ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has won the tick of approval from Wallabies boss Michael Cheika, following his first season as at the Super Rugby helm.
McKellar endured a tumultuous rookie season after replacing Stephen Larkham but the Brumbies finished with flurry, winning four of their final five games.
ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar saw his attacking game plan click in the final rounds.
McKellar was dogged in his pursuit of instilling a new attacking philosophy in Canberra and it finally came to fruition in the finals five rounds.
They still missed finals for the first time in six years but there was little doubt the Brumbies finished as Australia's most in-form team.
Cheika also missed finals in his first season as a Super Rugby coach in 2013, before leading the New South Wales Waratahs to their first title the following season.
The Wallabies coach said the key to success was showing faith in first-year coaches and allowing them the time to find their groove in Super Rugby.
Cheika was impressed with McKellar's first season, which helped Wallabies bolter Tom Banks rise into contention for a debut against the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup opener on Saturday.
"I think Dan's done a good job, he’s finding his way as a head coach which is normal and one thing I think he’s done is develop some good young players," Cheika said.
"[The Brumbies] had a good year and have a good program and have good other coaches in Laurie Fisher and Peter Hewat.
"Dan will only get better and the big thing with our young coaches is giving them a chance to make mistakes and not putting the pressure on them, don’t just expect results straight away."
McKellar is building a finals-worthy roster for next season, with Junior Wallabies duo Tom Ross and Len Ikitau the latest additions on Monday.
Canberra’s Isaiah Latu, Len Ikitau, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Ross and Mack Hansen all made the Junior Wallabies this year.
McKellar earned a Queensland cap at prop and praised the workrate of Ross, who will link with the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship this month.
"Rossy had an excellent under-20s World Cup, he's a very good player who puts in big minutes in an extremely demanding position at tighthead," McKellar said.
"He has great attitude and a real thirst for set piece. He has long way to go in terms of developing physically and making himself stronger to scrum at Super Rugby level, but he has the attitude."
Ikitau will play for Tuggeranong in the John I Dent Cup grand final on Saturday, before he joins Ross for his second season of NRC.
"Lenny is a very good defensive player but also when he gets the ball in his hands," McKellar said.
"He has the ability to create, and something very understated with him is his big left foot and as his career develops we'll make sure we utilise it."
McKellar confirmed recent signing Irae Simone is a genuine chance to start in the centres in round one, but the Brumbies are expected sign one more midfielder.
Source: Read Full Article