Former Western Force and Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon yesterday stated that the Rebels lacked star quality and that Rod Macqueen is “ten years out of the game”. Brendan is entitled to his opinion. However, so are we.
Brendan was the first player signed by the Western Force in 2006. It may be safe to assume that Brendan is basing his opinion on the template used by the Western Force in their first year. However, the Perth and Melbourne sporting markets are completely different, something Brendan fails to recognize.
Let’s examine the two markets, in terms of football.
Perth
AFL – West Coast and Fremantle.
A League – Perth Glory
.
Super Rugby – Western Force
Melbourne
AFL – Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond, Essendon, Collingwood, St Kilda, Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn.
A League – Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart.
NRL – Melbourne Storm.
Super Rugby – Rebels.
It’s easy to see that the Melbourne/Victorian sporting market is much more complex then that of Perth.
The majority of the sporting teams in Perth have been established in the last 20 years. However, in Melbourne, the majority of the AFL clubs have been in existence for over 100 years. The Storm was established in 1998 and have won three premierships (regardless of NRL penalties).
While Melbourne Victory has been in existence since 2004, achieving the highest attendance record in the A-League, twice premiers and champions.
The market here can also be brutal, take for example the North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL club.
After dominating much of the 90s, and winning two premierships (1996, 1999) they now have the lowest members in the AFL, and one of the most appalling attendance records.
To survive in the sporting market here, you must be successful.
This might give credence to his argument that we lack a star quality. However, if you lack knowledge of rugby (especially the players), people won’t care who Danny Cipriani, Stirling Mortlock or Laurie Weeks is.
The most important fact to the everyday sports supporter is seeing the Rebels win.
The rugby supporter, on the other hand, can recognize the dichotomy here, to be successful, yet lay the ground work, a pathway for aspiring Victorian rugby players.
It might be easy to label the Rebels “Dad’s Army”, considering the majority of the players are in the 27-30 years of age bracket.
However, you can’t over look players such as Laurie Weeks, Jarrod Saffy, Richard Kingi, Lachlan Mitchell, Cooper Vuna and Danny Cipriani. All these players are young by anyone’s standards, within the 20-25 years of age bracket.
Many of them have already accomplished so much, yet have so much more to give. That’s where “Dad’s Army” plays a pivotal role, with many years of experience, including Super 14 and World Cup campaigns.
It’s not just on the field where this wealth of experience and knowledge will come into play.
Head coach Rod Macqueen, who requires no introduction on our behalf (except if you’re Brendan Cannon), has stated from his first day he wants to a create culture that attracts players. Famously, the culture will involve these four pillars: 1. School 2. Club 3. Charity 4. Business.
Up until this point, the Rebels have been very successful in attracting players (except Ben Robinson and Christian Lealiifano) with the above core ideals.
I’m also sure, contrary to Brendan’s belief, all the players are aware of Rod Macqueen’s successful career as coach of the Wallabies and Brumbies. The 1999 World Cup, 2000, 2001 Tri-Nations and the 2001 British and Irish Lions tour are just some of his achievements.
Although this was ten years ago (as Brendan reminds us), many commentators have noted that the current law interpretations (rewarding the attacking team) were in use at that period.
This gives Rod Macqueen plenty of creditability to coach super rugby in 2011. The Rebel army will always be there to support them and the Victorian rugby community.
Cpt Jack
Guest
I think Roddy boy is picking players he can use. What I mean by that is, like Link McKenzie, he wants smart players who will learn and teach. I think Link proved with the Reds that even with a pack of non Wallabies, you can still get results with good strategy and execution. With regards to signings, I think the major thing to consider is that its World Cup year next year. Players don't want to risk moving to an untested team with a mix-match of combinations which could hinder their test spots. Wait till year 2 and I think a lot more players will make the jump. I for one, am mega excited about the Rebels. People are panicking about diluting the player pool, but I am of the opinion that given a few seasons, the new talent coming through that weren't given opportunites elsewhere will pick up the slack and give us more depth. All this being said I'm from Adelaide and have only followed our great game for a short time (people here associate the word rugby with league and beefheads) so am a bit green! Bring on the S15!
Mr Saunders
Roar Guru
'Don’t forget the Stellenbosch experience – he also knows a thing or two about the laws, he is a student of the game, so how anyone can say that he is likely to be out of touch beggars belief!' Exactly. Don't forget the Stellenbosch laws! This obsession, this need to put people on a pedestal, is staggering to an outsider. McQ and Deans... built up to be idols. It's so... Victorian.
Gatesy
Guest
Gentlemen, The proof, as they say, will always be in the pudding. Those of us who are Brumbies die-hards remember what happened in 1995 and 96 - Rod McQueen came in, brought together a squad of people who were basically rejects from NSW & Qld, for one reason or another, moulded them as only a man's man can do, gave them incredible belief in themselves, and not only that, gave the public the same belief - I "escaped" from Sydney to Canberra in early '97 and immediately became a fan of what Rod was doing. He then, in the next couple of years, built on that base and, as we all know, the Brumbies went on to build a wonderful culture (shame about Eddie, Laurie et al) but the culture is still there. That is why the Rebels grabbed Rod - it doesn't really matter if he is not totally up to the minute on the latest techniques, but he probably will get himself up to speed pretty quickly - what's more important is that he is an exceptional judge of character and manager of men. That is both, a priceless and irreplaceable quality...and that, gentlemen, is why the Rebels got him. Don't forget the Stellenbosch experience - he also knows a thing or two about the laws, he is a student of the game, so how anyone can say that he is likely to be out of touch beggars belief! I, personally, am seeing this Rebels group that is coming together (too slowly for some) as a group of players who think deeply about the game, who have a serious amount of leadership experience, who have the raw talent and who fit the ideals that Rod is looking for.. anyone who writes them off, this early in the journey, is crazy in my mind. I believe that they will do, in 2011 what the Brumbies did in 97/ 98 and for the next couple of years thereafter. We're not hearing much about their academy program, but I have seen, at first hand, the quality of their schools and opens players over the last 5 years and I can tell you that the raw material is definitely there...absolutely no reason why another home grown Joe Roff or Stevie Larkham won't turn up in the very near future, particularly with the raw material that they have to work with. Whatever happens, we have another team - so good times are coming, gentlemen!
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
cheers then!
Tony the Sandgroper
Guest
sixo I'm sure the Force would welcome you with open arms! We are a pretty inclusive mob over here. Your take on the old soaks is spot on too.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Well i'm convinced and will sign up to join this club - will miss my Brumbies though, their creation and entry brought me back to rugby! I could never actively support NSW or QLD sides simply because the local game was forever and a day badly supported by the upper state administrations. Too much dead wood on dying old trees to ever do anything to promote the game and make Union a serious option. And it is not that they did not stand a chance against League money! I suspect their problem was the reality they could only elect/promote tired old Club soaks. The type who in their perpetual alcohol daze would rush off to their doctor if they had an idea suspecting it was a precursor to a stroke! This is not an option many others can take but as I am older than most, am a lover of the game more than any particular side I am free to change my mind. Maybe I'll do the triple and sign up to join the Force too!
Tony the Sandgroper
Guest
Thanks Gavin, I heard Robbie Deans saying in a press conferenec that he looked forward to three Australian teams in next year's S15 finals. It is a no brainer that having a wider elite player base to select from allows the Wallabies to gain depth with experience at the right level. The player poaching, especially against the Reds when the Force started was caused by this lack of depth. As we see now the pain in going from 4 teams to 5 is less than when we only had 3 teams to poach from ;-) Now all we need over here is a stadium!
Max
Guest
Yup saffy played Rugby all his life and cooper vuna's dad was a tongan rugby international....Also luke rooney's been playin rugby in France for a few seasons, sooo no issues there in terms of unprepared league players.
formeropenside
Guest
Yes, you are right, this should happen more often, and those Wallabies should be Queenslanders.
Mr Saunders
Roar Guru
'this endless moaning about a team culture while he recruits the players with the least obvious team ethos in world rugby' I would lurve to have that comment explained to me.
Red Rooster
Guest
Now that you mention the role of Hill, I recall that Mckenzie was Macqueens right hand man in 2000 and 2001 - the only years they won the tri nations, they also won the Bledisloe and beat the British Lions
TommyM
Guest
Spot on
TommyM
Guest
Moer fool Lealilifano. He'll be ridin gthe bench for the whole next season or however long he's resigned to the Brumbies for. He could have had the starting 10 jersey at the Force or perhaps 12 at the Rebels outside Cipriani. With Kingim that would be a 9-10-12 combo to excite!
TommyM
Guest
If you mean Saffy, he's not a league player mate. Rugby all his life until a few season in league.
Maddog
Guest
@JTM. Ain't saffy a product of south African rugby b4 playing league. I think you'll find a handier back rower there than you might expect.
Gav
Roar Pro
Good comment Tony. However the Army is made up of mostly locals (Victorians), which includes myself. We obiously have expats though.
Tony the Sandgroper
Guest
Brendan is entitled to his opinion. I just think he's wrong. The star studded first/second year Force team were pretty lacklustre...particularly at home games. The reason was that team spirit was lacking in the first years of the Force. The emphasis was on the stars at the expense of the team. McQueen has already instilled self belief and team focussed play when at the Brumbies and as the Wallaby Coach. While John Mitchell may be a technically proficient coach he is not in the same league as McQueen. End of comparison. The Rebels will be competitive from match one. My prediction is that they will exceed expectations and generate a solid local Melbourne fan base and small but noisy expatriate supporter group. I feel deja vu as if I'm watching the Brumbies rise again. As a Force supporter I was hoping that we could do the same over here, but it was not to be. We are only now seeing the sort of team spirit and will to win starting to evelove organically. On a different level I also belive that we need more than one or two competitive teams providing the bulk of the Wallaby players. I know it is a different scenario but wasn't it great when there were mostly non Melbourne teams in the AFL top eight. On that basis a Wallaby team made up of predominatly non Sydney players would stir things up. It is the way to grow the game. So let's all hope that Brendan is wrong.
Justin
Guest
KPM - see my post above. I think you under valuing some of their recruits to say the least.
Justin
Guest
Weakest pool? How so grasshopper? SA have 3 easy beat sides each year at least...
JK
Guest
Robbinson's knocked them back now too, yeh