League Can Teach Union?

Eales: What league can teach union

JOHN EALES

Last updated 15:16 15/04/2013

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CHANGE OF CODE: League convert Israel Folau hopes to line out for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions.

OPINION: In the 1970s, although he never specified any particular hierarchy, one of the old Marist Brothers at my school used to list three evils in the world: rugby league, communism and Christian Brothers. With regards to rugby league, it was a typical attitude of union supporters of the time and had been since Dally Messenger led a professional exodus from union to league in 1908.

Today, however, while competitive tension remains, there is a respect and reasonably open and willing exchange between the codes. The air cleared in 1995 when the International Rugby Board, almost begrudgingly, declared rugby union an "open" (read "professional") game. Barriers broke down and fattened calves ran scared as prodigal sons returned home.

Aside from the playing talent, one of the main benefits of this interaction has been the league coaches who have made their imprints on successful union teams.

As a 30-man Wallaby squad, including league convert Israel Folau, gathered in Sydney on the weekend to prepare for the coming British and Irish Lions series, Wallaby success may be enhanced by taking another leaf out of league's book, specifically the State of Origin.

There are certain similarities between the Wallabies' preparation and those of the State of Origin teams. They both face three-match series with team members who haven't played under those colours for over six months; they are played in an intense cauldron of fanatical fans and all eyes will be upon them.

Typically the Wallabies have approached June with a squad mentality to build for the more notable internationals that follow. But from Australian rugby's perspective this is easily the most important stand-alone, three-test series since the last Lions series in 2001. And as in 2001, the last time the Lions toured, the Wallabies will be precariously underdone, so they have to make up for it in some other manner. That's why they can turn to league and, perhaps more specifically, Queensland's preparation for a typical Origin series.

There are five main lessons from Origin for the Wallabies in their abbreviated preparation.

Build the occasion. The occasion of Origin is always front and centre and likewise the rarity of this series cannot be lost on the players. In over 100 years the Wallabies have only triumphed once in a series against ­the Lions. I'd be tempted to break with tradition and build the occasion by inviting the injured David Pocock as the classic Wallaby to address the team and present the jerseys before the first match. Typically that is an honour bestowed on retired Wallabies but Pocock's misfortune could help sharpen the accountability of the occasion.

Build certainty in selections. The Wallabies will have a three-week camp in the lead-up to the first test and, unlike Robbie Deans' strategy in the past, I'd be making it clear to the squad right from the outset who my starting side was. By all means keep the outside world guessing, but make the most of that time to overcome the absence of a trial and build combinations.

Lean to experience. I'm not suggesting the form book be thrown out the window but, as the Queensland Maroons have shown, the fact you've done it before means you are highly likely to be able to do it again. That may seem desperately unfair for the likes of potential debutants like Jesse Mogg or Matt Toomua, and I'm certainly not advocating their omission, but their inclusion or that of other newcomers must be balanced with experience. In this scenario the tempting selection of George Smith isn't as far-fetched as Alfie Langer being summoned by Wayne Bennett from England after his Australian retirement. The difficulty with Smith's selection is in two parts: it sets a dangerous precedent in selecting players contracted outside Australia, thereby removing one of the biggest carrots for Australians to play their rugby in Australia; and two, both Michael Hooper and Liam Gill are outstanding and in-form aspirants.

Be unambiguous about the game plan. Again, while the opposition may speculate, there can be no uncertainty among the team as to the Wallabies' tactics and each player's accountabilities. Most of the infrastructure and game style should be agreed among the coaching staff and key players by now. This allows the build-up for each test to focus on the subtleties which will be revealed by the Lions in their preliminary matches.

Finally, it has to be fun. A recent McKinsey Quarterly article by Andrew St George entitled Leadership Lessons from the Royal Navy posited that cheerfulness counts: "No one follows a pessimist and cheerfulness is a choice. It has long been understood to influence happiness at work and therefore productivity." It's also contagious.

I could think of nothing more cheerful and productive than a series victory in July and if it takes inspiration from rugby league, then that is fine as well.

John Eales is a World Cup-winning former captain of the Wallabies. 

Aging Stars

Older All Blacks may be on borrowed time

RICHARD KNOWLER

Last updated 05:00 13/04/2013

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THE BEST: Even the great Richie McCaw cannot be sure of his place at the World Cup in 2015.

Grizz Wyllie is well-placed to provide an insight into the difficulties Steve Hansen faces when discarding senior All Blacks.

Head coach Hansen this week admitted he doesn't expect some of his veterans, a number who make-up the team's leadership group, to last until the 2015 World Cup.

Former All Blacks coach Wyllie, who was in charge between 1988-91 and controversially axed captain Buck Shelford in the year prior to the 1991 World Cup, said ending a player's test career was one of the most unpleasant parts of being the boss.

"You have got to make-up your mind to do it. That's it - because in the end you have to pick the team you think will be the best," Wyllie said.

"It's not always that damned easy because sometimes a guy can be playing well and in a short of space of time, from one season to the next, they can lose form completely. And that is a decision that is not at all easy."

In the aftermath of Wyllie's All Blacks losing their World Cup semifinal to the Wallabies there were fiery debates about whether he should have culled senior representatives such as Gary and Alan Whetton and Steve McDowall prior to the tournament.

Hansen will be wary of being sucked into a similar situation in 2015.

Last year Hansen, who this week had his New Zealand Rugby Union contract extended until 2015, toured Italy and the United Kingdom with a squad containing nine players in their 30s.

The advancing years of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith have raised doubts as to whether they can retain form through to the next global tournament.

That Hansen needs to start planning for the future is not going to blow back anyone's hair.

A number of the senior players are likely to become casualties around the selection table, Wyllie emphasised: "I think that is pretty obvious - a good half-dozen won't (make it to the World Cup)."

Hansen already appears resigned to the task of making some unpleasant phone calls to unwanted players.

One of the qualities Hansen's players admire most is his honesty; they recognise he is the boss but appreciate that he offers genuine answers during private discussions and that they can chat about issues outside rugby over a beer or coffee.

That close bond may be broken if they disagree with Hansen's reasons for dumping them and Wyllie acknowledged that makes the job of sacking loyal servants even harder.

"Well, you do have to show a tough streak. It's a bit like running a business I suppose. If you have got clients that are not paying you - then you don't keep supplying them do you?"

Last year Ali Williams' international future was being questioned by All Blacks supporters after a lacklustre campaign with the Blues.

But Hansen stuck with the veteran lock, preferring to utilise his vast experience alongside Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Brodie Retallick.

This season he may re-think that strategy; despite the 31-year-old Williams' form with the Blues surpassing last year's standards Hansen may want Whitelock to handle the senior locking responsibilities.

"There are other good locks around - so he (Williams) has got to play well," Wyllie noted.

"You have got those guys coming through. It is all right having experience on the bench but once you have got your top-two guys you have got to have a younger guy on the bench as well."

Hansen also appears to have boxed clever by admitting some of the old guard will not survive through to the next World Cup; he has publicly put his most senior men on notice and in doing so has warned All Blacks fans to expect to see some changes.

The downside is he needs to remain true to this mantra.

"And he's got plenty of time," Wyllie said. "Even up to six months out from the World Cup, he has still got time."

A number of All Blacks have failed to fire during for their Super Rugby franchise, something Wyllie has noted.

He refused to poke a digit at individuals but has been disappointed the Highlanders, who promised plenty when Jamie Joseph convinced Woodcock and Nonu to leave the Blues, have fizzled.

"I think it is pretty obvious what happened there is they have brought in a lot of experience and perhaps they are getting paid so it doesn't really matter.

"But once they get into the All Blacks it is different - if they get dropped from there, which they can do because there are a surplus of people around to take places, then they have got to play to the best of their ability.

"There is going to be a time when they don't perform there (at Super Rugby level) and they go to step-up (to the All Blacks) and they won't be able to perform. And then a decision will have to be made."

Public opinion, through the media, website forums or otherwise, can also send some powerful messages to those players who may think their underwhelming displays will not be noted.

"The media help make decisions too. What I am saying is that the media say so-and-so is not playing up to his best then the players read it and start looking at themselves and say ‘hell, what is happening? Or you hope they would'."

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