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At the end of Round 9, it is time to face up to some realities in the nation’s capital. The Brumbies will not make the semis again in 2011 and the sacking of Friend after Round 2 was a disaster.
The Brumbies this year have failed to deliver on the expectations of their fans, and their season is now officially over. As a playing group, to their credit they have remained tight, but is the fight for the hearts and minds of their supporters a losing battle?
In the last two weeks they have had crowds of 12300 and 13100, poor crowds for a team that comprises a large number of Wallabies.
Why have supporters deserted the team? There are a number of reasons, but a couple standout – Player Power and the politics of a once proud club.
Player Power is the Rod Macqueen inspired management strategy thats embraces collective process and input from all stakeholders. It is ideal when the management team and coaches can facilitate, manage and lead a group of diverse players to meet a common objective.
It works really well in new teams, where a new culture is to be developed, and allows for a siege mentality when required. It also works when the team has a base of experienced players who all bring a piece of the leadership puzzle to a team.
And in the case of the first Brumbies, the guys who weren’t getting opportunity in the two cultures of Queensland and NSW. The rejects from the mainstream.
The Brumbies this year do not have those components. In the past two years they have not been consistent, and have failed to make the semis. Their leadership group comprises the lead by example quiet type – Elsom, Hoiles and Smith.
All assured players, but not possessing strong leadership or team communication under the pump. Ashley Cooper on the other hand – won games, sparked players and fired up those around him. As does Ben Alexander, a fist pump, a swan dive, an extended arm, and a beaming smile that says I made that happen. All remnants of 2010.
In 2011, Elsom and Hoiles remain on the injury list. Ashley Cooper became imbroiled in club politics, wouldn’t renew his contract, had a Board vote as a Player Rep and has since signed with the ‘Tahs.
The constant on the park has been Giteau. Unfortunately, Giteau’s susceptiility to criticism reflects his status as the highest paid rugby player in Australia. For the Brumbies, that burden has also given Giteau privilege – privilege born from his experience as a junior player in the second generation of Brumbies. Players who counted the Wallabies senior leadership group in their ranks.
And these guys removed their coach – discontent, dissatisfaction with their coaches performance, communication and intent.
2011 the same rumblings were uttered, the same intent was served and the CEO and Board made the same decision after Week 2 of the season. The club left a league background coach as their head coach; and junior coaches with no experience who were returned players from the Nucifora era.
The players wanted better communication, the Attack Coach to have more influence and Friend as manager to be minimised.
Week 9 and the season is over. Giteau is playing his best rugby in three years, but his goal kicking has cost matches and his leadership inconclusive.
Ashley Cooper is playing without fire, and has committed to a new environment. And the junior players, though playing with courage are not playing consistently and delivering in the final stages of matches.
Why? How can you look past the coaching of the team. The returning brotherhood – Harrison, Larkham have not delivered.
As a foil to Friend, they probably looked like the Messiahs, but after seven weeks running solo, they lack the ability to provide a game plan, a structure that will win matches. They beat the Canes, but who wouldn’t?
The match was awful and the 12300 paying customers should have been asking for their money back. Against the Force, they ran the ball, showed heart in the first half; and then could not build pressure in the second half.
The Force have Sharpe, a great backrow and James O’Connor in the backline. A team that has had enough beats that they are called chokers, yet good enough to beat the Brumbies playing some of their best rugby in 2011.
Can these guys win matches in 2011? Sure – they have a number of opportunities and will win.
But they are gone, have lost supporters for good and cannot justify the decision to remove their coach and the fallout to anyone other than the die hard supporters.
The Board, the Assistant Coaches, the Senior Playing Group have failed to deliver without the obvious burden of Friend. The reality is that the failure to manage the problem, and the failure to perform post Friend rests solely with those parties. And the supporters will hold them accountable.
Nice politics, in the team where we all Stand as One.
So, if they are gone – what now for 2011?
Develop the young players in the side, buy key leaders – who are not ex Brumbies, and get a coach that will stand up to the Board. It is time for the Brumbies to play Giteau at 12 and acknowledge that that is his position, put Ashley Cooper on the bench; and develop a game plan around Toomua, Faniifo, Speight, McCabe and Smith.
Lets hope 2012 delivers results worthy of the club.
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.