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In 2004, when he was the crack fly-half, Stephen Larkham was involved in the player-power sacking of the Brumbies most successful coach – David Nucifora. Captain George Gregan, and Joe Roff, were also named in the “get rid of Nucifora” push. It’s hard not to include Stirling Mortlock, as well.
And Matt Giteau was in his second season in Canberra.
Yesterday, Andy Friend, the Brumbies coach since 2009, was axed after just two rounds of the Super 15 – after a win and a shock one-point loss to the newcomers – Melbourne Rebels.
Player-power.
Friend had a run-in with Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom last season, not a shrewd move in a club like the Brumbies, where the players stick thicker than glue.
Worse was to come.
Before this season kicked off, Friend wanted to appoint Brumby academy coach Darren Coleman his attack coach, but the players wanted Larkham.
Nobody could blame Coleman flying out to the safer, less political, pastures of coaching in Japan – Larkham got the job.
Sound familiar?
And it’s not a coincidence, it was contrived, another player-power example in the Brumbies’ culture that’s becoming endemic.
Yet, both Nucifora (2002-2004), and Friend, since 2009, sensing a revolt was in the wind, called no-holds-barred meetings with their players to clear the air during their watch.
You would think if the players had such strong convictions, they’d speak out when given the floor.
Not a peep out of anyone. Player-power operates behind closed doors, so both coaches were shown the exit door. Just one player-power sacking isn’t acceptable – two is a disgrace.
The Brumbies board sat on its hands in 2004, despite the fact Nucifora had:
* Finished second on the points table in 2002, and lost the final 31-13, to the Crusaders.
* Finished fourth in 2003, and lost a semi 42-21, to the Blues.
* But finished on top of the table in 2004, won the final 47-38, against the Crusaders – and was sacked.
A semi, and two finals, in three seasons – and flicked. Unbelievable! It couldn’t happen in any other sport than rugby.
Friend hasn’t been nearly as successful as Nucifora, finishing seventh in 2009, and sixth last year – with squads plagued by injuries. But seventh, and sixth, in a 14-team rugby tournament, rightfully rated the toughest in the world, isn’t a hangable offence.
Unless players flex muscle that should be left exclusively to the 80-minutes on the field.
The question has to be asked, how much input came from current skipper Giteau to sack Friend, seeing Giteau knew what was going on with Nucifora in 2004 as a kid?
Irrespective of the answer, there should be only one decision-making process: if the coach isn’t up to it, it’s the board’s decision, never ever the players.
Especially as the Brumbies’ board had given Friend until June to up the ante. But March 1 turned out to be D-Day – four months early.
Former North Sydney Bears hooker Tony Rea will take over for the rest of the tournament. No need to guess who is being touted as next year’s coach: Steve Larkham.
It stinks in Brumby territory for the third time. There’ll be a fourth.