Was it White that Ewen beat Jake for coach of the year?
Columnist By David Lord, 27 Jul 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Ewen McKenzie, Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Will Genia
Ewen McKenzie. AP Photo/Francois Mori
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Ewen McKenzie won his fifth Australian Super Rugby coach of the year yesterday and Steve Walsh his first referee of the year award. But both selections posed interesting questions.
Coached by McKenzie, the Queensland Reds were the only Australian franchise to earn a play-off berth for coming top of the Australian Conference, finishing on 58 points with the Brumbies, but winning on a countback with 11 wins to 10 in the regular season.
But the Reds were Super Rugby champions last year, and failed to defend their title.
The Brumbies were close to last in 2011, yet went within a whisker of making this season’s play-off, thanks to their new coach, South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup winning Jake White.
Which begs the question: should the coach of the year award go to the best-performed in that season, or the coach who made the greatest improvement in his franchise over the previous year?
In other words, McKenzie or White?
It was very significant that McKenzie was quick to praise White in his acceptance speech. No surprise in that: McKenzie is at all times an open book and totally honest – a breath of fresh air.
He’s one of the most respected Super Rugby coaches in the tournament’s history.
By naming White so strongly, McKenzie was virtually saying the South African deserved the recognition more than he did. And I agree.
The Brumbies were a basket-case when White took over, a franchise that had been torn apart by insipid player-power and ordinary administration.
Almost overnight, White changed the culture and the Canberra-based franchise played a lot of attractive and attacking rugby in 2012. So much so that they led the Australian Conference for almost the entire tournament, until the wheels fell off in the last two rounds.
Steve Walsh is a very different kettle of fish.
Kiwi born and bred, Walsh crossed the ditch in 2009 to become an Australian citizen and is employed by the ARU.
SANZAR now recognises Walsh as an Australian, which is categorically and legally true.
But that recognition will be really tested when the referee for the Super Rugby final is selected, which will definitely be between a South African team and a New Zealand side, on the neutral referee basis that precludes the world’s best rugby referee – South African Craig Joubert, who controlled the 2011 Rugby World Cup final – from being appointed.
Walsh will be refereeing the semi-final between the Stormers and Sharks at Newlands early Sunday morning AEST, which should make him a laydown misere to control the final.
But for the vast majority of his life – 37 out of 40 years – Walsh has been a New Zealander. And there’s no other Australian born and bred referee good enough to fill the bill.
Catch 22.
All of which made for an intriguing presentation lunch in Sydney yesterday.
Reds half-back Will Genia won his second successive player of the year award by a point over David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, and Christian Lealiifano; and the Reds won the try of the year engineered by winger Dom Shipperley, and the team of the year, dominating the luncheon with four of the six awards.
The rookie of the year went to Brumby back Joe Tomane, who was on crutches.
If there was an award for the quote of the presentation, Tomane would have won that too.
“This time last year I was running around Ipswich playing social rugby. The move to Canberra was good because there’s nothing to do in Canberra.
“And that’s what I like doing. Nothing”.
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- Explore:
- Ewen McKenzie, Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Will Genia
July 27th 2012 @ 6:26am
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 6:26am | Report comment
congrats to genia and walsh. link your class and deserve your award.
July 27th 2012 @ 6:33am
biltongbek said | July 27th 2012 @ 6:33am | Report comment
I have no problem if Walsh referees the final..
July 27th 2012 @ 6:46am
David Lord said | July 27th 2012 @ 6:46am | Report comment
There’s no problem biltonbek, just the letter of the law. How can Steve Walsh be an Australian, when he’s been a New Zealander for 85.2% of his life?
July 27th 2012 @ 7:02am
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 7:02am | Report comment
easy u put a stake in the ground and decide whether he’s a kiwi or an aus and then you stick to it
July 27th 2012 @ 7:10am
biltongbek said | July 27th 2012 @ 7:10am | Report comment
David, I was listening to Andre Watson talk on Supersport last year and he was specifically asked about what influences a referee to make certain decisions on a rugby field, he was also asked wether he believed that there are referees that are biased.
He started off by explaining when he started refereeing at international stage, he was told by the other referees about the “illigal” antics of the Argentinian forwards, and in the beginning it influenced his way of refereeing matches they played in.
He then got quite vehement in his defence of referees and stated that every referee has no intention to be biased towards any team when they run onto the field.
After listening to him speak, I realised that although we from time to time get angry at referees and put blame on them when our teams lose, the problem in my personal view doesn’t lie with the referees, but with the laws themselves.
I look at the laws and see how a decision is debated from various points of view and pundits, supporters and the like hardly ever change their view on how they interpreted a situation in the first place.
The IRB needs to look at simplification of laws, my biggest issue is that at the breakdown specifically interpretations can vary so much.
My son plays U9 rugby this year and I was talking to his coach who is doing advanced referee courses this year. He was telling me that they get video clips of situations they must then provide their opinion to whether a decision was correct or not, and even then there are almost never consensus.
I was seriously frustrated with Bryce Lawrence last year (I am sure I don’t need to explain)
The laws need simplification and we as supporters are taking our frustrations out on the wrong people.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:05am
formeropenside said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Its a simple test, does Walsh cheer for the Wallabies or the All Blacks?
July 27th 2012 @ 8:36am
David Lord said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
biltonbek, the very worst international rugby referee I’ve ever seen is a close battle between Andre Watson and Jonathan Kaplan, with Bryce Lawrence pressing hard.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:40am
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:40am | Report comment
David – cant believe bryceLawrence doesnt turn up on your radar
kaplan? there are easily worse refs around than kaplan
andreWatson was a nightmare when his ego took over which was often. he totally ripped the nz maori’s off when they played aus one year and he was only the touch judge.
July 27th 2012 @ 9:03am
Jerry said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Andre Watson – such a poor ref he was chosen to officiate in two RWC finals…..
July 27th 2012 @ 9:30am
Happy Hooker said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Yep, we all accept Andre is a pr*ck. Doesn’t make him one of the worst referees of all time however.
Many others David left out; Clive Norling, any number of Frenchmen, Matt Goddard …
July 27th 2012 @ 10:10am
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 10:10am | Report comment
agree hooker – fattGoddard was awful. not as bad as bryce but still pretty bad
July 27th 2012 @ 3:26pm
Larry said | July 27th 2012 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
What is your criteria for awarding this ‘honour?’
Seems like a bit of a throwaway comment yo me, given that Watson was recognised as the best referee in the world for many years, officiating world cup finals and the like. Are you actually suggesting that he is the worst you’ve seen, or simply the most overrated? Given your (often referenced) long history of watching the game, are you seriously telling me that you’ve never seen a worse performed referee than any of these guys, keeping in mind they are all experienced referees who have officiated hundreds of internationals between them?
July 27th 2012 @ 12:41pm
Who Needs Melon said | July 27th 2012 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
biltongbek, some very astute comments there. It’s a shame the bulk of the comments on this article are about who the worst and the best refs are and what nationality we should call people.
Probably the sport I can think of where there ARE simple rules and everything IS black and white is tennis. Even then you get people arguing over whether a ball was in or out and they go to incredible lengths (cyclops, multiple linesmen, the umpire, the challenge system) to establish the truth of things.
With rugby you have that plus seemingly dozens of other rules which are much more arbitrary and subjective which leads to endless debate even when there IS slow motion footage shown again and again. A case in point: The Gill try/no-try last weekend.
But the problem is: How could we possibly simplify the rules without dumbing the sport down so much that it would be a pale, pale imitation of the one we all know and (still) love? You strike me as someone that has played and followed rugby for many, many years. Could you really stand it if they turned rugby breakdowns into league ‘breakdowns’ for instance? It seems to me they’ve tinkered around the edges so much over the years that we have established it would take something like that in order to make things non-subjective.
One solution that always ends up being offered is to bring back rucking. I must admit that, although I don’t have an 8 year old son running around in the game, I do have some sympathy with the bring back rucking advocates.
July 27th 2012 @ 4:07pm
biltongbek said | July 27th 2012 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
Lemon, I wouldn’t like Rugby Union to get anywhere near Rguby league.
My take on the breakdown for one.
A referee has to look at the following aspects at a breakdown.
1. Did the tackler release
2. Did the tackled player release
3. Who has first rights to the ball.
4. Who didn’t come through the gate.
5. Who is not a the last line of feet.
6. Who is going off their feet
7. Who has been beaten by the ruck and has hands in
8. Who on the ground is playing the ball.
9. Who is being removed from the ruck and is it legal.
etc .
In my view a ruck has an offside line
let anyone have hands in.
who is not supporting his bodyweight
Who is obstructing.
You do that, teams will very quickly adapt in the tackle, it will encourage teams to offload and speed the game up. If they can’t get the ball out of the ruck, there will be a scrum.
The way I see it there will be benefits for both the defeding and attacking team, but the most important thing is there will now be no hesitiation as to what you are allowed to do. You may legally slow down ball as long as you are on side, on your feet. I could elaborte some more, but that’s this would simplify interpretations and teams will adapt.
Another bugbear of mine is the maul. Why may you not pull down a maul? It is a method of obstruction any way you look at it. It is the only time in a game where you can legally obstruct the path to the ball carrier, I say bring it down. This way you give the defending team an opportunity to turn the ball over.
It isn’t the defending team’s responsibility to keep the maul up, that is the attacking team’s responsibility if they choose to make meters that way.
Then the scrum, take away the crouch, touch pause and engage. I played in the early nineties and there was les problems with scrums then. As a loose head prop, I was focused on the hit, if it was our ball, I dicated the hit, if it was their ball, I was ready to release on their command. Who bloody focuses on a little man with a whistle that whines when you are staring into the eyes of your opposite number intent on bending you sideways.
Anyway just some thoughts.
July 27th 2012 @ 12:47pm
Bono said | July 27th 2012 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Bilongbek, off topic but do you know if there are any SA sports talkback stations that I can listen to online. NZ has radiosport and radiolivesport which are fantastic. Just want to listen to a SA perspective on what’s going on in rugby.
July 27th 2012 @ 3:55pm
biltongbek said | July 27th 2012 @ 3:55pm | Report comment
Bono, I must be honest, I dont listen to a radio, but the most unbiased opinion you can get from an SA perspective is probably Dan Retief, you will find him on google. Don’t listen to Keo, he thrives on criticism and negativity.
July 27th 2012 @ 4:17pm
Bono said | July 27th 2012 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
No worries bilongbek, will check out Dan’s articles.
July 31st 2012 @ 1:55pm
Stevie B said | July 31st 2012 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Doesn’t matter whether they have an intention to be biased or not, start doing a bit of research on academic studies on referee bias and you will see that there is an outstanding amount of evidence that they are. Maybe not intentionally but so what, bias is bias.
Take a look at this for start since it talks specifically about Super Rugby but across a number of sports there is plenty of evidence of referee bias, why should we assume any difference in Rugby.
http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2010/07/29/revealed-biased-rugby-referees-in-both-codes-hand-big-advantage-to-own-countries-290702/
July 27th 2012 @ 9:27am
Happy Hooker said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:27am | Report comment
OK David, so where would you set the threshold? 50%? 75%? 33.33333%?
You and Spiro just want to make something out of nothing. The players don’t care, as long as they have a decent referee. And why can’t Joubert referee the final? As far as I know SANZAR hasn’t changed its thinking. You will recall Lawrence was appointed to the final last season, despite the Crusaders being in it.
July 27th 2012 @ 10:00am
David Lord said | July 27th 2012 @ 10:00am | Report comment
Happy Hooker, I didn’t set neutral refs as the benchmark, the IRB and SANZAR did. In my book every referee and umpire in any sport should automatically be neutral, and therefore the best should always control the better games. But that’s Utopia, and it will never happen, it’s a pipedream.
July 27th 2012 @ 9:43am
Happy Hooker said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:43am | Report comment
Gawd, if country of birth was the test, England wouldn’t have a cricket team!
July 27th 2012 @ 1:53pm
winston said | July 27th 2012 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
and the wallabies would be rubbish
July 27th 2012 @ 2:47pm
ted said | July 27th 2012 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
with that line of thinking …….there would almost no welfare in Oz and NZ unemployment be 50%+
July 27th 2012 @ 1:37pm
Demon Dez said | July 27th 2012 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
So are you saying Sekope Kepu and Mike Harris are not Australian enough and shouldn’t play for the Wallabies, David? Their life in NZ/Aus percentages are quite similar to Walsh’s…..
July 27th 2012 @ 1:45pm
Demon Dez said | July 27th 2012 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
Quote from David Lord: “How can Steve Wals be an Australian, when he’s been a New Zealander for 85.2% of his life?” So David, are you saying that neither Sekope Kepu nor Mike Harris are NOT Australian enough to play for the Wallabies? Their life in NZ/Aus percentages are quite similar to that of Mr Walsh’s….
July 27th 2012 @ 11:06pm
DuffyV said | July 27th 2012 @ 11:06pm | Report comment
David
Has Steve Walsh applied for an AU passport???
If not how can you report he has come to this country to become an AU citizen??
Perhaps he came to AU because he was fired by the NZRU for hitting the bottle a little extra.
And after you falsely proclaim him to be an Australian seeking citizen you tear him apart for not being one.
WTF
July 27th 2012 @ 7:06am
Darwin Stubbie said | July 27th 2012 @ 7:06am | Report comment
But they don’t have a neutral refs basis – so Joubert can do the final … Which he should given he is the best option ,,,
All this highlights is Aust is falling down woefully on it obligations to provide competent refs for the competition
July 27th 2012 @ 9:38am
Happy Hooker said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:38am | Report comment
You are spot on DS … all the talk about a third tier being needed to fill a gap between Super 15 and club rugby to develop players applies equally to referees. A couple of young Australian referees made their debuts this season: Andrew Lees and Angus Gardner, and both acquitted themselves quite well, so maybe the powers that be have backed the right horses this time. Only time will tell.
July 27th 2012 @ 7:29am
Riccardo said | July 27th 2012 @ 7:29am | Report comment
Jake’s job was the harder and he has arguably been more successful given the Ponies’ remarkable turn around. If Lealiifano had not been injured I have no doubt that it would have been the Brumbies contesting the finals. For me White was the best coach this season.
That said Link is also a class act and no doubt a popular winner. Congratulations to him and Will who has also had a solid year.
I think you’re being a bit hard on Walsh who has chosen Australia as his home and is a pretty decent ref. I cannot see his birth country influencing his decision making. Occasionally he lets himself get in the way of the job but is generally fair and once he has established his game dominance lets the game flow better than some of his peers.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:12am
Ben S said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:12am | Report comment
I’m not denigrating what White did, but in many ways it’s an easier gig taking over an ailing franchise rather than taking on an already successful side. Warren Gatland has often spoken of looking for jobs where good sides are at a low point – Wasps and Wales, for example. White did what he did with SA, which was nothing fancy, but obviously still not easy. The Brumbies have done very, very well, and White probably deserves the accolade ahead of McKenzie, but these sorts of turnarounds aren’t that rare in professional rugby.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:20am
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:20am | Report comment
benS – yeah but gatland took over a good side. white didnt. also your line “White did what he did with SA, which was nothing fancy, but obviously still not easy.” is such an understatement considering the political mine field any boks coach has to wade thru.
i still think that link deserved his award tho jake did as well. close call
July 27th 2012 @ 8:29am
Ben S said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:29am | Report comment
Gatland took over a side with potential, but a side with serious flaws.
Not interested in politics. White improved the Springboks, but it was only when Eddie Jones came on board that they really looked a developed side.
I still think White deserves the award though.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:32am
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:32am | Report comment
agree ben S – white could’ve easily have gotten the award without outcry. both deserved recipients.
and agree about gatland, he had potential and belief in his squad before he took over. white created these aspects in his team.
actually the more i write in reply to you the more i see whites achievements and yeah he has had it harder, tho its still a close call. link has done all right as well and ultimately his side made the play offs
July 27th 2012 @ 2:20pm
formeropenside said | July 27th 2012 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
and Link beat White twice, dont forget that.
July 27th 2012 @ 4:16pm
biltongbek said | July 27th 2012 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
Jake white knows how to build a team, he knows how to get structure into a team, he knows how to get them to play as one and in a disciplined fashion, he knows how to play structure well.
But any coach has limitations, I firmly believe an attacking coach and a structure coach should not be the same person.
Look at the Brumbies this year, Jake taught them how to play within a structure and they did that very well, but their attacking was not the one with a lot of flair, it was standard hit ups and standard direct back play, when you add some attacking nouse with a coach who has a creative mind they will be more dangerous.
It is about the personality of people, usually you are either one with an analytical mind or someone with a creative mind.
One without the other won’t bring a complete game.
July 27th 2012 @ 9:14am
Sam Taulelei said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Ben
If a coach can turn around the Waratahs and Blues and deliver a title to either of those teams after this season’s performances and results, they’ll definitely deserve an award for bravery and excellence.
Point taken and well made.
July 28th 2012 @ 12:30am
FraggleWrangler said | July 28th 2012 @ 12:30am | Report comment
If a new coach turns the Waratahs around so fast that they win the title next year, people won’t be talking about what award to give him, they’ll be talking about what to name the new religion he’s just founded.
July 28th 2012 @ 2:47am
Ben S said | July 28th 2012 @ 2:47am | Report comment
Again, with regard to both sides the only way is upwards. The Waratahs seem to be the side Australian rugby fans love to hate simply because of the style of football they play. Personally I don’t think the Waratahs have that strong a crop of players – specifically in the backline, but a stylistic change might go a long way to cementing the position of a new coach with the fans, and once the fans are behind you then big things are possible.
The Blues are another side of perceived underachievers, although IMHO they have a much more talented roster than the Waratahs. They’ve been considered (rightly IMHO) as flakey, but they have some world class talent and any decent coach would fancy his chances of getting a side with the likes of Woodcock, Mealamu, Faumunia, Weepu, Nonu, Ranger etc much further up the table.
Both sides are perceived as poisoned chalices in some circles, but equally if you get things right then they are big, big sides with great potential. With regard to John Kirwan, I think he is an innovative coach, and a very decent man too, and I totally disagree with what Wayne Shelford said about his appointment. I cant wait to see him take on the Blues. I also thought it was interesting to read that Pocock was keen to get Michael Foley to the Force given the battering he has taken in the media.
July 27th 2012 @ 10:37am
soapit said | July 27th 2012 @ 10:37am | Report comment
but in the majority of ways its much more difficult taking over an ailing franchise than continuing to coach the title winners (with respect to actually getting the result on the field).
July 28th 2012 @ 12:11am
Ben S said | July 28th 2012 @ 12:11am | Report comment
Personally I disagree. Second season syndrome is always an issue, and continued success is the hardest type to attain. How many sides in any sport maintain constant success despite changing coaches? Look at what is happening with the Crusaders ATM. Expectation is higher on the coaches and players, and that is often a huge issue. The Brumbies had little expectation, and they play, IMHO, the weakest conference. I believe that motivating a side to play a limited brand of rugby against all odds is easier than taking on a side like the Reds or the Crusaders. A lot of pressure will now be on White, and as we saw from his time at the Springboks, it was basically downhill after the 2004 3N.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:41am
David Lord said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:41am | Report comment
You’ve read me wrongly Riccardo. Steve Walsh is a fine ref, but according to the letter of the law will he be regarded as neutral in a final between a New Zeland side, and a South African?
July 27th 2012 @ 11:03am
Thurl said | July 27th 2012 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Given he got the boot from the NZRFU, hence the move to Oz, I don’t see him doing too many favours to NZ sides
July 27th 2012 @ 11:06am
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 11:06am | Report comment
thats a big stretch thurl. it was the nz refs association that gave him the boot. walsh has reffed a few games this season and shown no anti-sentiment towards nz sides franchises.
July 27th 2012 @ 12:04pm
Thurl said | July 27th 2012 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
Mania, I wasn’t actually meaning that he would be anti NZ sides. I agree that he hasn’t shown any anti NZ sentiment..and similiarly he hasn’t shown any pro NZ sentiment either. It was just in response to Davids question as to whether Walsh could be seen as netural.
Davids said its a technical issue, but I think he is putting an emotional slant on it
July 27th 2012 @ 12:06pm
mania said | July 27th 2012 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
i thought it was an un-thurl like comment
July 27th 2012 @ 7:32am
kingplaymaker said | July 27th 2012 @ 7:32am | Report comment
What’s certainly clear is that there is an endless quantity of daylight between these two and the next level down.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:33am
Turnover said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Jake White deserved the award. The turn around from the last couple of seasons has been sensational. Look at the players he has launched into Wallaby contention, no names at the start of the year.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:38am
Brett McKay said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Genuine question, did Steve Walsh also become an Australian citizen when he alligned himself with the ARU a few years ago?
July 27th 2012 @ 9:35am
atlas said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:35am | Report comment
same question – can not find any reference to him having become an Australian citizen.
At a guess I’d say ‘no’ as firstly he has to have lived in Australia for four years to meet residency criteria prior to making application for citizenship.
Maybe Quade will get around to applying one day! he remains a NZ passport holder/citizen despite meeting other criteria.
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applying/how_to_apply/conferral_app_process/
July 27th 2012 @ 9:40am
Happy Hooker said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:40am | Report comment
I dunno Brett, but would/should it matter?
July 27th 2012 @ 10:04am
Brett McKay said | July 27th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Happy, I’d never even seen it mentioned previously, so no, it doesn’t matter at all. I was just curious if his Australian-ness extended beyond being based and employed here, that’s all. It certainly doesn’t change how he referees..
July 27th 2012 @ 11:37am
Nick_KIA said | July 27th 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
He’s KIA – Kiwi in Austraya
But who cares? This ongoing blather about ref bias on the roar is complete drivel.
July 27th 2012 @ 8:52am
Frank The Tank said | July 27th 2012 @ 8:52am | Report comment
David do you know the circumsyances why Steve Walsh became an Aussie Ref? The Kiwis didn’t want him due to some off field indescretions. The ARU threw him a club rugby lifeline and he went from there. Without him we wouldn’t have had one ref in the World Cup last year.
If the Brumbies don’t choke last game than it’s a different story.
July 27th 2012 @ 9:13am
David Lord said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Frank, I’m well aware of why Steve Walsh came to Australia. To his credit, he’s turned his life around, and I don’t see any benefit in bringing up his past, that’s done and dusted.
July 27th 2012 @ 11:16pm
DuffyV said | July 27th 2012 @ 11:16pm | Report comment
David
Steve has turned is addiction around because it was impeding on his paycheck not because he deserves to be knighted.
July 27th 2012 @ 9:05am
katzilla said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:05am | Report comment
I think the team from where the referee originates is in more danger should bias raise its head.
Im sure a referee would overly punish a same country team to diminish the thought of bias before actually giving that team the advantage.
Not that Walsh or Joubert would, but it’s more likely a scenario then overt Bias towards their own team.