The province's model is more secure than the Welsh regional one, where falling gates could bring it all crashing down, writes LIAM TOLAND
THEY’VE BEATEN Munster, Ulster and Connacht in Ireland this year. They should have beaten Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque in the Heineken Cup quarter-final in San Sebastian last month. They lost out to three Damien Traille drop goals and an extraordinary try by freak flyer Takudzwa Ngwenya.
This is an excellent Ospreys side coming to the RDS and I fear it being tighter than the bookies predict, which will provide the ideal final test of Michael Cheika’s winning culture.
Having two such great sides competing in the Grand Final provides a timely opportunity to examine the subtle differences between both outfits. From the outset, both are jammed with Lions and internationals. Leinster have discovered the ingredients of success and the Ospreys’ template has seen them become the most successful of the Welsh sides since the inception of regional rugby in 2003, winning two Magners League titles and the EDF Cup.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s intention was obvious, to mimic the Irish and Southern Hemisphere regional system.
The Ospreys, however, have erred towards the franchise of the Super 14s. In doing so, men such as Mick Cuddy exert more influence on the Ospreys than the Welsh Rugby Union.
Cuddy, managing director of the Cuddy Group, and several other investors such as Ospreys managing director Roger Blyth appear to work within the WRU regional charter – but only just.
With the free to air debate still bubbling here in Ireland, it’s interesting to note the regions feel the WRU is but a conduit to the TV money.
It’s their money they receive by right from the WRU (between €3.5-€7 million per year) and to it they add some sugar money. With it they were able to entice Mike Phillips from Cardiff Blues in 2007, even though All Black Justin Marshall was number one.
Connacht, tiring of the lack of support, may spot opportunities to edge away from the IRFU and go it alone. With the right benefactor, they would continue to take the IRFU money but top it up and mimic the Ospreys or even Toulon.
However, the Welsh regional concept is set to struggle if gates continue to remain low. Ospreys, their leading light, hover on 7,000, having peaked at 13,913 for the visit of Scarlets in April.
Their opponents tomorrow, Leinster, are easily doubling that figure. I was amazed to see but 7,182 supporters to welcome the European champions Leinster to the Liberty Stadium back in September 2009.
The stadium name is associated with another Ospreys benefactor, Mike James from Liberty Properties. In times of great economic insecurity the IRFU are tapering back player overheads. No such salary cap exists in Wales. Yes the Regional Charter places the national game at the fore but Cuddy and co have their agenda too. It is a dangerous mix and ripe for sudden implosion.
Leinster are in a much stronger place and to their credit, have avoided, where possible, the cheque book player-building structures, focusing on the rich source of players in the very strong school and youth structures.
They have aggressively built on the resource by implementing a strong Academy system that is bearing fruit each season.
The key ingredient in Leinster’s success has been the “culture” of winning, which both Cheika and Leo Cullen have imposed on the province.
On arrival, Cheika found a jaded team that had promised much in the early 2000s. The testament to his ability and vision was first securing the Leinster stars’ future in blue, then adding to them, and the arrival of Rocky Elsom.
I’m sure Rocky had his reasons for a European sabbatical but it was Cheika who secured his signature.
With this culture, Leinster are poised to dominate. Munster have that culture in abundance but possibly lack the focal centre of one large urban centre with a flow of players.
Leinster have a hungry support base in the capital city and an ever-increasing interest out in the province. Cheika can take huge credit for creating the belief; build it and they will come. His system is not without its flaws but players and coaches were attracted to him before it was built, which is the true testament to his vision.
The return of Cullen (and Shane Jennings) has had an equal affect on the culture. It was not long after his arrival that some home truths were aired. A winning rugby team has no stars on board and when a player, who happened to have a European Cup medal, was of that mind it brought much greater focus on the squad.
Between Cheika and Cullen they have reached the top and in that time the Magners League has improved out of sight. All the key Lions players are in it. They are immeasurably bigger, faster and fitter. It is now a much tougher league and truly worth winning.
Back to the RDS and tomorrow’s fixture, where the obvious focus is out wide, in the centres, half back, front five and backrow, where the Ospreys provide quite a threat in the lineout, scrum and breakdown – not to mention their famous off-loading game!
Dan Biggar will kick the ball, as will Jonny Sexton, so I hope both fullbacks Lee Byrne and Rob Kearney set the RDS alight one last time and give the retirees their last moment of greatness.
Yet another “old” warrior is hanging up his boots this weekend. Bernard Jackman has had an extraordinary career, including nine international caps, a European Challenge Cup, an Heineken Cup and two Magners Leagues; extraordinary because he almost never had a career.
When Harry Vermaas and Brian Blaney were secure at hooker Jackman was being edged out. But for Blaney being injured and a lack of trust in Vermass’ lineout Jackman was finished. That opportunity taken confirmed a true insight into his character; hard work and “bouncebackability”. As the professional game evolves it is unlikely his journey will be repeated from almost club man in 2007 to Six Nations Championship in 2008.
