Laurie Fisher’s mission to put Gloucester at top table

For some, he has the look of a fire and brimstone preacher from the old American frontier. And that's just what the Wild West – Kingsholm, that is – can expect from their new evangelist, Laurie Fisher.
For Fisher, 56, who will be Gloucester's new head coach after his successful stint at the Brumbies in Super Rugby, has, on occasion, delivered a sermon that would fire a revivalist fervour in even the grizzliest of fans in The Shed.
Those who hanker after the old Gloucester days of winning, pack-orientated rugby will be found on their knees after reading this tweet: “Why does everyone always call for open footy? How come we can't just enjoy them bashing crap out of each other for 80 every now and then?”
Yes, Canberra-born Fisher has a healthy respect for the Northern Hemisphere game and its confrontational edge, having spent three years from 2008 as Munster forwards coach.
So, what will Gloucester supporters see from his team?
“They can expect us to be really fit, for us to be a team that for the whole 80 minutes is having a really good crack at the game, and for us to be well organised and passionate – I want them to see a team that really shows that it cares.
“You've got to have a good solid pack of forwards, a good set-piece, and skill and pace in the backline. How you want to put that together just depends on the cattle you've got”!
And what about that tweet?
“I absolutely stand by that.  There's a strong push in the Southern Hemisphere for ‘entertainment'.  The crowds come and go, and that's seen as the way to compete against Rugby League and the AFL.
“In European rugby the crowds appreciate the different ways to play the game: if it's a grind, then it's a grind, if it's a forward battle that's fine, and if there are mauls, then that's OK, too.
“I think it comes from the long origins rugby has over there, and I really like that. There are lots of different ways to play the game, and in part that's down to climactic conditions – you get cold months, very wet months and then the season hopefully ends with some nice weather.
“So I want to be a coach whose team scrums well, drives well, carries well, but which can also play a bit when that's the right thing to do.
“I've not seen a huge amount of Premiership rugby, so I've got some learning to do – I won't be coming over with an absolutely pre-determined style in mind. I've got as much to learn as I have to deliver, especially in the early days. However, rugby's rugby: it's about quality set-piece ball, and matching the opposition physically in the tight areas, coupled with good technical skills.
“Gloucester have recruited well, with some very experienced Test match players, and it's going to be exciting working with the squad.”
And that's where Fisher fits in as part of Gloucester's new coaching set-up under director of rugby David Humphreys, a man with whom he had a passing acquaintance during his time in Ireland – Humphreys at Ulster and Fisher in the south.
“David will be handling all of the off-field stuff, and everything that goes with a high-performance programme, leaving me to coach, and to work with the rest of the staff,” said Fisher.
“My coaching work will be primarily around the breakdown and the tackle contest, with Trevor Woodman taking the scrum.
“That said, coaching is a collegiate effort, and I don't think you ever work totally in your own silo – I'm expecting all of the coaches to lead their own area, but to put their two bob in when it affects other aspects of the team's performance.
“However, in the final analysis if I believe things should be done in a particular way, then I can't waver and that's how we'll do it.”
But back to that religious theme. He has had the nickname “Lord” since 1982. “I was on a playing tour to the UK and Ireland and we sat down for dinner one night, and I ended up at the top of the table,” he said.
“With my long hair and beard someone said it looked like the Last Supper, and the name has stuck since then!”
With Fisher's track record, Gloucester supporters will be expecting their club to be at the top table in the new season.
And that's the gospel truth.
COLIN BOAG
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on July 27.