David Knox (no.10) had a good blow-out at Irish Rugby before heading for Dublin Airport today. Read his rant here. No one is spared. There was a bit of media flurry, Leinster released a press statement distancing themselves from his comments and Michael Cheika had to go onto Newstalk106 to smooth things out for the blazers. What a way to go!
Knox is a candid, articulate guy. Leaving aside the Irish rugby public’s stubborn pride and his personal attacks on O’Sullivan, Kidney, O’Gara et al for a brief moment, it is clear that there is an important underlying message in his comments.
Ireland will never be able to defeat the top tier nations if we do not evolve as players and coaches. Skill has never been emphasized as the primary asset a player should possess. In the amateur and professional era, power, size, pace yes, but not skill. Our attitude to the game in Ireland does not encourage a skill-based philosophy like Knox’s.
Knox has challenged us as coaches, players and administrators of the game to change. To survive and prosper, we must change.
Or we can be Irish and insular and protective and slate him and be happy with mediocrity.
Thanks for the words and good times David lad; enjoy being home.
1 Comment
May 15, 2008 at 3:17 pm
While there were some valid points in Knoxie’s rant I have to disagree and say it was a cheap shot. Why not come out before now and try to do something about it if he felt so passionate?