Broncos coach Wayne Bennett and the Waratahs’ Daryl Gibson have both been under the pump in the last week with their teams under-performing.
While their codes, experience and track records are poles apart, Bennett and Gibson are expected to inspire their charges.
Last night Bennett did; tonight Gibson must.
Most of the rugby league media has been branding the Broncos 2-3 record this NRL season as boring, and lack-lustre.
Brave call.
That was like red rag to a bull for Bennett, a seven-time premiership coach over three decades covering an extraordinary 773 games for 479 wins and a superb 62 per cent success rate.
Last night the Broncos flicked their mojo switch to hammer the premiership-contending Roosters 32-8 at Suncorp.
But the win came at a cost with quality halfback Ben Hunt tweaking a hamstring and likely to be out for up to a month.
With Benji Marshall also out for a month with a fractured wrist and no replacement a standout, Bennett’s inspiration will need to surface yet again.
But there were major pluses from last night, none more so than out of touch Anthony Milford successfully stepping up to the plate in a very welcome sight for Bronco fans.
Up front Sam Thaiday and Andrew McCullough have taken on extra responsibilities following the retirement of the tireless Corey Parker, and both are in superb form.
So the Broncos have turned the corner, but the task will be a lot harder for the Waratahs tonight in Wellington.
Gibson is a virtual new boy on the Super Rugby block after just 21 games for 10 wins and a 47.2 success rate. That’s hardly riveting.
He’ll look forward to the return tonight of Wallaby fly-half Bernard Foley who has only played one game in six this tournament.
He’s been suffering the after effects of concussion sustained pre-season and his inclusion will lift the confidence of a Wallaby-laden franchise.
There will be nine Wallabies in the starting line-up against the hard-to-beat Hurricanes in windy Wellington.
The entire tight five of Paddy Ryan, Tolu Lati, Sekope Kepu, Dean Mumm and Will Skelton boast 156 Wallaby caps between them, with skipper Michael Hooper adding another 65 caps to the pack.
That’s heavy ammunition that should be producing more positive results than two in six.
And there are 95 more Wallaby caps out the back between Foley, Israel Folau, and wrecking ball winger Taqele Naiyaravoro.
That should be more than enough to get the job done with a loss the end of the Waratahs’ season – it’s as simple as that.
So can Daryl Gibson match the Wayne Bennett inspirational factor?
We’ll find out tonight.
chump
Guest
Yet Maxi's 100 counts for nothing?
Longtimereader
Guest
You say a big loss. But replace Moga with a quality defender, and that score line is 32-0.... Broncos defense was essentially impenetrable apart from a single player
Shane
Guest
No it hasn't.
Jacko
Guest
Bennett is lucky he was playing the Roosters rather than the Canes LOL
qwetzen
Guest
And then there's how childishly he reacts to having his factual errors pointed out. Which is very peculiar given their very high frequency...
Paul D
Roar Guru
The irony of David Lord lecturing people on how to react to criticism. Hopefully they haven't read your 'contributions' on the cricket page and how you react to criticism there.
Bring Back...?
Guest
With the hopeless state of the Australian conference, I'm not sure a loss is the end of the season for the Tahs - it should be but isn't, particularly if the Reds beat the Brumbies.
Albo
Guest
The Broncos with 57 % possession, with an 88% completion rate, and the penalties 8-2 in favour, meant that the Roosters were doomed to a big loss , as most other teams would have been last night ! Regarding the Bronco's supposed fragile defence, with a bunch of possession against you for any period of time , every opposition team will look fragile at that point. Last week the Panthers dominated much of Melbourne game and had the Storm missing 47 tackles ( they too were looking fragile at times) but the Panthers failed to capitalise thanks to bombed tries, and the Storm were highly lauded for not conceding a bunch of points. The Broncos defence has been pretty good considering they have probably played the toughest opening 6 games of any side and yet are 3 -3 and have been stiff in a couple of the losses. Bennett would be reasonably pleased I would think. The loss of Hunt ( especially his defence) might be a concern for a few weeks ?
Hoy
Roar Guru
That is pretty simplified, and I am sure you say that with tongue in cheek... particularly in a long running comp like the NRL, and we are only 6 rounds in. As you well know, wins can paper over cracks. The Broncs looked very fragile in defense last night. A better team than the one playing last night would have probably beaten them based on their defense... if not beaten them, certainly not be beaten 32 - 8.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Bennett has premierships and years of success,mixed with the occasional bad. To even consider his years at the top and general acceptance of being among the best coaches around, and relating his situation with Gibson,is akin to comparing a Mercedes with a Valiant . Bennett has the expectations due to his record ,Gibson has pressure for a brief moment in history.Being under the pump,is the norm for professional coaches going through the odd rough patch. All part of being involved in a professional sport on upon which union decided to embark,Gibson and ru have to live with it.
David Lord
Expert
Hoy, the only moment that matters in any football code is the scoreboard as the final hooter sounds.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Broncos were good in attack last night, but both teams were frail as all get out in defense. For the first 20, when the Roosters had the ball, they looked like they cracked the Broncs every time down the left... Jeez that Bronco's 4 is hanging onto his jersey by his finger tips... he was poor to terrible last night. I enjoyed Freddie Fittler telling us before the game that Mitchell Pearce was going to lead the Roosters last night... He did exactly what he has done for most of his career, which was some good passing, but a majority of anonymity last night. I think he needs to shift to 6 and Keary at 7. Pearce just can't run a team around well enough. Has a great long pass on him, and is willing in defence, and is very fast across the ground, but he just can't get his team organized. That's all I have to say about that.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I actually never though I'd see the day someone compared bennett to someone like Daryl Gibson. To me someone like Mary Or Jason Taylor would be a more apt comparison. Bennett was under about as much pressure as an infant is to make Doo Doo.
Mals
Guest
The Roar writer Ryan O'Connell calls rugby supporters Rah Rahs so maybe your mistaken David.
Mals
Guest
Hi David, sadly these two coaches are poles apart when it comes to experience. I am encouraged though that Gibson has swung the axe and is giving a start to players like Naiyaravoro. The Tahs need game breakers and need to get off to quicker starts in games. They are making it hard for themselves by continually having to chase the game.
soapit
Guest
i still say your only real mistake was attempting them all at the same time david.
David Lord
Expert
Lift your game Craig, rah rah went out with knickerbockers, cravats, and jackets with leather elbow patches.
Craig
Guest
Please remove the rah rah rubbish from the league section.