In High Fidelity, the character Barry asks Rob for the top five musical crimes perpetrated by Stevie Wonder, with a sub-question whether it was unfair to criticise a formerly great artist for his latter day sins.
Was it better to go out in a blaze of glory or fade away?
U2 are putting albums in our electronic devices like Chinese takeaway menus in our letterboxes and I have a sneaking suspicion that Keith Richards inspired the TV series The Walking Dead.
Should we not build musical rest homes – from their millions of earnings naturally – for these former greats so they can reminisce about tours gone past and bang some pots and pans together until their hearts content without fear of tarnishing their image? Surely they’ve earned the right?
The same can be asked of rugby players. Six New Zealand players’ contracts end after the 2015 World Cup, and the global event might well prove to be their swan song. Those players are Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Dan Carter.
It’s an incredible wealth of experience that teams like Australia and England would currently give their right arm for. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks but the old dogs can teach the young ones how to do their tricks right.
There are, however, some who still doubt whether these experienced players will last another season. Mils Muliaina found out the hard way in the last World Cup that there is no room for sentiment when there is so much pressure to succeed.
Why then is it such a dilemma for some to decide when it is a good time to hang up the boots?
George Gregan lingered on late in his career like a bad smell wafting through a crowded rush-hour train. The man who came up with ‘that tackle’ and coined that succinct and brutally effective short phrase.
John Smit had a shining knight in Bismarck du Plessis already waiting to be picked, and sadly etched into my mind is a shoeless Nonu kicking out of his attempted tackle and seeing Smit down on bended knee after the final whistle looking as though he was remonstrating with God.
At least Brian O’Driscoll had a fitting end in the Six Nations. But even then I cannot help but be reminded of him standing on the sideline knowing he had come as close as one could get to beating the All Blacks.
The World Cup is often seen as a good time to bow out. That happened with the victorious England team, though to such an extent that a huge void in experience was left afterwards and England had a hugely problematic period after their World Cup euphoria.
At least they won. New Zealand went into the 1991 World Cup with a Dad’s Army team that was no match for a slicker Wallaby team. Many felt after that defeat that there should have been a more ruthless cull of veteran players well before that tournament.
For all the examples, however, of players extending their welcome, there are countless others who prove that riding out a few bumps is well worth it. Bryan Habana is like a fine wine. He had a period where he was out of form and people were pulling away at the plug, but he came back with a vengeance and showed not only centres like O’Driscoll could be breakdown specialists.
Richie McCaw is like a clever drunk at the bar. Every time the barman says he’s finished for the night, he finds a way to get another drink. This man cannot be killed by conventional weapons and it is hard to see him ever giving up, but I predict that the decision will be his to give it away and the time is coming soon.
Younger players might have physical prowess and speed on their side but an experienced rugby player is like an experienced poker player. They’re able to call upon similar situations from the past and end up invariably making the right decisions.
A young player might pull off an amazing play like Israel Dagg did against South Africa – where he somehow evaded four Springboks on the touch line – and that’s what got him the nod ahead of Muliaina.
Yet coaches do not want to get rid of players who can offer leadership. Victor Matfield raised an eyebrow when he was recalled after the lock stocks were decimated, but even though he’s lost some stamina he sure hasn’t lost that lineout magic.
The captain Jean De Villiers is another who is on his way out. Adam Ashley-Cooper does not look as though he’s going anywhere soon but Adam Jones for Wales won’t play in the next World Cup I imagine.
We do not want our favourite players to go before their time but nor do we want them to tarnish their legendary image by staying on too long. Like creating depth, it is often a difficult balance.
Imagine what Jimi Hendrix, Neil Morrison or Kurt Cobain could have come up with if they had stayed with us a little longer.
Chan Wee
Guest
Fonotia was on the wing last season end, but was injured on his debut if i recall correct. it seems he played 13 during this ITM season. a big unit like Nonu - short and stocky. Look out for DC at 12 against USA. that will be his backup position, as injuries keep on coming :)
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
Agreed !
Harry, up to 2009 before his big shoulder injury Fourie du Preez was the best scrumhalf in the world. Since then we have yet to see him in that kind of form. Being part of the player power (with Victor, John etc) under PDV they refused to change the game plan which PDV advocated. Yes, du Preez is still a decent scrumhalf, he can snipe (rarely does), he likes to control the match from nine as he is an astute kicker, Hougaard for example is the best defensive scrumhalf in South Africa, him and Reinach has lots more pace than Fourie du Preez. Yes he probably still has the best pass amongst them, but it isn't his talent that worries me, it is his mindset. We must move on from the Jake white style, and even though we will have times where the Jake WHite style will be preferred, we need ur 9,10 combination to have a different mindset and get away from kick first. We need a flatter, more aggressive mindset at 9 and 10, and I just don't see Fourie du Preez, Ruan PIenaar and Morne Steyn having that. Just contrast Fourie du Preez as a starter and Ruan PIenaar as the bench, with Hougaard as the starter and Reinach as the bench. which one fills you with confidence tat you can break a stalemate when it is necessary? Same goes for Morne Steyn vs Pollard/Lambie and even Goosen.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Thanks Julius. There are many ways of retiring. BOD said he'd retire at the end of the 6N, others make an announcement after the World Cup like Brad Thorn, players like Nathan Sharpe answer an SOS call and delay their retirement and then others get encouraged to play on because the team lacks genuine options but then either get unceremoniously dumped from the team for their troubles or they get injured and never quite recover. There should always be dialogue between the player and the coach but ideally it should be the player's decision to call an end to their careers.
Digby
Roar Guru
All fair points mate
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Haven't heard of Fonotia. Sounds like a shampoo for dandruff! Carter bumping out Crotty? I'm not sure how I'd feel about that but agree it might well happen just to give him game time.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Kia Kaha : Funny u shud mention Nadolo ; he played 13 for Fiji and showed a goot boot too with an 80% accuracy during world cup qualifiers. But i think saders will keep him on the wing now that they have 2 big 13 s in Freuen and Fonotia. If both Slade and Carter are fit, I think they will play Carter at 12, which they tried in the last stages of S15. Also note that 2 Whitelock brothers are gone :)
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Kuruki : Chiefs can put out 2 very good lines. They are very strong in the centers and wings. I for one would like to see Gear, SBW, Seta and Heem line up :) That would be one huge line with pace and power. Especially like to see how Heem goes in xv ; he was super in 7S but prove to be a little too aggressive. in fact he cost the MIB the commonwealth gold in 7S. Also stated that TKB is out for the entire season, so no contract. Wonder if that will rule him out of RWC ? Scrum-halves Augustine Pulu Brad Weber Leon FukofukaWTG Fly-halves Aaron Cruden (c) Marty McKenzieWTG Centres Andrew Horrell Charlie Ngatai Seta Tamanivalu Sonny Bill Williams Anton Lienert-BrownWTG Wings Hosea Gear Bryce Heem James Lowe Tim Nanai-Williams Toni PuluWTG Fullbacks Tom Marshall Damian McKenzie
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
Great read! How many factors play into an individual actually retiring, doesn't depends on individual people or? might be a dumb question, but my uncles are retired Professional rugby player, and he retired on his own terms, but his mate stayed on long past his prime because the experience was valuable.
Harry Jones
Expert
BB and I usually agree, but I think FdP is still one of the top three scumhalves in the world. Zippy pass. MIxes kicks and snipes and passes. Technically superb. Conor Murray Aaron Smith Fourie du Preez I'm just glad Hougaard-Reinach coming along, bc FdP is at the stage where body breaks down soon.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Great post BBA. Your views on music and art mirror my own BBA. Do something because it interests you as you can't choose something that interests everybody. That's called a sell-out. I like the idea of Morne Steyn as an equivalent of I Gotta Feeling. It's never imaginative to dredge up that track and it's overplayed but it's brutally effective for the purpose it's intended and to hell with musical snobs that turn their noses up at it!
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Technically no but it's been a while since I lived there. The other eye has grown back. ;)
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Without a doubt. We think of players like Aaron and Ben Smith, Barrett and Cruden, Savea and Retallick as experienced players but they haven't even completed a World Cup cycle yet and still have much to learn. That environment of confidence they've been nurtures in is down to those senior players as much as management. indeed more.
moaman
Guest
and that line is being moderated...sigh
moaman
Guest
I agree kuruki---and all the flashy backs in the world won't cut the mustard if the pack isn't firing.
moaman
Guest
{" I’m a Cantabrian but I’d like to think I’m not one-eyed "} Is that even possible? ;-)
moaman
Guest
In the meantime --it must be fantastic to have all that experience in the changing room for the younger players to draw on.
moaman
Guest
Tragic----I envisage Crotty at 12 and Malakai at 13.A sort of inversion of the successful pair they would follow on from.
BBA
Guest
Carter doesnt worry me because we have back up, and ironically his injuries has given the back up chances, and opportunities to work on their game. For example it is better that Barrett has had chances to start some big games as it has exposed him to some of the things he needs to work on, and better before the WC than during. The biggest challenge being that he plays differently from Carter and Cruden and perhaps how the AB's want to play. He will either get better at playing flatter or the AB team will adapt slightly, or a bit of both. So if Carter is fit and well, thats good, if not we have some other players that have been exposed and have had success with in the past. We are nowhere in the same position as in 2011 when Carter was our best option by a long way,
BBA
Guest
Its a difficult thing for a band with a long history to decide on their style, as to whether they change or not. Some bands have been very successful with one sound and havent changed too much over the years (say ACDC). Others change their sound from album to album all the time, say Queen or Metallica. My personal viewpoint is that music is art, the artist should just go with what works for them and if people like it yippee, if they dont, well thats too bad, unfortunately that doesn't work so well in the music business world (or with some artists ego). With Du Preez, I feel that is he cant master a different style then so be it, he should stay doing what he is good at. The pressure on the coach is to make the call on the tactics he wants to employ and balance it with the personnel he has. If Du Preez is still in the mix then that suggests that maybe Meyer wants to be able to pull out an old classic when he needs to, while he still forges ahead with the new sound. Off course it is difficult to master more than one style, but if you want to be a top team I think you have to.