Progression does not mean experience needs to be thrown out the window
There is this trend to muster out the more senior members of the rugby community because they are regarded as ‘superfluous’.
The often desperate need for change sometimes overlooks the true value experience can bring.
You will often hear the claim: ‘Your time is up, old codger, it is now our turn.’
Now I am all for ameliorating and fine-tuning to have a better product.
But just because a suggestion comes from a ‘graybeard’, it doesn’t mean his ideas are dated or out of sync with modern trends or needs.
We experience it in all aspects of everyday life, but more so in the need for revitalization in the rugby industry.
It was played up again this week when respected Springbok and mahatma Dawie Snyman penned a perspicacious and enlightening column for Rugby365.
As usual, there were those applauding and being appreciative of some of his bodacious suggestions – including ‘yellow cards’ for match officials.
And, on the flip side of the coin, there were those who dismissed his contribution as the ramblings of an out-of-touch oddball.
However, in a subsequent discussion with Dawie Snyman, it became very apparent that most of the criticism levelled at his suggestions were the result of subjective critique by people who made no attempt to understand or explore the background of his proposals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_WXwLWA7B8/
Let me illustrate.
I love nothing more than to sit down for a chat with my colleague Paul Dobson – a decorated and well-respected writer, a man with 50 years of experience in refereeing and rugby.
I learn more from listening to Paul, because of his vast knowledge and background. Because of his wisdom and experiences, I become wiser and more informed.
As they say, listening is learning.
It was a similarly enlightening experience when Dawie Snyman put some context to his suggestions this week.
I was well aware of Dawie’s achievements as a player. Those are well documented.
However, his proposals were not the works of a disgruntled former player. He is still very much involved with the mentoring of present coaches, at various levels.
They were the conception of a seasoned and forethoughtful visionary with heaps of very useful experience in the administration of the game – a person willing to share his contemplations and ideas.
Given that Dawie Snyman served in the administration of the game since the mid-1970s – first at Stellenbosch University and later also at the Western Province Rugby Football Union – he has a lot of insight that could be tapped into.
Prop luck! https://t.co/xa6Aaf167y
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I am not, for one minute, suggesting he should be hauled back onto some or other executive committee.
However, sitting down and listening to ‘experienced’ former administrators like this could not hurt, especially in relation to the ethical side of the game.
This is the primary factor that should guide the game through time.
We are often far too quick to dismiss people because they are ‘old’.
Let’s not forget that Stellenbosch is the biggest ‘club’ in the world – with 1,300 players in its heyday – functioning much like a province or franchise today, with all the various committees and sub-committees.
Making an organisation like that function successfully takes some doing.
Then there is the ‘innovation’ of two referees on the field, which to this day still functions successfully in the Stellenbosch hostel leagues.
So why could it not work elsewhere?
Perhaps, just perhaps, it is – as Dawie said – the attitude adaptation of the vision of those running the game at present.
As that well-documented proverb goes: ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way.’
Maybe if the attitude of players, coaches and referees change, we may not need radical changes to save the game from ruin.
With that in mind, go read Dawie Snyman’s suggestions again.
With the right behaviour and demeanour perhaps the number of disciplinary hearings will decline – just as they did at Stellenbosch University when attitudes and circumstances changed.
Comments on RugbyPass
Absolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
97 Go to commentsHo hum.
97 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
97 Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
1 Go to commentsLet’s be honest. The draw and scheduling in the World Cup was a joke but South Africa found a way after having to go the hard (nearly impossible) way to the Cup Final via France and England. NZ had a hard game against France (lost) and had 5 weeks to prepare for the Quarter, 3 weeks knowing it was Ireland. NZ theerfore had to win one big game against an Irish team who played SA and then Scotland 7 days before. They won and it was de facto a semi final because they were playing a relatively weak Argentina team and it was a walk over. In the final a very rested NZ team was playing a very tired SA team and still lost. They couldn’t score more than 11 points. Put another way SA had to find a way to win while tired and they achieved that. NZ should thank their lucky stars that they fixed the scheduling in 2015 otherwise they would be dealing with a Bok treble.
97 Go to commentsPerhaps if Bongi wasn’t targeted and removed from the game in the first 3 minutes it would have been quite a different game. Maybe if NZ also faced the same competition the Boks faced to their win NZ would have looked quite different. The final score shows who outplayed who.
97 Go to commentsRubbish article! Abuladze played most of Exeters matches when fit. He got injured against Glasgow a while ago and is out for the rest of the season, thats why he hasnt played for Exeter and Georgia recently. Do some proper research next time!
1 Go to commentsGotta love it when kids throw their toys out the pram and can’t hack it with the grown ups debate. Here’s looking at you turlough! 😉🤣
148 Go to commentsThey lost the game period move on
97 Go to commentsSpringboks won! Stop winging. You can change the game however much you and your rugby colonizing IRB want to and the Springboks will win you at that too. Your mind is colonized my friend get a life
97 Go to commentsBen, nobody gets fooled anymore by selective and biased data to support an hypothesis. Games are decided on such small margins these days that you win some and lose some, and dominance is a thing of the rugby past. Look at the RWC circle of fortune…. Ireland beats SA who beat France who beat NZ who beat Ireland. And so it goes on. Match officials help to eliminate real indiscretions. If they had been with us years before, no doubt results would have been different. Remember Andy Haden’s dive from a lineout in 1978 for which a match-wining penalty was awarded? Wales should have beaten the ABs that day. They took the loss like the gentlemen they were.
97 Go to commentsWith all the analysis and how good the all blacks were.The fundamental mistake with the ABs is that this is a test match and not an exhibition.There is no better team(country) in world rugby than the Boks that knows how to win a test match(we are post masters at this).We know our rules, we have the discipline, we tackle like beasts, we take our points and we never give up.I now have educated the ABs supporters(at least say thank you).Please stop “bitching” , accept what the outcome is and move along swiftly.
97 Go to commentsAnd they came from behind to win two big games before the final. No one can say what would have happened. Had the boks gone behind the game plan changes and the result may changes. Ifs and ands are irrelevant. The boks won. Neutral critics enjoyed the games they played. Its not a popularity contest. Get over it and move on.
97 Go to commentsI'm happy for the people of SA to get a second WC. And I mean that. I was very disappointed with this man's “stand on the hand” incident with Josh Van Der Flyer (Ireland). Ireland's downfall in the last WC was they did not rotate their first 15 as the head coach probably should have. That said, I'm happy for SA and genuinely hope it lifts the mood in their country. Ireland did beat them in the first match of the tournament. And before the trolls start trolling ….. please don't bother. Etzbeth said recently that the Irish players said after the match “see you in the final”…..this was actually wishing the SA team the best of luck in the rest, the Irish team were not dismissing the AB’s. This is what Etzbeth was implying. But he was wrong. I no longer live in Ireland. But I hope to see them lift that cup before I pass. Anyway, congratulations SA. 👍
12 Go to commentsMore bloody click bait. Dan Carter has said absolutely nothing. As he should do. Poor journalism again from a site that should know better
9 Go to commentsOh god please help these loosers get over it!!!! You lost. Doesn't matter how many times you dummies are gonna analyse the game, you still lost and we are still Rygby World Champions….get over it, you lost.
97 Go to commentsThe next Willie le Roux. SA are made not to use him.
3 Go to commentsDan has always been as controversial as tea with milk so we were never going to get any definitive answer. So DMac for the win.
9 Go to commentsGoodness. When are the All Blacks and New Zealand commentators going to stop complaining about how they could have won and just try to win next time 😂. In South Africa if you lose you get up and try again. Get over it.
97 Go to commentsHonestly, it doesn’t matter a whole lot. RSA has a ton of experienced talent in its leadership group. I am more interested in who is the new 8 man/8 men and the younger props. The captain may change but the system does not
1 Go to comments