the Red Roses model.

And I was thinking about it, Tony, and I know you're a good historian.

The last time the All Blacks would have had three coaches in four years would have been Smith, Mitchell, Hansen.

But, uh, Smith, Mitchell, Henry, would it be? Trying to think back.

It's been a lot.

Uh, in four years.

Well, Wayne Smith, uh, yeah, up until the end of 2001.

Yeah, John Mitchell, Graham Henry.

Yep.

But I got through it and I showed the kids that anything is possible.

That's the reason I did it, brother.

But yeah, I'm feeling okay.

Inspirational.

mate.

I'm proud of you, mate.

We're a long way from Hong Kong, brother.

It's the first time in four years we've qualified for the quarterfinals.

Exactly right.

Now, I periodically correspond with your brother, John Mitchell, and I guess I've never had the chance to ask you, Ox, but all of his good coaching ideas come from you?

Probably, and probably the... um yeah John and I um yeah we've we've had many battles uh you know we both both obviously kept them our provincial sides and um I remember one going down in Tamarindoo and obviously down in Mooracka on the weekend talking to Buck Anderson and uh and I said you know what were your team talks against King Country when we played and they said he said your brother always said get hold of that little fella Paul Mitchell and uh lock him up because he'll come back at us um So, yeah, and one story was Glen Walsham was the referee one time, and obviously John and I obviously went face-to-face, and we got told off by Glen, and I said to Glen, I said, it goes back many years in the back lawn, so I don't think you should get involved in this one.

But anyway, but no, John and I...

We're close, but we're sort of not close, because obviously the business and what he's done in his career would be fantastic.

I think they're such an inspiring group of players and people.

The thing that we had a new coach come in, I reckon, four or five years ago now, John Mitchell, and He just, like, let us be our own authentic selves.

Yeah.

And, like, you know, every character within the squad, if we can connect and know a deeper level of each other, we'd be stronger as a squad.

Marty, you've been involved with the rugby club scene in New York City and across the country.

You coached with John Mitchell at USA National level.

You've coached at MLR level with New York.

Rugby in Baltimore, what can we expect? And among the rugby faithful in America, has this been a highly anticipated match?

Appreciate it.

Thanks, mate.

Marty Veal there, who formerly coached the US with John Mitchell and was heavily involved with New York Old Blue, which is a famous and brilliant rugby club at the tip of Manhattan, just before you drop into the Bronx at Columbia University.

A fantastic bloke, Marty.