What is it about the pressure of expectation that can have such a negative impact on a performance, and yet, a total lack of expectation can allow a team to play at its unimaginable best?
This question takes more significance when you cast your eyes over the recent history of the Reds. The Reds have won Super rugby titles when they would not have been realistically expected to, and failed spectacularly when all indicators pointed to greatness.
It is my theory that this culture has infected the Reds and they, are unable to break from its grip.
A quick history lesson first…
Kings Park, Durban, 1994
Despite the Reds finishing top of pool A of the then Super 10 competition, the Reds went to South Africa to play Natal (now the Sharks), who had topped pool B, in the final of that year’s competition. The Reds were written off, things got worse with two horrific knee injuries to Helmut Horan and Jason Little, the result however, an historic 10-21 victory to the Reds against all expectation.
Ellis Park, Jo’burg, 1995
Again the Reds finished top of their pool and had to travel to South Africa to play Transvaal (now the Lions) in the final. Once again, the home team were un-back able favourites, and yet the Reds overcame the odds to record a stunning 16-30 victory.
Ballymore, Brisbane, 1996
It was the first time Super rugby finals had come to Brisbane and the top of the table Reds were easily expected to account for their previous bitches, Natal. This game was seen as merely a warm-up to the main target of a home final the following week. The Reds capitulated and lost 25-43 as Andre Joubert, the Rolls-Royce of fullbacks, destroyed the home team.
Ballymore, Brisbane, 1999
Again the Reds took on all comers and finished top of the Super 12 table, greatness once again beckoned but first the simple task of dispatching the Crusaders had to be done. Everyone fancied the Reds this time around after the pain of 1996 but Crusaders captain, Todd Blackadder, had a cunning plan and the Reds got rissoled 20-28
Fast forward to this season…
While the Reds circa 2009 are nowhere in the same class as the previously mentioned teams, the cycle of boom and bust is remarkably similar. Once again the Reds have played their best rugger when the odds suggested they would be well beaten, as evidenced by their first two games of the season.
Indeed, they saved their best performance of this year for when they faced the best team in the competition, the Sharks, despite being given no chance of even getting close to a victory.
The subsequent performances against the Chiefs and Force, when the season was on the line and a chance to take the next step beckoned, the Reds seemed happy to acquiesce and surrender, rather than take a chance at being great.
This week, again, against all expectations of a massive defeat, the Reds produced a rousing performance and recorded another glorious defeat, something they have specialised in doing for the last four or five seasons.
Conclusion…
The Reds have never coped with expectation of excellence in the last decade or so, a quick look through their recent history confirms this. Mediocrity is part of the culture of the Reds and it seems that everyone at the Reds is happy to hide in its security. Although they would strenuously deny this, why else has nothing changed at Ballymore for the decade?
Until such time as the QRU board and the coaching staff and players embrace the pursuit of excellence, and cast off the fear of failure, nothing will change at Ballymore and ordinary will always suffice.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2386 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=2386">6 Comments
AHHh the 90’s When life was good and Qld had one of the best rugby teams in the world. What went wrong?
Richie McCaw
The University of Queensland need to stick some Horan DNA in a petrie dish, and some Wilson, Kefu, Danny’s Herbet & Crowley and (of course) Eales cloned wouldn’t hurt either. Don’t bother with Latham; he was just a UNSW (Randwick neighbourhood) oversized Campese experiment. Ball in hand: phenomenal, tackling… Not so hot. Scientists managed to keep his foot out of his mouth though…
Gag’s aside, what wen’t wrong..? Gary Flowers & Co. Administraton on a path to nowhere. Grass roots Rugby has always been neglected in this country, and that bloke dropped the ball (pun intended) on so many other administrative issues it’s not funny.
Like the Girl Guides, Pyramid Sales, the Military and Scientology, it all comes from the top, you need leadership and solidarity. Lefty throw-away sentiments, perhaps. All is clear is some top people sat on their hands throughout that period of malaise, and nothing improved, whilst all the other nations and provinces worldwide did. We got to a period at the turn of the century where the great man was captaining, and McQueen was coaching, and the administrators sat back and waited for talent to percolate through Nudgee College and Joey’s like they always had. Not good enough. With no junior development programmes in the sport (thanks Gaz), we’re lucky someone like George Smith (and others) didn’t get grabbed by The Sea Eagles.
I loved to hate the Reds back in the day, because like the All Blacks they were too damn good. Sad to see such a dynastic organization neglected by thier own.
Any province who buys up Morgan Tirinui years past his prime (when was that, some cynics may ask) has dickheads running it. Great in Randwick and Sydney Fleet colurs but a journeyman at higher levels.
Damn sad.
The weight of expectation has long since dissipated with the Reds, having reached its nadir with Eddie Jones. However, the reality is that since that miserable season they have hardly improved one iota. They replaced a group of under achievers but how can they let slip quality players like Squeeky Moore (called the form hooker in the world by some commentators)and replace them with journeymen? What’s that achieving?
This season promised a degree of improvement but here we are again fighting for the wooden spoon. The Reds are now ‘the Cheetahs of Oz’. The young tyros that keep being selected on the promise that they’ll mature have patently not.
What’s the answer? Buying more mungos? It takes at least two seasons for them to learn how to play rugby, then they’re off to greener pastures….i.e. Del, the Pole, and I’d predict that MacLinden won’t last. Marquee players? Braid is a quality player but he’s off as well….who are we getting next – Ben Castle????? Tell you who’d be someone to target – Marty Holah. They should check to see whether he’s getting homesick or not?
What about Rupeni Caucaunabuca? Now there’s a marquee player who won’t be caught out of position….although he’s got a bit of ‘form’ he’s now back on track and a star for Agen. Can you imagine him and Diggers combining?
Alas, it’s not going to happen. There have been too many false dawns and until they get their back office sorted, start recruiting some decent talent – a few of those Western Force based Queenslanders wouldn’t go amiss, they’ll remain perennial ‘also-rans’.
The Reds dont need to recruit, we just need to not be raped by made up “provinces” who cant produce a single player of their own. If the Reds could just keep their own, then things would soon be set to rights.
In the 80’s and 90’s Queensland were probably the best provincial side in the world. NSW were a bunch of easy beat also rans, despite having the ACT to recruit from also.
That Qld side was built upon a strong pack, with field position and strong and speedy backs to finish off.
Mooney is a bit slow in understanding the joy of forward power, despite having been coached himself by Alec Evans. Hopefully he will figure that out soon and return Queensland to its rightful place at the top of Australian rugby.
I was thinking exactly the same. If you walk into a rugby car wreck of a club, what do you fix first?
You can win with a poor performing backline, not with a poor pack (see Tahs)