In accepting the invitation to write about Australian rugby in general and the Wallabies in particular, it is necessary to traverse what appears to be forbidden territory.
Rugby fans around the country are constantly disappointed about the performance of Australian rugby and yet they fully understand the reasons for their disappointment.
What they don’t understand is why such commonsense explanations for poor performance are never forthcoming.
Indeed, it appears as though those whose responsibility it is to comment on the game merely seem to be apologists for what the supporter has to endure.
One of the things you have to do, in the modern game in particular, is to make the turnstiles turn.
That means there has to be a reason for people to attend and a reason for them to come back.
It means that they have to be excited by what they see and happy to tell their friends and others about what they have seen.
This way you build the interest in, and profile of, the game.
Now sadly, that’s not happening; indeed, the opposite is happening.
People are voting with their feet and in their thousands and thousands staying away.
Surely the Super Rugby table tells the story: the Brumbies are in third place on 44 points, having won 7 matches out of 11.
You then have to go down to the Queensland side who have won 7 matches out of 12, which is way adrift of the South African leaders the Stormers.
(How I hate these names. I don’t know why Queensland can’t be called Queensland and New South Wales called New South Wales.)
But that apart, Melbourne have won 4 out of 11, NSW have won 4 out of 12, Perth have won 2 out of 12.
Surely there’s a story staring us in the face, unless we’re prepared to believe that we don’t have any Rugby players and that argument is a palpable nonsense.
NSW seem now hopelessly out of contention for the Super Rugby finals.
It’s what you do with the ball in rugby that counts and that’s where Australian rugby comes completely unstuck.
With the exception of the ACT who are coached by a South African, who has made a very significant impact on that side, all of these teams have forwards forever in the back line.
Yet the role of a forward pack is to get the opposition forwards out of the back line.
How on earth could Berrick Barnes or Adam Ashley-Cooper or anyone else attack when they only get the ball after forwards, out of position in the back line, have themselves run the ball at the gain line?
Then we have this anomalous notion of pick and drive which means half the team are on the ground for most of the time.
It’s an unseemly spectacle, there’s no attacking Rugby, we don’t play the width of the field and when the attempt to go wide is implemented, there are forwards in the way.
The reality is NSW, for example, have the players. That’s a pretty simple statement of the obvious.
But we’re playing the wrong brand of football.
Whose fault is that?
The coaches.
Never has rugby had so many coaches and never have we had such awful results.
I don’t know what a head coach does if he doesn’t coach, but he seems to have a backs coach and a forwards coach and a tactical coach and a skills coach and a throwing coach and a kicking coach.
No wonder the players are confused.
And if you talk to the players, as I do, they admit to their confusion.
The national coaching structure is a mess.
The World Cup result was diabolically awful.
I sometimes get the impression that one of the reasons the players are doing poorly and playing poorly is that the coaches haven’t themselves got a clue of how they should be playing.
We have all these game plans and strategies and tactical talks, but it’s the same every week.
Plan A seems to be to kick the ball, plan B seems to be kick the ball more often.
John O’Neill and his team have to concede that they’re presiding over failure.
They don’t want to admit to that.
But how else do we interpret the Super Rugby ladder when the Australian teams, boasting some of the finest players in the world, out of a competition of 15 are currently sitting at 3rd, 8th, 10th, 11th and 13th.
But, of course, when it comes to appointing coaches, the people who are appointing coaches have never coached themselves.
Make no mistake, we have the talent, we’re awash with talent.
But it’s increasingly becoming very frustrated because the concerns of the players and of the supporters are not being heard.
And there’s no one, it seems, prepared to represent those concerns.
And anyway, the people to whom they’d be represented would take no notice for the very simple reason, they know it all, don’t they.
The Roar invited Alan Jones, AO, to write a Guest Column for The Roar about his views on the current Wallabies team. Jones was the Wallabies coach between 1984-87 and is currently Australia’s top rating breakfast announcer on radio station 2GB
p.Tah
Guest
Topo, recently I've tried to put words around why I enjoy rugby. You've done it for me: "1. When played “mindfully and at pace” rugby is absolutely unbeatable. Should overuse a very popular expression it is or it looks like “poetry in motion”. 2. Sometimes it needs to strategically be slowed down and grinded-out through forward play in order to dominate the opposition, slowdown own back line, hence taking control of the match. 3.No other sport gives you so many tactical and strategic options to combat and beat the opposition or slow down and reduce a possible loss (sometimes getting the extra points in play due to a closer score line). 4. Many mistakes that occur can be and are covered and corrected by support players (this makes me say rugby is a very generous sport that provides 2nd and 3rd opportunities). 5. A “rationalised professionalism” is something worth investigating and aiming for, this will aim at protecting rugby and many people that depend of it in and around it. Bottomless coffers are Utopia! 6. Globalised audiences that brought different perspectives and lines of thinking and many options for players, coaches and referees.'
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Hi Topo! I’ve just returned to the Philippines from Kuala Lumpur and I have a slight flu. I composed the article in my head last night, after packing. Basically, I support your and Johnno’s suggestion that there be a Division A and a Division B in the RWC. The lopsided scores in the recent Asian Five Nations seem to support the idea. I don’t know if I’ll write the article after all. I’m just inundated with work now (just blew my top!) and the Asian 5 nations is getting to be old news. I’ll let you know if the article materializes. Thanks for the interest. Cheers.
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez
Guest
To ThelmaWrites, Am still waiting for that article you said several days ago it would appear separately? Any idea when? Thanks in anticipation tOPO
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez
Guest
Many thanks Thelma for the "Real Estate" given. TAOS will be something out of this world because as far as I know there have been 4 or 5 books written about scrummaging but none bigger than 50 pages. This is today on 220 pages thesis. It's not up to me to brag, am only talking about the size of it. It also has contributions from 35 Expert Collaborators. Talk soon, tOPO
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Hi Topo! Thanks for writing a very profound post. I transferred your post to my Word file - increased the page size and the letter size. I'm looking forward to your book on scrummaging. Scrummaging = one of the great mysteries of rugby to me, despite watching rugby since 1991 regularly, and a sprinkling from the 1960s onwards. I think your suggestion for a Division A and a Division B in the RWC deserves serious consideration. Cheers.
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez
Guest
Hi Frank, Thanks for your support. I think will have to get an academic from one the famous Australian Universities to write for me. Or perhaps go softer on the subjects I choose to write about. Cheers, tOPO
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Erm, did anybody notice that Topo Rodriguez just posted something on The Roar? This thread was sort of dying down, and days had passed. The post count stayed at 164, and then I was just scrolling down past articles when I realized Australia's greatest ever prop posted a very lengthy article... and I'm not sure many people realize it! Maybe The Roar mods should quote Topo's post there and turn it into an article???
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez
Guest
RUGBY LEADERSHIP, Whose Leadership is it? Before I start posting my article on LEADERSHIP, I'd like to say it is very easy to write behind a nickname and a screen (anonymous) and throw rocks or other at someone that has actually done something, created history or other. I'm well aware of this nasty hobby because I became familiar in 1984 with the Australian passtime of knocking the tall poppies or equalising downwards. Fellows go easy on it, be critical but constructive. MY APOLOGIES FOR THE LONG ARTICLE, JUST WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH THE ROAR BLOGGERS WHO SEEM QUITE KEEN FOR IT. Recently have read an article with some wise and poignant comments on the state of rugby and its leadership issue. This is a vast subject because Paul a good friend of mine an American avid rugby follower said to me once: “I love rugby because……everyone has an opinion”. My creative juices have been stirred so now would like to offer you a good sample of some of my ideas in a cocktail that shouldn’t be tried at home, even if you are supervised! I believe we human beings develop conclusions and assumptions in accordance to our previous experiences, studies, research, own values, principles, other influences, etc. So a series of “likes and dislikes” about the sport we love, or any other subject for that matter could be a good reflection becoming our “foremost” impressions about it. Yet, should we decide to dig deeper we may even be able to find additional nuances and some of them contradicting our initial beliefs (a slight antagonistic trait of mine) I never took the “high moral ground” mainly because it doesn’t sit well with my non-conformist nature. In the amateur vs. professional rugby conversational dichotomy I never portrayed money as being: neither “the divine enabler” nor “the evil pervert”. We all need to learn to live with money for what it facilitates to us and not for what it is (not an end on itself) In fact in my playing days I was very vocal supporter of a “compensation for invested time’. Simply put, those that were prepared to dedicate more time to preparation have to be better compensated. I’d like to point out here we must not forget the educational and social functions of rugby/sport, and this is why I’m against some of the “characteristics” of the modern game because a few of those values have been eroded or downgraded to 2nd , 3rd or last priority. Nevertheless, it is interesting to reflect on the developments of professional rugby where the popular Pareto principle (Topo’s modified version) is at play: 95% of the funds and attention are spent on 5% ELITE (Super 15, Heineken Cup, 6N, 4N, RWC) and 5% of the funds and attention are spent on 95% NON-ELITE rugby (schools, clubs and community) I have in "The ART of Scrummaging" (soon to be published) enunciated or perhaps re-enforced a concept through a very simple but crude analogy. Rugby of recent years has become like a three heads monster whose mouths must not be ignored but fed evenly and constantly by all stakeholders. In this era of acronyms, the monster can be called GSB): a) "the Game" we know; b) "the Show" we need to put on; and c) "the Business" we all now belong and need to uphold. Whether we like it or not, if we want to belong we need to be part of this "TRILOGY". The spectators by merits of paying e.g. $50.- or even as a TV viewer paying Fox Sports (or other cable TV) to watch the game we like, are supporting this Trilogy controlled by the IRB directly or indirectly. By the way me personally do neither, I keep myself informed through Internet because cannot afford to spend the $50. - Plus the "associated expenses". So today that is the most convenient form of rugby-fix to me. Am sure that not in-the-back of their mind, but in-the-frontal lobe of the players, coaches and referees is: their immediate performance because their careers (and longevity) always will depend on "selection" regardless of the position. Say, the player get paid $15,000 for a test today and don't perform well, or say something "silly" to the bosses; they will be reducing dramatically their chances of being selected again for the next match in 7 days (the next $15K). Thus, it’s always in their mind that earnings and performance are intimately linked. Hence, they must protect their own business and enhance the chances of getting selected again with another $15K kick coming with it! This may explain what I said before and I call: "reduced honesty syndrome" from captains and players when asked to give their opinion (on and off the field). Thus, I believe the almighty $$$ is not only driving “performance” but also negatively influencing and restricting players’ opinions. Yes, it is a cynical yet pragmatic observation indeed yet a true explanation for the lack of changes and actions needed by the team on the field, without external consultation. Stating facts or plain whingeing? Either way, please let me have a bit of a whine….just for a few minutes! I'm going to take on this new generations' modern minimalistic approach by expressing some of my views on this extremely broad subject. I DO NOT BLAME anyone! Am just merely stating or pointing out my “likes”, hoping they are emphasized or enhanced and my “dislikes” hoping they are addressed and improved in time if possible at all. My dislikes: 1. Incompetent administrators fancy dressed as professional rugby administrators. 2. In the amateur days you had 10 people queuing up for 1 position. Today you have 100 queuing up for that position. Understandably everyone wants the money and prestige of being involved with rugby but the quality of personnel has been somehow diluted (whether be Nepotism, close friendships or other) 3.Incompetent coaches (I call them: “compliance driven stamp collectors") hiding behind or amongst a team of 20 something collaborators who make his/her job even more difficult (today a Head Coach has to act as a Human Resources Director 1st and a rugby coach 2nd (has to control and manage around 50 individuals minimum (i.e. Super 15 level up) 4. Captains and players that do not dare "think and provide positive opinions" on the field where the problems occur and the decisions need to be made urgently. Not 20 minutes after, when the coach from his cozy box sends the messages through the walkie-talkie to the water man - who will pass it to the captain back on the field (wow call it a “strategic and tactical marathon” if you like). Changing this absurd communication way may make you win many more games, by achieving more urgency and ownership on the field, I reckon. On this point no 4; I have a personal real life story to illustrate my message. Scenario: 1984 Murrayfield, Edingburgh. Scotland vs. Australia (4th and final test of the tour). Head Coach: Alan Jones, Forward Coach: Alec Evans. Wallaby front row: Rodriguez, Lawton and McIntyre. Tom Lawton the hooker and myself loose head prop. We had in the first 40 minutes lots of difficulties with Iain Milne (“the Bear”) a huge, skillful and very strong prop. As soon as the referee blew the whistle for half time we were 12-9 in front and battling, also struggling in the scrums. Tom and I knew we had to sort out those problems quick smart otherwise we would lose the game due to inability to control the Bear. As soon as the whistle went we both started walking and talking exchanging views about alternative tactics to counter and neutralize the Bear. Only about 30 seconds later we realised we had walked away for the team huddle, we were at about 50 meters from them, so we turned around and jogged back to them with our medicine ready for delivery. This tells you about our focus, intensity and responsibility for fixing those problems ourselves. If you don’t believe me, watch the video and you’ll see the two clowns walking away from the flock. We knew had neither extra time, nor any orders, let alone someone coming from the stand with the magic potion. The buck stopped on us. In case you didn’t know, we won 37-12 and the Grand Slam with it. 5. The private schools network and nepotism perpetuated by a virtual yet very real "Old Boys Union" is never absent. Men and Women naturally are inclined to discriminate in favour of their own. 6. The ARU (and IRB for that matter) have been running for ever an EXCLUSIVE circus-sport (a legacy of the private schools syndrome). South Africa’s discrimination (not that I defend it) at least was open and in your face, you always knew where you stood. The previous one and not limited to rugby is covert and pernicious. 7. Farcical and shameful amateurism that wouldn't look after their own players. Only "the chosen ones" that were and are ear-marked for future success in life (majority but not all, somewhat becoming “yes men” to the system). Let it be known from my pen I’m protesting of course because am on the outer circle. 8. Another factor, the divisive Players' Agents only committed to their own pockets, talking about "market forces" to manipulate prices up and players going or coming from and to Rugby League or AFL, etc. Clamp down on Players’ Agents creating false demands for players and inflating contracts (this is a very difficult subject fuelled by greed and selfishness) 9. Salaries and contracts in some cases completely overinflated (and over the top) 10. IRB reluctance to consult with former players on a regular basis about regulations of highly specific areas that are not learnt at schools, universities, institutes, etc. but on the field (e.g. scrum, lineout, ruck, maul, other) 11. Disconnection and Disharmony between the 5% ELITE LEVEL and 95% NON-ELITE (as explained above). This is incomprehensible because the non-elite is the feeder to elite level, so why wouldn’t you look after your garden if in the future you’ll be looking for the much needed produce and fruits of grassroots. And to balance “my previous nasty views” here are “My Likes” 1. When played “mindfully and at pace” rugby is absolutely unbeatable. Should overuse a very popular expression it is or it looks like “poetry in motion”. 2. Sometimes it needs to strategically be slowed down and grinded-out through forward play in order to dominate the opposition, slowdown own back line, hence taking control of the match. 3.No other sport gives you so many tactical and strategic options to combat and beat the opposition or slow down and reduce a possible loss (sometimes getting the extra points in play due to a closer score line). 4. Many mistakes that occur can be and are covered and corrected by support players (this makes me say rugby is a very generous sport that provides 2nd and 3rd opportunities). 5. A “rationalised professionalism” is something worth investigating and aiming for, this will aim at protecting rugby and many people that depend of it in and around it. Bottomless coffers are Utopia! 6. Globalised audiences that brought different perspectives and lines of thinking and many options for players, coaches and referees. 7. Opportunities created for those seriously dedicated (whether players, coaches or referees) to push themselves and perform their skills at top arenas (globally). 8. I remember The Scots College "saga" where the college provided a series of scholarships and bursaries to promising country players. Personally what I rescue is, their "pride and desire to be competitive and to do better", if they did things within the rules even better. I'm sure the GPS competition also improved as a consequence. By the way this was not an exclusivity of TSC. It is a well known fact (at least in Sydney) that other GPS schools have taken similar initiatives to attract athletes in many other sports from rowing, basketball, athletics, etc. 9.Young and not so young people wanting to do better, YES (unfortunately when pursuing success some rules have become blurred, grayed, smoked or malleable particularly with overzealous wealthy parents that do not take NO for an answer crossing the boundaries to place their children in an advantageous position. 9. Only 15 years ago Rugby did not embrace Women's Rugby fully, just tolerated it. Whether we like it or not, they have the right to play, enjoy and suffer as much as men. Now finally women are making their mark and their space in the local and global scene and all the best to them. 10. RWC is a great spectacle, the 2011 seemed more evenly matched than any previous one (no lopsided scores and stronger teams competing). On the RWC I would suggest to stage it differently, be organized as 2 separate tournaments: • “A” Division = 12 teams • “B” Division = 12 teams • To be played either at same or different country/venue. • “B” Division playing 3 weeks earlier to “A” Division • The 4 finalist promoted straight away to play with “A” Division joining the “A” tournament wherever that would take place. • Out of those 4 teams, the ones that have depth and are well prepared, will do very well • Out of those 4 teams, the ones without depth and preparation will not do very well. Like you, I like ACTION, if at the very least we can keep evil away! It’ hard to believe this was meant to be just a few comments and is already passing1700 words, a petite essay! To finish this smorgasbord-like "rugby shopping list" I would add a nice, clever and incisive philosophical insight by Johan Huizinga 1872-1945, a Dutch historian and philosopher who published Homo Ludens in 1937. “A man can never be encapsulated as an HOMO SAPIENS (the thinker), or HOMO FABER (the maker); or HOMO LUDENS (the player), but a combination of the three” Cheers, tOPO
schuey
Guest
Phil, what are the changes made at board level please?. I find details hard to come by..
Sage
Guest
Hi Bennalong. (is that geographic or are you really related to that fine Aborigine?) The strings I refer to with Jake White would mostly include Rugby knowledge. I don't think Jake wonders why there are forwards in the back line for instance. I also consider him a better style of man with more integrity. I don't believe that Jake Whites opinion could be bought as Alan's has been. I find it easier to believe that what Jake White is saying is what he actually believes rather than what someone has paid him to say. That's what I mean by just a talker. And why on earth would you assert as fact that I 'depise' him ? My handle ? Green or something else - whatever you'd prefer.
bennalong
Guest
SAGE I'm not sure what strings you're talking about Sage (is that 'green' or are you really wise?) but the fact that you despise Alan has meant your criticism comes across as mean spirited. 'He's just a talker' ! .......as opposed to what pray tell. The bloke never stops. His work for charity alone would exhaust most people. Can you match it? The Tahs could do with a good dose of motivation and I'd bet they'd turn their erratic performances around if Alan iook over. His views are not unlike Jake's....... KISS! Now how about some sage reasons why you have no respect for his opinion as written above!
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Maybe you should read some accounts of Alan Jones' time with the Wallabies?
Perroquet
Guest
Remembered the 1987 shimozzle. We should have at least made the final. How did we get beaten by the French? We lost the un-loseable match. It angers me to think about that game, where were the changes and inspiration? Guess that is what happens when you have a coach in that the players do not play for.
Ben Z
Guest
Rebels are a wonderful example of team culture or so it appears outwardly. Wonderful article by Adam Freier in the age this morning about the intangible of sport. I don't think that the Brumbies are the only example. Last year the Reds were doing the exact same thing and I think that this area is where their game has fallen the most, they haven't looked as desperate in defense in games I have watched as they did last year and that is to me a fair indicator of a sides commitment to each other. Not commitment to the game because almost every player in every super rugby team is committed to the hilt.
Phil
Guest
But you can hardly take anything away from Warren Gatland (a rugby union coach) for what he has achieved. Nor other rugby union coaches like Jake White and Graham Henry. You can also see from the calibre of rugby coaches being mentioned for the Force job that there is good coaching talent out there. Suggesting more league influence is not the answer. The Rugby obsession with League has already done enough damage to rugby in Australia. If anything they should go in the opposite direction. Suggesting league can fix rugby is ridiculous.
Sage
Guest
Always respect your posts Frank but I don't get all this Alan Jones adoration. I recognise the '84 slam which is certainly a wonderful achievement but for me, it was only about Alan just being a good motivator/talker, with amazing talent at his disposal. Pat Benetar songs on the team bus as a pre-match pump up. Interesting. He's just a talker. That's his trade and he continues to ply it for great reward. I'm not downplaying that motivational skill, it's very important. Jake White has the Brumbies motivated, playing with passion and commitment. But Jake White has so many other strings to his bow whereas Alan simply isn't in the same realm. To listen to Alan is to listen to an overly opinionated man who dips into the Rugby achievement pool of the great team he coached a bit too much. So while I do agree with some of his comments on coaching and attendances, there is as usual too much golden era myopia and absolutist talk like his rancid radio show.
Old Rugby Boy
Guest
Phil, yep I am biased but only because Rugby is becoming stale. For the amount of money being paid to the players in a Super 15 team they should be pulling 50,000 to 60,000 per game with a large TV audience. Rugby intoduced League defence with the emplyment of ex-League defensive coaches but neglected to work out how to get around these defence patterns. Why not try the ex-League coaches to see if they can introduce a new spectrum to attack. Something has to be done. ORB
ohtani's jacket
Guest
You don't remember the 2005 Sydney test? Australia were leading 13-0 after 13 minutes and then gave up 30 unanswered points. How could you forget? ;) Joe Rokocoko.scored a great try in that match. The Eden Park test was really close with the Wallabies coming back from 20-5 down at half time to something like 5 points down. Mat Rogers played first five for the Wallabies and it was one of his better tests. I remember thinking he was going to be a new pain in the ass for the All Blacks.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
ALAN JONES POSTED SOMETHING ON THE ROAR!!! It's one awesome thing to have John Eales post a column here on The Roar. It's another thing to have Campo post on a weekly basis, but now we have the greatest coach in the history of rugby posting here at The Roar. Put Alan Jones in the Hall of Fame! http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/06/15/alan-jones-should-be-in-the-australia-rugby-hall-of-fame/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/11/03/who-will-be-in-the-australian-rugby-hall-of-fame-class-of-2011/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/07/20/slack-a-deserved-choice-for-the-hall-of-fame/ Mr Jones I will be watching you in Annie in a few weeks time! http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/shock-jock-laps-up-role-in-annie-20120103-1pjoz.html
Galaxy Hop
Guest
The best have been playing league for over a hundred years now in Australia.