Personal attacks say a lot about former captains
OPINION: As professional sport matures in the southern hemisphere, those associated with it live more and more in a bubble on the verge of popping.
In some cases it appears that a player or coach has become so engrossed in that bubble life they continually seek the attention that it brings - good or bad.
Surely that can be the only explanation for Brendon McCullum producing his book which rounds on former team mate and captain Ross Taylor who must have been left distracted as he tries his best to get some results for the Black Caps in India at the moment.
The bond of loyalty, so important in a successful team scenario, has been snapped for the case of a few more dollars, something McCullum hardly needs. Does he not simply not care about the impact on his former team now he is not there?
Maybe it is a captain’s prerogative to write a book and slate a few of the old buddies, as former Australian captain Michael Clarke has also just done, at the same time further illustrating his own frailties.
These are players who have been feted while at the top of their game yet deem it necessary to give their view on subjects that hurt other people - the same reason that they were upset in the first place.
It’s tough being compared with Richie McCaw but maybe a few of his traits wouldn’t go amiss for these two individuals.
The media love fuller than life targets in key positions.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen found this out and changed to win the fourth estate over while Black Caps coach Mike Hesson stays so far out of the firing line at the moment that it is hard to get a reportable quote.
His captain Kane Williamson could be another McCaw and so it is left up to a couple of forthright Aussie boys to steal the show as they try to match it with the people who are reporting on them.
Maybe it is something in the water in the Sydney suburb of Randwick because they produce their share of voluble individuals like David Campese and Phil Kearns, while England’s Eddie Jones and of Wallabies boss Michael Cheika are not afraid to mix it with anyone.
Cheika has come in for a real pounding from the local public and media but instead of thriving in the situation, as he did when he was bullying players and referees as a player, he is finding that his aggressiveness is compounding his problems.
I don’t care that he is an emotional person throughout the game, as like any coach he will feel part of the group on the field and is entitled to display his feelings. Only winning coaches remain calm.
But taking on everyone in the media after each loss does not paint him in a good light.
With Australia now venturing to Europe to play the five major nations, the results and comments will be followed with interest. I’m sure he has learned a lot in the past few months.
Jones is the current northern hemisphere master of the clever comment but it took a while for this to emerge in his repertoire.
Maybe his mate Cheika will follow the same path. For his sake one would hope so. For the media’s sake one would hope not. How clever is he?