FORMER ACT Brumbies coach David Nucifora has confirmed he is available for the Wallabies job if it becomes available.
Nucifora has resurrected his coaching career in New Zealand after being sacked by the Brumbies in 2004.
After a year as assistant coach at the Auckland Blues, one of the most powerful clubs in provincial rugby, he has taken over as head coach for next season.
Nucifora yesterday outlined the extensive changes he thought the Wallabies needed to end their current slump.
He also confirmed he would be available for the Test job if coach Eddie Jones does not survive the pressure now being put on him.
"You're always available for a job like that but in all honesty I don't think about it, you get down and do your own job, you've got no control over those decisions [to appoint a coach]," he told radio station 2KY's Big Sports Breakfast.
Nucifora was give notice by the Brumbies midway through 2004 but still won the Super 12 title that year.
In an extensive interview he identified key problem areas for the Wallabies.
He also blamed Australian team management for the current form slump.
When asked if senior Test players were staying on too long he said: "That's exactly what you are seeing. If the harder decisions had been made 12 to 18 months ago they wouldn't be in the predicament they are now, forced to blood a lot of young players at the same time.
"We're going through a learning curve in professional rugby and no one has any exit strategies for players. These guys are highly paid, they're not going to roll over and give up their income, they're going to stay as long as they can."
Not surprisingly he agreed with calls for George Gregan to be axed as halfback.
Gregan was implicated as one of the senior Brumbies who had a hand in Nucifora getting sacked.
"I wouldn't have any hesitation in doing that [sacking George]. I think that has to be done. They've got to go for broke and make some changes," Nucifora said.
The changes he would make included moving Hugh McMeniman into the back-row, playing rookie hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau off the bench and making a decision between Phil Waugh and George Smith.
"Tatafu is an outstanding talent. He might be rusty on the lineout throw but he's still learning. I would have him on the bench giving him 20 or 30 minutes of Test rugby," the former Brumbies coach said.
"The whole back-row issue has not been settled and a decision needs to be made, one or the other from George Smith and Phil Waugh."
In the backline he also believes a complete reshuffle is needed.
"I'd maybe try 'Gits' [Matt Giteau] at nine and I'd give Lloyd Johansson a go at 12, move [Morgan] Turinui to 13 and bring [Mark] Gerrard in."
The Daily Telegraph
