The Legend of El Cid tells of a great Spanish commander who led his countrymen to an unlikely victory against the invading Moors in the 11th century.
Late in the battle it appeared to both sides that El Cid was mortally wounded. With El Cid out front, the Spanish were impenetrable.
Sensing vulnerability, on daybreak and with reinforced confidence the Moors readied for attack.
Suddenly the city gates sprung open and the Spanish attacked, led on horseback by none other than El Cid!
While the Spanish were buoyed by the sudden recovery of their talisman, the invaders were equally dismayed and swiftly defeated.
The legend later tells that, unbeknown to both sides, El Cid died the previous evening. But ever the tactical genius, understanding his effect on both his own and the enemy soldiers, with his dying words he instructed that his dead body be strapped upright on his horse to lead his soldiers in one final battle – to victory.
People love a story manifesting strong value sets beating poor value sets, particularly against the odds. The stories manifested from real-life events are most resonant, and sport is often the canvas.
Think about Muhammad Ali’s stand against conscription and racism, which led to him being vilified and banned during the best years of his career. His comebacks, though, coupled with his firm moral stance has him remembered as one of the most celebrated sport stars and activists in history.
A key value underpinning these stories is accountability. There are a number of actions and values that feed into being accountable. All are attributes that people want to follow.
After taking Leinster to European Rugby Champions Cup glory Michael Cheika took the game and Australians with him, firstly through the Waratahs in their 2014 Super Rugby triumph and then with the Wallabies all the way to the 2015 World Cup Final.
But when that initial ride morphed into constant referee blaming, public blow-ups and ritualistic post-game rants he became hard to like. It all reeked of a lack of accountability to what was needed to progress the Wallabies game. Associates, supporters and fans alike were cartwheeling out the side.
Ironically, the thoughtful, analytical side that I’m sure his inner circle were accustomed to is being revealed since his turn to commentary.
Coaching can be either ultimately rewarding or, frankly, suck. It’s bloody hard to be accountable when the roof over your head and your kids’ schooling is at risk of being pulled out from under you.
Support for rugby is seemingly on the way back, and I want to see it continue, but if there’s one thing that will continue digging the hole that the sport is climbing out of, it’s coaching accountability both in terms of getting the skill improvements needed for the game to thrive and eliminating the narrative which is hard to support – that it’s always someone else’s fault.
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
The following are all good coaches and good people that are under huge pressure, but these are just some examples.
Just 48 hours prior to standing down as Rebels head coach Dave Wessels went on a bizarre rant telling all and sundry that the Rebels were severely disadvantaged compared to the other franchises in Australia. It’s surprising that previous head coaches Damien Hill and Tony McGahan never mentioned these constraints. He also stated their attack wasn’t up to scratch.
With attack coach Shaun Berne given his marching orders shortly afterwards, It’s clear who that arrow was fired at. While Berne’s out the door, it is ironic also that Wessels has moved into a transitionary role with the club.
What also needs to be understood is that unless the attack coach is the head coach it’s rare they get to deliver their own attacking strategy. They deliver what the head coach wants. As I said in a previous article, disagree and commit. It’s what team players do.
While attack coaches generally don’t get much leeway, ironically defence coaches often get free rein – which we’ll come back to.
The Rebels attack system belonged to Dave Wessels, just as the Waratahs structure was owned by Rob Penney prior to his removal – a derivative of the old Canterbury/Crusaders 2-4-2.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Rod Seib was brought into the Brumbies to deliver Dan McKellar and Laurie Fisher’s attacking system. During Jake White’s reign, Stephen Larkham delivered Jake’s philosophy. In the Wallabies, Larkham delivered Cheika’s system and philosophy before philosophical differences became untenable.
There are exceptions. I’d argue Brad Thorn allows Jim Mackay autonomy in the Reds attack. Since Penney moved on, Chris Whitaker has stamped his signature on the Waratahs attack, which in a short period has improved significantly.
When their breakdown was accurate, the Rebels strung together some good performances. But when forced to overcommit at their first or second breakdown their ability to link attack across the full width of the field fell apart – a system issue belonging to the system’s architect, Dave Wessels!
Attack coaches deliver their expertise within the head coach’s system. If the system is flawed, it doesn’t matter how good the attack coach is.
With the blow torch on, accountability went up in flames.
It’s also interesting to note that the Rebels in their last start, without Berne as their attack coach, did not fire a single shot.
It’s easy to point to the fact that they were missing key players, but so were the Brumbies against the Crusaders, yet all year their back-end squad and academy members have continually stepped up.
As for the Brumbies, I have enormous respect and admiration for Dan McKellar, but losing two games to the Reds and their title as the No. 1 team in Australia wasn’t the referee’s fault.
The Brumbies ball carriers and tight forwards in particular have for some time struggled to get to space and maintain their feet at the breakdown. When the ball carrier can’t get to space and doesn’t fight at least an extra step to keep their feet and if your support doesn’t react quick enough, teams good in the tackle contest have an advantage.
Further, too often when the ball is on the ground support players clean out on an illegal line – from the side. The frequency for which this happens suggests that it has to be a coached technique.
The footage below demonstrates this.
Yes, Nic Berry should have penalised Liam Wright, but he should also have penalised Scott Sio in the first instance for cleaning out from an illegal position. It goes two ways.
Ironically, if Sio had gone on the shortest line to the breakdown, he would have entered from through the gate and easily removed Wright north-south from the contest before there was opportunity to get hands on the ball and with no opportunity to infringe. This is highlighted below.
These are coaching issues (controllable), and it’s then out of the ref’s hands (uncontrollable).
The Brumbies also coach a number of different styles of tackle. A key point here is that tackling is often reactive – if there are too many choices for tackle type, the reactive component of execution is affected.
For every decision added to a situation reaction time doubles.
One of those tackle types with MMA influence is the upright tackle, which creates an ethical dilemma due to the prevalence of head contact for both the ball carrier and the tackler. Combined, the upright tackle and opposition late changes of direction leave a narrow window for error.
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa was suspended for three weeks for a reactive high shot. In his comeback against the Reds he was lucky again not to be sent off for a similar tackle. During the same game Andy Muirhead missed an easy tackle on Josh Flook that resulted in a key try – again, going high. A small man going high takes leg drive and power out of the tackle.
In the Super Rugby AU final Rob Valetini was sin-binned for a high shot. At the time the Brumbies were leading comfortably. While they didn’t give up many points in the period that he was off, on the flip side how many more points could they have accumulated if their best ball carrier remained on the field?
Maybe enough to put the result out of reach. Who knows?
But at what point are these preparation issues both accountable and contributing factors to a loss?
They are at least controllable; the referee is not.
If I’m reading reports correctly, the Waratahs defence coach this week intimated that their issues in defence are because the franchise has never had a defensive mindset and the players aren’t being accountable for their defensive technique.
Their defence was pretty good under Les Kiss (seven years). They defended pretty well in 2014. British and Irish Lions defence coach Steve Tandy had them defending pretty well in 2018 and 2019.
The defensive coach is accountable for putting players in the right place to make tackles – that is, the system – and for remediating technical issues through coaching and training.
He also had a crack at his players during the halftime break of the last Brumbies game for not aiming up on Muirhead out on the edge.
The play in question is below. Before the lineout started, Muirhead had already aligned wide. Prior to this game the Brumbies had scored six tries from the same play. Yet the Waratahs aligned as though they had never seen it. Their last defender, Jack Maddocks, started just outside the far goal post, leaving 30 metres undefended.
Muirhead had to check on the pass but still had plenty of time and space to work in.
A key objective of defence is to deny time and space.
Arguably one of the hardest tackles to make is when you’re caught too far inside the opposition and have to hightail it on a backwards line across the field to get to them. This situation is bread and butter for good attacking players.
The aim of a defensive system is to place players in the best position to tackle or defend. The Waratahs have been in poor positions all year – that’s a coaching issue.
This past weekend, after giving up 60 points, the line is that the players have to be accountable to get their bodies in front. It’s pretty hard to get bodies in front if the system doesn’t consistently place bodies in front. The Waratahs have been defending too narrowly all year. As highlighted above, they leave too much space on the field and they’re easy to pick off. This is a system and coaching issue.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The other line of concern was that players need to grab others at the conclusion of training and do their own tackling. Players can always do more, but what are they doing in training?
With defence clearly an issue all season, it’s the coach’s job to design interventions and adjust systems in training that fix the problem. Otherwise why have coaches?
One thing I find impressive about Eddie Jones is that he’s always accountable. If his team loses, he says he didn’t prepare them well enough.
It communicates to the players and fans alike that there is an answer and they will find it, fix it but that the coach is looking at themselves first.
There’s a clear distinction between what can be controlled – what a coach is accountable for – and what can’t be mastered.
I’ve also previously highlighted the evolution of James O’Connor. He was criticised after the Super Rugby AU win for not taking a scrum in the dying stages.
His response was that the team didn’t want to risk putting the result in the hand of someone else — in the result of a refereeing interpretation. It was a mature and accountable decision.
I’d argue that these are traits that fans and supporters want to and will follow.
El Cid in life proclaimed, “Follow me and win”.
Even in death he still had the answers!
Mo
Guest
Well said MZ. Or as I used to tell the new guys. Someone must pay. Not talking late elbows but you’ve gotta lay a tackle on someone. Also in reds game hunter gave up on the chase and I swear if he kept the pressure on and dove he could have stopped the lazy one handed put down. Simple to do but often not tried
99.94
Roar Rookie
Great article Leahry, enjoyed your analysis :thumbup:
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Thanks for an interesting exchange gentlemen! As an outsider, I have to say I’m still not convinced by Nick’s division of responsibilities at the Tahs, from which Jason Gilmore and Rod Penney emerge as villains and Chris Whitaker comes out unscathed. Even though the D is narrow and therefore moves very laterally in the clip, ultimately the system did put a tackler in position to stop Andy Muirhead! I’d add that defence among all of the Australian SR franchises is generally the single weakest aspect of their game – not just at the Tahs. I am also a bit baffled at Dave Wessels copping the blame for the Rebs attack, not Shaun Berne. I still have footage from 2019, when Berne was implementing exactly the same exit strategy with the Rebs as he was with Cheika’s WBs. Was he relieved of responsibility sometime thereafter? One last word – Nick, get a decent gif.maker, for goodness sakes! :laughing:
jeznez
Roar Guru
Nick, thank you so much for such a detailed response. I found that eye opening and really appreciate it.
Leahry
Roar Rookie
Hey Mate, Apologies for the fact this is just one paragraph. Can’t work out how to get the paragraph breaks in. Restricted in the article in terms of words. So I’ll provide more detail here: 2 – 4 -2 I actually said it was a derivative of the Canterbury 2 – 4 – 2, not the ‘actual 2 – 4 – 2’. Most Southern Hemisphere systems are derivative’s of the old 2 – 4 – 2 as it was the first time in this region a system like that had been used. This system based coaching actually started in the Northern Hemisphere by Gloucester – they called it the Gloucester Pod System. The Coach at the time – John Mitchell – he was the one that actually bought it back to the All Blacks and Robbie Deans as his Assistant Coach integrated and evolved it in to the 2 – 4 – 2 with the Crusaders. But I digress – the issue with the old 2 – 4 – 2 philosophy and the same philosophy that Penney won 3 NPC titles with, was that inside backs get into bad habits of just standing and delivering. It was a massive issue for the All Black Coaching Staff from 2004 on as when the Crusaders players came into the All Black Coaching environment – they almost had to be retrained to always be a ‘triple threat’. Exactly the same thing was evident with the Waratahs play with Will Harrison at 10 always playing deep and generally just standing and delivering without being a threat. That was my point. I don’t have an opinion either way on Whitaker. I do have issues with the fact that the Coach they sacrificed to bring him back to the Waratahs was Chris Malone, who had significantly changed their skillsets along with Steve Tandy and Simon Cron in 2018. The Waratahs were a shadow of that in 2019 and Cron and Tandy couldn’t get out quick enough! But, the reality is that the attack has improved since Penney left – the have greater options – actually attack off 9 and 10 and Donaldson plays flatter and in particular is a genuine threat as a runner as well as a passer. That alone is a massive change. The depth and track of the 10 was system based and looked exactly the same as the old 2 – 4 – 2. As even when they achieved both advantage line and quick ball – which is when you want the 10 to flatten up – in the Penney era – the 10 still sat back deep and delivered based on the system. While under Whitaker – Donaldson & I’d be interested to see whether there is change in Harrison as well, bases his lines, alignment and track on the speed and position of the breakdown. This is what good 10’s should do and like it or not Whitaker is the Attack Coach. So I was just offering credit where it was due. In terms of Penney – I’ve met him, spent some time with him in Christchurch around 12 years ago and he was very knowledgeable, particularly around culture and a pretty good guy. However, there’s a reason he was never considered for Head Coaching positions in New Zealand and their Coach Development is significantly better than ours. So, particularly when we (Australia) have some very good Coaches that have created success Internationally and Provincially in Europe and Japan – where he couldn’t – was struck that he was given the Waratahs Coaching position in the first place. Defence – again it’s and inconvenient truth particularly for Gilmore – but he is the defence coach! I didn’t see Press Conference where Whitaker said that the Waratahs were known as an attacking team, but I did see the rhetoric in a number of articles during the week where Gilmore was also promoting it. Interesting that it also came from the Captain after the Blues loss – so it’s clearly now an embedded team message – which again lacks accountability. It’s the last thing a young list needs and we are generally hearing from young coaches – when things don’t go their way – it’s always someone else’s fault. Hence the article. Ironic also, and this was pointed out to me by a professional coach of note only yesterday. That at 1/2 time during the Waratahs Hurricanes game – Jake Gordon pointed out – we are way too narrow around the ruck – I also think he said – It’s killing us. When Gilmore was interviewed – nothing about their spacing. The Captain knew what the issue was then – but the Coach either didn’t or more likely wouldn’t admit it – as it’s his system. Now we also have the Captain preaching the rhetoric. I know the defensive system he uses – It hasn’t been used in Professional Rugby for over 10 years because of the issues around getting set with spacing early. Everyone in Australian Rugby knows the system he uses – because as the U20’s coach he tried to get all of the Academies to train their players based on the system. Most politely declined. But at no point has there been an admission that the system was flawed. Moreover – it’s deflected to the players and a mythical culture. Further I’m told that during a High Performance Coaching Conference this week – a photo of the Waratahs defensive line was presented with a question – why are sides only defending 2/3’s of the field and expecting to win games? So, I’m not the only one questioning it. In terms of the point that he stiffened up the defence when he came in last year. Again unfortunately I disagree – the Force having just been reintroduced at last minute into Super Rugby AU were underdone and a shadow of where they got to this year. Further in the game that they beat the Reds last year – they played 14 in the defensive line and only 1 player back. The Reds weren’t prepared for that as the Waratahs hadn’t shown it before. A week later against the Brumbies – they were pumped as the Brumbies scored tries off kicking to space. This was again a bandaid fix. You take those games out of it they still average giving up over 30 points a game. When he was the Reds defensive coach – arguable he cost Nick Stiles his job – again their defence averaged over 30 points per game. Stiles was punted and Thorn didn’t want Gilmore involved – so he was moved to cushy ARU position. The other point which is pertinent – and which we are finding out pretty bluntly with the Trans Tasman competition – playing just Australian teams doesn’t test your defence as much as the old Super Rugby Competition. While in Super Rugby AU the the Waratahs have leaked over 30 points per game. In the Trans Tasman Competition the Waratahs are averaging over 50 points per game. Unbeknownst to many, the Waratahs are actually doing some really good things in behind the scenes. Particularly with the guys in the ‘Positive Rugby Foundation’. They’re rebuilding relationships with grassroots, the schools and providing resource. In a short term transactional world – these are brave long term fixes that will yield benefits in 3 – 5 years. The Waratahs need to make a good choice with their next Head Coach as if they don’t we’ll be back having the same conversation in 2- 3 years time and all the good work being done in behind the scenes gets undermined and drowned out. The Waratahs have a good young list and they’re good kids – they’re kids with value sets that people will want to follow. But they need a good accountable mentor and they and the organisation will fly. As mentioned there are plenty of really good Australian Coaches that are doing and have done some fantastic work overseas. Many of them also started in Club Rugby in Australia – were successful in club rugby – which I think is important. Many also have Super Rugby experience. They’re also accountable – you don’t survive as a foreign coach if you’re not – particularly over long periods.
BlouBul
Roar Rookie
1. Coaches are blamed for the lack of player skills. 2. Often coaches are not the ones employing the players. 3. Coaches often don't have the cattle at their disposal to execute the plan. Lets fire the coach!
Paul southwell
Guest
Great article. I was a post 1973 disaster( when the ARU realised it needed to train coaches, “ like they did in Wales”), player, I had access to a coach who was trained. I came from a Public School. We played Rugby. Many many of my team mates in schoolboy rep , club, provincial and national level came from Public Schools, because we played Rugby at and for our school. That no longer happens. Can the ARU look to access qualified teachers, run coaching accreditation for them, and offer to pay them to teach across Public Schools, teach and coach Rugby at grass roots. Teach them our game, playing as a team, and, how to be a fit and active person. Schools cant do it at the moment.
James584
Roar Rookie
‘Could barely pass’? Quade Cooper has one of the best passes in world rugby. And West, the JOC we see today has nothing whatsoever to do with Brad Thorn. Mick blames his indiscretions on uncontrollable factors (his cheer squad and his immaturity) and you appear to credit his rehabilitation to being ‘under Thorn’. The primary message of this article is the importance of accurate accountability. I blame JOC and credit JOC. That is what is needed. I also blame Thorn and the players for the embarrassment that the Reds have proven to be so far in the TT. Poor structure, poor tactics (eg short goal line dropouts!), poor discipline, shocking results.
Warwick Todd
Guest
I'm ever so pleased you remembered. :laughing:
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I do believe you have used this line on me before. "Jane Austin"? You are quite dim.
Warwick Todd
Guest
"I am ever so pleased that he fell into the hands of the intelligent, thoughtful and measured Brad Thorn." :laughing: Thanks for the laugh Jane Austin of the Gold Coast. JOC's a scorpion looking for a frog and a flooded river. Cool story though bro.
WEST
Roar Guru
Example, even today I was at junior rugby. Surrounded by support and encouraging. It can’t be underestimated!
WEST
Roar Guru
Hmmm and that’s a major issue with Australian Rugby train! That actually should become the priority. Perhaps a ten year strategy plan. I’m not kidding!! Focus on Kids at That age so by the time they’re hitting their prime they’re ready to go! Train without a station.. I think you have found the issue.
WEST
Roar Guru
Wow.. mick. I agree with everything. O’Connor was very immature in his early career in SR. That’s accredited to his poor management as you said. Like you said, under Thorn O’Connor is a completely different animal. Thanks for sharing your insight :happy:
WEST
Roar Guru
One of the most intelligent comments I’ve ever read!!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Eddie Jones always says it's his fault... Yet he's just sacked his attacking coaches!
moaman
Roar Guru
Quade Cooper, for all his faults. had a great passing game on him.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Well you've flattened me Leahry, it will take me a little while to get back up off the deck and think through what I have just read. I should commend you for a lucid, comprehensive dissertation - easy to follow, logical and substantiated with more than merely "I reckon" - good on you. Before I have another look I will say your piece reminded me of encounters with then neighbour Peter Fenton, well known in the film industry as a sound specialist in his day job and as author and poet. More importantly than describing the piecing together of Gallipoli or Phar Lap, Peter was coach of Parramatta, my beloved Eastwood and Penrith, Sydney and NSW. He prised out premierships for the first two and helped struggling Penrith out for nothing, notwithstanding it was a long way from home and he was pretty much retired by then. Now in his mid 80s he is still a fine speaker about the game that is his passion. A discussion with Peter over a beer was just like this piece by you - full of detail, analysis, opinion and solutions, delivered at a Lewis machine gun rate. I recall the beer coasters set out on the bar as front rowers while he told me how an open side should align, decades after that was a vital part of my life. :stoked:
Wayne
Roar Rookie
Yep, and spare a thought for us Saffas who also have to use a dictionary at the same time :silly:
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"Yeah ... It starts out that way ... I’m on my phone" You didn't just do what Leahry has been speaking about, did you? :stoked: I'm not here for that though, I'm attracted by your observation in your very first line - "It’s bizarre to me how players get to super rugby level and aren’t equipped with these basics?" To me, West, this is the reason why James O'Connor is only now, at 30, playing as he might have throughout his twenties. His evolution is a testimony to a rare ability to, by himself, recognise fault, adjust, understand discipline and experience success. I am ever so pleased that he fell into the hands of the intelligent, thoughtful and measured Brad Thorn. He first emerged wholly unprepared with an entourage bathing in his reflected glory. I was astonished at the adults' behaviours, at the fact that the game's demanding parents had not improved during the brief glory days of the late 1990s - early 2000s. I had departed junior rugby by then, from one of the many strong clubs in a successful rugby nursery. We had decisive leadership focused on the children enjoying the game and all getting a go. Parents who could not see the good sense in that mantra were quietly invited to do their shopping or wash their cars on Saturdays. My son came through with Matt Burke and their opportunities were much the same. Matt's father was merely another spectator. He spent time getting sorted out in club rugby under the tutelage of Peter Fenton, Scott Johnson, Marty Roebuck and club captain Monster ... being water boy when necessary ... just like all the other young fellas. That had plenty to do with his near 20 year career playing in the top echelon, a quiet, talented and confident teenager who became a leader at Newcastle Falcons and a business success. O'Connor might have had the same but for self centred mentors. The Melbourne Rebels management tired of taking calls demanding James be selected in this position and not that. A decade ago I was a strong critic, now I am delighted for him and for Brad Thorn who crafts good things because that is his nature. When James O'Connor is interviewed as captain he immediately responds with emphasis on others in the team. When insistent reporters want more of his personal story he ignores the question and answers with further positive points about teammates. How good is that?! Australian rugby also wasted a fortune on Our Quadie and Beale for years. They too could not tackle, could barely pass, ran away from their supports - fundamental flaws. Even the rugby university of Joeys failed to do its job. Neither of them got to routinely take home a green and gold jersey with their own number - 15 or lower - on the back. Yet they were enabled to undermine successful coaches who knew nowhere near as much as they did about the game. Still neither of them can tackle, pass or run with a team in mind. By the time the li'l fella was 26 years old nobody wanted him. In January 2016 the Toulon owner announced very publicly he was a waste of money! The other dill kept getting selected because successive work experience CEOs of the Pelican Airways Harmless Wallabies forgot to create a succession plan, or to find someone to work out in the long disused gym at their High Performance Elite Pathways Academy Centre of Excellence Event Metric Organic Facility Thingy. I wonder are they still sending Pat Howard his impressive weekly pay packet? :silly: