Click
here to receive The Rolling Maul via e-mail
Martin Johnson: good man, bad news
There was never a worst-kept secret, of course, and there have never been so
many newspapers all claiming that they were first to reveal that Martin
Johnson had been offered the whole shooting match and total control as
England supremo, and was seriously considering it. Hard luck to all our
rivals, better luck next time.
One thought strikes me however, when supporting totally the arrival of the
great man. It is time for all elite career coaches to re-set their sights.
From now on, being the best coach in the country will not bring you the
national job.
Brian Ashton lacked the modern-day essentials for the role - he was quiet,
restrained, he was unhappy with the media, and mixed messages were
transmitted to his team and coaching staff. He admitted to his own
shortcomings when asking for a team manager to sort out all the bits he
didn't like.
The national coach now needs so much more, and actual coaching experience can
become an optional add-on. Johnson may well be able to coach very well; I am
positive that he is the man. But authority, power, demeanour and even
physical stature are now pre-requisites. Badges and certificates and even
trophies, are not.
Six Nations Friday madness
You could say that no-one cares any more. But the fixtures came out today for
the RBS Six Nations 2009 and revealed that France will play Wales in what
may well be the deciding match on a Friday night at 9pm French time. Friday
night.
Some nameless suit from the Six Nations says that this builds on the success
of Friday night games in the World Cup - a grisly non-sequitur if ever there
was one - and even then, I have never met anyone who likes Friday night
rugby.
Do we just give in? Are we as followers of the game now so downtrodden that we
hardly care that television is crucifying the joy of attending live rugby?
The local hero
Many of you spend far longer than you really should in organizing, coaching,
refereeing and supporting rugby for young people. I don't think I have ever
felt quite as bad about the game as when rising from bed at 4 o'clock on a
freezing French morning after a Heineken Cup match to check in at 5 to get
that horrible 6am flight out of Toulouse to be in London at 8 to get to a
frozen touchline at 10. Remarkably, the whole thing was worth it when one
player did one thing I had worked on in training.
No doubt everyone in the game below senior level has far more stories of
sacrifice than I, and realises just how much hard work it entails. The
Really Useful Person was the development officer for your locality appointed
by the National Union. The RFU, WRU and SRU always seemed to have lots of
them. In my experience they varied wildly in terms of ability, but they were
comforting, committed, handy and a focal point, and were a god-send for
clubs and schools
Am I right in believing that in these days, when so much is channelled into
the elite, when players are identified nonsensically early instead of being
allowed to get on and play and love it, when so much resource is thrown at
the top end, that our local development officers are suffering, that numbers
are fewer and central commitment waning? I hope Johnno gets a fortune to
play with his England team but I also hope that keen young thrusters still
arrive bearing kit, balls, posters, time and enthusiasm to rally the grass
roots troops. They do a magnificent job. I hope your local lads are still
out there.
What do you think? E-mail Stephen at rollingmaul@thetimes.co.uk
with your opinion and he'll reply to the best of the letters next week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>LIST OF THE WEEK<<<<<
Rugby's finest (most laborious?) clichés: those horribly-fascinating and yet
hoary old traditions we loved decades ago and are terrified to let go.
1. The Twickenham Car Park
The champers is on ice, the port is uncorked. Well, in fact it isn't, that was
years ago, and the rump of the old toffee-nosed roisterers is looking
forlorn.
2. Munster's Fields of Athenry
Get a new song lads. All that "give-it-a-lash" tripe, droning singing and the
pompous slogans posted at Thomond are so last century.
3. The Test-week media briefings
Oh great! There's a pre-match press conference today at which Phil Vickery,
Brian O'Driscoll, Ryan Jones or Jason White are going to say ... absolutely
nothing.
4. Telling-off for the crowd
All right, all right. I know that it's all jolly nice to be able to hear a pin
drop when a kicker is preparing. But do we have to be subjected to the
pompous PA announcer gravely intoning his admonishment to the supporters and
declaring the end of the world, just because somebody coughed when someone
kicked for goal. Why don't we all demand silence for the scoring pass as
well?
5. We are the champions. Shame!
Can't we dispense with the horrible, samey presentation ceremonies where six
blokes bring on a dodgy podium, everyone wastes champagne, incongruous
fireworks greet the hosting of the trophy and there is another mini-podium
over the other side for sponsors' photos, as We are the Champions blasts
out, cringingly loud. These days they call for an over-excited ceremony if
someone wants to hand over an egg cup.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Stephen Jones Debate
From Brian Browne: Huw Turner made an interesting comparison of the tribal
intensity and joy of this week's Heineken Cup against the insipid
"nobody-cares franchise against franchise" affairs of the S14.
I don't know whether Brian has ever experienced NZ rugby but I would
dispute the "nobody-cares franchise" comment. Growing up in Christchurch I
certainly cared a lot about both Canterbury and, with the advent of Super
14, the Crusaders! However, I don't think NZ has ever had, or ever will
have, the same outward tribal intensity as you find in England. It is a
cultural difference that many people in this country are perhaps not aware
of. In NZ we have a small population base to support our game, and in
today's climate with more and more sports competing for the public's
entertainment spend, rugby inevitably suffers. Despite this, 34,000 people
attended the recent Crusaders v Hurricanes match and 18,000 watched
Crusaders v Warratahs in a stadium with one side under construction. Do you
not find it tiresome to keep harping on about "our competition is better
than your competition"? Can't we all just get along? Reuben Casey
SJ: Very fair point, Reuben, and no-one could ever deny the fervency of our
home city and province. I would point out that in England there is far more
competition for sporting attention than New Zealand could ever dream of - we
have this thing called football and one or two people quite like it.
Different cultures but both to be respected, as you say.
"The 2005 All Blacks ... were never world class" - Stephen Jones. I'm
interested to know what definition of world class is being applied here. In
2005-07 the All Blacks swept all before them. We haven't seen a world class
Lions team since the 70s and the 2003 England World Cup side is perhaps the
only world class team to come from the Six Nations in the past 30 years.
DaveMc, Nice, France
SJ: Definition of world class could be that you reach the final of the
World Cup now and again.
"The 2005 All Blacks ... were never world class" - Stephen Jones. In 2005,
the All Blacks whitewashed the touring British and Irish Lions 3-0 in the
Test series, won the Tri Nations and achieved a second grand slam over the
home nations. They also swept the major IRB year-end awards, collecting
trophies for Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and Player of the Year. The
All Blacks were nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the
Year in 2006 for their 2005 performance. What more can a poor boy do? John,
Dunedin
SJ: And happily for the rest of the world those results you mention against
feeble teams persuaded the All Blacks that they were far better than they
were.
Your constant statements about the superiority of English and Northern
Hemisphere rugby are amusing, but not particularly accurate. England have
played the All Blacks 29 times, won six (twice since rugby went professional
in 1995) and lost 22. The Lions have played the All Blacks 34 times, won six
and lost 26. Northern Hemisphere nations have won one World Cup, Southern
Hemisphere sides have won five. JE, London
SJ: I did say commercial superiority and standard of product - that is, no
rows and rows and rows of empty seats.
Is there a petition where rank and file rugby supporters and players can
voice their objection to the ELVs and, if not, are you prepared to sponsor
one/get one rolling? We, the supporters and grass roots players are the
lifeblood and the cash behind the global game - we should have a say don't
you think? Chris Hutchings
SJ: Yes Chris. The RFU is launching one and it will be covered in the
Sunday Times this Sunday. I think it is somewhere where you can voice your
concerns. My view is that all our interests are being blatantly ignored.
I understand that you don't rate Irish rugby. I'm also pretty sure you get
a kick out of upsetting Irish fans and reading their horrified replies. But
sometimes you just have to give a team due credit. How do you justify a
claim that Munster would finish mid table at best in the Premiership?
"Because they would have to play 28 top class full-on games every year", you
say - would you really consider Leeds, Worcester, Harlequins, Saracens,
Bristol and Newcastle top class? Munster are constantly in the top four of
the Celtic League with or without their international players, often playing
against teams who are closer to full strength than themselves. So there must
be depth there. You rate the Premiership higher than the Celtic League for
intensity and quality of opposition and so do I. But this does not
necessarily mean that the best of the Celtic League is inferior to the
equivalent in the Premiership. The only way to gauge the strength of the top
teams is when they meet, ie. in the Heineken Cup. And I believe that
Munster's record there speaks for itself. You might reply that Munster's
level of intensity against Gloucester could not be maintained over 28 games.
I agree. The point is, however, that it would not need to be. Over the years
they have always done enough to win. I would wager that if you looked back
over the Munster games you previewed through the Heineken Cup years you
would find that for the majority you tipped the opposition to win, and for
the majority you were wrong. How long can you keep underestimating a team
before you stand back and see the wood for the trees? Keep writing
provocative, entertaining copy and I for one will keep reading, no matter
how blinkered you can occasionally be! Eamonn Dunne, Limerick.
SJ: Eamonn, I am afraid that your reasoned argument is totally let down by
a lack of appreciation of what is happening here. People who have never
experienced the Premiership have no idea of what it takes - you mention a
string of teams you do not rate. I can tell you that it is hellish to try to
win at Worcester, and they are bottom but one. Say, then a fortnight after
that you have to go to Harlequins, then a fortnight after to Bristol, then
Saracens, then Newcastle. No days off for Test weeks. It is ferocious stuff
and I repeat, Munster would need to buy 12 players - and four props - to
even begin to compete.
When are you going to stop your petty vendetta against Irish rugby teams
and in particular, Munster? You singularly fail to acknowledge when teams
like Munster produce quality performances year in and year out in the
Heineken Cup. There was more grudging comment on Munster's fine win against
Gloucester and a comment in the Sunday Times about how the Ospreys would
have won convincingly against Munster. Boo-hoo, they are out and Munster
will go on to win the competition again and begrudgers like your good self
may finally eat some of the spiteful nonsense you've written over the last
number of years. David Linehan, London
SJ: Why stop when you are enjoying yourself so much?
In sport as in life you play the hand you are dealt. Munster play in the
atrocious Magners League because that is the unfortunate lot of the Irish,
Welsh and Scottish clubs. This is a tournament that lacks any bite or
structure. Leinster will, barring a calamity, win again this year. The
reality is that for Munster the tournament which matters above all else is
the European Cup. Were Munster to suddenly find themselves in the
Premiership, there are a number of certainties: none of the sides would
relish the away fixture and Munster would adapt as they have to their
current situation and be more than competitive. Let's not take anything away
from the phenomenon that is Munster in Europe. The commitment of the
players, staff and followers is total and they have done more than any other
to make this tournament a compelling alternative to Super 14. Harvey Twomey,
Hong Kong
SJ: Toulouse? Wasps? Leicester?
I read with dismay your grudging article on the EDF final. No doubt if
Leicester had won there would have been dancing in the streets of their
region. Leicester is by far the largest, richest and well supported team in
that part of England and have many supporters all over the country. Please
stop going on about the Welsh regions. Leicester were poor, yet it never
seemed to cross your mind that a mere Welsh mish-mash of a team could
out-play, out-think and out-muscle one of the best teams in England. The
Ospreys were fitter, defended beyond the gain line and did not allow the
Tigers to play. That is why they won. Also, do you know of any website that
we, the unheard fans, can write to express our opinion on the ELVs? Who in
their right mind would want to get rid of moments like the assault on the
Ospreys line by Leicester, its defence, or a maul and an eight-man shove?
Peter Brown, Bridgend
SJ: Peter, as stated above, the RFU are about to launch their own website
on which you can attack the monstrosity of the ELVs. Perhaps the WRU might
do the same. Sorry, but Leicester were tragically bad.
Freddie Michalak might be the darling of Toulouse, but I wouldn't think
that he is the darling of most of France. He might be bankable to sponsors
and he can play some decent rugby at times, but I have rarely seen such an
arrogant and self-centred person. He misses the French jersey? That's a
strange thing to say by someone who made many public statements before the
World Cup even ended. On French TV he openly criticized Bernard Laporte. He
has also said that he was excited to be given the opportunity to play the
super 14 in South Africa, because at least THEY know how to play rugby. I
hope he stays in Durban and that no Guinness Premiership club will be
foolish enough to recruit anybody who puts his own persona before his team's
needs. Maybe what he misses most is the so-called fame that comes with
wearing a "Les Bleus" jersey. Anne Laboulais, Paris, France
SJ: Anne, my French colleagues would agree 100 per cent with your incisive
commentary on Freddie. It does seem that teams find it hard to absorb him
into their collective.
Michalak was never my first choice number 10, mainly because I find his
kicking out of hand sub-par at international level. In defence, however,
I've never seen him shy away from a tackle. He is a very committed defender.
He misses the odd tackle but so does Carter and even Wilkinson. But to hint
he has an "inability to defend" is ludicrous. As for your comments on the
S14 and the ELVs, I've been watching the eight first rounds and it's some of
the best rugby I have ever seen. The role and importance of the scrum has
increased as it has become a potent attacking platform. Teams will choose it
time and again over a quick tap to wear opposition down. But perhaps your
idea of a good rugby game is a mud-fest played at 2mph ending with a 6-3
score. Boris, Singapore
SJ: Yes, Boris, it is, when compared to a load of silly pap played in front
of dramatically declining crowds.
This year's S14 has been dominated by dogmatic defence, even more cynical
slowing of the ball and forwards all over the show. I would have thought
that Freddie Michalak would have been right at home after years on this
rugby diet. On the ELVs, don't kid yourself that they are being pushed as
the saviour of anyone's game here. With the exception of the new offside
line at scrums, which serve to enhance them as the rightful attacking weapon
they are, they are a complete yawn-fest and have given cynical coaches even
more opportunity to kill the game. RobP, Auckland
SJ: Opinions differ as to the five yard line, Rob. I have heard top coaches
praising it and castigating it, and I am afraid others are yawning too.
As an antidote to your list of who should not have moved into midfield, I
offer one player who has benefited from the switch significantly: Luke
McAllister played his age-grade rugby at five before Graham Henry took him
on New Zealand's 2004 end of year tour as a 10. Fortunately, injury
prevented him from playing, he reverted to 12 for the Blues and is now
flourishing one further out for Sale where his flair and addiction to
"experimentation" (high risk chip kicks) can be accommodated. Others must be
able to think of more - didn't Gavin Henson at one point hanker after the
pivot role? What a waste that would have been! Christopher Croft
SJ: Well I suppose I would have to say that the two excellent cases you
have produced to disprove my argument must be the exceptions which prove the
rule, Christopher!
Maybe Ronan O'Gara would have been a better player sooner in the Guinness
Premiership but more likely he would have languished on the bench for years
watching guys from NZ or Australia playing in his position. David, Kettering
SJ: Yes, true.
"The Argentina problem is teeth-grindingly frustrating. I suppose the
Churchill Cup is a start but there never seems to be the will to make the
grand gesture" - Stephen Jones. The SANZAR nations all offered a Test to
Argentina during the Tri Nations tournament, although they would not be
formally included as an official participant. The reason these Tests will
not go ahead is because the Argentina players will not be released from
their European clubs. The ball is clearly in the court of the European
clubs. Mike Kingan, Southampton
SJ: So you feel that all the Puma professional players in Europe should not
have any break whatsoever between the seasons, and should play 12 months a
year? I assure you that the SANZAR nations knew exactly what they were doing
when they made their empty offer.
After years of searching, I finally found a DVD with the Barbarians v All
Blacks 1973. Still a fantastic match, but is it me or does the game look
really unsophisticated? Aidan Lavin
SJ: It's not you, Aidan! Sorry to everyone at this point. But for me, that
game was never that great and I don't have The Try in my top five.
This area of the e-mail is reserved for your views and boos. E-mail Stephen at rollingmaul@thetimes.co.uk
and he'll either agree, disagree, add some insight or come back firing...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>HERO OF THE WEEK<<<<<
Harry Ellis, Leicester.
Good old Harry. Not only is he coping with top rugby again after a long injury
absence, but he is also looking conspicuously sharp. However, none of this
is as impressive as his magnificent attempt to carry out Leicester's obvious
game plan against the Ospreys in the EDF final last week. My spies tell me
that the plan was up on the wall of the team room. Harry, it read, will play
the Ospreys on his own.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The week in 60 seconds
Thursday:
JOHNSON
SACRIFICES CASH FOR GLORY
Brian Ashton is consulting his lawyers as the talismanic former captain begins
new era as England manager
Report by Mark Souster
BACK
TO BASICS AS JOHNSON SEARCHES FOR CORNERSTONES OF PAST FEATS
Questions will come thick and fast for manager striving to restore the
qualities that his England side once took for granted
Report by David Hands
GREAT
PLAYER WHO COULD BE A GREAT COACH - BUT DECISION IS STILL A PUNT
The appointment of Martin Johnson is an educated gamble. He has never been a
manager, so can his qualities make him a good one?
Report by Owen Slot
Wednesday:
JOHNSON
EMBARKS ON FASCINATING JOURNEY
The interest now will be to see whether, initially, the new England manager
appears to be conservative or whether he has a radical streak
Comment by David Hands
ASHTON
TREATED SHABBILY BY RFU
The former England coach has useful years left in him as a coach but it is
hard to see him accepting employment with the union again
Comment by David Hands
JOHNSON
MAY WANT KEY ROLE FOR MALLINDER IN ENGLAND'S COACHING TEAM
The Northampton director of rugby is a front-runner for a job as backs coach
in the new set-up while Mike Catt is also targeted by the RFU
Report by Owen Slot
FULL
RFU STATEMENT ON JOHNSON APPOINTMENT
The RFU are pleased to announce that Martin Johnson CBE has been appointed as
England Team Manager with effect from July 1, 2008
Tuesday:
ASHTON
DISTRACTED AS BATTLE FOR PLAY-OFFS ENTERS CRUCIAL STAGE
A meeting tomorrow of the RFU's management board could decide whether Brian
Ashton has a future as national head coach
Report by David Hands
Monday:
HARLEQUINS
REACH DIZZY HEIGHTS TO BOOST PLAY-OFF PROSPECTS
Leeds Carnegie 6 Harlequins 32: the London side record their seventh win in
eight games to close in on leaders Gloucester
Report by John Westerby
Sunday:
MATTERS
OF THE LAW
People throughout British rugby think the experimental laws that could soon be
coming to Europe will jeopardise the professional game
Report by Stephen Jones
PREMIERSHIP
CLUBS RALLY AGAINST FLAWED THINKING
The shambolic Super 14 competition will not be rugby as we know it and is
pushing the game towards another global crisis
Analysis by Stuart Barnes
GLADIATOR
JOHNSON FACES BATTLE TO RE-ESTABLISH RESPECT
The supremo-in-waiting possesses a massive rugby intellect and, despite his
lack of experience, is on the path to success
Analysis by Jeremy Guscott
OSPREYS
TAME WOEFUL TIGERS
Leicester 6 Ospreys 23: Ospreys dominate possession and territory against
Tigers who offered a laughable challenge
Report by Stephen Jones
Saturday:
JONES
LOOKS TO TWICKENHAM FACTOR TO LIFT HIS FALLEN OSPREYS
Defeat in the Heineken Cup was a shock to the Welsh region and the Ospreys
coach wants revenge in their rerun with Leicester
Report by David Hands
Friday:
WALES
BREATHE SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER EDWARDS DECIDES TO STAY
Wasps head coach signs three-year deal to remain with grand slam champions as
Lions announce their South Africa dates
Report by David Hands
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Things you need to know about rugby: No11
FIXTURE PILE-UP CLIPS LIONS' CLAWS
Everyone is blaming each other for the utter farce of a fixture list that has
the Lions playing their first tour game in South Africa on the same day that
the Guinness Premiership final takes place back home. The South Africans say
that the tour had to be moved to avoid a big soccer event; the RFU say that
there had to be enough time after the tour to give the players their proper
rest; PRL say that they thought that the tour could be later and the rest
period be slightly fudged. What we know for sure is that the Lions' chances
are already in jeopardy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66-1
The odds Ladbrokes bookmakers are offering on Martin Johnson to beat Sir Clive
Woodward's record of 23 consecutive England wins at Twickenham.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spread the word. It's like pyramid selling, but without the hassle or money.
Click on the following link if you (or your friends) want to subscribe to this
newsletter.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suggestions, fan mail and complaints: rollingmaul@thetimes.co.uk
