A billionaire, the awful 'unknown' and a battle for a sport's very survival
Few people gave Germany a chance ahead of their 2019 Rugby World Cup play-off second leg against Samoa on Saturday. But in Heidelberg, the collective will of the players, coaching staff and fans almost produced the biggest result of the country’s rugby history.
In a battle between two teams that have had their fair share of off-the-field issues to deal with of late, Samoa had taken a decisive step towards Japan with a 66-15 win in the opening encounter in Apia.
On arrival at the sun-baked Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark, though, it was impossible not to appreciate the sense of community. It pervaded from the makeshift gazebos selling rugby equipment, to the stands cooking up grilled meat and dishing out cold beer, to the fans taking their seats in hope rather than expectation.
This was a day for German rugby to display its unity following a turbulent season. The impasse between the German Rugby Federation (DRV) and Dr. Hans-Peter Wild, the Stade Francais owner born a leisurely bike ride away from the game’s venue, had first resulted in a player strike at the end of last year and ultimately ended with the businessman walking away completely last month.
Dr Wild had set up his Wild Academy more than a decade ago to produce the players that could help the national team qualify for the World Cup. In June – less than 10 days before the crucial play-off against Portugal – he withdrew his funding, plunging the majority of the German squad and coaching staff into imminent unemployment.
Samoa’s visit represented a chance for the rugby community to show that the sport would survive. Having been switched from the 13,500-capacity Brit-Arena in Wiesbaden at late notice due to security issues, and despite an outmoded booking system, all 2,500 tickets released on advance sale had been snapped up.
A healthy Samoan support – Germany’s Pacific Island diaspora boosted by fans travelling to Heidelberg from Dublin and London – had helped swell the attendance by at least another 1,000 on match day.
Moreover, the draw of watching their national side test itself against an established World Cup side proved too attractive for many local fans to turn down.
“Essentially Germany is a really sport-mad country and they wanna see their teams perform at the highest level,” home lock Luke Dyckhoff said. “The bigger the team we play, the more amazing the atmosphere.”
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The DRV’s new president, Robin Stalker, was also in attendance for the first time – having been sworn in only six days previously – and fans arrived sporting the full variety of colours from the country’s top two leagues.
Stalker would not be the most high profile spectator in this unheralded corner of Heidelberg, however. Dr Wild had branded the DRV amateurish during an interview last month, but hints that he might have a change of heart were hard to ignore.
Capri-Sun branding (Wild owns the drinks brand) absent for Germany’s previous home game at this stadium was back on show, while former Germany international and Stade Francais sporting director, Robert Mohr, mingled with players and staff he once worked alongside at the academy’s base over the road.
It had been intimated ahead of the Portugal game that Dr Wild would have received a hot reception had he shown his face last month.
On Saturday, he arrived close to kick-off and kept a low profile as the match ensued. The only outward evidence that he was there at all coming – bar a giant inflatable Capri-Sun carton on one touchline – from a banner unfurled in the second half by Heidelberger RK fans in support of their former benefactor.
Fans unveil a ‘Thank You Dr. Wild’ banner in front of a giant inflatable Capri-Sun carton.
Excellent product placement. pic.twitter.com/KUS8EwWC2n
— Martyn Thomas (@MCThomasSport) July 14, 2018
Not everyone involved in German rugby shares that sentiment. His decision to divert funds from Heidelberg to Paris coming at a time when they were needed it most.
The DRV – an organisation which relies on the hard work of dedicated volunteers to function at all – struggled to find the cash needed to fulfil the two legs of this qualifier. Dr Wild has agreed to honour all academy contracts until September, but the uncertainty has cast a cloud over the national team’s preparations.
Samoa’s players would certainly be able to empathise given their own continued struggles, but they were not in charitable mood in Apia a fortnight ago as they ran in 10 tries.
Germany made their protracted return from the southern hemisphere determined to make up for their defensive shortcomings.
“We decided as a group that we wanted to show what we are all about, and show some character,” Germany second-row Timo Vollenkemper said afterwards. “We didn’t really care about the result, just to come off the pitch with our heads held high and perform like we can do, and should have done before.”
However, as Ed Fidow touched down for the game’s first try within a minute of kick-off it looked like bravado at best.
But this team has become closer in adversity and wrestled back control of the contest almost immediately. Tries from Jaco Otto, his third of the tie, and Samy Fuchsel allied to a Chris Hilsenbeck penalty on the stroke of half-time remarkably gave Germany a 15-14 lead at the break.
It was not a score that flattered the home team either, and as EDM belted out over the stadium tannoy the crowd allowed itself an opportunity to dream once more. Qualification into Pool A might have disappeared in Apia but the hosts were proving themselves worthy of this level.
Samoa, by contrast, looked as though their prime minister’s harsh words were still ringing in their ears. The visitors’ lineout failed to function from the first minute, while simple handling errors in midfield were proving costly.
When Marcel Coetzee stepped up to send a penalty from just inside his own half bobbing, in virtual slow-motion, over the crossbar with less than 15 minutes remaining a place in the history books was up for grabs. The home fans could barely believe it, every catch, mark, pass and kick from a player in white was cheered raucously.
Unfortunately, crowd support is not always enough to see a team over the line, and so it proved. Ah See Tuala, twice, and Fidow stepped up to deliver three tries in the final 11 minutes – two of which came in the last 180 seconds – to deny their hosts a victory that would live long in the memory.
As referee Matthew Carley’s whistle confirmed a 42-28 victory for Samoa, the mood in Heidelberg remained upbeat. While the visitors, and their fans, celebrated their World Cup qualification the home side huddled yards away, regaining focus on the challenge to come in November.
Samoa run in three late tries to deny Germany a famous victory in Heidelberg and rubber stamp their ticket to #RWC2019 @DRVRugby 28-42 @manusamoa pic.twitter.com/KPQ6agHsJ5
— Martyn Thomas (@MCThomasSport) July 14, 2018
Canada, Hong Kong and the 2018 Africa Gold Cup runner-up stand between Germany and a place in Pool B in Japan. No one who was there on Saturday would bet against them making it.
Replacement lock Dyckhoff was left to reflect on the roller coaster nature of the sport. “You’re always guaranteed a down after an up and then when you’re down there’s always going to be an up,” he said.
“So, it’s best just to play every game like it’s your last with the guys you’ve worked so hard with and that’s what the guys were focusing on so hard this week.
“Just putting that (uncertainty) aside, because it is hard, it has affected people mentally, as it would any human being. That unknown is awful.
“But as the guys showed (on Saturday), they’re great friends and they’re great rugby players.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments