It’s been a great weekend for a fan of Australian rugby, and rugby in general. While the All Blacks looked off-colour in their defeat of Italy, the Wallabies demonstrated continuing improvement in a solid win over Les Bleus in Sydney. It is also worth mentioning that the Springboks/Lions test was a cracker, both teams demonstrating a very high standard of play before the ‘Boks won in a thrilling conclusion.
On matters closer to home, it is also being reported that Berrick Barnes is still yet to sign with the Queensland Reds for next year, and worse, that the Brumbies are now in the mix for his services.
Barnes had requested that negotiations be put on hold during the last month of international games, but with a brief break now looming before the commencement of the Tri-Nations series, it is thought a decision will be made in the next two weeks. The outstanding issue, apparently, is that Berrick wants to make sure he is comfortable with the Reds management and vision following a review of yet another dismal season, and resulting in personnel changes at Ballymore.
I want to offer one simple piece of advice to the powers at the QRU in order to have a successful outcome to the review process, and to retain their key playing staff: do whatever Berrick wants.
And so it’s clear, I’ll say it slowly: Do. Whatever. Berrick. Wants.
Barnes has demonstrated over the last four weeks that he has so matured as a player and leader that, with quality up front and behind, he will consistently make an enormous impact to a team outcome. No, he’s not had the headlines of O’Connor or Giteau in recent weeks, but both in defense and attack he has been the Wallabies Mr. Reliable. He makes others on the field look good, which is the underlying hallmark of rugby quality.
Phil Mooney comes across as similarly level-headed, and given the depleted playing stocks he has dealt with over the past two seasons, he deserves to be given the unchallenged support of the QRU as coach. And Barnes, given where he is now and what he will learn during the international season, deserves the same.
I’m certainly not privy to the inner workings of the QRU, and while I don’t know Berrick personally, I know several friends of the Barnes family who insist that Berrick is as level-headed and unselfish as his field persona implies. And I do know a bit about running a successful organisation, so here is my advice to the QRU:
Your success - including marketing, player development, sponsorship, and match results - depends entirely on these two gentlemen working in harmony. And being allowed to lead. And as much as Mooney has to have control off the field, Barnes needs to be in control on it.
So firstly, if there are any issues between these two guys - and I hope there’s not - mediate a session where they can sort it out like the rational professionals they are. That being done, rebuild the team and responsibilities around them. It has been wonderfully positive to hear of Digby Ioane’s re-signing - and more credit to his Mum, who cut the deal (I wish more professional footballers would listen to their Mums). And you’ve got Horwill, a Queenslander in the mould of Nathan Sharpe - he’s certainly worth keeping.
Should a staff or board member, or the playing group wish to have input that’s great - listen, take it in, evaluate, but then do whatever Berrick decides is worth doing. If Berrick wants it, anoint him captain - it was apparent this season that Horwill consults him first anyway. If not, Horwill is very capable in that role, and I don’t think it will diminish Barnes’ impact at all.
Remembering that you’ve got Barnes and Mooney on the same page, the actual management of the team (reporting to Mooney) should then be in sync with Berrick. This extends to support staff, and the entire playing roster.
As a manager you have to face the reality that your only credible roles are to set a vision, and then to put your most talented people in positions where they can achieve success. Berrick Barnes is the real deal - a playmaking inside back of the likes we’ve not seen since Tim Horan or Michael Lynagh, with the leadership qualities of John Eales.
So the QRU: do as I’ve said. Do whatever Berrick wants. And make him stay in Queensland.
Sue and I had the pleasure of attending a book launch last night at Mary Ryan’s Paddington store for Stephen M. Irwin’s The Dead Path. Stephen’s a Brisbane author - and a friend of a good friend - who’s just had this first novel published. The publisher’s spiel compares The Dead Path to Stephen King’s Bag of Bones, and while King was never in my interest space, I have to say that this Stephen’s work is absolutely compelling.