Written Sunday 18/03/07

SUPER 14 WEEK 7

Well Super 14 for anyone that is an Aussie has become something of a recurring nightmare,  especially an Aussie living in Qld and NSW.  It is a sorry indictment on the system of exclusivity that this system has delivered no depth,  and will continue to deliver no depth for as long as it is pursued.  Compare it to the NRL kick off on Friday night with two blockbusters,  great games,  as was the Bulldog vs Newcastle and the Dragons vs The Titans.  No single game of rugby could offer anything to compete as a spectacle with these.  And league,  well they just keep delivering kids,  big kids,  like Israel Falou on to the biggest,  toughest most physical football stage in the world today,  and he just steps up and performs.  Of course he wasn't the only new kid on the weekend,  league is growing them like apples and grapes at Stanthorpe,  via a superior,  far superior junior system.  When was the last time an Israel Falou debuted in rugby,  long,  long time ago as Don Mclean sings!

It will be a long way out of this hole,  and I feel rugby will be in decline for some time yet.  The "rugby system" just doesn't produce the talent and the depth of talent that is required.  We marvel at Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper,  but what made them like they are and why aren't we coaching everybody to play,  or to catch and pass and change direction like them?  Who coached them to this current level,  where is he or she and why isn't he or she being paid a fortune to develop other kiddies to these levels.  Fair questions,  because Aussie rugby is in some trouble,  hope they can hold out long enough to pay Tuqiri's contract out.

It is quite sad that NSW fans saw fit to boo their side on Saturday night,  that is unpleasant.  Ewen McKenzie will probably be looking for a job in about 8 weeks,  the pressure on him will be immense,  but again it is not his fault,  the system from top to bottom fails to deliver the constant stream of good footballers that are now required in this professional era.  Why can rugby league make it happen,  and why can't rugby.  Seemingly the league boys keep saying that they can't compete on a player salary front,  so that should feed through to not being able to compete on a player/junior/coach development plan. 

I have always also found that accountants and lawyers,  while they have a role in the world,  should never be given the job of running something.  apologies to all the accountants and lawyers out there but generally guys you don't manage much that well from a visionary,  going forward perspective.  Same with salespeople,  they have a vast role but struggle with a number of basic concepts.  Now I've riled up half the workforce, but that's fine,  that's where I sit on it.  QRU and ARU have had and have one of each holding the reins.

It's all a bit of a mess,  and it is a long way back up that mountain,  don't know if it can be climbed looking at the product that the NRL had on display over the weekend.  It was great,  fast,  skilful,  and physical.

Think I'll put my name down at work for some league tickets,  I think the seats will be empty for the rugby games at Suncorp coming up!

The Man at the Top of the Mountain Didn't Fall There!