A blueprint for future Wallaby success

Roar Guru

By LeftArmSpinner, 25 Sep 2009 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru

Tagged:: Rugby Union, Tri Nations, wallabies

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I am going to try to combine and move the “Argument/Debate” on from a very interesting and wide discussion bemoaning, firstly, the Wallabies performance in Wellington.

Flat Wallabies win the Tri-Nations wooden spoon (Spiro)
It’s time to go Wallabies (David Wiseman)
Wallabies humiliated by courageous All Blacks (LeftArmSpinner)
Wallabies thumped to finish last in Tri-Nations (Jim Morton)
Farr-Jones urges Deans to get nasty (Jim Morton)
Let’s measure the Wallabies depth and select a second squad (LeftArmSpinner)

* the need for Mongrel/attitude
Hard men wanted, current Wallabies need not apply (Ozxile)
Selectors must choose attitude before ability (LeftAmrSpinner)
It’s simple: no leader, no team, no win (Tony the Sandgroper)

* the subsequent behaviour by the senior players by refusing to play in a possibles V probables game unless paid.
Wallaby disgrace! Money comes before the jersey (Spiro)
An open letter to Robbie Deans on selections (Rob)

I have assumed that:

1. We need a way forward and it involves change, painful change so that we will never revisit the past week;
2. There is no point throwing the baby out with the bath water;
3. There is a finite number of players to choose from in rebuilding this Wallabies squad;
4. The Wallabies are midcycle in terms of rebuilding;
5. There is a difference between playing poorly and playing without commitment;
6. This is a very serious situation and affects the Wallabies and the code significantly;
7. Bouncing back is the best way to answer the critics.
8. Robbie Deans is the coach to take the Wallabies forward to 2011 RWC
9. The ARU has the ability, motivation and responsibility to take action and authorise Robbie Deans to take action.
10. The ARU and coach/selectors have a mandate from supporters to do what ever is necessary to sort out this situation.

Here are my proposals:

Wallabies
1. Wallabies squad and coaching staff issue an open apology to Aust rugby supporters.
2. Players offer, from their own initiative, not RUPA to play a Possibles vProbables game at SFS, for free. All 40 players in the pre tour squad will get “equal/similar” game time. Players change management of RUPA, and specifically Dempsey.
3. Review the current squad of 22 players and remove (those without the necessary mental strength)
* Drop Chisholm and Mitchell from the NH tour
* Manage/Rest/commence Smith’s dignifed retirement
* Put Horwill, Pocock, Turner on the bench.
* Move Giteau to 12 and away from the leadership of the backline.
* Congratulate Robinson, Polota-Nau, Alexander, Elsom, Genia, Barnes, Ashley Cooper, O’Connor and encourage/empower them to assist in building the new culture of the Wallabies based around passion, pride and with the Brisbane game as the blue print for playing style and structure.
* Do not select (for the NH tour) any senior players who supported the $2,500 for the probables V Possibles game.
4. Design a programme through which all 40 train off players with go through to test their physical and mental “attitude/mongrel/passion/Respect/responsibility/class” to the limits, taking into account that some grade players will not be as fit or strong physically as their fully professional colleagues.
5. Select the mentally strongest and most passsionate, on the basis that “attitude/Mongrel/Passion/respect/responsibility/class” and the culture that results is the foundation from which to rebuild the Wallabies.
6. Open first selection training session with statement that the NH selections will be from a clean sheet and everyone is equal and hence no such thing as a “bolter”.

My projected squad of 36 players:
1. Robinson/Holmes
2. TPN/Fitzpatrick (Moore rested)
3. Alexander/Kepu/Weekes
4. Horwill/Thompson
5. Kimlin/Caldwell
6. Elsom/Dennis (Mowen injured)
7. Waugh/Pocock/Higginbotham (Smith Rested)
8. Brown/Davidson/McCaffrey
9. Genia/Burgess/Holmes
10. Barnes/Cooper/Halangahu
11. Fainifo/Turner
12. Giteau/Carter
13. AAC/Horne/Mortlock (Ioane injured)
14. Hynes/Cummins
15. O’Connor/Beale
Mortlock, Elsom and Waugh co-captain: Barnes and AAC vice captains

The feature of this team is its players that can play (not just cover) multiple positions:

3. Holmes
4. Mumm/Dennis
5. Mumm/Dennis
6. Brown, Davidson, Kimlin, Higginbotham
7. Brown /TPN/Fitzpatrick/Carter
8. Dennis, Higginbotham, Carter
9. Holmes
10. Beale
11. Beale/Horne/O’Connor/Holmes/Giteau (in a Williams of Wales role)
12. Beale/Holmes
13. Giteau/Carter/Holmes
14. Beale/Horne/O’Connor/Holmes/Giteau
15. Turner/Cooper/Halangahu

You have read it correctly, transition Tom Carter to the backrow (7 and in pre tour training, trials and the midweek games.

The logic is as follows:

Cut the clearly dead wood, send message to underperformers to step up NOW, encourage performers to contribute to Wallabies new culture.

Test rigorously for “attitude/Mongrel/Passion/respect/responsibility” and only select those that have it.

Open the door wide to more young players who have the “attitude/Mongrel/Passion/respect/responsibility”.

The captaincy is critical and is based around the experience of Mortlock and Waugh. Neither are Eales but they are the best we have until the young guys emerge.

They can both work off the field and with the young players to build the culture.

Finally, keep them busy, very busy and work harder than any other team ever has. Eight hours a day, training, conditioning, SAS training/testing/hardening, study of the Wallabies legacy, study of oppositions, the rules and tactics and techniques used around the world now and in the past.

Set tests that they must pass to determine and monitor their participation.

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The Crowd Says (55) | Page 1 of Comments

Knives Out said | September 25th 2009 @ 2:34am | Report comment

I pity Australian rugby union footballers, I really do.

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- LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 6:46am | Report comment
  
  If Myself and a few other Roarers got a hold of them, you should pity, or at least feel sorry for them. my approach will be labelled “Conseqences” SIng along with me C-O-N-S-E-Q-U-E-N-C-E-S.
  
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pothale said | September 25th 2009 @ 4:07am | Report comment

I suspect someone will have a quiet word with Ireland, England and Wales to indicate they should put out development sides against the Wallabies. I can’t imagine the backlash if the Wallabies were to lose any of those games.

It’d be a good opportunity for Kidney and Johnson to try out some new combinations and players anyway.

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- ThelmaWrites said | September 26th 2009 @ 1:18am | Report comment
  
  Pothale
  
  I would prefer that the Wallabies meet full-strength NH teams. They were greatly disadvantaged by playing a Barbarian side,Italy, and a lackadaisical France before the Tri Nations.
  
  When I first learned that the Aussies were aspiring for a Grand Slam, I thought how fool-hardy. Not anymore. They need tough contests. There is no point in molly-coddling them.
  
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  - Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 1:27am | Report comment
    
    There are significant injuries in the Wales and England camp. That could be an equalizer.
    
    Reply
LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 6:49am | Report comment

as long as the teams are comparative, it will be a good game for all spectators. I think, if the wallabies supporters are typical, everyone will see the benefit of building depth and blooding/putting more players into the frame in the lead up to RWC 2011. It doesnt mean all youngsters, maybe some who have been out of the squad, like Wilkinson.

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Sam Taulelei said | September 25th 2009 @ 6:58am | Report comment

LAS

Regarding point 1 not sure what you hope to achieve with that. Reading Sheek’s excellent article on the history of the Wallabies test record it clearly shows that Australian rugby historically has endured more periods of the doldrums than success. Compared to the Celtic nations who have also gone through turbulent rollercoaster rides in the Five/Six nations and all four home unions against NZ, their fans could justifiably ask the same from their players in the past. NZ and SA fans are not exempt either.

The road to success is always difficult when detoured by the avenues of failure and streets of shame however it’s a necessary path to travel to learn more about yourself and your teammates.

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LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment

I consider that the wellington game was much worse than just losing. The players did not turn up. they disrespected the Wallabies legacy and everyone that they represent. have a read of todays Roar article about the way the juniors play their rugby.

in both cases, it is nothing to do with the result. I just expect them to come ready to play to their full capacity and represent us to the best of their ability, individually and collectively.

When such a disgraceful and disrespectful performance occurs, the perpetrator needs to apologise, mean it and make reparation. thats life, why is rugby any different?

broadly speaking you have four types of performance (forget the results/outcomes)

1. Passionate, committed, smart physical and determined to extreme levels of bravery and human endurance
2. strong, workmanlike performance
3. Uninspired lack lustre, dumb and less than 80 minute performance
4. Soulless, cowardly, selfish, timid and passion-less performance, that is disrespectful to all stakeholders

The 2010 performances were in the 2-3 type, excepting Brisbane which was a 1 and Wellington which was a 4.

a 4 is unacceptable and should have sanctions/consequences attached. One of them is to take responsibility and learn humility that comes from an apology.

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Vented Relief said | September 25th 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment

Have you included Mumm in the 36 man squad? Happy if you have or haven’t either way – he’s definitely one who hasn’t proven himself yet. I like your idea of giving some new players a crack in the forward pack.

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- LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:18am | Report comment
  
  VR, Mistake on my behalf. Mumm was inadvertently overlooked. He sure needs a run to get the splinters out of his arse from so much time on the bench and he is on the bench again on Sunday in the GF for Syd Uni. Higginbotham out for Mumm to come in.
  
  Also, Ioane is likely to be back in contention so he has to come in. it is either for Mortlock or Cummins. Has to be Mortlock who makes way and so Waugh becomes the skippa. His primary role is to blood and shepherd the youngsters. I trust his leadership by example and vociferous on field direction, even if, on this tour, he is not the best 7 around. He has the work ethic, is a proven leader, a club/team/squad man at every level, on and off the field and has the respect of the young guys. A tradeoff. with so many youngsters, you cannot leave them without a senior head and on field leader. Also, he will have been rested from no international games this year.
  
  Here is the squad restated:
  
  My projected squad of 36 players:
  
  1. Robinson/Holmes
  2. TPN/Fitzpatrick (Moore rested)
  3. Alexander/Kepu/Weekes
  4. Horwill/Thompson
  5. Kimlin/Caldwell
  6. Elsom/Mumm/Dennis (Mowen injured)
  7. Waugh/Pocock (Smith Rested)
  8. Brown/Davidson/McCaffrey
  9. Genia/Burgess/Holmes
  10. Barnes/Cooper/Halangahu
  11. Fainifo/Turner
  12. Smith/Carter (Giteau Rested)
  13. AAC/Horne/Mortlock (Ioane injured)
  14. Hynes/Cummins
  15. O’Connor/Beale
  
  Elsom and Waugh co-captains: Barnes and AAC vice captains.
  
  Mumm is in as a as a 4 or 5, but covering 6.
  
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Arky said | September 25th 2009 @ 9:17am | Report comment

Watched a replay of the Brisbane game last night – after the dismal performnce in NZ last week it was refreshing to see – I agree with LAS – it would have been better to see them lose by 50 points but fight with heart, spirit and passion to the end – that is the difference – and that is waht supporters are furious about…

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- LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:41am | Report comment
  
  spot on. arky.
  
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Terry Kidd said | September 25th 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment

I wonder if Tom Carter reads The Roar and what he would think of transitioning to No 7? I often wondered if Lote Tuqiri had a future at No 6. Whatever he did lack, it wasn’t courage.

Interesting LAS …. food for thought over the weekend.

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- LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:01am | Report comment
  
  I would love to hear from Tommy carter, but, he would say, just give me a chance in a wallabies jersey. Just a chance and I will give you 110% everytime.
  
  we can be a little precious about the numbers on their backs. carter does a mountain of work. Simple. So too Davidson.
  
  Lote, courage? you are kidding me! why do you think he ran across field so much why when he got into space, he didnt race for the corner? he was scared of getting belted, in the first case, physically and in the second case, mentally.
  
  Courage? he helped derail the Tahs in 2007 with all the long winded contract negotiations and allowing them to affect his form, courgaeous taking it out on a junior team mate by pushing SNK.
  
  Courageous in breeching team rules, courageous in not telling the truth to the media and supporters, and pretending that he wasnt allowed. he was allowed but he was scared and didnt want to face up to the consequences and take his medicine.
  
  Seems there is a lot of transtioning/multiskilling: cowan to cover 1,2,3. Fitzpatrick and Freier to cover 2 and 7, O’Connor plays 11,12, 14 and 15. AAC plays 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Beale and cooper: 10, 12 and 15. etc.Holmes can play 9, 11, 12, and 14.
  
  Others suggested Phil Waugh to 2 to extend his career. John Smit from 2 to 3 oh and Lote from 11 to um, 11.
  
  4′s, 5′s and 6′s interchangeable.
  
  7 and 8 interchangeable.
  
  9 and 10 interchangeable. (Giteau and Valentine)
  
  11, 13 14 and 15 interchangeable (Ioane, Mitchell, AAC, Turner, but not 13)
  
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Tony the sandgroper said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:21am | Report comment

LAS,
Good analysis. I like the logic and broad approach to what is a problem for the Team and their management. The big task at this level of sport is to get into the team psyche, the brainspace, and expose them to the thinking that they need to win. Knowing that you are a heartbeat from sacking is a negative motivator. We (Australia) have to come up something that is a positive reinforcement. Winning would be good. Whether we like it or not there are two games we need to win. The one on the field and the battle for a place in the national consciousness. This last game is the one that attracts the right sponsors and stakeholders.

At this stage our national agenda setters are probably more interested in going to a Diamonds Netball match than to watch the Wallabies underperform. Our great girls are showing the sort of spirit and performance under pressure that the men seem to lack. I know it is always dangerous to compare codes of sport but the difference is stark.

To me the great difference between the Wallabies at the present and the past successful teams is in one word, MATURITY. Listen to their interviews and watch their training sessions. The off field dramas that beset the Force this year all stemmed from the same source, immaturity. The same behaviour is evident on the field. These young men have the potential to mature into a great outfit if they cut the adolescent behaviour and behave like adults. How do we achieve maturity? Consequences and exposure to role models in the game and out of it who have endured and won over some real hardships. This soft programming is hard to achieve and a long term challenge. When we crack that we’ll beat any nation and play consistently well, whatever they throw at us.

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- LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:39am | Report comment
  
  Sandgroper, I am not suggesting wholesale, carousel like selections. My approach is due to the bereft, insulting, disrespectful and lily livered performance from Wellington.
  
  players are human, they some times dont perform at their best, some times team are beaten. you dont get dropped for that one off. if it becomes recurrent, then there needs to be the incentive (carrot and stick)
  
  maturity assumes that they have the necessary determination and class to perform at wallaby level. Not sure about that. But maturity is certainly a factor and we mature as we experience the consequences of our actions, good and bad. to date, these guys have had no consequences.
  
  It is absolutely valid to compare sports and the net ball girls are brilliant at competing, not accepting second, fighting for the win, beating the NZ’ers. they talk of having the belief that, no matter what situation they find themselves in, they can still win if they trust their teammates completely. Interesting.
  
  The potential is there, no doubt, but as OJ said yesterday, how many wallabies have had potential that has never delivered. they just seem to plateau.
  
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- Even looser said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:55am | Report comment
  
  Tony – Your ‘maturity’ point is as interesting as it is thought provoking.
  
  Seems to me that past Wallabies often brought real life experiences to the team. They knew and understood from a life outside of Rugby what it took to be successful, how to respond to adversity and how to lead others. I’m not trying to defend the current lot, however many are straight from school and have never done anything else in their lives. What real life experiences can they offer the team or draw upon when under pressure?
  
  The solution may be to give them real life experiences. Have them actually working & studying as well as playing Rugby. Let them understand what sacrifice is all about.
  
  The trouble with this idea is that humans are basically lazy. If there’s a sofer, easier option, then that’s what we’ll take. So, there’s no point in S15 franchise in say Perth having this plan when the one in say Sydney doesn’t. Players will just opt away from Perth.
  
  I wish I had the answer.
  
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  - Justin said | September 25th 2009 @ 3:12pm | Report comment
    
    EL – I dont know how many but I do know that there are numerous Wallabies studying at present. TPN, Burgess, Mumm, Alexander (I think) to name a few…
    
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LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:29am | Report comment

My team 1st XV would be:

1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Horwill (step up or replaced mid way by Mumm)
5. Kimlin
6. Elsom (captain)
7. Pocock
8. Davidson (New cap)
9. Genia
10. Barnes (vice captain)
11. Ioane
12. Cooper
13. AAC
14. Hynes
15. O’Connor
16. Fitzpatrick (new cap) cover 2 and 7
17. Kepu Cover 1 and 3
18. Mumm (new cap) cover 4, 5 and 6
19. Waugh Cover 7
20. Burgess cover 9
21. Beale (New cap) cover 10, 12 and 15
22. Turner 11, 14 and 15.

Four new caps in 22.

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- Justin said | September 25th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
  
  A few too many NSW players coming into it hey LAS!!!
  
  No point taking Waugh, Mumm or Burgess. We know what Waugh can do and Mumm and Burgess arent up to it.
  
  Horwill deserves to be there less than the other locks he played with this year, he was the seasons biggest disappointment and non improver for mine.
  
  Fitzpatrick over Moore? No thanks, he is just a kid, needs another couple of years. I would prefer to see a few punts taken on outside backs like Morahan and I would have Shepard in there too considering you have no decent goalkicker. Bye to Beale and Turner…
  
  Ah selections, you got to love them
  
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