Now the dust has settled and the “professional” game season has ended, here is my final post on this forum.
My “rose” tinted spectacles are still in their original wrapper so here goes.
I have mentioned these points in previous posts over the years and people, as is their right, have occasionally knocked them, yet the proof of my comments is there for all to see. To those who could argue, discuss and be rational, thank you for the interaction. I respect your views even if not agreeing with them.
This used to be an excellent set of forums but has sadly descended into a yah boo school child, boorish site with only occasional flashes of the brilliance that used to pervade the site from lots of different posters. Now, sadly, just like the game, it’s for the few.
To those whose only retort was personal abuse, well you lost the second you started down that route. The best part is that you are too stupid to realise just how stupid you are. (I can visualise the comments now
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So the Aussies, yet once again, eased past what was “ the best England team in ages”
Clubs are still bending over backwards to sign past it, crocked, pension seeking, holidaying Anzacs etc, using every trick they can to get round the quota rules.
Long term planning is an alien concept for the game in this country. Is anyone REALLY going to tell me that a 2nd rate Kiwi, who would struggle to get a game in the Toyota cup, was going to be the best available “English” half back, this time last year? All the “experts” were going for Danny (revolving door) Brough.
Clubs have now decided that the much, initially, trumpeted British coaching development scheme is rubbish so bend over backwards to find non proven 2nd rate coaches from down under whilst totally ignoring those who have succeeded in the scheme.
To compound the situation, who will be the next “english” coach to coach England when McNamara has gone?
To the “expert” coaches out there, you will never convince me that a player can run very far with his legs wrapped up and his body on the ground after being tackled round the legs.
There is another key difference regarding coaching and being coached in this country and Aus/NZ and that is intelligence, speed of thought and action. It is so obvious in so many cases. Players in this country can match their Anzac counterparts physically for strength and speed but only in exceptional cases are there players here who can match them in those areas. To the Anzacs it is completely the other way round. You only have to listen to them speak to the media for that become apparent. They come across as articulate, informed and bright. This cannot be said for most players in this country.
Sometimes the truth hurts.
This can be mitigated and got round by good coaching and training allied to HARD WORK. If you managed to see Brian Carney’s interview with Darren Lockyer, it was amazing just how “lucky” he was. He explained how his “luck” came about. Lesson to be learned.
So where does the game in this country go from here?
Interest in the game is spreading (despite the other code still trying to knock league), but the infrastructure is, to me, still being supported on foundations of sand in a flood plain.
Sooooooper Doooooper League clubs have, not through skill on the field in most cases, guaranteed the largest part of food in the trough and left the remains for the rest of the game. Never would I have believed that a system, where mediocrity was rewarded, could ever be a part of sporting life but once again RL has shown the way
The “Championship” has been left to fend for itself, but has “generously” been allowed to keep a small, ever thinning lifeline attached to the lifeboat just in case someone can figure out how to climb along it without it breaking.
Just have a look at the amateur league tables in the RL press. They will show you some interesting things if you can be bothered. Look at how many teams are docked points for failing to fulfil fixtures through lack of players for instance. Read the reports about who controls what and what rules stop people playing.
Years ago in my town/area there were quite a few amateur clubs, some with 2 teams and various age limit teams as well. There are now 2 none of whom actually play in the town itself. This might have something to do with facilities available that are over 50 years old to change in etc,. Who knows? What I do “KNOW” is the RFL “National Lottery Funding” help and advice line can’t cope with demand on its services yet the other code seems to cope admirably and other sports as well.
Under the leadership of an “independent body” the franchises have been given out. Plenty of people will have passed an opinion on the 26th July 2011 announcement of “improving” the game.
Yet was the decision that obvious? Outrage from the fans of the welsh club was understandable. Under different circumstances could something else have been done? Reality checks are perhaps becoming home to roost in some quarters and not before time. So who is next for the dreaded “expulsion” for not having shiny bog seats?
Wakefield were lucky not to be the scapegoats this time but others are walking a very quickly thinning tightrope. It is decisions like this that, to me, and lots of others, do the game no favours at all. Don’t people realise just how much it is costing the game? Now change is a natural part of progress but it has to be for the best of reasons. Eventually this piece of “wisdom” will become obvious to all but it can take time. Sometimes though even the best efforts miss the mark.
To those clubs who scraped through, the time for action is here now. Hopefully the clubs will heed the warnings and get off their duffs and do something. I have no doubt some will improve but the story of the emperor’s new clothes somehow seems to come to mind. Castleford will have to get their act together, along with the wildcats or they will be joint favourites for the chop next time. Keighley along with lots of clubs have stated their aim to go for a franchise in 2015 so the first shots have been sent across the bow of the next “independent body”. Others will no doubt disagree but such is life. Still, as this is my last ever post on these forums, it is a good day for me for my financial involvement with the game in this country including tv is gone except via the licence fee and paying far less to watch superior games from down under and championship games where gamesmanship is the exception rather than the standard fare.
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