Apologies as this blog is essentially the basis of a post I made in reply to a discussion about Sivo and the perceptions we have of him as a player.
My focus is mainly from a culture and communication perspective and not so much the specifics of his attributes or lack of them as some may have.
The world is not as simple as it may appear when it comes to managing Island players. Many highly paid people are high maitenance.
For example, when Mako Sivo first started before Penrith he was playing in the bush. Here, he and his mate were being boarded by a lady around the southern highlands and they had come from a backward Fijian Island. And he knew virtually no English.
Parra picked him up raw after he began at Penrith. Sivo is now being paid approx 500k a season and its a totally new ball game for his new found wealth and what comes with it.
Sure, he is no Semi never has or will be, but everyone hoped because of that guy who we all know was just exceptional but we actually lost him because of cultural issues and pre determined biases held by certain people. Mal Meninga being one. But that is another story.
Lets asume that his identified problem as a player is not attitude, he just doesn't understand that he doesn't understand. God only knows I say it enough on this site.
Sivo's father at the game
Now you maybe right and he is just bone lazy. I'm not so sure of that, his parents have been out here he has his "chant" at his home game's....the choice you need to make as his coach is either a Yes or a NO, if its a yes, the first thing you do is go to an experienced Fijian doctor.
I have always said that we should have a physocologist on board and some one that is an expert communicater with the island cultures. Whether this is Samoan, Fijian, Tongan or Cook Islands and Maori and how they intereact is vital. This is especially so with these kids who are identified when about 14 and their parents are making decisions for them.
Sivo's proud parents
Managing the parents maybe a bigger issue than the players. They will all need community involvement and things like where these kids end up becomes vital. Not to mention the opportunity to provide education and societal values.
Finally in Sivo's case being a Fijian these guys have naturally developed ball skills, outside of some of the other islands where their parents have migrated to this country and were born here.
Sivo, Sivo, Sivo
I never forget Gould commenting on Semi and saying just give him the ball and run as if he had no natural balls instincts. If you look at Semi he could throw a 40 feet pass and kick goals out of his arse, just a natural as many of the rugby bred Fijians are. Imagine some of these guys laughing at us trying to teach them skills.
The Eels & Australian Prime Minister's with Sivo's community
So I am no expert on island culture so I would like to get some comments and discussion on people experiences or otherwise and what we are actually doing in these area's I have broadly mentioned as well the differences in the respective island cultures and how they intereact, given they have had numerous tribal wars in their histories.
Finally just to make one point arguably we lost Talagi because of parental influence, maybe not money but development and the player manager would have been a big influence here.
Would not surprise that a smart manager is already doing all these things behind the scenes with cultural management.
Are we undertaking same?
Replies
I think we lost Talagi because there's a spot opening at Penrith at 6 Why does everything need to be so complicated ?
With Sivo, I really think he has picked up some chronic injuries. He never used to shy away from taking hit ups previously, it's only the last two seasons.
Sivo also has never got things right defensively under our previous coaching. But who has ? Our wide defence has been a major problem for a decade. It has nothing to do with cultural issues. It's all to do with coaching.
Our wide defence has always been an embarrassment for a decade. It's just mind blowing how the previous coach lasted so long.
Yeah I agree Talagi probably just left to play 6. It's probably as simple as that. His junior team didn't mean as much to him as the position he wanted to play.
The problem will be if he kills it and brown becomes disgruntled and leaves next year. This happened when Willie Tonga left us to get a start because he was stuck behind Jamie Lyon. Then one round into the next year Jamie Lyon left us. Meanwhile Tonga had a great year for the Bulldogs. This shit hurts fans.
How's the Arthur therapy going Chiefy, off the meds this weekend?
Since the old man has been off my case lately, I've lessened the need for migraine tablets lol.
I'm sure you'd have to increase the dosage Chief after reading this blog! Lol
Whats wrong with the blog Mick, can you be more specific?
Talagi left because he got a chance to jump out of the Hyndai racing team and into the Ferrari racing team . Notihig to do with being an islander , chinaman or a Eskimo .
have you had a few drinks this arvo Wiz, your less coherent than normal. You know Normal as in Abe.
PS I didn't know Talagi had chinese and eskimo blood.
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