It’s no secret that fans often point fingers at the coaches when their team doesn’t perform well, resulting from an inherent sense of expectation that their team is destined to win. If such a belief held any truth, we would likely see an increased patronage of churches by sports figures.
The pain experienced by the team and staff of the Leinster club due to another crushing loss in a Champions Cup final is unfathomable. However, it should not be overlooked that Leinster is widely regarded in global rugby as a triumphant establishment and an example of achievement.
The ability shown by Leinster to repeatedly deliver top-notch performances and achieve back-to-back European finals with a team mostly drawn from homegrown talent draws admiration from clubs beyond Ireland’s shores.
It’s not shocking that French teams have been a stumbling block for Leinster in recent years. French clubs, backed with substantial funds, offer an attractive lifestyle, state-of-the-art stadiums, and, most importantly, the chance to win major titles. Seven champions cup titles were won by French clubs in the past eleven seasons, illustrating their growing dominance.
The vibrancy of French club rugby has further been amplified by an influx of funds by television rights agreement with Canal Plus. This huge deal will inject an impressive €696 million into French clubs over the forthcoming five years. This deal means a 14.7 per cent upgrade for Top 14 clubs and a significant 36 per cent raise for funds directed towards the French second podium, Pro D2. This is aimed at nurturing the French’s young talent sustainably.
Given this shifting landscape, Irish fans must come to terms with the realistic probability that their provincial teams may never have the resources to win the Champions Cup again. Leinster stands as an anomaly in this scenario, with their gifted generation competently striving against the French upper crust despite limited resources.
Prior to the recent final, numerous former Leinster players, in an informal survey, were resigned to the fact that Toulouse might come out on top. Though their loyalties lay with Leinster, those former internationals were of the opinion that Toulouse with Antoine Dupont at the helm, would just manage to outdo their club. Unfortunately, this gloomy expectation was realised.
Nonetheless, directing the blame at Leo Cullen and the Leinster coaching team was not considered as an option.
All head coaches bear the responsibility for their team’s outcome, with the ultimate result resting on their shoulders. However, it’s crucial to recognise that coaches don’t fumble tackles, acquire yellow cards, or miss scoring opportunities on the field.
According to some, had Ciaran Frawley’s last-second drop goal achieved success, Leo may have been hailed a champion. However, since Frawley was unsuccessful, the loss has been pinned on Cullen. Such evaluation is fundamentally absurd. The amount of approbation coaches receive when the team is victorious and the overwhelming criticism when they are defeated is disproportionate.
Remember, rugby was conceptualised to make players accountable for their actions. Frawley gave everything he had. There can be no additional expectation from him, nor should he impose any on himself. Despite being brave and fearless, for three consecutive years, the Leinster players have been outshone by superior teams despite their best efforts.
Such realities don’t justify revamping a coaching staff that has persistently spurred their players to perform at their best, coaching them into defeating La Rochelle, the current champions, in both home and away matches, eventually leading them to a third final in a row.
Those demanding a change in Leinster’s leadership should bear in mind the destruction similar decisions have caused in other establishments. For instance, my Rugby League club in Sydney, the Wests Tigers, are staring down the barrel of claiming the wooden spoon for the third season in a row. The club has failed to reach the playoffs since 2011, the lengthiest period for any club in the NRL’s history.
Long-standing fans continue to recite the traditional saying, “Black and Gold will never fold,” while acknowledging their state of affairs is a product of their own doing. During its prime, under coach Tim Sheens’ guidance, the Tigers were illustrious. Their expansive, skillful play style was indeed revolutionary, which has, in many ways, become the new standard for the game in Australia. The unexpected champions of the 2005 Premiership, the Tigers brought immense joy to their community.
The subsequent events serve as a stern warning that Leinster fans and officials should take to heart and steer clear from. The Tigers demonstrated steady performances in the upcoming seasons, but narrowly missed out on the playoffs or were eliminated by the smallest of margins. Last second drop goals or tries by the rival teams led to psychologically exhausting losses, all of which together thwarted this exceptional team from getting another shot at the Premiership victory.
Crunch by fan and press pressure, the club made the regrettable choice to dismiss Sheens. Since his exit in 2012, the club has seen a whirlwind of eight different coaches. This season, despite having a fresh head coach, the club is yet teetering at the bottom of the league. This formerly glorious club has been put in its place by its own misguided choice.
As is the norm within Leinster, a detailed and candid postseason evaluation will take place. Once executed, it will propose amendments and strategies that will be implemented with the goal of clinching the Champions Cup in the next season.
The preceding week validated that the current team of players and coaches possess the potential to accomplish this extraordinary aim.