As far as we can ascertain, there are 5 people involved in the management set up, the FK, the team manager and his assistant and the two assistant coaches.
The only one of those who would have had a regular view of the players performing in the Elite series is the assistant manager. The FK and the team manager are both involved with clubs in a lower division and their attendances have been concerned with those. As for the two assistant coaches, well they are apparently based in England, ideal for watching the performances of players from that country.
If it is accepted that there is a discussion around selection and presumably there is, on what basis are the players selected? Is it past performances? current form? or do other considerations take precedence? The selection team (apart from the team manager) all have experience of fairly high or top level rugby and presumably understand the standard needed to compete at international level and win.
So, we offer up these additional questions,
Hammarby finished top of the Elite series and silver medalists, with a number of qualified players available in their squad, why are they not better represented in the 22?
Stockholm Exiles ended up as gold medalists and deservedly have two players selected in the 22, why was there scrum half omitted? He is qualified as far as we know.
Enkoping finished 3rd and have a reasonable number selected, far more than the previous two clubs, why?
Spartacus finished 4th and have one player selected, despite from all accounts having the strongest pack in the Elite, why?
Do the English contingent deserve their selection?
Should players from the lower divisions be selected for the National squad?, given that they are not performing against the strongest opposition, as can be seen in the play off results.
There are probably other questions that we have not put. However our final one is this. Why should not a member of the management team answer these questions, if all is above board, then there is nothing to worry about and clear and precise communication would more than stop the rumours and theories currently doing the rounds.
1. Spartacus have the strongest pack in the Elite series, I think the Exiles pack might have something to say about that.....!
ReplyDelete2. I spoke to one of the selection committee (name withheld) twice in the last couple of weeks, regarding Exiles scrum half. His position was that the scrum half turns to avoid passing off his weaker side. This takes time, and that while it is possible to do behind a dominant pack (see above) that behind a less secure platform, and given that the speed will increase at international level that was time that he would not have the luxury of receiving. This was the worry, wether the descision was made on that basis and wether the descision is the right one are arguable but it may give some insight as to how the descision was made.
As much as i hate to say it i think the attention should be on the 7's game. 15's is my game and i would personally never be able to compete in 7's. But with the Olympics coming is that not where the attention should be?
ReplyDeleteStockholm 7's next year?
Thoughts?
regarding exiles scrumhalf. watched the final series. in my mind is clearly the best scrumhalf in sweden. seems to favour one side but also does pass off both if needed. just tell him to pass off both if you thats what you want. clearly outperformed the selected enkoping scrumhalf. terrible decision if thats the case - dont we want the best team ?
ReplyDeleteexile pack was strongest i believe, but for swedish dominated pack, spartacus the best. some real mongrel in there. a lot of big guys. could they last the distance in an international match ? at minimum they would make great impact of the bench.
7's has a future of course, being an olympic spot. But it will never be THE future as is the view point of our current national development officer.
ReplyDeleteIt will never replace the 15-a-side game as its simply to big and as such development of both 7's and 15's.
However, considerable and I mean considerable thought needs to be put into how that is developed and the structuring of development of players for both 15's and 7's. I seriously doubt the union has a player pathway model, or even a national development strategy that outlines how the players progress through the academy system and into the various national squads.
As was seen during the semi finals between Enköping and Exiles Tim whom happens to be an excellent 10, strong runner, decent kicking game and a clever distributor of the ball, was seen making a considerable amount of massive 7's style 30 yard passes across the field that failed to hit the target pretty much every time. I doubt Bobby appreciated seeing those hell mary passes coming his way.
7's in most countries was often used as a breeding ground for many backs and back row players, front 5 tended to miss out for obvious reasons. It should be used for the same purposes here.
But until the union seriously sorts itself out and gets the right people doing the right jobs well rugby here in Sweden isn't going to go anywhere in a hurry.
Sparatacus scrum half controlled every game he played in! Watch out for him!
ReplyDeletewhere is alan letele? he had one of his best seasons ever is the hardest player in swedish rugby and a mongrel why not selected?
ReplyDeletehe left vanersborg same as hannes now they is not selected. somebody has own agenda!
ReplyDeletestop going on about alan letele he is to old
ReplyDeleteHow can you say alan letele is too old when they keep selecting Grandpa Sullivan who has to wheeled out for the national games and is not good enough to even be in starting XV at exiles
ReplyDeleteselection of the squad is on who your friends with. the team manager is in charge of who plays and that is so much work he has to get an assitant to help him! does the fk do what he says as well!
ReplyDelete