Ask any Wallabies supporter the reason for the team’s recent troubles and you will receive almost any kind of deluded response.
Robbie Deans has gone from being one of the finest coaches in the world to a hideous third-rater, perhaps even capsizing his charge intentionally as a consequence of New Zealand origin. Matt Giteau somehow manages to poison the entire Wallabies performance from the all-commanding position of inside centre. The team, unlike other top rank professional rugby players, lose their heads and discipline at the slightest provocation. More reasonably, they are ravaged by injuries and what remains is a limping skeleton of the presumably world-beating ensemble when fit.
If all the Wallabies were healthy and Graham Henry were coach, they would suddenly master the All Blacks of course?
The earlier reasons are manifest nonsense. Robbie Deans is clearly a world-class coach at the helm of resources so drab that not even the greatest coaching magician could conjure them into gold.
The last excuse, that the players are all injured, has the largest element of truth and is therefore the most dangerous. Granted players like Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane and Wycliff Palu would improve the current team significantly, but teams always have injured or suspended players. New Zealand are currently missing Sitiveni Sivivatu and Ali Williams and have lost half a side worth of first choice players overseas. The fact remains that even with a fit Wallabies outfit New Zealand look far more impressive in playing strength as will South Africa once they adjust to a new style of play.
Australian rugby must face the deep, terrible truth behind the current crisis: a significant demise in the number of high quality players the game is producing.
It’s uncomfortable to face such a fundamental problem as the players produced by the game as a whole simply not being talented enough, but it is necessary to do so.
A question was pointed out recently which every Wallaby fan should ask themselves before condemning Robbie Deans again.
How many Wallabies would make the All Black starting 15? Honestly? Let’s say Rocky Elsom, Will Genia, maybe Benn Robinson. A total of three is optimistic. How on earth is Deans or even Merlin the wizard supposed to beat an opposition almost every single player of which is superior to his own?
(That Deans could get his side within 10 points of them is something of a miracle of coaching).
This was not always the case. The teams of the 90s would have several players in the All Blacks, even a world 15. There is obviously a decline, and it is due to the limited number of career opportunities the game presents with only four Super teams.
The number of professional places four teams offer is ridiculous for a country with aspirations to be the best in the world. Players do not simply appear in fully formed perfection and often need high level exposure in order to develop. Four teams can only provide that exposure to a very small number, and if a player cannot make his way into a team his career is effectively finished.
With double the number of Super teams, more contracts could be offered to young players who otherwise go off to the NRL, the game would grow as feeder clubs led directly into contracts with the mother team, and eventually the two or three extra world class players necessary to make the Wallabies a potentially world-beating team would emerge.
The only alternative to Super rugby is a hypothetical national competition which would provide far more places. However, the ARU has committed itself to the current format and with the expanded season running until august it’s hard to see how such a national competition could run long enough, pay large enough salaries to attract young players to the game and overall be a major force. At best it could be a minor addition which would make a small difference.
As a result, given that Super rugby is here to stay, the solution is for several more Super teams to provide more places for young players and generally to expand the game in geography and supporter base. I would suggest that now some expansion into markets outside the heartlands has taken place, it is time to shore up New South Wales and Queensland. Teams in Western Sydney and the Gold Coast should be established immediately, instantly doubling the number of professional contracts that can be offered in these player-rich states.
There is a tremendous hullaballoo raised whenever a Super team is set up as if it is some tremendously difficult feat. In fact is no more than a rugby club, the only different problem it faces being the travel expenses to the other member countries. This should not be so much of an obstacle as the competition is increasingly based on significant numbers of matches against other Australian teams rather than New Zealand or South African opposition. Not only that, but the extra length of the season, which should be extended even further by the way, will lead in itself to much greater revenue from crowds and eventually television.
The Melbourne Rebels have shown a model for how to found a new team. One third foreign players, one third up and coming Australian players and one third rugby league converts. This kind of team can be competitive until the franchise begins to develop its own young players from the environment it represents who will then fill the places. Backed by private equity and corporate sponsorship and with a long season, a team like this can easily be a financial success.
There is no reason why this model cannot simply repeated. In addition to the two teams mentioned a further one should soon be added in New South Wales, with final expansion to Adelaide and Newcastle.
The ARU must create another Sydney and Queensland team straight away, and should allow South Africa and New Zealand to have as many teams as they in their own segment of the competition should they stand in the way.
Otherwise one day even the proudest Wallabies supporter’s excuse-making faculties will run dry.
Nick_KIA
Guest
Don't be so sure about the enduring nature of super rugby: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/4026667/South-Africa-looks-into-splitting-up-Sanzar
amband
Guest
HAHA! Well 90% is better than nothing. I say Dunning as he is an effective runner, won't take nonsense and i suspect the Bos ^ Blacks would rather face Robinson. I dare say Dunning is not my only choice Who is the most successful front row at S14 or Shute shield level? Play them in the wallabies as a unit. Remember the Randwick front row, Kearns, Daly & MacKensie?
jock
Guest
You had me until Matt Dunning...
amband
Guest
this is rubbish! Deans is a third rate coach. The NZ team he coacjed was ready made for him. A great balanced side. Show me a coach that takes " alsorans" to a final and I'll show you a coach! quote! "The Melbourne Rebels have shown a model for how to found a new team. One third foreign players, one third up and coming Australian players and one third rugby league converts. " Rubbish! As we see in the English premier league now, the call for local talent and the "home grown rule. If we allow foreigners to play in our sides, that means less places for Aussies, and we see how this has affected the English football team Benn Robinson! HAHA! The telly tubby HAHA! We need Dunning back i to from row for a bit of aggression. I'll say it for the upteenth time, spread the game to the poor kids where the greater numbers are, and let them represent inplace of those private schoolgirls Get rid of O'Neill adn the selectors
Ben S
Roar Guru
But Elsom ahsn't been good, KPM, and that is the thrust of the issue. Higginbotham had a far superior Super season, and McAlman played well against England A. Which other players don't have their positions cemented?
Ben S
Roar Guru
Which Australian backs demanded Test inclusion with their Super form? Genia and Cooper had a strong Super season, and the rest? The New Zealand backs made no clean breaks in the two Tests v Australia this season. The Australian backs made 4. The Waratahs has two wing spots and I don't think Mitchell and Turner constitute 'unbelievable competition'. Further, it isn't hard to break into the Wallabies wing slot. Deans has used 6+ different wingers during his tenure.
sheek
Guest
Was chatting with some mates last night, including two Easts stalwarts. We discussed many rugby issues, some already mentioned elsewhere. However, two points struck me. One of the Easts stalwarts mentioned a suggestion years ago of a super club in the district - combining Easts Rugby, Waverley (now Easts) cricket & Colleagues rugby. The idea was to combine financial resources into one major sports club. But it was perhaps too radical an idea for its time..... ? The other suggestion raised many years ago apparently, certainly surprised me - that Easts & Randwick should join forces into a super rugby club. Now this blew me away, since Easts & Randwick are often at each other's throats, despite being neighbours. It also raises other issues like where would they train & play, what would they call themselves, what would be the colours of their playing strio, & what would be their nickname/emblem??? The Easts-Randwick Galloping Besties playing in jerseys of broad green hoops separated by red & white bands, plus navy blue shorts. Not a good fit, not at all!!!
Burgs
Guest
Elsom WAS a great player but is now an average Test player and isn't a Captain's boot lace and certainly doesn't deserve the selection immunity the position brings. Won't happen, but I would have Sharpe in as Captain for the rest of the 3N with Pocock (C) and Genia (VC) taking the reins for the Spring Tour onwards.
sheek
Guest
KPG, A point of difference between SR & ARC. SR requires co-operation & agreement from other SANZAR partners - NZ & SA. If we want a 6th team in Aussie conference, this must be balanced in both other conferences, otherwise the conference system won't work. ARC requires co-operation & agreement between ARU & member provincial bodies. ARC can be funded seperately from SR, & can have as many teams as agreed upon by parties involved, quality & depth of players & financial constraints. But finding an attractive revenue source/stream is the major problem.
Burgs
Guest
Came in a bit late to read the full thread so apologise for any replication but my thoughts: • Totally agree we need more players playing professionally. • There are easily identifiable reasons as to where the financial faults lay in the ARC. The model was a starting point and should have been given at least a second year, virtually no sporting venture/competition is expected to run a profit in its first season and regardless it is an investment in the sport. Look to cricket for second tier comps that don’t pay their own way. • An ARC won’t happen while JO’N is at the helm of the submarine. • The ARU has a one third say as to where Super Rugby franchises go and following the allocation of the Rebels, are not currently in any position to be asking for more. • We don’t even have the depth to have 100% Australian content in four franchises and have a large international quota to form a hypothetically viable Melbourne Squad. • Our problem is depth, the way to address depth is to develop youth. As much as I would love to see the/an ARC it isn’t going to happen any time soon, so one strategy would be to expand the squads of the current five franchises and play an Under 20 (Academy) and/or a 2nd XV competition at each of the Australian derby fixtures. The season is already in place, especially if the ARU were to request the bulk of the derby fixtures to be early in the S15 season in future to minimise effect on the respective club comps. The “clubs” and loyalties are already in place and in many cases looking for more of the team to support.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I would say many Australian players demanded selection by their Super level form, and as far as I could see the New Zealand backs made a number of linebreaks in the last match. The Waratahs has unbelievable competition in that with two internationals, it is very hard for a young wing to make their way in. It is almost as hard to break in to the Waratahs on the wing as it is to break into the Wallabies in that position.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Ben I agree that his performances haven't been as amazing as his reputation but he has still been good, especially recently and in his position is well ahead of his rivals, which is not the case in other positions for other players.
I am Sam
Guest
Perhaps additional Super Rugby franchises in Australia will strengthen NZ Rugby. It could easily produce more Daniel Braid type scenarios, that basically provide more opportunity to NZ players to get exposure. Either that or you will get more Greg Somervilles feathering their retirement funds and keeping local players out.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Why is Elsom an obvious starter? Surely that's the entire point. He isn't and shouldn't be an obvious starter.
Ben S
Roar Guru
None of the New Zealand backs made a single clean break in the most recent Test whereas Beale and Mitchell made 1 apiece. The key difference is that the backs counter attcked intelligently and accurately, and supported each other. Just contrast the NZ attack this season with the NZ attack from the 09/10 3N. That's good coaching for you. Very few Australian players demanded selection going by their Super form. The job of the Test coach is to select the wheat from the chaff. Take Tom Donnelly as an example. The Waratahs doesn't have 'unbelievable' competition for wing places, and if it did then surely more players would be demanding Test selection?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Ben S agree Elsom myth derives from his time in Ireland. I doubt Deans will change him mid-season though. He would need to find a certain starter in the team, which Elsom obviously is and few others are.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Ben S 11, 13, 14 and 15 did not break through the defence as their All Black equivalents so successfully did. That was the key difference between the teams, along with a slight physical superiority in the New Zealand pack. I don't think Deans is a conservative coach, but assuming for arguments sake he is, there were few other Super wings, full-backs or centres who played well enough to demand selection. Maybe more would develop if there were more spaces to do so. Nemani Nadolo may or may not have been talented enough to be an international player, but we'll never know because of the unbelievable competition for wing places at the Waratahs. If there had been another Sydney team he would have at least had a chance.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I think that the Rocky Elsom myth has overtaken reality. Let's be brutally honest: Elsom is a great physical specimen and has an ability to break tackles. Beyond that he is a very, very limited player. Having broken a tackle he often appears confused, and his handling skills are poor, which is why so many Elsom breaks come to nothing. He isn't a great lineout athlete, he isn't a great defender and he isn't a good support player. Prior to Elsom's sojourn in Dublin nobody ever spoke of Elsom in world class terms, and that was when he was already a 40 odd cap Wallaby. He played well for Leinster, but he didn't play as well as the British media would have everyone believe. In the HC QF versus harlequins Elsom was matched pound for pound by Chris Robshaw (who captained England recently) and yet unsurprisingly the 6'6, long haired, rampaging Australian called Rocky won the MoM. Elsom was a convenient figurehead and too much importance was atatched to him, and thus there is the inevitable fall from grace. Deans took a huge gamble thinking that the quiet hard man of the pack could inspire his fellow counterparts, but it turns out that quiet has slipped into sullen. Further, Elsom is simply not good enough to merit automatic inclusion. When did Martin Johnson, another quiet man, make elementary mistakes? When does Richie McCaw, another non-exuberant type, make simple handling errors? More significantly, when has anybody seen either player get a referee so off-side? Deans took a risk and it backfired. Were I coach I'd drop Elsom for Higginbotham or move him into the 4 lock position, hoping that a narrower role might bring the best out of him, and give the captaincy to Pocock. Personally, I'm a fan of captains who play 7.
jock
Guest
Can we have a serious conversation about Rocky as Captain??? His game has been affected. He doesnt consult (influence) referees (like Gregan used to) and he doesnt even appear to communicate with his players. I am concerned that the (droll) mood this guy sets is trickling downstream and to be honest Im not even sure if the other players like the guy. I vote Sharpe be handed back captaincy, he's been skipper previously and is in reasonable form. Let Rocky do his thing.. Thoughts????
Ben S
Roar Guru
You don't know that Australia isn't producing 'game changing linbreakers' because Deans is a conservative coach and rarely selects outside of a specific core, whatever a 'game changing linebreaker' is. Last time I checked rugby union was slightly more complicated than 'game changing linebreakers'. Not sure that makes much sense in a rugby union context, to be honest. In any case, one of the biggest issues the Wallabies has is intelligent link play. They seem to have more problems actually profiting from breaks as opposed to actually struggling to make breaks.