I think "knuckles" Connolly will do well, like you said he is a no frills coach who relates well with the players.
Interesting side note to come out of last weekends game...Connolly's wife is a Kiwi, born in Wellington...she was seen in one of the coperate boxes at the game last Saturday night wearing an Aussie jumper with an AB's scarf around her neck
Hows that for impartiality.....