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I am writing this because I am just a little concerned about some comments being made about our Australian Coach John Connolly.
Whilst the idea of an internet forum is to voice an opinion and I would never want to deny that here, I am concerned that some of the criticism is unfounded.
Sometimes we need to stand back and look at a situation objectively and not just take/repeat the same opinions of media hacks such as Growden.
For example…it was only yesterday when I looked back at the ages of the hooker stocks we have in Australian Rugby and realized that our own Tai McIssac was the now veteran at age 32….but with about 7 tests to his name. Now I know Connolly admires Tai for his rugby and gave him his just rewards in last years tests. But it’s now another year and I can see his reasoning in bringing on the younger brigade.
An article in last weeks paper was interviewing Drew Mitchell and one thing that stood out to me was where he said something along the lines of him having to cop the criticism of not “putting the ball out” from his kicks from behind the 25. Drew Mitchell said that he wished the commentators who were bagging him were at the pre match team meeting where it was decided and upon instructions from John Mitchell he put the ball downfield but not kick it out…now the skill to kick it that far and KEEP IT IN…is much greater then just getting it over the sideline…and I for one used to cringe when he put it downfield and it didn’t go out. But that was the Coaches order and part of the game plan and he executed it exactly. But the criticism was out there from those with the “greater opinion”
Now the thing is that we only see our beloved players in 80 minutes bursts of game time as opposed to the Coaches who see hours upon hours of training, meetings and player interaction plus pages and pages of beep test results, BOD levels and fitness results.
And while they are observing player interaction they form opinions on player that we don’t see nor understand how they wish to mould that TEAM.
Now I know there are players in the group who are world beaters on the field they might also be absolute “bastards” off field and don’t contribute to the team environment. Equally there are players who give 110% in all facets of the team but are not the best players. It’s this mix and match of players, personalities that a Coach must gel.
So while I don’t want to stop you from making criticism of John Connolly, what I am asking is that you at least treat him with RESPECT.