1. Blaize Talagi
2. Maika Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4. Sean Russell
5. Bailey Simmonson
6. Daejarn Asi
7. Dylan Brown (c)
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Joey Lussick
10. Junior Paulo (c)
11. Shaun Lane
12. Ryan Matterson
13. J'maine Hopgood
Interchange:
14. Bryce Cartwright
15. Makahesi Makatoa
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves:
18. Brendan Hands
19. Morgan Harper
20. Ethan Sanders
21. Wiremu Grieg
22. Luca Moretti
INs: None
OUTs: None
Referee: Chris Butler
Replies
Yep, he did have a chance to stand up and put his own stamp on it but he also persisted with the soft cock Lane. He can leave by the same exit Arthur did. Clueless.
Put yourself in Barrett 's shoes, he wants to do well to increase his chances of one day getting a head coaching gig again. Let's say he does what you suggest and makes sweeping changes from the get go, what happens if that doesn't work?, he has just dug himself a massive hole that would be impossible to climb out of. He can't go back to the players he dropped, they will be unlikely to perform for him as they will feel like he hasn't given them a chance.
This is the way to go week one, it will separate those that are worth working with and those that are a lost cause. You tell the guys in reserve grade to keep performing and they will get their chance.
All in off the bat with sweeping changes would leave Barrett with nowhere to go if it fails.
I get that strategy. What he's doing is playing it safe. I understand. But it's not as if Barrett wasn't in the dressing sheds or at training. He's seen what we've all seen. On the flip side imagine if he made changes and the side comes out and puts a cricket score on the rabbits. The message that sends to all players in the top 30. The message it sends to Management.
What does a cricket score with the same players say mutts? Don't think about Barrett here, he'll have next to no influence on the result.
What if the same team that BA failed with comes out and puts a cricket score on, wouldn't that make Barrett look even better?.
You call it playing it safe, I call it playing it smart. He has the rest of the season to make changes and give others a chance. Give the main guys the first opportunity to earn/keep their spot, there can be no excuses from anybody if they get the chance to right their wrongs. If things stay the same then Barrett is obligated to make changes, if he doesn't than that makes him a bigger fool than BA.
Let this play out this weekend and see what happens after that depending on the result/ performances then judge whether he has made the right move.
I hear there is an opening for Head Coach role at Parra. You may want to apply...
$750k+ per year, 18 month severance pay. Sign me up.
Haha. All in jest of course, but it's astounding there aren't better quality coaches out there with the sort of money that's on offer. Coaches generally don't have the limited time to make money that players have, yet basically get the same money. You would have to be CEO of a top company to get that sort of money. If you know how to get the best out or people that's most of the skills you would need - anyone can learn the game.
But who do you pick instead when your NSW Cup team is a complete dumpster fire...
Barrett can now be referred to as Bush coach Mk2 .