News

O'Neill confirms Nucifora appointment

May 21 2008

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive officer John O'Neill has confirmed that outgoing Blues coach David Nucifora will take over as high performance manager in June.

Nucifora will fill the ARU post vacated by Pat Howard.

"David will take up his post in June," O'Neill told the AAP.

"We're just trying to overcome some schooling issues, he's got three kids, two girls and a son and it's subject to finalising the schooling."

"There's no other hurdles and, if that's resolved this week, we will be able to formally announce he's joining the ARU at the beginning of June."

Nucifora , who played hooker for Queensland and Australia before guiding the Brumbies to the 2004 Super 12 title, has spent the last four years in New Zealand and the helm of the Blues in Auckland. Nucifora is said to have been keen to take up his post in Brisbane but O'Neill has confirmed that he will be based at ARU headquarters in Sydney.

Meanwhile, O'Neill has called for an end to the speculation regarding the coaching post at the Waratahs and has asked people to rather focus on Saturday's game against South Africa's Sharks.

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie was told earlier this season that his contract will not be renewed for next year, but after the Waratahs secured a home semi-final, there has been a push to reappoint McKenzie.

"I don't think there's room for any applause for anyone at the moment," O'Neill said.

"If I was a player, or if you were a player, you were a Dan Vickerman or a Phil Waugh and you had all your efforts and concentration on the game, I don't think all the speculation about the coaching position is helpful."