Jake White and Michael Cheika have gone about the difficult task of reviving a rugby team in fairly divergent ways.
Let’s check in with each project and see what decisions were made to get them where they are now.
In Canberra, White has taken the driving seat at a club on the verge of implosion during the 2011 season.
Over at Moore Park, Cheika is still in the embryonic stages of attempting to arrest a Waratahs decline that is also as much about culture as results.
White and Cheika were both tasked with bringing two proud clubs into the winning circle and are engaging a few different tactics to get the job done.
In Roger Davis, Cheika has a second hard-man to help him from a managerial stand point at the Waratahs. This would be a valuable asset in a highly politicised environment and one Cheika hasn’t been afraid to use.
Davis was very helpful when it came to luring Israel Folau to the club. He was able to negotiate well for the Waratahs and between the ARU and Folau’s camp. We are yet to see if the signing pays off on the field, but it is always worth a punt on an athletic talented prospect.
At the Brumbies it certainly looks like Jake White is the man with the answers and the most power to get things done.
He doesn’t appear to have as much of a reliance on other parts of management. This isn’t necessarily better or worse than Cheika’s situation, just different.
He’s an astute coach at all levels; I wouldn’t be surprised if he only signed on with the troubled club once a “let me do whatever I think is right” clause was in his contract.
Along with different management styles off the field, the coaches have gone about it differently on the field.
At the Brumbies you could summarise the style under White as “keep it simple”. They have stripped back the game to the bare essentials and aim to out enthuse and make fewer mistakes than the opposition to win.
White has birthed a ‘pack’ mentality in literal and figurative terms at the Brumbies.
In literal terms that is evident in the reinvigoration of players such as Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander and the second tier players such as Peter Kimlin, Scott Fardy and Ben Mowen.
On the field, White has asked these players to be the foundation of the Brumbies success – everything good happens because of the pack.
In response to that White structures the team to keep the ball in front of the pack and has focused on set pieces to get on top of the opposition if needed.
Perhaps the trump card last year was the rise and rise of Michael Hooper who has since moved to the Waratahs but White has arguably strengthened the back-row department with the signings of David Pocock and now George Smith.
In figurative terms the ‘pack’ mentality is expressed by a more cohesive team spirit.
There isn’t a group of players that absorb the spot-light anymore – on or off the field. He’s managed to mould the group into a focused unit, willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
Sure, there are talented backs in the club and occasionally they do pour in the points.
Going hell-for-leather style from the outset isn’t the foundation of this side. Points are often a result of a tired and demoralised opposition forced into mistakes rather than an onslaught.
Possibly the biggest personnel decision White has made at the club to date was the elevation and subsequent success of Nic White at halfback.
He was promoted to be the out and out first option last year and rewarded the coach in spades. Unlike the pack – where a group mentality is most important – the half back himself simply must possess safe skills and execute the thinking of the coach on the field.
Nic White has shown a steady hand with the reigns and his skills (kicking and running around the ruck in particular) have been high class.
A new coach needs a few of his early selections to pay off big time if results are to go their way early. The White-White show has been all success so far in the ACT.
While we haven’t yet seen his team deployed in competition many times, it seems Cheika is going about his job for the Waratahs a bit differently.
From what we have seen on the field and what noises he’s been making to the press, Cheika has focused a lot more on preparing multi-skilled athletes that will be used to play an aesthetically pleasing style.
This is an obvious reaction to the fan-base recoiling from the style and character of the last few Waratahs’ teams.
Looking at the game against the Reds you see Folau – new and untested – starting in the full back position.
He didn’t have a good game and he may be run somewhere else for the time being but the initial selection showed that Cheika wants the people with athleticism to be in the position to influence the game more often.
Bernard Foley seems to be the preferred fly-half now. Even if Berrick Barnes returns at inside centre (I don’t think Cheika will persist with the less-athletic Carter there if he doesn’t have to) to help with the organisation of the team, Foley is still going to get a lot of ball and have a chance to show his craft.
The promotion of Ben Volavola out of the extended playing squad to the game-day 22 against the Reds is another example of electricity being injected into the side by Cheika. Volavola ran the ball only four times but gained 68m on the weekend (the most metres gained by the team) and still has the classic rugby skills such as a booming boot (3 kicks – 128m).
Another theme that leaps out of Cheika is the need for fitter players with mongrel. This is obvious in his previous coaching stints, his playing days and from what he says in the media.
It sounds like he’s put the entire team through their paces this pre-season without giving anyone leeway. The benching of Benn Robinson for the first round clash with the Reds hammered that point home clearly.
It seems as though Cheika expects his side to play at a good tempo for the entire 80 minutes. Whenever the Waratahs have tried to play with width or enterprise in recent years they haven’t been able to sustain it.
Clearly Cheika sees this as a key to unlocking the potential in his stock.
All Waratahs are Waratahs under Cheika. There aren’t any Wallabies waiting for the real season to start anymore.
The caution to remember with trying to play an expansive, up-tempo game is the Reds under Phil Mooney. When he took over from Eddie Jones he tried to switch the team immediately to an expansive game to entertain crowds.
He wasn’t successful in doing much else during his two years there. Foundations were laid for Ewen McKenzie, yes, but success was elusive.
Cheika needs to find the balance between entertaining an impatient fan-base and also doing the hard yards needed to win in a tough competition.
What is similar?
White and Cheika have chosen captains of similar ilk. Ben Mowen and Dave Dennis are both back-row, lead by example, fly under the radar type choices. This is an interesting overlapping in the light of so many other things that have been done differently.
It will be interesting to see how the Waratahs develop under their first season with Cheika. Will he need to adjust his methods, or alter the adopted style?
While, for White, the question is whether the Brumbies can take their early success to the next level and make their presence felt in finals rugby.
kombiutedriver
Guest
Great to read acknowledgement of Mooney's two years at the Reds. He brought in a lot of young talent and advocated all-round skills on top of the traditional positional skills. Then the old Reds board shafted him. A lot of the success that the Reds have experienced started with Mooney, a true servant of Queensland Rugby.
Johnson
Guest
To judge a coach on results is ignorant of all that is involved in being a coach. IMO so much goes into being a coach, such as tactics, getting the absolute best out of players, handling players ego's and frailties. All this goes into winning. You can't judge a coach on results. IMO being a good coach is like being on welfare, its about doing the absolute best with the resources you have. If you have got the best out of your players with the best game plan, wwhat else can a coach do?
Peter Breckenridge
Roar Guru
one thing about White, and I am a big fan of his, he gets a bit carried away with the fact he can kick a ball a mile. take the game against the chiefs last year in NZ. The Brumbies had just locked the game up with about 2mins on the clock and they were coming home. They had held onto the ball for long periods, and as described in the article so well by Elisha, they had met the "Points are often a result of a tired and demoralised opposition forced into mistakes" statement. Yet instead of applying further pressure, and potential points, Nic kicked the ball, and it went out on the full. This gave the Chiefs good field position and the ball, from which they scored, and it was game over. This kicking first instinct is what is line with the White style, but I think IMHO that it is as Allanthus says, he tries to do too much. The Brumbies are blessed with 4 big kickers in White, Toomua, Lealeafano and Mogg. Nic needs to call on the others a bit more.
Bakkies
Guest
Palmer looks like he will be off to France in August so that might ruin his test chances. Anthony Hegarty is going fine in Grenoble from what I have heard.
Bakkies
Guest
or it will give him a kick up the bum, ala Burgess
Brett McKay
Expert
I'll echo the sentiments, Elisha, this is a great piece. Really well written, and nothing to argue about. And a great discussion to follow, too..
Brett McKay
Expert
Chris, I know it's not the same, but Prior (with Swanepoel on the bench) will play for the Brumby Runners very shortly down at Erindale v Tonga A as part of the Pacific Nations Cup, and both will pay next Thursday against Samoa A. And Pat McCabe is likely to play in that Samoa game too, his first game back from injury..
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Great point, Alexander and Moore are certainties to be pulled out, and the way Palmer's been playing you would have to say he's in the top 5 props in Australia, which makes him a good chance of being pulled out as well. That'll be tough for the Brumbies. JW should be looking to blood those young frontrowers as much as possible.
Markus
Guest
Siliva Siliva is another that I hope, results permitting, will get more gametime at the business end of each match. With the whole Brumbies starting frontrow all but guaranteed Wallabies callup this season, White has done well to include props Scott Sio and Ruairdhi Murphy in the rotation, but hooker Siliva has only a few minutes of match time to his name so far. Admittedly I would keep Stephen Moore on the field as much as possible too, but it could leave them very green in that position when the squad for the Lions is announced.
tubby
Guest
josh valentine would be whistled out of the game with the 5 second rule
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Couldn't agree more, I don't think a wallaby coach should ever feel secure. I can't wait to see Link sweating after a couple of losses as wallaby coach, with JW and Chieka breathing down his neck. That's why I was particulary annoyed when they gave Deans another 2 years BEFORE the world cup. To me it defied all logic.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
An excellent proposal Elisha though I think others may not be so keen to sign up for it.
mania
Guest
fair nuff phil. but not the way i see it. imo folau is a media circus that is a distraction from the business of winning a title. thats ok tho if thats what gets fans interested and that is a bonus that i didnt take into a/c. so even if folau sux at least he's instilling an interest back into the tah's fan. ps - i lked the article but still think that JW wins it purely on the fact that he's won a super game and cheika hasnt yet. JW has completed a season and did really well with the cattle he had. cheika, thru no fault of his own, hasnt produced a win yet.
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
Maniia I think Elisha has nailed this article in every facet I'm not speaking on behalf of Elisha here, but I consider the recruitment of Folau has been totally vindicated by the results. He had a shocker in the first game and scored a try. He got people talking about the Waratahs, got people to tune in and go to the game (undoubtedly). From all codes. He didnt blow us away. But in some ways this is even better than if he had a 'solid' game. People want to see him succeed and fail and if he's doing both at different times of the game, all the better!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I like your thinking Elisha. Too often we hear about the players going into their shells or not continuing on with the plan and yet could it be that coaches are equally guilty of this? :( I'm wondering if sometimes coaches misread what's going on out on the paddock & just leave a player (who isn't making a difference) out there to continue not making a difference. Instead I'd like to see a situation where the bench knows that when they do get their chance they need to make an impact. Shaw up the defense, apply pressure, score points or what ever. I see them as our shock troops. How often do you see players absolutely knackered or punch drunk being kept on the paddock, when perfectly able & willing players are warming up on the sidelines ready to prove their worth. Obviously there's a reason for this that I'm failing to comprehend. :(
Elisha Pearce
Guest
Could I propose a challenge to the McKenzie/White/Deans/Wallabies debators? I propose that we all watch the next round of super rugby without making any judgement on how it will impact the coaching of the Wallabies going forward. There is plenty to watch in Super Rugby for Super Rugby's sake at the moment!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
This sounds a bit like 'I'll see your Super title & raise you a RWC'. :( IMHO Australia is fortunate to have White & McKenzie within it's system. :) I'm just hoping Cheika will do 1/2 as well for my beloved Tahs. So far the signs are kind of encouraging. But that could be just me desperate to grab onto anything floating past after the ship wreck of 2012 ;)
mania
Guest
elisha - this jury is still out whether its a good result. at this stage folau is still potential. and its easy to negotiate a deal when your offering hundreds of thousands of dollars. the others that were negotiating for folaus signature didnt have that money to throw at him. davis definately stacked the deck in his favour and u gotta give him that credit. he made folau an offer he couldnt refuse.
Elisha Pearce
Guest
You're right SMI. Lots to watch this year. The Brumbies are well and truly dealing with expectation this year. The Waratahs fans are still holding their breath. How each coach deals with it is very interesting.
Elisha Pearce
Guest
I understand your point mania. Cheika has to show the goods worked. Yes, the ARU threw money at Folau but my understanding is that Davis (possibly using underhanded tactics) ensured that happened. Might question his methods, but can't question the result there.