An open letter to John, Robbie, Rocky and Berrick
Roar Guru
By LeftArmSpinner, 25 Oct 2009 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru
Dear Messrs. O’Neill, Deans, Elsom and Barnes: On the eve of the first Grand Slam tour for 25 years, and having attended all four games in 1984, I write this letter to offer you my personal support for your efforts, and to galvanise the other Wallabies supporters behind you and show you just how much support you have from the grassroots.
As a Wallabies supporter for more than 40 years, I write to express my gratitude for the courage you have shown in accepting the challenge of reinvigorating the Wallabies over the past 18 months.
I appreciate that such a major cultural change in any organisation is not normally within the remit of a specialist football coach, even in light of Robbie’s remarkable record as a coach.
I also realise that it is extremely unusual for men of such a tender age, 26 and 23 respectively, to be asked to lead a team in the process of such change while still being expected to compete on the international stage.
I offer you my complete support at this difficult time and encourage you to stay courageous, decisive, keep sight of the context and follow your instincts.
If I may be so bold to comment, I see in all four of you a natural steel that is ideally suited to the task at hand.
Despite the apparent vitriol and angst, most of it well meaning and constructive. The Wallabies still have much in their favour, and are not far from success if you continue to back yourselves as leaders and galvanise this sufficiently skillful and gifted team. We all know that international sport and business is won by the team that wants it most.
All four of you have shown that determination, and it is now a matter of letting that determination infuse the rest of the players.
The Wallabies are well placed. They:
1. Remain the 3rd ranked team in the world.
2. Possess, in their DNA, the Australian spirit that, when unleashed, makes them a never say die outfit.
3. Have a competent pack of forwards and a potentially lethal back line blessed with natural speed.
4. Have the most successful coach in the professional era.
5. Have a “back office” led by the most experienced management team in world sport.
The Wallabies can return back to being Australia’s team.
I encourage you to continue on your path of finding sufficient “good men” to administer the code and representative bodies, to win matches and tournaments, but, most importantly, to change the outdated and corrosive team and code culture of the past nine years that puts the individual ahead of the team, and some players views ahead of those of the management and coach.
Yours sincerely,
LeftArmSpinner.
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Mr cheese said | October 25th 2009 @ 5:43am | Report comment
I thought the Wallabies already were Australia’s team. Why should they want to return to that position ? I thought they already occupied it.
My position on my own team ( England ) is that I will watch them play whenever RU is broadcast on terrestrial TV, but I don’t follow domestic RU. I thought that many Aussie fans would take the same approach: whatever you think about club rugby, international sport is still your country versus somebody else.
Harry said | October 25th 2009 @ 5:39pm | Report comment
Mr Cheese I would say that the Wallabies who up to 2006 could justifiably lay claim, along with our cricket team, of being Australia’s favourite sporting representatives in the preceeding decade, have been clearly overtaken by the Australian soccer team and are now also well behind our cricket team.
It will take nothing less than a RWC win to reclaim that mantle.
In the meantime we have 5 test matches to look forward to. The head says the Wallabies will do well to win 3 out of those 5 games. The heart hopes for a grand slam. Regardless of results, I hope they play with pride, passion and joy.
Knives Out said | October 25th 2009 @ 6:23am | Report comment
That’s an interesting perspective, LAS.
JTG said | October 25th 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Good article LAS, Mr Cheese other the hand I don’t think you get it because you are not what LAS calls a “Grassroot” supporter, that is all levels of Rugby not just International. There is nothing like being at a club rugby game or ‘subbies’ & enjoying the “parochial” supporters with a steak sandwich fresh off the barbie cooked by the club president.
Bazza said | October 25th 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
Good on you LA Spinner ! I couldn’t agree more. When the chips are down, there’s no-one better to call on than true blue Austalians. Only a mug would write the Wallabies off. Go boys !!
LeftArmSpinner said | October 25th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
thats ma boy, Bazza
simon said | October 25th 2009 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
I’m with you LAS.
In the end, I’d rather have those four guys running the show, than anyone else.
May the Wallabies rise again.
Brett McKay said | October 25th 2009 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
Great stuff Leftie – I think deep down, once we’ve all had our rants about the Wallabies, we’d mostly all echo your thoughts here. There’s a nice feel about the squad to Japan and Britain, so hopefully our faith is not wide of the mark..
Bay35Pablo said | October 25th 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
On ya LAS. We might be a vicious bunch of pr!cks sometimes, but only because we love the sport and team so much. I think this is shown by the fact that most Aussie rugby supporters will curse and castigate their own team, but if a Kiwi, Pom or Saafer were to do the same, they’ll defend the team to the death, and problem is the same breath they were bagging them in.
Does this mean we are becoming as bad as the Kiwis with the ABs?
Terence said | October 25th 2009 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
great article lefty – support your thinking from all angles
well done – hope the boys get to read it !!
ohtani's jacket said | October 25th 2009 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
At this time, I would like to refrain from my usual jibes and wish the Wallabies and their supporters well on their upcoming tour. I think the boys are flying into Tokyo today and I know how bad that ride from Narita can be.