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Yesterday’s mauling of newbies the Melbourne Rebels by the Waratahs should come as no surprise to anyone, even John O’Neill. It will be an excruciating long season for the Rebels if last night is anything to go by.
Now, I know that one game doesn’t make the season, but it is hard to see how this patchwork team of yesteryear greats meshed with average club rugby players will be able to match teams with tight defensive lines or the slick backline movement.
The Rebels were very one-dimensional and went for the old bump and grind physical game and by and large seemed to compress themselves in the middle of the field. It proved to be easy pickings for the Tahs.
I’m all for expansion of a code into emerging markets, but in ARU’s case commercial greed and arrogance has overruled sensibility and has gone a step too far.
Oh well, what should one expect when the code which is run by the dictatorial O’Neill? His arrogance will not allow him to acknowledge that under his rule Australian rugby has gone backwards since the 2003 World Cup.
Where has all that $43 million surplus gone? That’s right to the coffers of the Wallabies (within which they have won virtually nothing during this time) and the expansion of Super Rugby. Grassroots, club rugby and school rugby have all suffered at the hands of the game’s current rulers.
This has meant that playing stocks have become extremely thin and it is evident that there is a serious lack of player depth. It is becoming too hard for club rugby players to bridge the gap and step up to Super Rugby. The performance of the Force, and the Reds for the previous five years before last is testament to the fact that the pool of player talent is shrinking.
The Rebels organisation and the ARU trumpeted the recruitment of Rod Macqueen. Rugby’s messiah has a well documented curriculum vitae. Following the inception of Super 12, Macqueen became the coach of the ACT Brumbies. Macqueen was appointed the head coach of the Wallabies in September 1997, and would coach them until 2001.
He led the Wallabies to victory at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, where they defeated France in the final, becoming the first nation to ever win the World Cup twice. The following year Australia won the Tri Nations Series for the first time ever and he led the Wallabies to a famous victory over the highly rated 2001 Lions side. His coaching stats were impressive when he stepped away, so why not bring him back?
Well, quite simply, the game has moved on, the rules have changed a few times, players have become more agile and athletic.
Macqueen’s coaching and management direction is lacking, showing that he is no longer up to the grade and has been unable to keep abreast of trends and evolve his thinking – unlike peers such as Wayne Bennett, who have stayed involved in their respective codes and have managed to adapt their styles of coaching on the fly.
I’m sorry, but simply watching the past few years on TV and/or live at the games does not mean you can bridge that gap when you get back to the training paddock. Also, a few brief stints coaching the Barbarians won’t cut it, as these sessions hardly involve highly structured training.
As rugby continues to drag the chain and keep slipping away in the fight out of the codes in Australia, at least you will be able to count on the Rebels being consistent and they can be the bankable bet when trying to fill out your tipping comp or fantasy leagues.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.