THE LION'S WIN SHOWED UP THE ROLE OF COACHES, POLITICS AND BIG BUSINESS

By Wren Mast-Ingle from his website www.mi5.co.za

The Lions Currie Cup triumph at Coca Cola Park recently came as a bit of a shock when I realised I was at Ellis Park (as it will always be to me) in 1950 to watch Transvaal ‘donder’ Western Province by 22 to 11.  All of 10 years old – the previous year I had seen my first test match at the venue when Fred Allen’s team went down to the Boks in full flight with Basil Kenyon at the helm and Okey Geffin slotting all the kicks – the thrill was a great then as it was last week.

We sat on the edge of the field facing the Quinn’s Bakery building on the South side and in those days the only danger was the naarties and oranges that rained down from the stands behind us. Today with the advent of professionalism rugby has become a big money spinner with the main motivation of players being less for country than for more lucrative contracts and recognition so as to generate periphery income from sponsorships.

There is nothing wrong with this and the young men who take up the challenge have a relatively short window of opportunity of setting themselves up for life.  However what I find abhorrent is the whipping up of hysterical and misplaced patriotism – particularly for a national team that had so many players beyond their best years and others out of form – to ensure that the big business side of the sport did not suffer… from the selling of imitation rugby jerseys and caps (made in China of course) to luxury travel packages that included grandstand tickets.

Unfortunately the media also falls for this hook, line and sinker, never mind castigating poor selections of a coach and of players who coasted into the side and reputation alone.  But then I suppose is the case with motoring journalists who are very careful not to step on toes for fear of losing their perks, the same applies rugby writers.

Good for John Robbie for his radical approach to the next World Cup.  What he failed to point out though was that our two top sides in South Africa today are both coached by New Zealanders. And that the Lions success was for once and for all conclusive proof that tired experience is no match for raw talent and motivation as they ran over and around a Springbok-studded side.

But criticism is never valid without a positive counter-balancing input. 

Since we are in danger now, as Robbie points out of losing a generation of hero-worshippers and young boys who are inspired by winners to play rugby, I put forward my own suggestion.  Fans are a vital part of the game and the overall success of the industry in and around rugby.  This is true whether they are at the field, watching TV or buying paraphernalia.

There is not a single fan who does not fancy him or herself as a selector.  So make us collectively selectors.  Simply let us vote for one player that we feel should be selected but has not made the 30-man cut and vote one player out of the top 15.  An excellent example of this is the unfathomable selection of the re-treaded scrumhalf Pienaar who was played time and again wherever selectors could find a spot for him.

It is essential for this country that we get back to winning ways in rugby especially as our national game of soccer is unable to make any impression beyond our borders.  I have seen more coaches and players come and go than most while watching the metamorphosis of rugby into the highly skilled, professional sport it is today.  I would hate to see the passion I have and share with every other fan dissipated by poor selections determined by politics or big business alone.

More rugby stories:

http://www.mi5.co.za/2012/world-today/news-commentary/116-what-has-happened-to-our-rugby-writers

http://www.mi5.co.za/2012/world-today/news-commentary/40-it-is-not-patriotic-to-support-bafana-bafana

http://www.mi5.co.za/wrens-blog/scribes-scribbles/51-rugby-arfe-our-perceptions-wrong

http://www.mi5.co.za/wrens-blog/scribes-scribbles/50-hallowed-captain-this-is-a-dear-john-letter