I’m not inclined to let a good idea go, and Jerry Collins Week is a great idea.
For those who came in late, last Saturday, in the wake of the tragic death of All Black Jerry Collins and his wife Alana, I suggested that his wonderful links to clubland and the rugby grassroots be celebrated by sending professional players back to grassroots clubs for a week and calling it Jerry Collins Week.
Now, lets get realistic and say that even I know that the ARU isn’t going to name any initiative of theirs after an All Black, even one as great and universally loved as Collins.
So let’s just get around that early and call it Club Week (even though we’ll all remember that Jerry really kicked it off by thumbing his nose at his contract and playing his cameo at Barnstaple).
Club Week is a great event because it is real engagement. Not the faux engagement we get at a Wallaby fan day, or the fleeting autograph over the fence post-game, but genuine immersion over several days. The chance to actually get to know one of our heroes, and the chance for them to get to know us.
It’s the getting-to-know-us part which is incredibly powerful. Imagine spending time in a little town in country Australia, perhaps Gunnedah, or Avoca, maybe Dalby or Gladstone. Arriving on a Tuesday and strapping on the boots for a training run with the boys and girls. Not just standing around in your Wallaby tracksuit, smiling fixedly, but actually running with the team, having some banter, teaching them a few tricks, and sharing a joke in the bar afterward.
Imagine going home with your host to their modest but cosy country or beach house, sitting down with the family to a meal, and when the evening was over, crashing out in the spare room under those peculiarly welcoming blankets that spare rooms always seem to have.
Imagine then on Wednesday, a light run in the morning before lunch at the local club with a few diehard supporters and sponsors. Not ‘A Lunch’ mind, where you have to speak, or be interviewed, but just ‘lunch’. Sitting around the table, having a steak and listening to the memories of great matches gone by and Test match weekends away, especially the one where ‘Bluey’ got pissed and fell in the fountain up the Cross.
Now I agree, this part might sound a bit creaky for a young pro footballer, but hey, as the quote goes, “The world does not owe you a living – you owe the world something.”
And this, this is what rugby is all about. Young blokes paying their dues by listening to old blokes banging on about how things were better in their day.
It’s a time-honoured tradition, and it’s how young fellas make the old fellas feel important, all the while knowing that they will be old blokes themselves one day and the same courtesy will be paid to them.
Wednesday night? Not much actually. Maybe some Playstation with the kids at your hosts’ house, or even a movie. You don’t have to be a celebrity all the time you know.
Then imagine Thursday night – a solid hitout at training with a bit of sting about it. As a card-carrying Wallaby you show your wares and teach the team what real training intensity looks like. It’s good for us to see what the difference in ability and strength truly is – respect cuts both ways, and when we see the true scale of the gulf, we’re a bit more inclined to give you some respect for the hard work you put in day to day.
Still imagining… Friday night is Wallas training night and so you’re out there on the pitch with the eight-year-olds, remembering where it all started. Sure, you’ll get some straight-between-the-eyes questions (“Why did you kick that ball to the man so he could score a try Mr O’Connor?”), but hey, it’s character building, and the yummy mums get a kick out of it.
Then on Saturday, the brilliant climax of the whole thing and the part that everyone has been waiting for – you get in the sheds and line up with your new mates for a cameo in reserve grade.
The rules mean you can’t play first grade, because that wouldn’t be fair, but it’s not the point of the exercise of course. The point is to give a lasting memory to some young players and inspire them to play above themselves, if only for a day.
What a gift to be able to give – the joy of a young winger running off Adam Ashley-Cooper as he slices through the Bowral seconds defence and sets him up for a try under the posts, or the joy of a grizzled veteran wrapping an arm around Stephen Moore as he drives into a scrum against the Yass Rams Seconds pack. As a chirpy Bendigo halfback, imagine the joy of spending your afternoon hitting Quade Cooper on the chest, or as a portly Cobar flyhalf, catching bullets from Will Genia.
What an experience for the other 29 players on the field, the hundreds in the stands, the scores of juniors and everyone in town that week. A memory forever.
And now, back to reality. Let’s ask ourselves an important question. After all that – that week of lunch, training, yarns and laughs – how many Wallas and under 12s and thirsty third-graders and young first-grade bucks and old retired legends from that club will make the trip to their nearest Test match when their Wallaby is playing? How many?
My considered and scientific estimate is: all of them.
With banners, with scarves, and with hearts full of memories and new mateships and an undying passion for the whole thing, because their Wallaby isn’t just a guy on a poster, he’s the guy who anchored their boat race, and trained their Wallas, set Jimmy up for a try under the posts (“…his first try in three years, and all old Jimmy had to do was just fall over the line!”) and even cooked a few snags on their barbecue after training.
Of course, sadly, the people in power are probably reading this and rolling their eyes – “Tell him he’s dreamin’!”
But to that I simply quote George Bernard Shaw, “Some people see things as they are and say why, but I dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’”
Why not indeed? Because it’s new thinking and risky thinking and the first man through the wall always gets bloody. No-one wants to be the guy who takes the risk.
So if we get a response from Rugby HQ, I bet it will be a “no”. But I don’t like that answer. So in the interests of fighting for a good idea, let’s argue the point against the likely reasons:
It’s too risky, the Wallaby might get injured
Seriously? We all know that there’s no more risk than at any franchise contact session or normal Super Rugby match.
The Wallaby already has a packed schedule
Well, they might have a packed schedule, but the ARU surely can make room, and of course the Wallaby can take their Club Week at a time which best suits them, the team and their coaching staff during the season. Not all Wallabies are going to take their Club Week at the same time.
The Wallabies wouldn’t want to do it, when they have time off they just want to stay home
This might well be the case, and if it is, then they’re not really the sort of people we want doing Club Week anyway. So let’s make it easy, and make it optional. If you’re a Wallaby and you want to do Club Week, just opt in. If we only get two or three, we’ll take them, but I think we’ll all be surprised how keen the Wallabies are.
We don’t have the resources to administer a program like this
We all know the joint is strapped, so you’re probably right. But we won’t let that get in the way – we’ll pull together a hand-picked and unpaid committee to be vetted by the ARU, which will exist solely to make Club Week happen. No ARU resources required.
Wallaby insurance won’t allow it
C’mon, we all know that Gow Gates insure all sorts of random rugby events throughout the year, some of them involving 60-year-olds with sclerotic arteries and addled brains, so I’m pretty sure you can fix this one.
And hey, if they really, really can’t play, and you won’t possibly budge, then let them train during the week and just run the water on match day.
But we all know that would be a massive cop-out which would rob the club boys of the greatest part of the whole experience.
It will cost too much
No, it won’t cost a thing. Clubs will enter the ballot on the understanding that they will pay all expenses for their player.
So there it is – Club Week.
It’s the best I can do. I can’t think of anything else that would forge better or stronger bonds between the pros and the amateurs, and rugby as a whole would be amazed at the impact it would have.
If you’re not convinced, remember that once upon a time, people thought State Of Origin wouldn’t work either.
Over to you rugby fans. Share the Club Week idea around.
Oh, and Bill? There is nothing you could do that would cement your legacy more.
Club Week. Let’s make it happen.
Billy Bob
Guest
Great idea Andrew Logan. I have been belting keys on this forum for a few years now about the Tahs decentralizing their base and taking their 'home" games to the regions of NSW. Before 'Cheika delivered the new culture at Moore Park I was in favour of moving the headquarters away from Moore Park. Sydney's inner east did not, and still does not seem like the best place to base a team seeking to engage the masses in its catchment. Parramatta Stadium makes more sense to me. And Dubbo, Newcastle (where Hipwell and Dom Vaughan came from), Orange (where Tim Gavin came from) and Timbuktoo as well, would all benefit from a Tahs game at their local. I realize other factors come to play, like gate revenue at SFS being important for survival. However there remains a need for the Tahs, and the Wallabies to engage with a wider audience. I love the sentiments in your proposal. Some almost brought a tear the eye. This idea is eminently worthy of consideration because it works in at least two directions - one, it gives the heartlands an opportunity to relate to the professional, elite and most public form of the game. And two, it informs the psyche of all who wear the green and gold about just how treasured that jersey is 'out there'. There are many other pluses to this - including the big one that rarely appears on balance sheets, namely - a culture of 'fun'. Which is why we all began to play, and continue to follow, this beautiful game for ever and ever. Over to you Bill. Vale Gerry Collins.
Hertryk
Guest
It may just help to GROUND some of the Wallabies prima donnas..
Marc "Morris" Minor
Guest
Magic Sponge. I could not disagree more. It is a fact that the current Wallabies and those in recent years do take an interest in grass roots rugby. I can name many examples and at the top I would again point to the continued interest from Stephen Moore and Stephen Hoiles in our small first year club.
Magic Sponge
Guest
You are more likely to get engagement from Messi and neymar than receive any interaction or engagement with these so called professional wallabies. The wallabies of the 90s really mixed with the punters and spectators and were approachable.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
No development paths ie colts and grade rugby has been diluted so hence the lack of talent and whippings in the u20s. Bakkies if you and TWAS cannot see the correlation then what hope is your logic
bluey
Guest
This is hands down the best thing I have ever read to promote the great game! Hats off to you sir.
Big Dog
Guest
That's an odd comment, Bakkies. What do you mean by it? Where else are these young guys going to come from, if not the Premier comps of Sydney and Brisbane (with the odd player from Victoria or a country area)? The InTrust Super Shute Shield is a fantastic breeding ground for Aussie Colts. If you're inferring that Shute Shield is somehow weak or soft, I would respectfully disagree with you. The passion and tribalism that goes along with club rugby ensures that players in Shute Shield and Hospital Cup play just as hard, and care just as much, as any other rugby competition in the world - and that includes the RWC. Shute Shield has seen some unbelievably gripping games this year - witness Southern Districts scoring four converted tries and a penalty in the last twenty minutes of their match against Eastwood at TG Millner a few weeks ago, coming back from a 30-point deficit to almost snatch victory at the death, only to be denied by a sensational field goal from Eastwood five-eighth Jai Ayoub after the siren. So instead of posting snide comments such as this, why don't you support your local club and get on down to watch them play? You might just be impressed.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
If Pulver visited one club per week, he would likely never visit every club in however long his tenure is.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
I still remember the night Chris Latham showed up at Norths training and ran some skills drills with the U8's -U12's. Our team was the only one he had to jog to keep up with, and it was pretty f***'in cool for a 10 year old to hear praise and tips from the player that still is your hero. As an aside(and bare with me here), I also remember playing in and around the trees in New Farm park(Brisbane) one summer when my brother and I witnessed a spot fire start 5m from the tree we were trying to climb. We were stunned at first, captivated by the elements of wind and earth combining to form fire without any human intervention. As this flame licked and engulfed its branch of prey, fear began to set in. It was now nearly a foot tall. We panicked and did the only sensible thing and started to urinate on it. As we both unleash our tiny bladders over this spot fire, potentially saving peoples lives and Brisbanes most beautiful and eldest park.... Chris Latham runs over. He was playing wirh his 3 year old not far away. He saw a fire and two bad eggs trying to burn the place down, then literally drop theor dacks. We were stunned, I think one of us managed an "I didnt do it" between the scowl, rouse and death stare. Shattered we were, we'd saved the day with quick thinking and nouse-pun intended (; and Chris Latham roused on us. I just want Chris to know this. I really do. Its eating mr up inside.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Great post but it also 'hi-lights the problem'...... " Bill’s promise to return to Wauchope for that games should we achieve the dream.. " So Pulver only will return (read as show an interest) if Wauchope achieves their dream of reaching the Grand Final... So if they do not achieve their dream, the boss of the ARU is not interested? There only can be one winner .... but there are teams and clubs out there there that pine for the support of the people who live in an ivory tower . ..
Bakkies
Guest
He didn't want them near his hair
Bakkies
Guest
Too many Shute Shield players in the Australian team. Particularly up front.
allblackfan
Guest
Good to hear. Wasn't aware of that -- or maybe I had forgotten. I remember having at chat to Robbie at St Marys Leagues Club just after his appointment.
Marc "Morris" Minor
Guest
Great article and a lot of relevant points. The Wauchope Thunder started as a new club this year. Late 2014 we had the club's launch dinner and were humbled to have the presence of Stephen Moore and Stephen Hoiles as guests at the dinner along with Bill Pulver. The two Stephens gracefully conducted coaching clinics during the day at a couple of the local schools, these appearances are still talked about by the local students. We are very fortunate that both have also maintained an interest in the Thunder and how we are going this year. As a club we also follow their careers and have adopted them as our own. Yes this has meant that there has been a greater emphasis on getting to Super rugby games and also the Tests later in the year. So it can be the win win that Andrew Logan talks about. Our team is looking forward to a successful back end of the season and making the Grand Finals of our competition. For us an added incentive is Bill's promise to return to Wauchope for that games should we achieve the dream.
Magic Sponge
Guest
The future looks grim
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not done to put them on a pedestal. It's done because they are in a professional contact sport which has more games annually than any other. It's about managing workload. Australia aren't going that well that we can afford for good players to miss games, therefore they need to ensure these players are in peak conditions for these 30 or so games. Squad members from Super franchises already play club rugby locally in every competition. In Melbourne I trained, played alongside and against Rebels squad members. With considerations to ensure they are not overloaded for Super Rugby and NRC, these players will play as many local games as possible.
Brisbane boys
Guest
Could not agree less. Squad members particularly from Super franchises could get involved. Regardless of how busy players are they need to be part of the solution and not on a pedestal and completely disengaged from the supporter/ client base.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No, I'm just a realist, not a pie in the sky idealist. People talk about all these things, but disregard the considerations which must be taken into account.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
My example and your example of Hooper have no correlation. I used him as an example because he played every single game possible in 2014. Interestingly from my years in Melbourne, myself and anybody from Melbourne Uni Rugby Club would only speak glowingly about his school team mate Luke Jones and his willingness to help out at the club and engage with players of all grades.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Andrew I like your style, what a wonderful idea that would certainly bring the community together and create enormous interest. I had the honour of playing Golden Oldies in Hawaii a couple of years ago and played against Greg Sommerville who along with Steven Larkham were invited to be ambassadores for rugby for the carnival. My greatest moment in my life and I'll be 70 in 10 days was getting to tackle Greg Sommerville a couple of years ago and to sledge him when he was in opposition. (He allowed me to tackle him) This is similer to what you propose and it was sooo greatly appreciated by the ordinary players such as I was. A wonderful idea that is so good that it will not even get a thought. It is far too good for the ARU to contemplate. Very synical of me I know but after being in rugby for 45 years I am a doubting Thomas.