McGahan linked to Western Force

Munster coach Tony McGahan has been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant head coach’s role at Western Force in Australia, despite the fact that he has already announced his decision to take up a role with the Wallabies next season.

McGahan has been drafted into a new-look Wallaby coaching staff under head coach Robbie Deans and is due to take up a role described as ‘coaching co-ordinator, one that will effectively position himself as the New Zealander’s number two.

The Force are in the market for a new coach after the shock resignation of Richard Graham, who has informed the Perth-based franchise that he will be taking up the corresponding role with reigning Super Rugby champions the Queensland Reds this summer.

According to The West Australian the Force have had discussions with McGahan, as well as former Leinster and current Stade Francais coach Michael Cheika. Chief executive Vern Reid has confirmed he has spoken to two high-profile coaches, though he didn’t name names.

“We’ve obviously needed to be discreet about who we’ve spoken to,” Reid said. “We have a couple of people who are looking at their own situation. They are all contracted at present and would not be able to make any announcement about their future until their seasons are finished.”

Reid confirmed the process is well advanced and that he had been busy on the phone canvassing options abroad. He also admitted it was the club’s preference to appoint an Australian, if possible, with Cheika installed as early favourite.

He was interviewed by the Force when they first entered Super Rugby back in 2006 but was beaten by ex-All Black coach John Mitchell at the time. The field to succeed Graham in the coming months is a crowded one, with numerous names being bandied about Down Under.

Among them is Canterbury NPC coach Rob Penney, who is on the three-man shortlist to replace McGahan at Munster. He interviewed “very well” for the Munster job, and his record with developing young talent has ensured a second interview.

Tana Umaga will also travel this week from New Zealand for his second interview with Munster. He is still short odds favourite to be assistant to Anthony Foley.