Since the birth of professional rugby union in 1995, the sport has suffered something of an identity crisis. With the professional era, players became employees and coaches became executives.
All you have to do is compare a Test from the golden era with one from recent times and it is clear that something had gone wrong. Coaches started employing tactics to produce clinical victories – the rugby equivalent of the Sabermetrics approach in baseball.
Over time, the conservative approach meant that exploiting the rulebook to gain penalties became commonplace and eventually preferred by many teams over running rugby which we know to be in the spirit of the game.
The referee whistle around the breakdown was incessant, the scrum had become a farce and the central goal of rugby, the try, became secondary. This style of play came to a head in 2003 when England, averaging less than one try per game in the finals, managed to capture the William Webb Ellis trophy.
The game was in crisis.
So the powers that be, namely the IRB along with a number of appointed experts scrambled to fix the game. Rules were changed and reinterpreted and in a process which took some three years, the Experimental Law Variations “ELVs” were trialled in 2008. Of the 13 new rules trialled, 10 were written into the rulebook in 2009.
And what the Waratahs have established with their victory over the Crusaders on Saturday night is that while the tactics of the pre-ELV game persist, the game that rewards those tactics has not.
If there is one thing that Cheika has demonstrated with his behaviour this season, including the outburst which saw SANZAR issue him a good behaviour bond lest he be banned from the Super Rugby tournament, is that he is not the typical politically motivated coach of the professional era, he is a passionate gamesman and that is exactly what the doctor ordered.
It has been established that goal this year was to put pride into the jersey and that he has issued a mandate to players play positive, no-regrets rugby – the kind which fans love to watch and players love to play.
The stage was set, the Waratahs who have never captured the title, and the seven-time champions the Crusaders. The same Crusaders who personally handed the Waratahs two grand final losses in 2005 and 2008 with a squad full of All Blacks and two of the greatest of all time in Carter and McCaw.
What ensued was one of the greatest 80-minute spectacles in memory, a back-and-forth affair characterised by bone-crunching contact, expansive rugby and clever tactical play.
Every facet of the game, scrum, lineout, breakdown and back play were fiercely contested and had either team been outmatched anywhere, the outcome would certainly have been different.
When the dust settled it was the Waratahs by way of a 45-metre field goal compliments of Bernard Foley who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the 80th minute to win by 33 points to 32.
It was the kind of creative and determined victory that was once the signature of Australian rugby which has been desperately absent since Stephen Larkham made a 48-metre drop goal to win the World Cup semi against South Africa in 1999.
And for the first time since that great team hoisted old Bill, we have not seen an Australian team exhibit that intangible element, the difference between feeling oh-so-close heartbreak and the ecstasy of victory.
The final was littered with clues as to where the difference between the 2005 and 2008 Waratahs, and those of today lies. The lump under McCaw’s eye after the first tackle, the bleeding ruck marks on Carter’s leg shortly before he was removed through injury, the aggression in the breakdown, the not-quite-late hits on key Crusaders players throughout the game and so on.
The ‘Tahs players were excited, they had belief and they were willing to do what it takes to win. See what Cheika knows, perhaps he learned it on the way to winning seven premierships as a player for Randwick, is that there is a priceless intangible factor that joins a team of calibre who is coached and encouraged to play physical, expansive, fun rugby.
Dare I say it? When a professional team is given permission to play like amateurs, it builds a culture within the team, between the players, where every player is willing to sacrifice safety and glory in the pursuit of victory.
It is in a team like this where Israel Folau, though he was never selfish, learns to play visibly selfless team-focused rugby, where leadership qualities like those of 22-year-old Michael Hooper can be recognised and the backing of a senior team given without question.
It is a team like this where the halves Phipps and Foley are able to redefine themselves from outside the Wallabies squad to key selections in the XV and where the defensive coach Nathan Grey can make use of his hard earned knowledge to have the team turn in the best defensive record in the tournament, without which a grand final berth have been but a pipe dream.
Then there is the man of the match Adam Ashley-Cooper, who put in an 80-minute effort which was absolutely sublime. And all of that is not enough to convince you that the Waratahs culture is something very special indeed, just look at Kurtley Beale.
Beale has not only found a new level of talent which places him as one of the best centres in the game today, but despite rumours of a cross to league, has changed his tune stating that he wants to stay with the Waratahs to defend their title.
The achievements of Cheika and his staff, even putting aside the end result, are nothing short of spectacular because when it comes right down to it, rugby is not a game which thrives on statistics, it does not reward conservative play and the “Cheika Factor” is key to a champion team.
At the highest level of the game, in Super Rugby and World Cup finals, indeed any Test between the top nations, where the teams’ skill is not vastly different, rugby is at its core, nothing more than a contest of will. Two teams of fifteen men where the team with the greatest willingness to compete in every possible way will come out on top.
Regardless of who hoists Bill in 2015, or whether McKenzie’s tenure continues or ends abruptly, one thing is certain – when he is done the Wallabies will be rock solid and there are any number of coaches who can deliver that.
What we, as Australian rugby, must do at this point is capture that flash in the pan and hand it carefully to someone who can add that final touch, the essential team culture which not only drives a team to succeed but surpasses any one player or team of players and lays the foundation of a sporting dynasty.
If we can do that, then just maybe the Wallabies can ascend from a strong team to one who can truly stand equal with the only other professional team who have always known what the 2014 Waratahs and their magnificent coach taught us this year – the All Blacks.
Bunratty
Guest
Why be snarky? The home team won and the coaching staff had a lot to do with it!
Tatah
Guest
Alex that was a really good article. I agreed with most points. I'm an Aussie, but I think that it was a really harsh call to say that England's win in 2003 was the epitome of how low the game had sunk in terms of a spectacle. England were clearly the best side in the world then, and had been playing a really expansive game for the previous two years. It may not have been much fun being beaten by them, but they were a good side who by and large played good footy. Otherwise terrific writing mate. I find it simply incredible how well Cheika did when you consider how low NSW rugby was when he took over.
peter k
Guest
wow - won by a point and the world is a beautiful place , if the tah's had lost by 2 what would these articles say?
crashy
Guest
Wonderful year from the tahs. Best game I've been to and got to shake Cheiks hand at martin place. The players look happy, crowds are up and uni aren't in the shute shield GF. All is (nearly) well as we just need to beat those pesky All Blacks. After the grand final, I have a different view of anz. If the crowd gets into it, it can create a great atmosphere- quite different to the sfs in a big game kind of way. The atmosphere was electric....
AlsBoyce
Roar Guru
Good article. I think the necessary ingredients of success are fourfold. Firstly, the emergence of a group of players who can relatively rapidly challenge for best in their position. Secondly, a core of existing players who can lift their games to a new level. Thirdly, a coach with no hindering baggage who has deep skills knowledge, strategies well-matched to the playing squad, and excellent man-management. Fourthly, a management structure that totally supports the coaching efforts. The professional team playing like amateurs is a result of the man-management, philosophy, planning and precision of the coach, combined with an exceptionally talented playing group who enjoy each other's company. The team culture is a 2-way street, but depends mostly on the coach, with the total support of the over-arching management. Sounds simple. Worked this year for the Waratahs.
TahDan
Roar Guru
Bad move... Sure, play the big ones out there, but it's not simply the location that turns fans off ANZ, it's the view. Only premium seats give you anything like a respectable view of the action and it just doesn't feel worth it when it's in such an awkward spot in the city.
Daz
Guest
I think you are actually agreeing with both of us. Fight, fortitude, will to win, mental toughness, never say die, call it what you like. The ABs have it in spades. It's like they have stolen one of our erstwhile, proudest, national traits. And yeah I remember those days. When a man went down that was the end of it, at least for the time being. Now they sink the boot like dishonorable cowards.
mace22
Guest
Alex and Daz I agree and disagree with your statements. I disagree with the comment that ” two teams of fifteen men where the team with the greatest willingness to compete in every possible way will come out on top “. As far as the all blacks are concerned anyway, I’ve watched a few games where the AB’s have lost in all the stat’s but still won the match. I think the comment should be have the fortitude to win. But I agree about the fight in the dog. I had a uncle who was pretty handy with his fists, he didn’t win all his fights. But when a normal person would know he was beaten he’d get back up and go again, If he couldn’t do it that night he’d try again another time. The only way it ended was if he eventually won or the guy left town. Of course those where the days when things were settled with fists and not knives or guns.
mace22
Guest
Mike
Guest
"Dare I say it? When a professional team is given permission to play like amateurs, it builds a culture within the team, between the players, where every player is willing to sacrifice safety and glory in the pursuit of victory." I think you would be hard pressed to make this into an issue of professional vs amateur. Its more an issue of Australia vs other top rugby nations. It was certainly refreshing to see the Tahs coach lay strong emphasis on fitness and aggression in the forwards. We don't tend to rate those things as highly in Australia as in South Africa or New Zealand. I am glad he did, and glad he saw results for it (I am not referring to winning the GF, which could have gone either way, so much as to the Tahs overall performance this season). Cheika is the latest Australian coach to demonstrate the value of fit, aggressive forwards. Good on him. He also instituted a style of play which has been rarely seen in Australian rugby, and he is still working on it. I hope he carries it to even fuller development next season.
Morsie
Guest
One of the better thought out and written pieces I've read for some time. Very accurate.
Daz
Guest
"At the highest level of the game, in Super Rugby and World Cup finals, indeed any Test between the top nations, where the teams’ skill is not vastly different, rugby is at its core, nothing more than a contest of will. Two teams of fifteen men where the team with the greatest willingness to compete in every possible way will come out on top." Couldn't have said it better myself. It's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. Rugby in Australia has been on a downward spiral for years for no other reason than fans have failed to see some consistent fight in their dog. In league Australia have always had the wood on the kiwis but no Aussie has ever doubted the fight or the will to win in the kiwi dog. Sadly you can't say the same for Aussie rugby. Hopefully we are turning the corner.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Here's a story running on The Australian website now. Stadium bids for Tahs licence August 15, 2014 ANZ Stadium has launched a late bid to secure the licence to operate Super Rugby champions the NSW Waratahs, which would see the team relocate from Allianz Stadium to Homebush. A source in the stadium industry told The Australian that the company that manages ANZ Stadium, Stadium Australia Operations, began discussions with the ARU and the Waratahs several weeks ago. A spokesman for ANZ Stadium would not comment on the Waratahs’ licence, but confirmed they were in discussions about extending their hiring arrangement with NSW beyond next year. The Waratahs’ main venue is the 44,000-seat Allianz Stadium in Sydney’s inner-city Moore Park, but they have one year left on a 10-year agreement to play a regular season game and the final at the 83,500-seat ANZ Stadium. It is understood the proposal to buy the Waratahs’ Super Rugby licence was linked to the renegotiation of the hiring agreement, which puts $1 million a year into the coffers. The bid gained momentum when the Waratahs attracted a record 61,823 crowd for their 33-32 win against the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final at ANZ Stadium two weeks ago. The Waratahs are seeking private equity to inject fresh capital into the game, which has struggled financially in recent years. They are expected to make about $1m profit this year after their maiden title. The ARU and NSWRU set up a committee including ARU director Cameron Clyne, Ross Grant and Paul Timmins to assess the bids and make a recommendation on the successful bidder. There were three main bidders — a consortium led by former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, a group led by Pet Resorts (a Waratahs sponsor) founder David Levy and another by Randwick identity Jon Collins. The Pet Resorts bid appeared to be the frontrunner after Dwyer’s group was told it was out of the race and Collins pulled out, but the Stadium Australia Operations’ bid for the Waratahs’ licence has added competitiveness to the process. Allianz Stadium has been the spiritual home of the Waratahs since Super Rugby began in 1996. They have created a fortress mentality at the ground. It is situated close to Sydney rugby’s heartland in the affluent eastern suburbs and north shore. A move to Homebush could potentially alienate fans, who have started to return to support the team only this year. Yet the cost of hiring the venue, along with player salaries, is the Waratahs’ biggest expense. Playing at ANZ Stadium with the venue’s managers as a private equity partner would potentially cut the Waratahs’ costs. Cutting those costs, however, could well come at the expense of losing rusted-on fans from the eastern and northern suburbs, which could adversely affect revenue. Before the final, the Crusaders claimed that the Waratahs had sacrificed their home-ground advantage by playing at ANZ Stadium, but they showed they could win the biggest game of all at Homebush. It could also be argued that playing at ANZ Stadium, only 6km east of Parramatta, the geographic centre of the Sydney basin, would help to attract new fans, particularly in the western suburbs. In professional sports in the US, the linkage between sporting teams and grounds has been a critical factor in the commercial success of franchises. The ARU is expected to finalise the successful bid for the Waratahs within the next month, but it is understood it has not committed to a timetable for a decision. - Bret Harris