Super 14: Shooting ourselves in the foot?

The New Zealand Super 14 sides announced their squads in December. Yes, December. Meaning that two months before the start of the tournament the coaches had decided which thirty players they wanted to work with, and who needed to up their game some more.

Now what does a two-month head start mean? It means two months for players to work on their conditioning to get to the required levels; two months to learn the game plan; two months to get to gel as a unit; and two months to set up and play friendlies so you can test your players under all the scenarios you want to. It also gives those who didn’t make the cut two months to jack up their act so by the time February comes they are well placed to take advantage of any injury/suspension/tactical opportunities that arise.

Now granted, it’s not as if our boys were lamming on the beach doing nothing all summer. There certainly was a lot of work being done, but under what conditions and with what end? A settled team environment means the team can start focusing on key objectives early and get their planning and approach to fixtures/tours etc in early. Also, by the time the tourney starts the levels of unity and understanding within the team should be at the kind of level our boys will only get once the tourney has already started.

Now we already have many factors working against our boys in Super Rugby. Travel schedules, referees, inconsistent and extreme weather and playing conditions and styles (one week in Perth and the next in Invercargill anyone?)always combine to give the Antipodeans a significant advantage each year. So why don’t we work on the one thing we can control, preparation, and give ourselves a better chance?

Before anyone starts with the predictable, I do not see what Makhenkesi Stofile and Bhutana Komphela have to do with when the Super 14 squads can be named. Other macro issues maybe. This though, is within the individual unions’ and coaches’ control. So why aren’t they doing their bit to help themselves?