Anyone from high-performance organisations will tell you that recruitment and training is key to long-term success. The Brumbies are a prime example.
Take Charlie Cale for one. You’d be forgiven for thinking that he came from nowhere to star in the first game of this season – no one starred in the Brumbies’ second game of the season. But he hasn’t materialised out of thin air. A sprinkling of games last year and the off-field development at the Brumbies have laid the platform for Cale to become a genuine starter. We have seen it consistently for years at the Brumbies, where young players get a few minutes here and there, then a few starts. All of a sudden, they change a game, score tries and everyone starts watching.
It is the beauty of the Brumbies’ system that young players are gradually tested over a period of time. Players are often given minutes at the end of games to allow them to grow in confidence and work on areas of improvement. They are developed to understand their roles so they don’t feel out of place when they do come on. Eventually, it all clicks, and they start to perform.
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Luke Reimer is another example. In 2021, he came off the bench five times and started once. In 2022, he had three starts and seven showings off the bench. Last year, he only started two games of 15, yet his impact and effectiveness only increased. There wasn’t any baptism of fire, only a slow burn. As a result, in a year where it looks like he will start in a much larger percentage of matches, he is ready, with confidence intact, and has a clear understanding of his role. Despite the Brumbies losing a player of such a high calibre as Pete Samu, they have a replacement who has already been moulded to fill the hole.
This process of bringing younger players through the system and exposing them gradually is ingrained in the Brumbies system. It is why they have been the most consistent Australian team for the last decade. Looking at the other Aussie teams, you can see how a lack of planning and player management has led to inconsistent performances.
In the hope of improving their player base, the Force brought Toni Polu, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa and Bayley Kuenzle over from the Brumbies where they had all had solid showings off the bench. However, at the Force, they haven’t allowed them to develop slowly, so have all had inconsistent performances.
The exception that proves the rule is Fines-Leleiwasa, who spent some time behind Ian Prior before proving that he could be the first-choice scrum-half. Despite his good performances the Force still decided to bring Nic White on board. If they manage Fines-Leleiwasa’s gametime and development correctly, this could an immense learning opportunity for him. If not, it could smash his confidence.
The issue with this arrangement at the Force is that they are often under the pump by the time Fines-Leleiwasa would be coming on. If he was still at the Brumbies, he would be coming onto the field when his side is in control and everyone knows their roles. It is much easier to play well in a good side, especially if that side is packed full of Wallabies. The question is, how do the other Australian sides emulate the Brumbies set-up? The Reds might be showing us how.
In Covid-ravaged 2020, the Reds won Super Rugby AU with a group of raw but talented young players. It’s been a mixed bag for them since then. Crucially though, the stars from round one and two of Super Rugby 2024 were all in that team from 2020, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia to name a few. The years between have seen some pain. But that pain is necessary to embed a foundation for the team going forward.
It remains to be seen whether this will bear fruit under the new coaching regime, but even new coach Les Kiss has given credit to the foundation that Brad Thorn laid out for him. With some consistency in selection and performances, they should be in a place where they can slowly expose younger talent and develop them within their own system.
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
When you look at the Brumbies roster you can see a plethora of players that have been developed within their own system. Without too much exposure too early to young players, they have been able to grow their games sustainably. Players such as Ryan Lonergan, Tom Hooper, Charlie Cale, Nick Frost, Blake Schoupp, Lachlan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford and Tamati Tua were all nowhere to be seen a few years ago. Going forward they will all likely be key members of the squad.
Any young player in Australia should see how this development pathway could benefit them. They might not get all the gametime they want in their first year, but that might be for the best in the end.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Google it!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I didn't know that!
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Exactly. Even at the lower level of subbies I referee at, you see the demands of the game affect the players. We get the odd one who comes down the grades but we used to see a lot more who would be playing out their twilight years at a lower level giving it back to the clubs. Not so much now
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Don't worry Jimbo the articles don't take you seriously either.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Oddly enough the Reds went backwards in his first two seasons too. That middle season must have been a cracker.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Dunno you reckon they do exit interviews at the Reds ?
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
That’s a really important thought Jacko. It’s not acceptable to only have one or two top coaches at their five teams at any given time over the past however many years.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Popeye’s real name was Frank Fiegel.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
This story is a joke isn't it? The Reds drew in regular time against the Hurricanes in Wellington then lost in extra time due to the inexperience of the home town ref. The week before this they smashed NSW who just beat the Crusaders. Conversely, the Brumbies were thrashed last weekend. The Reds produce the bulk of Australia's rugby talent, have Ballymore as a cash cow and have made a profit the last three years in a row with healthy spectators attending Suncorp Stadium, Australia's fortress. The Brumbies are constantly broke, have no fans, play almost no rugby and cannot seriously hope to improve their situation without major overhauls and another financial bail out by RA. I can't take articles like this seriously - the Brumbies have so many problems they're essentially a basket case.
scrum
Roar Rookie
And that’s where really fine judgment is required. Thorn certainly contributed to the Reds program but there is no denying the Reds went backwards in his last 2 seasons. And he punted Slipper over cocaine use. Slipper was going thru a tough time and I do not condone drugs but he is clearly no loose cannon. Because Thorn lost a relative due drugs he had zero tolerance rather than looking at a case by case basis he took a black and white approach. Looking at Slipper post that incident Thorn clearly made a bad decision., And it appears by the end he had lost the playing group.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Because of Thorn's coaching, or the standards he demanded?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Also just being honest. Nice for a change in Australian rugby!
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Also because of work and family demands competing with much more intensive training, and injury risks, means players retire earlier. The days of 4 or 5 1st grade centurions turning out each week in a game long gone.
piru
Roar Rookie
While I’m sure that people who live there find reasons to enjoy being there, from the outside there’s very little to recommend moving there. Fittingly diplomatic mate
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
The hemoraging of players under Thorn was a concern. Tupou (amongst others) would have been handy to have on Sunday. Be good if the Reds can also keep hold of players over the next few seasons.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Ironic that someone could look at an article about long term planning and immediately reply with a comment about a single weekend...
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Part of the reason for Brumbies continuity is that players have already committed to a certain level by going to Canberra in the first place. While I'm sure that people who live there find reasons to enjoy being there, from the outside there's very little to recommend moving there. If a young NSW, QLD or other, player commits to the Brumbies program they're giving up access to their family and friend network and probably giving up the potential for bigger money. That choice is more likely to correlate to people that will trust in the system and stay for a long time even if they're not getting on the field early. You can compare and contrast with how a Beale or Cooper or O'Connor actively pushed their involvement from the earliest possible moment. Having a core group that has committed to the system is combined with a smaller, more targetted recruitment system. The ACT and surrounding areas provide a catchment area but the Brumbies also get 2nd pick of the others states. QLD and NSW have a continual conveyor belt of players coming to compete for spots. Those states, particularly NSW, seem to have a sink or swim mentality to some extent. If a particular player doesn't show early promise and continual development (or knows the right people/has the right backers) then they're cast aside. The Brumbies don't have that luxury so are forced to take a more developmental stance. The other major factor is key personnel, such as Lord Laurie. The continuity these people have provided, continuously forcing new players to build their fundamentals, has leant stability and solidity. The IP of Fisher alone, but especially if combined with the experience of Schmidt and Kiss, used properly could help set this type of foundation at a national level.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
As others have said, this really highlights the need for a Tier between SRP and SS/HC. One where up and comers can play more games against good quality players...and one where coaches can hone their craft and become good coaches. An NRC would be great to keep coaches like Brad Thorn engaged and help him learn how to get the most out of players and teams.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Mainly I think because the Shute Shield is not a development level competition. The players in this competition aren't able to develop above a certain low level because that's the level of the rugby played there.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Nice article and some good research there. Interesting comment on the management of players and with no 3rd tier to introduce them to the level above club they need to be managed well to ensure success. Far too often we've seen the "next best thing" start and fail. As you correctly point out the way they are managed and introduced is critical and it's good to ss at least some doing it right. Unfortunately, the myopic thinking of the boards of these Franchises don't seem to allow for development and this can be a large part of the problem. They seem to want instant results and then apply absolutely dumb pressure, such as telling Coleman he's got 4 games to prove himself, and then wonder why so many fail. Let's hope they take this lesson on board. Not holding my breath though.