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.
Dopey
Guest
Hi Brett, yes you are absolutely right and I should have been clearer in my post. By 'ACT Rugby Community' I meant the Clubs and those with a vote at the ACTRU AGM. As I understand it, the Clubs all get a vote at the AGM, as well as the Referees, Life Members, Schools and Juniors. You would think, and perhaps I'm being presumptuous, that they of all people would have an interest in fixing this mess, yet they seem content to watch the train wreck unfold in slow motion before them. As for the members, well I guess there is the feeling you will vote with your feet and you are better placed than I to know how that will unfold in the future. My point is: more and more members seem to be voting with their feet but the Board don't seem to be holding anyone accountable and no-one is holding the Board accountable for their inactions - certainly not those with the power to hold the Board accountable.
itsuckstobeyou
Roar Pro
Samesies Macca. As a member, you actually have less sway at the Brumbies than a casual fan. Joe Casual can boycott games, reducing revenue. Jonny Member has already handed over his hard-earned and has no vote. The bigger issue here is 2012. What happens when we lose Gits & 2-Dads? How can we hope to improve with a weaker squad? The only inkling of a shard of a glimmer of hope is that the lack of respect afforded the Brumbies will inspire them, circa the Macqueen era, to do something extraordinary in 2012. But how could a band of troublesome, unwanted misfits possibly achieve anything of note??? (*wink**wink*)
Ballboy
Guest
and it's closer to Jake White...just
Brett McKay
Expert
Dopey, I've been a Brumbies member for ten years +, and there has never been scope for members voting of board members in that time. As far as I'm aware - and I'll happily stand corrected - all appointments for the Brumbies board are made by ACTRU. Whether that's the club delegates or not, I couldn't say. But I've certainly never had any voting material sent my way in 10 years...
PeterK
Roar Guru
I have a solution for the Brumbies woes. Relocate to Adelaide, you will have corporate support, and will get a new board with the move.
PeterK
Roar Guru
add that the players need to be coachable, and they need multiple game plans, different ones for different teams. Also the captain has to be an enthusiastic hard nut who loves his rugby, like TPN.
PeterK
Roar Guru
A franchise with even more problems at coach, management and board level than the Tahs! AND that is saying something.
jameswm
Guest
Who are the leaders, the leaders with the right attitude, who are left? Who are the players to build around? Moore, Giteau and AAC were prominent in creating the mess, and two are leaving. Leali'ifano is playing well and is a steady type with a long future. I'd be looking at guys like him, McCabe, Dan Palmer (1st year there I guess), Hooper I suppose though he's young and I suppose Toomua though I don't rate him as highly as a player. If you look at it, their playing stocks are actually pretty low. Ben Hand, Ma'afu, Valentine, Chapman are all pretty useless yet starters when fit most of the time. Hoiles and Elsom don't seem to be doing anything positive while injured. They need to get some good eggs in and I can see for the next 5 years the Reds, Tahs and Rebels being the only decent Aussie teams, esp if JOC and Pococck leave the Force. The Tahs are up and down but always in the top handful of teams in the comp, as they should be with their depth. Then again, what the Tahs need is: - a real head coach, and not Foley - some tough forwards to help TPN, Robinson, Mowen and Palu. - a definitive game plan that works and that the players can deliver - some centres (Horne is always injured) - some camaraderie and attitude, which might need to come from a new leader, but has to come from the senior playing group. Barnes and TPN are good eggs, and can lead the way.
Hammer
Guest
Love your work Dopey
Adrian
Guest
I fear for the Brumbies long term, they represent a small market and I can't see them ever attracting the quality of player they did in the past. It really looks as though the Rebels with the Melbourne corporate world on board and the Waratahs and Reds with their traditional rugby heartland and junior base to rely on will dominate the rugby landscape in Australia for a long time. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Capital
Guest
I think you have to feel for the players who want to play attractive rugby; and weren't driven by ego or agenda. Andrew Friend, who didn't achieve what he set out to do, but has maintained his dignity throughout. And the supporters, who paid in faith and have been shown a lack of regard by the club. It appears that the players and Rea have been thrown to the media without backroom support. Is there a way forward? It's a brave person who would think yes, because it all boils down to self serving indivuduals - on the Board, in the Coaching staff, and in the playing ranks. Frankly, it's broken.
Dopey
Guest
The ACT Rugby Community only have themselves to blame. They are the only ones who can fix this but have chosen not to. Management hold the team and players accountable. The Board holds management accountable. The ACT Rugby Community hold the Board accountable. The team has performed poorly. That is the fault of the players and the coaching staff. Management hold the players and the coaching staff accountable. They've shown that they are prepared to do this (although only when it suits them and when the coach is not related to a Board Member and/or very good friends with those in influence within the corridors of power). Management has handled this whole mess attrociously. The sacking of Friend has turned out to be a disaster. How could have allowing Friend to see out his contract resulted in a poorer outcome? Could they have performed any poorer by allowing him to stick around? Given they've only won one match since he left that's a hard argument to make. Would the Brumbies have lost any key signings by sticking with Friend? Ashley Cooper has gone; Giteau has gone; Elsom is certain to be going. So at least two (and probably three) of the so-called protagonists in this disaster have left anyway. What a mess and how poor this looks for the management of the Brumbies. The Board holds management accountable. The Board have the appearance of dithering, nepotistic toffs who can't see the landscape from the gravy train. They've taken no action to hold management accountable for not only the handling of this appalling Andy Friend mess, but the fact that Brumbies have: Not made the finals in five years; Watched as crowds dwindle year after year; Posted financial loss after loss. Who holds the Board accountable? The ACT Rugby Community. If they were so concerned about the state of the Brumbies they would seek to pass a motion of no confidence in the ACT Rugby Board. Instead they've just sat on their hands and watched. I have no sympathy for the Brumbies and I have as little sympathy for the Brumbies supporters - or at least those of them with a vote. They are the only ones who can change this - but have so far refused.
ballboy
Guest
Gary, I agree it will be hard for them to rebuild. And I too feel for the young players. Most of those guys were brought into the team by Friend who was working on a long term plan for the club. I remember seeing Pat McCabe two years ago for the runners and Friendy was talking about him in terms of, 'Wait to you see what he'll be like in the future'. He never should have agreed (in fact I don't even know if he did) to Elsom coming. He's rotton meat and I reckon the two of them never got along And Hammer, you are spot on. Fagan said ultimately it was his call and he'd take responsibility, so where is he? Hiding under his chair in the backroom I suspect. The reality is this. Despite what some senior players thought, the Brumbies have looked nothing short of woeful this year and all this crap was going on in the off season when the senior wallabies rejoined the training camp. I had a beer with Friendy early in the year and he genuinely thought they would have a shot at it this year. this is before he even knew his job was about to be taken away from him. the results are there for all to see. Numbers of supporters attending the games are falling off at an alarming rate due to the treatment they dished out to Friend and their clear lack of direction since. The irony is that Friend is still in Canberra with nothing to do with his days but sit back and watch his beloved club repeatedly knife itself. If they were to ask him back, ON HIS TERMS, I reckon you'd see more people through the gates and them start to win more games. that of course won't happen because Fagan won't admit he's made a mistake.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
It all seems to be tainted to the general public. The sacking of the coach the appointment of Larkham and Harrison to assist Tony Rea who really doesn't actually know much anyway (good League coach that he may be). The lack of success couldn't happen to a more deserving lot. A little bit of Karma has just happened. I do not think that much will change, the ability to get rid of Fagan etc and board members is non existent so the problem will not go away, I feel for the young players who may have thought they were getting into a good rugby side when they joined. Who (in their right mind) would go there now, the Brumbies look like wallowing on the bottom for a fair while in the future. The Force would be a better proposition for a young aspiring player to break into the Super Ranks. The Brumbies will be low on everyone list
Hammer
Guest
Great thred folks..... Was it not the CEO and the senior players that said "We (I) will take full responsibility for the sacking of Friend"? Well? ..... come on, Take it, take the responsibility and sack yourselves, hand back the 100's of thousands in continued payments for delivering this outcome. If this was a public company or competitive commercial company you would all be out on your ear! and its not beyond the realms that you may have to answer for unlawful dismissal, bullying in the workplace and nepotism in the extreme. The coaching panel and the management are a complete joke within its OWN organisation... Bring in the toe cutters!
Brumby Jill
Guest
I agree - sack the Board and start afresh! Nepotism stinks as bad as week old horsemeat at the knackers ... and the Brumbie's season is certainly knackered!
ballboy
Guest
Before you appoint a new coach the Board who created this mess have to step down starting with Fagan. Otherwise you are just rearranging the deckchairs. The Brumbies also need to appoint a real leader / captain that works with the coach. Hoiles has lost all respect and is lacking a backbone, Elsom is self interested, Gits is leaving. Give it to McCabe, Hooper or someone who actually inspires the team and the supporters.
Owl
Guest
The CEO and Board can't make the tough decisions, they prefer to take the soft option and oust a quality coach (that still has the support of the youth) for a few older players that couldn't handle the truth. Not to forget appointing coaches that have been banned for cocaine use and are closely related to board members. Tough decisions... No self serving decisions, that's what the membership have had to put up with for 15 years. Maybe it's time to look for private ownership interests.
DNB 2010
Guest
It's time the Brumbies appointed a authoritarian boss with clout like Jake White soon, do a clear out of staff and start again to rebuild. The suffering members who were present at yesterday's game against the Force were all walking at 5 minutes as the Rugby was at best uninspiring and does not bode well for membership renewals. The Brumbies unlike the other Australian teams do not have the heavy corporate support and rely on its local membership base to pay the bills. The rest of the season should be about inspriing confidence in its members with a new coach, and run the young players on the park like Hooper and Tooma with a view of getting in the finals next season. It is tough decision time for the Brumbies board now........
Mr Grumpy
Guest
There are two choices for the Ponies in picking their coach - hire one who will invest in youth to build a side or select someone for a turnaround pronto. The latter is one of the top criteria for the selection panel to decide on a new coach. But politics at the club will not allow a board member's son to removed from coaching. Instead, the plan is for him to become the coach after the term of the next appointee for the role is up. Then the cycle continues. No progress and at least a decade with finals football in the capital after five consecutive years. Also the addition of two Australian sides has narrowed the talent for the Brumbies to acquire.