Come on Fitzy, if the coaches aren't going to create improvement where are they going to improve. Oh that's right the 8 week NRC? FFS.
Compare to last night's opposition, players like Savaea couldn't pass, kick or even catch when they first came on the scene. He improved and achieved potential. How many of our players can say the same. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) for all his tests left Australia regarded as a good Wallaby but not a great, and still had fundamental flaws in his game. Folau is into his third season and still cannot kick effectively if there is anybody in cooee because of technique, Foley getting charged (AGAIN FFS) is technique.
I don't accept that it isn't up to coaches at any level.
Perhaps I didn't explain it in enough detail.
Coaches at PROFESSIONAL level should already get their cattle at a certain level of skill. They need to create an environment where that skill is honed, but they're only adding a few percent at best.
The club players who go to Super Rugby should have the raw ability and base fitness to start with. Their skill base should be of a suitable level as well, or they're in the wrong sport.
Once they go to national level, the coach there isn't going to suddenly turn them into gods. They're not rubbish to start with, after all.
At Test level, the players should be in an environment where they improve marginally on an individual level, but as a team they come together to be greater than the sum of their parts, and improve on their mental strength.
Cheika failed on the last part. But is he supposed to run kicking clinics? Passing clinics? High ball clinics? Restart clinics?
He's meant to get that group of players into a team, pointing in the same direction. They're meant to be good enough to make the team in the first place.
The teamwork is the coach's fault. The execution is the player.