'Losing Scott to Wales would be a body blow'.

Byline: By Darren Witcoop South Wales Echo 

Mike Ruddock's resignation has thrown Australia's plans for a dream ticket coaching team into disarray.

That's the view today of former Wallaby Word Cup winner Bob Dwyer.

Ruddock's bombshell decision to quit as Wales coach earlier has sent shock waves around the rugby world.

Prior to this week's remarkable events, it had been widely expected that Johnson would leave Wales and return to his native Australia at the end of the Six Nations to work alongside new Aussie boss John Connolly.

But his promotion to head coach following Ruddock's exit has led to speculation that he might now stay on and guide Wales through to the 2007 World Cup.

The man at the centre of the tug-of-war maintains that family issues rather than rugby issues are the key to his future.

But all this has thrown a spanner in the works Down Under, according to former Bristol chief Bob Dwyer.

'It seemed all sewn up that Scott would return home and work with Michael Foley as John's assistant,' said Dwyer, who led the Aussies to World Cup glory in 1991.

'But now everyone is a little uncertain what is going to happen with Scott following his new role as Wales' caretaker coach.

'That step up may just persuade him to remain in Wales.

'The lure of the top job could be the deciding factor.

'And that would be a body blow for Australia.

'He's highly rated in these parts and was seen as a major cog in the wheel in the new coaching regime.

'But I'd say he's got more of a reputation as a coach out of Australia.

'So I suppose now it's a case of wait and see.

'There had also been talk of Pat Howard coming on board, but he has already committed his future to Leicester Tigers.

'There may have to now be a rethink on the ARU's part now.'

The decision by Ruddock to leave his post left Dwyer and the rest of Australia stunned.

Ruddock had just ended 18 years of hurt with the 24-22 autumn international win over the Wallabies only last November.

And amid on-going suggestions that player-power had forced Ruddock out, the news struck a chord with Dwyer who says it wouldn't be the first time a successful coach had been ousted by his players.

'When I heard those rumours, the first thing which crept into my mind was the way David Nucifora was forced out at ACT Brumbies.

'He had just led them to the Super 12 title, but there were murmurings of unrest inside the camp and was dropped as their coach.

'What more can a coach do than be successful?

'It's all pure speculation of course with Ruddock at the moment, but it wouldn't be the first case if that was true.'

Dwyer and Ruddock have had their coaching battles down the years, and even crossed swords during the latter's first match as Welsh national coach.

The pair locked horns when Dwyer took charge of the star-studded Barbarians side during their end-of-season match at Bristol City's Ashton Gate in 2004.

'Mike has always seemed to have the upper hand on me in matches,' he added.

'Everyone remembers when he led Swansea in their win over my Australian team in 1992 at St Helen's.

'And then the Baa-Baas team I put out were hammered a couple of years ago in Mike's first game.

'He's a nice man and talented coach. It's just a shame he won't be on the international stage with Wales any longer.'