FUN

The Voice From the Stands

Monday 12th May 2008

Young force: Pocock has proved age is not a problem

What a weekend of rugby. Be it the Guinness Premiership or Super 14 that you were watching there was plenty of excitement, not to mention a fair share of disappointment - just ask Harlequins about that.

The pressure has been rising in the East Midlands as Leicester's season, prior to Saturday, looked to be fizzling out. The result being a growing call for Marcelo Loffreda's head, no more than six months into his tenure at Welford Road.

Even if Leicester had failed to make the play-offs, I for one would not have been over-reacting to the situation. The problem is, as with all big clubs, Leicester's fans expect trophies on a regular basis, which is fair enough when you look at their track record.

However one bad season does not merit rash decisions, and firing a coach who has yet to enjoy a full season in charge is about as rash as they come. Given that Loffreda only took charge in November, when the Guinness Premiership had been going for two months already, it seems a little hasty to be looking for his replacement already.

Rather give him a full season, including pre-season training where he can implement his values and own style, before we make judgement. If at the end of next season he has still failed to deliver then is the time to look for a replacement. Otherwise we could soon end up seeing clubs rotate their coaches as often as football teams do.

South of the border and the Super 14 is just a week behind the Guinness Premiership - with their semi-finalists to be decided this weekend - yet due to TV rights every game will be played at different times thus depriving us of the same tension surrounding 'Super Saturday'.

Granted it is difficult to synchronise fixtures when they are being played in three different countries, but at the same time it takes an element of excitement out of what will otherwise be a great weekend of rugby.

There are seven teams vying for the final three semi-final spots yet, depending on earlier results, the likes of the Sharks and the Chiefs may be out of it before they even had a say. Surely it is only fair on all teams involved, especially given what is at stake, that the games be played simultaneously.

Back in the Northern Hemisphere and it came as a pleasant surprise to see Justin Marshall looking to reverse the exodus of All Blacks to Europe. Whatever the reason, be it money or the fact Marshall is getting on these days, it is for the good.

The way forward for rugby is through youth, and while a few older heads are always good for development it is the upcoming players who need to be exposed in tournaments such as the Air New Zealand Cup. Such tournaments provide young hopefuls with the perfect chance to cut their teeth and gauge just how good they are.

Take the Western Force for example. It may have been down to injuries but this season we have seen coach John Mitchell throw a host of 18-year-olds into Super 14 action, not forgetting 17-year-old James O'Connor. The view in Australia is very much one of 'if they are good enough they are old enough'.

David 'Bam-Bam' Pocock is a prime example. Having made his debut at 18 the openside flanker has, in just two seasons, established himself as a regular in the Force ranks, already winning 24 Super Rugby caps and he is not even 20 yet. Not only that but David Croft has touted him to go all the way, and why not on the form he has shown this season, lets just hope the Wallaby selectors give him a chance.

So I leave you with this, with England's squad for their tour to New Zealand being announced on Tuesday don't be surprised to see a certain Riki Flutey in the mix.

What do you make of the rugby world at present?

By Marcus Leach