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Scott Johnson will offer insights but not 'hard nut' Wallabies need

Sure, it was one small step for man, but definitely not one giant leap for Rugby Australia.

So at last we find out what exactly is going on at Fort Fumble, and thankfully this time it took more than 47 seconds to 'please explain.'

A centralised system involving the four Australian Super Rugby provinces- Good, and not before time.

An independent Test selector- Again, about time.

A fighting fund to keep good young players in the code- Alright, but it wouldn't be required if Rugby Australia hadn't squandered so much money in recent years.

The endorsement of Michael Cheika as Wallabies coach for another year- Ignore the smokescreen; the financially challenged Rugby Australia simply didn't have the guts or more importantly the money to do anything else.

And the appointment of Scott Johnson as the new Rugby Australia Director of Rugby. Okay, but I have serious reservations.

I have known Johnson for 30 years. I like the man. I like his left-field thinking, his sense of humour, his ability to keep it all into perspective, his enthusiasm for the family base.

Johnson does have a rare skill in understanding, but more importantly comprehending the psyche of an elite performer. He is someone with empathy, and players can rely on him to back them up and support them. He is a shoulder to cry on. But Johnson also understands the Australian rugby scene, and has done the hard yards in the rough and tough Sydney club scene.

But is he the right person to get this Wallabies team back into shape? I'm not sure about that.

At the moment what the Wallabies really need in charge is a hard nut. Someone who won't put up with too much crap. Someone who will have them on edge. Someone who will have every footballer fervently believing that their spot in the Test team is always under threat, and if they want to appear in the next international, they have to play at their best, and nothing less.

Sadly at the moment, there is too much of a gentlemen's club feel about the Wallabies. They all love the coach, because Cheika keeps picking them, which sees key players constantly getting away with mediocre performances. There's no edge.

In his past life as a Wallabies assistant coach, Johnson would constantly side with the player. He would repeatedly say how he was proud of his 'boys'. I really doubt he will be tough enough. He could end up being another cushion for Cheika.

I also don't believe he will keep Cheika on notice. The often belligerent, demanding Cheika is bound to dominate this relationship, as will his under-performing team manager and great mate Pat Molihan. That's something for Johnson to think about between now and mid-March when he eventually gets to Australia to take the role. If this is to work, Johnson will have to suddenly become a tough, even ruthless dictator.

Then again who knows how long Johnson is around for?

This is the floundering RA chief executive Raelene Castle's reply today when asked: "How long has Scott actually been signed for?"

"Aaagh. This is a process, that a structure that we, ummm, have agreed on because we think it is the right thing going forward. But we have only recently met terms with Scotland, because that was important to pay them the respect of the process, given that he was under contract with Scotland. But for Scott, this is a great opportunity. He is a proud Australian who wants to come back and help the Wallabies and he also has family back here that he's keen to get back and spend time with."

Castle later confirmed via Twitter that Johnson had signed a three-year deal, saying she had "misunderstood" the question.

As bewildering is the ever smug RA chairman Cameron Clyne telling influential identities around town that there's absolutely nothing wrong with Australian Rugby; it's just the media whipping up trouble.

Mr Clyne, you're on Sunset Boulevard. I repeat, will you please move on....