INSPIRATION CHRIS LATHAM STYLE!

Added Saturday 12/01/2008

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Attended Reds training on Thursday 10/01/2008,  over there at Ballymore.  Now I better watch what I say or I won't be allowed back to training runs again,  so no controversy,  but some pennies dropped at this training session,  and the session highlighted just how important Chris Latham is to rugby in this state and country.  There should have been more done to keep him,  and while most of you will probably already be aware of it,  here are my reasons why.

The uneducated,  casual observer on Thursday night would have thought,  and would have been fully excused for thinking,  that the opposed 15 on 15 session at the latter stages of training was considerably more important a match than in reality it was.

Chris Latham's intensity at training was just like his intensity in a match,  full on,  non stop,  screaming instructions from the back.  Make no mistake,  he isn't biding his time in 2008 while he awaits paydirt in England. 

We've always known he is a dam fine player,  and usually my attitude to older guys leaving is so be it,  they are past their prime.  This guy though is an exception,  and one that the QRU and ARU would have done well to recognize as a possible mentor to many,  in the separation of remuneration and passion.

While I am sure that the money is very important to him,  he is doing something that he enjoys doing,  and doing it at full throttle.  I made the comment to one of the coaching staff who shot back "well he is not the best in the world for nothing",  but I see more than that.  Not sure how to put it into words,  but he is someone you want in your team.  I've always been a believer,  and I try to pass it on to those I coach at my lowly level,  that the way you train will be replicated in your play.  If Thursday night just gone is any indication,  Chris Latham is bound for a bumper season.  Let's surely hope so for this boy from Narrabri,  that started playing rugby to get out of a bit more school,  at least that is how folklore has recorded it.

A big incident at training on Thursday night,  during this opposed session.  A bomb was put up,  right near where I was standing,  and Latham went up for one of those Latham takes,  he leapt high,  and actually missed the ball as an unknown follower took his legs out and he smashed down right on the back of his neck,  very,  very badly.  I didn't  think he was going to get up, it was very ugly,  I thought even a broken neck.  You could have heard a pin drop,  as at first we saw him move,  good sign number one,  then sit up,  number 2,  then stand up,  and I am sure the support staff would have been saying "sit down and have a rest, get some ice on that",  but he shook himself out,  and trained on,  at full pelt,  at full intensity.  Most I am sure would have taken the option to sit down,  have a drink and put some ice on the neck.

I have also suggested to the Reds coaching staff (I am very sure they consider me a nuisance and wish like hell I would go away,  and soon I probably will) that they draw a long syringe of blood from Latham each week,  and store some of his exhaled air somewhere,  and lots of it,  to inject into our future players.  I feel our production line attitude to player identification and development will see Latham as one of the last of these types of passionate footballers that has kept a losing side together for many years.

Now on to my tips for the Reds starting side.  Have to say,  I like Andrew Walker,  35 or whatever,  I no longer care,  and again some of you high level coaches may dispute this,  but his ability to get himself and/or the ball to positive space is uncanny,  I saw him run it there,  I saw him pass it there with the next guy being able to cart forward,  and I saw him kick it there,  chase it to where it was,  regather  it,  take the contact and recycle it,  all at some degree of pace.  He would start in my side early in the season,  probably on the wing.  One astute observer would like to see Andrew Walker start at 10,  my feeling is that 10 would take away his greatest asset,  his space running,  and give him far too many decisions to make.

David Croft,  well he is just another Chris Latham,  everything done at high pace,  full intensity,  no respite.  He is without doubt a linchpin and crucial element to success,  as is his backup.  the punishment he puts his body through will surely see game time for his replacement/s.

For what it is worth,  and it is not worth much and there are a couple of trial games coming up that may see some injured,  here is the side I would start,  and we will have a go at the bench too,  what the hell,  a bit of fun,  and gives you all something to talk about at the water cooler.

1. Greg Holmes

2. Stephen Moore

3. Rodney Blake

4. Van Humphries (He is old,  experienced and reasonably tough)

5. James Horwill

6. Hugh McMeniman  If this guy lasts the season,  I will be surprised,  his backup also critical.

7. David Croft

8. John Roe

9. Sam Cordingley

10. Berrick Barnes

11.  Digby Ioane

12. Christian Siale

13. Morgan Turinui

14. Andrew Walker

15. Chris Latham

16. Sean Hardman (hooker),  maybe Ole Avei,  I am a bit of an Ole fan.

17. Herman Hunt (prop,  looks the best of the prop reserves to me,  but needs to get very angry on the other side of that white chalk,  gee we don't look too strong in our back up props)

18. Ed O'Donoghue,  again looks think in the lock stocks,  Rob Simmons is only a boy yet.

19. Will Genia (if broken hand recovers) otherwise Ben Lucas,  Lucas also gives another 10 option.

20. Quade Cooper (covers 10,  12 and 15) my opinion is he could be a long term 15

21. Leroy Houston or AJ Gilbert,  depends on whether the lineout is considered more important than the breakdown,  interesting one,  but Croft and McMeniman to bash themsleves,  maybe the thought could be if Croft expires,  Roe would go to open side,  and Houston to the back.  We will watch this one closely.

22. Shifcoske (probably gives coverage at 13,  11,  12,  15)

Props and locks are a worry,  these guys might be good enough,  in theory,  but they are not yet tested against blokes that have been playing the level for many years,  only Blake and Holmes have.  A couple of front row injuries,  and plenty of trouble will follow.

Caleb Brown and Peter Hynes are also two top class wingers,  and one woudl think Lloyd Johannsen would be in the 12/13 mix somewhere too.  This kiddie has massive thighs and calves,  and every time I see him I still remember that TONGA in about 400 size font and with big spaces tattooed across his shoulders,  he is a big boy with some strong skills,  just needs to deliver them in pressure situations,  and I sure hope he does,  Qld will need him in 2008.

Let us all hope for the sake of Qld and Aussie rugby that Latham and Croft can inspire these guys to levels they had not yet thought of.  Aussie rugby has always been strong when Qld rugby has been strong.

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