Salute leaders with a passion for glory ALL THE WEEKEND’S RUBGY UNION RESULTS
ENOUGH of all this talk of ‘leadership groups’, in rugby and seemingly across all professional sport. The last weekend confirmed the enduring value of an inspirational captain, especially a local one.
In an era of management speak, it is often made out that committees have usurped individual talisman figures, that decision-making and example- setting is always a multi-player process, rather than a solo one. That theory was shot down in flames by Ken Owens and Peter O’Mahony.
These are the skippers who led their teams into the semi-finals of the Champions Cup as if they were carrying a whole community — their community — on their shoulders.
These two forwards showed team-mates the way, as Men of the Match in thunderous victories over French opposition, by the Scarlets and Munster respectively. Owens put in a herculean, 80-minute shift to carry the Welsh flag into the penultimate round of the continent’s premier event. When giant La Rochelle carriers needed to be turned back, he was there to set the tone.
His work-rate, tenacity and fervent will to win were the standout features of a landmark result. No doubt there were other leaders in the home ranks but there was no doubting who the captain was.
When the deed was done, Owens was moved close to tears as he tried to sum up how he felt, to be at the vanguard of such a momentous achievement for the place that he represents with such pride. The same was true of O’Mahony the following day.
Munster needed a focal point for their resistance as Toulon launched a powerful onslaught and the skipper provided it.
His lineout feats alone were of vital importance but it was more about his bristling intensity and hunger to succeed in front of his own people. His display was further evidence that the local-boy captain has greater impact than an unwieldy group.
Yesterday in Dublin, Saracens were led by the heroic Brad Barritt, whose long period of sterling service for the London club has converted him into a quasilocal. The former England centre had a titanium plate inserted into his fractured cheek on Tuesday and was training the next day.
Bravely and fittingly, he chose to have local anaesthetic for the surgery, to hasten his return to action.
It was the act of an inspirational captain, in the same mould as Owens and O’Mahony.
Every team needs one, not leadership by committee.