After topping the Australian conference for the last two years – although you can hardly call a 6-9 season successful – and recruiting reasonably well, you would expect much better performances than what the Brumbies have demonstrated this year.
Frustratingly the team shows no signs of improving as the season progresses and continue to roll out an ineffective game plan, playing as individuals without coherent structure and a poor attitude.
A sign of a good team is scoring just before or after half-time or not conceding points in that time. The Brumbies did just the opposite on Saturday night, letting in a soft try right on half-time to lose momentum at the break, and then they couldn’t convert 15 minutes of sustained pressure in the Rebels 22 just after half-time.
Achieving this is about attitude, and in this instance a lack of on-field leadership contributes.
Compare the collective mindset of the Crusaders against the Waratahs on Saturday to the Brumbies effort. Down 0-29, the hard work, passion and determination in refusing to let the game get away, including three tries in the lead up to half-time, was incredible to watch. The Brumbies on the other hand, up 21-5 after a really good start to the game, became passive and just let the game roll on, expecting to win it without working for it.
(Matt Roberts/Getty Images for Sunwolves)
Assumption might be a better descriptor than expectation – the Crusaders expected to win too, but that’s because they refuse to accept defeat and they work, work, work to make sure it happens. There is a reason the Kiwi teams turn 21 points in the first half into 50 by the end of the game – it is not just down to skill, it’s largely to do with attitude, hard work, fitness and belief.
This team has great players, so the issue isn’t one of talent; it’s being unable to create opportunities for them. There is continual poor execution at set piece, especially line-out throwing; lateral running from the inside backs, and Wharenui Hawera is particularly guilty of this; one-out hit ups from a standing start; and passing behind the player.
The basics skills are not focused on enough. It’s not acceptable to practise until you get it right once; you need to practise until you never get it wrong.
This season is now a write-off, so the changes for next season need to start now. There needs to be a review of every aspect of on and off-field practice.
The team needs a new captain, and Tom Cusack may be a good option as he seems to bring the enthusiasm and follow me attitude that few others are showing. I would work really hard to recruit a decent flyhalf or bring in the next generation.
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The game plan needs to focus on creating space for the outside backs and to get Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight and Tom Banks into the game. That means inside backs running straight, forwards and taking the ball at full pace, starting from depth and working in groups. There is no variation at the moment and the defence has no need to make a decision because the attack is so predictable and one-dimensional.
Ultimately the problem is accepting mediocrity, and that has been the root of the problems plaguing Australia rugby in general. Obviously the systems aren’t working, because results have been poor for too long. But where is the leadership to say we need to change, identifying the problems and working as a collective to implement improvement?
Without change the professional game will collapse in Australia. The dismal crowd of 5283 last night is evidence of this. The organisation needs to live up to its name as a professional team and lift the standards in all departments. Individuals need to really think about the effort they put in.
I will keep coming to games because I love the club and the game of rugby union. I can also accept losing if the team plays well and represents the club’s history. But neither of these are happening right now and so the public is tuning out. There are still plenty of people out there keen to support the club, but they need to show us something worthy supporting.
Markus
Guest
Richie was a third best lock pick from the Force behind Coleman and Phillip. Ross Haylett-Petty and Cottrell stronger choices than McCaffrey. Hardwick too though with a different skillset. Any of Prior, Ruru or Louwrens from the Force would probably be above Lucas. Others had more insight into Peni at the time than me, but Rona looked the player to chase. That said, the players they were replacing - Fardy, Cubelli, Tomane - were always going to be a step down to an extent unless they bought big money players. A younger hooker was a necessity with Mann-Rea's age, but other teams seem to have picked up far stronger options (Mafi, Ready, Paenga-Amosa at Reds, Latu, Roach and JP Sauni at Tahs, Uelese and Rangi at Rebels).
Fionn
Guest
People liked to overstate White's limitations. I think that the Brumbies scored more tries under him than we have since. I wish we could have coaxed Link out of retirement when Larkham moved on.
Markus
Guest
I would agree with that. Larkham was heavily dependent on the squad core that White put together. Over the last 3-4 years that core has been lost to natural attrition and there has been insufficient development and succession planning, in the halves in particular. Props and possibly second row are the only areas where we are in a stronger position now than under White (though you wouldn't know it based on the set piece performance this year). White, for his limitations as a coach, was fantastic at having all players in the squad fully understand their role within the team and step in to deliver to the best of their abilities (even if they weren't necessarily the best players), better than any Australian coach I have seen in a long time.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
So not losing the NRC final is failure?
Markus
Guest
Interesting time to release a backrower. I know he is down the pecking order if all players are fit and firing, but we have already seen Valetini, Pocock, McCaffrey and Naisarini injured at various times, and Ben Hyne out for the year. I suppose they are comfortable using one of the second rowers as cover for the remainder of the year.
Baz
Guest
Fair enough but both he and Speight are not the players they were 2 years ago. What gives?
Bakkies
Guest
I wouldn't call Kuridrani an import
Malo
Guest
The players are the problem. They aren’t very good .
Akari
Roar Rookie
This is not good info, nutter, not at all but thanks all the same. I thought the Fisher man was a good buy to give Dan McKellar a hand. It hasn't worked and I am looking at the players also. As to Mccaffery, I thought he needed to be subbed around the 70th minute as he could barely hold himself up around the 75th. Happy to be proven wrong as I haven't seen a replay; not that I am going to watch it.
Akari
Roar Rookie
McCaffery could barely stand up from around the 75th minute. I have no idea why as I barely noticed his presence unlike Cusack who was perpetually in motion.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Harsh, Lol
Lol
Guest
McKellar has no idea what a good 10 would even look like if it was slapping him in the face! I think Mckellar was a no game nothing prop for Queensland.
Lol
Guest
Still couldn't win it!
Bakkies
Guest
Markus I mentioned below that Larkham and McKellar haven't grasped squad management and bringing through young talent. The Brumbies had this in the Super 12 days when there was a reserve team the Runners playing matches so far this year all I know is the reserves played one match against Rebels A and smacked them. They get used to playing in the jersey and developing at a higher intensity. When the Brumbies had injuries or retirements there were match ready alternatives. The second was under Jake White who had a knack of developing young players. He got in early and went out trialling players some didn't make it, others made the Wallabies. Larkham seemed afraid to blood young players so brought in patch up jobs. McKellar is no better particularly at hooker and flyhalf.
Baz
Guest
That's because they are no longer hungry. Bench them for a few weeks. That'll get their attention. Seen this happen over the years also. Many of these imports get too comfortable. We keep giving them Wallaby jumpers and big pay cheques. Need to keep them hungry.
Bakkies
Guest
First thing White got rid of was jobs for the boys. Harrison, Finegan, etc were told to get experience elsewhere. Same thing needs to happen again. Japan these days is not enough experience you need to coach in Europe or even NZ to learn about game structure in various conditions. A lot more games so you have to deal with squad management and bringing through young talent which McKellar is struggling with. Larkham who he worked with as an Assistant was no better.
Bakkies
Guest
He has been phoning it in at Super Rugby level for sometime now.
Bakkies
Guest
He might end up being back up for the Sunwolves as they had to let Lappies go due to a prior agreement with his Top League club.
Baz
Guest
He could do no worse than McKellar :)
Bakkies
Guest
The players stuffed up that Final against Qld Country not the coach. In control of the match then started pushing passes at the wrong end of the pitch gave Country set piece and field position by hard lines at 10 and 12.