I WAS shocked when news of Mat-

thew Elliotts sacking broke on Sun-

day.
Not because I think Elliott has
done a good job as Warriors coach,
or because he shouldnt be held re-
sponsible.
It was because such dramatic deci-
sions are a rare sight in this country.
In Australia or England, Graham
Henry would have been told where
to go within hours of the meltdown
in Cardi.
Instead, the New Zealand Rugby
Union went through an elaborate
review process, and kept him in the
job.
While that one worked out, it
shows we favour patience over de-
cisiveness.
Take a look around Super Rugby.
Having brought two titles to the
Waikato, the Chiefs job is probably
Dave Rennies for life, but hes the
only one whose job is safe.
Jamie Joseph has under-delivered
for the Highlanders, but it seems
sacking him was never on the cards.
He has a clause in his contract
which says he cannot be held re-
sponsible for on-eld performance,
which is one of the most ludicrous
things Ive ever heard.
If not that, then what is a coach
responsible for?
Just getting the team to the game?
John Kirwan had his contract ex-
tended in February, before the Blues
had won a game this season.
What if we get to August and they
havent improved from last year?
Wouldnt the Blues like the chance
to part company?
Te Crusaders start to the season
has been slow, even for them, and a
worst nish in 13 years remains very
much on the cards.
In spite of this, Todd Blackadders
job has never seriously been in ques-
tion.
When the Hurricanes began the
season 0-3, there were plenty of calls
for Mark Hammetts head.
Since then theyve won three out
of four, which makes Hammetts an-
nouncement yesterday that hes not
going to reapply for the job at the
end of the season so puzzling.
What exactly does that achieve?
If hes not the man for next year,
how can he be the man for next
weekend?
Tana Umagas name had been sug-
gested as a replacement, but yester-
day he signed with Counties Manu-
kau until 2016.
Was he put o by the Hurricanes
hesitancy?
Whether or not to sack a coach
should come down to one question:
Do we have the players to turn
this season around, if someone new
takes charge of them?
Elliotts sacking has caused a lot
of collateral damage the displays
from Owen Glenn et al. have been
extremely unedifying but it wasnt
a bad call.
Te Warriors have a decent squad,
a new leader, and plenty of time to
still get something out of this sea-
son.
Which is what they wanted.
Do you support the Warriors
call? Is there a coach whose time
you think is up? Let me know
by emailing andrew.voerman@
christchurchstar.co.nz or follow-
ing me on Twitter @andrewvoer-
man
Andr e w Voer man
Sackings not taboo
Mauhew Llllou !amle !oseph Mark Pammeu