RUGBY ANALYST:You need a little slice of luck and Wesley Fofana's spill in Bordeaux last week was like manna from Heaven for Connacht Rugby
WHEN WESLEY Fofana “touched down” after 21 phases, Leinster held their breath. Was this the end of their odyssey, with Ulster to face the strongest European side never to win the Heineken Cup? My emotions were selfish as I wanted Leinster in Twickenham. In many ways I wanted last Sunday’s match to be the final as neither side deserved to lose the Heineken Cup.
What, however, did Conor McGuinness think of that “try” and why would it be of relevance to a board member of Connacht’s Professional Game Board (PGB)? “That eight-minute period was the worst I’ve watched all season. When he went over I was gutted as an all-Irish final would have meant Connacht in Europe once more,” he said.
Much has happened this week, with the Penney finally dropping in Munster, but it’s Tom Sears’ arrival and a second season in the Heineken Cup for Connacht that captures my attention. Last July I met McGuinness on George Lee’s The Business where we fancifully looked forward to the upcoming Connacht challenges; Toulouse at the Sportsground!
Although only the second post-1995 player to be in a position of influence, this is not about McGuinness who is but a part of the PGB and their three-year mandate. Finbarr Crowley, chairman of the IRFU management committee, using all his wisely means, started the ball on the PGB “magnificent seven”.
Crucially Crowley, jointly with the Connacht Branch, appointed a board of experts in their individual fields – but passionate about Connacht rugby – to build a business which was accountable directly to the IRFU management committee. Indeed, it is a unique litmus test for all sporting organisations to watch; a viable business in tough times to provide both “entertainment and success”.
PGB chairman Jimmy Staunton wanted to establish the rugby viability out West. Firstly they examined themselves and then looked at the “customer”, where firms Pathfinder and Onside conducted research on the “customer experience” and sponsorship and the overwhelming message from the Connacht public was bring it on. Other grounds were examined but it was obvious the heart of Connacht Rugby was the Sportsground, which at best was unpleasant! In improving the ground they built the Shed on the east side. A barometer of success is pre-sales for season 2012/13 which (before last weekend) stood at 3,500, with the Shed first to sell out. As it has purpose-built foundations there are plans to build a 2,500-seated upper-tier to the shed.
McGuinness points out: “The IRFU, wanting Ireland to compete at the highest level, require four teams to broaden the base of Irish-qualified players. But Connacht must be run like a business to justify its existence. This didn’t go without its challenges where each province’s power base is centred on the old-style committee system and the PGB were not a committee in that sense.”
Heineken Cup luck, such as Fofana’s late spill, has played its part. McGuinness is at pains to say “that luck is the icing on the cake”, and time spent with him is infectious because luck couldn’t be further from Connacht’s radar. It has been a very impressive season with PRO 12 attendances up 105 per cent and ERC up 359 per cent.
McGuinness admits “these, of course, are the easy fixes”. But delving further it’s obvious that stealthy restructuring has changed the face of Connacht off the field with notables such as former sponsorship and branding manager for the Welsh Rugby Union Alex Saul’s appointment as head of marketing and the former marketing director of O2 Damian Devany. On the ground both provincial academy manager Nigel Carolan and elite player development officer Jimmy Duffy have also contributed handsomely.
Add to all the structural improvements the statistics of a 14-match losing streak with eight games lost by less than five points. Would an extra tighthead and a seasoned, kicking/controlling mentor at 10 help? Why did Nathan White and Dan Parks come to Connacht? Backs coach Billy Millard knew and developed his relationship with Parks who had offers in France but chose Galway. Why? In many ways this is the culmination of much restructuring where their latest addition, Tom Sears, in tandem with Eric Elwood and the PGB, are building a future not on luck but a solid foundation in many ways atop of a green-field site.
I pulled out the latest printed table of the PRO 12 where McGuinness immediately boxed it into three tiers; tier one, 60+ points (top four), tier two, 50+ (middle three) and tier three, less than 40 points. Connacht are on top of that third tier with Treviso, Dragons, Edinburgh and Aironi below them. Clearly next season is about stepping into the middle tier, a step well within their grasp.
I also pulled out Pool Two and Pool Six of the Heineken Cup, where Edinburgh finished top with 22 points and qualified, and Connacht bottom on six points. Admittedly it was their first season in the competition and their group was much harder than Edinburgh’s. But for butchering several overlaps (and countless knock-ons) in the Aviva Stadium last Saturday, Edinburgh would be in the final. Interestingly, Connacht have the same bonus points (two) and a better points conceded (130 v 138), but the Scottish outfit far outshine on points scored (156 v 68). And I wonder out loud would Fionn Carr, their top try scorer from the past, not have bridged that gap if he had stayed.
For many seasons the carrot has always been pitch time in Connacht. Why hold a tackle bag in Dublin when you can play in Galway. I’ve always struggled with that simplistic approach as although you may not play regularly at the RDS, you train regularly, in the best conditions with the best players in Europe so you can’t but improve. So where are Connacht on the other six days of the week?
McGuinness admits he “wouldn’t have played for Ireland if he hadn’t played for Connacht” but the PGB are conscious that the “colloquial aspect to the provinces, allied to perceived poorer standards, has stunted the move West”. Over the months the extremely ambitious Elwood management structure has blossomed on a par with the other provinces, where “it is crucial to Connacht’s success to offer players both pitch time and constantly improving off-pitch standards”.
A casual SWOT analysis would have much to boast about but there are threats such as the second-season syndrome, with no RWC to tie up international opponents. Access to quality players on foot of the IRFU player policy (Connacht are exempt) will be interesting, with their Irish-qualified players becoming far more attractive to the big boys of Leinster and Munster.
However, I simply can’t wait for the ERC draw and heading to Galway next season to see Connacht mix business with pleasure.
liamtoland@yahoo.com
