Fisher eyeing coaching jobs overseas
Outgoing Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher says he will probably head overseas after losing his job for the 2009 Super 14 season.
The Brumbies have appointed former ACT favourite Andy friend, currently with English premiership club Harlequins, as coach for the next three seasons, leaving Fisher on the lookout for a new employer.
"I need to find some options, so I'm in the process of that at the moment," Fisher said.
The Brumbies are hopeful Fisher will stay on as forwards coach, a role he held prior to taking over from David Nucifora as head coach in 2005.
The 49-year-old didn't rule out remaining in Canberra but admitted he was more likely to head offshore.
"I suppose it's a step backwards (staying with the Brumbies in a lesser role), but it's something I might be interested in," Fisher said.
"I need to see what other options are out there. It's very early in that process so it will take a little bit of time to stack things up.
"There's very few jobs in Australia, if any, so I guess the most likely option is to explore what options are overseas."
The Australia A coach in 2006 and 2007, Fisher said he had no plans to apply for the Waratahs job, recently made vacant after the NSW board's decision not to extend Ewen McKenzie's contract.
"I think they (NSW) are well down their process there, so I don't think that's probably a viable option," Fisher said.
"I never close the door on anybody. If they wanted to show some interest ... but, realistically, it's probably unlikely at this stage."
Fisher said he understood the Brumbies' decision not to reappoint him.
The ACT franchise won the second of their two Super rugby titles under Nucifora in 2004, but have since narrowly missed the semi-finals in each of Fisher's three seasons in charge.
"You've got to be pragmatic," he said.
"You go in with your eyes open and we've got a history of playoff appearances and we've been unable to do that over the last three years, albeit most often winning more games than sides who finished in the finals.
"But we haven't quite got there for a range of reasons.
"So, from a pragmatic point of view, you understand if that's the way things are happening, then your time is limited."
But, with the Brumbies currently ninth and only six points out of the top four, Fisher said he remained committed to helping his side make this year's playoffs.
"You've got to be bigger than that, to show that you have integrity and we'll work just as hard as we have previously," he said.
"That's a decision for 2009, not a decision that should influence 2008."
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