Ian Mallard enjoys California

Press, 5 April 1989, Page 34

Ian Mallard enjoys California

By

GARY BIRKETT

United States college and club rugby teams are keen to gain the services of the Linwood club coach, lan Mallard, after he guided the San Luis Obispo college side to win the Southern Californian championship recently. Mr Mallard recently returned to Christchurch after spending the United States winter in San Luis Obispo, a city of about 60,000 people located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. When he took charge of the college side last October it was struggling at the bottom of its competition but within four months had jetted to first place with nine wins and two losses. San Luis Obispo will represent Southern California in the national finals in Arizona shortly. Mr Mallard, aged 41, has received offers from clubs in San Diego, Los

Angeles and San Francisco to return and coach there but is likely to go back to San Luis Obispo. He has signed a letter of intent saying that if he does return it will be to coach the same side. He said it had been especially stimulating to mould a raw team into a respected side. “When I got there they were lacking in direction and discipline. They are really good athletes but were too individualistic because of all the American football they played. The guys who play rugby are the guys who can’t make the grade in American football.” Once he had ironed out those bad habits and taught the forwards how to ruck, maul and drive, opposing teams could not cope.

Mr Mallard enjoyed the warm climate, social life and rugby so much that it is almost certain that he will return this

summer. “I was really well looked after. They paid the airfares, accommodation, expenses and got me a job working for a painting contractor. The climate is wonderful — it encourages people to get outside and enjoy them-

selves.” There are 20,000 students at San Luis Obispo College from all over the United States. The city’s other rugby side played in an intercity competition and the team included the Canterbury and All Black halfback, Bruce Deans. “We got together a couple of times and talked over Canterbury rugby while sinking some cold ones,” said Mr Mallard. He also met up with a lot of New Zealanders at tournaments which often featured up to 30 teams. “They were big social events. The climate is so nice and warm that they just brought up the beer tanker and the band and away they went. My players were very enthusiastic. Often tournaments were in San Diego so that meant a seven hour trip down and back.” He found it slightly

depressing coming back to Christchurch. “I heard a few radio talkbacks and everybody seemed depressed or seemed to be whinging about something. The Americans had a different outlook. They just get out and enjoy themselves as much as they can.” He believes that the United States could become a force in world rugby with better organisation. ' “If they ever get really well organised I can see them doing well. They really need expertise in certain areas of play like building teams and planning tactics.”

Mr Mallard will coach the Linwood under 21 side this winter after four years in charge of the senior side. “Then I will almost certainly go back. It is just a matter of sorting something out with officials.”