Anthony Seibold's plan to implement a rotation policy for the Broncos 2020 season has been rubbished by rugby league great Andrew Johns.
The Brisbane coach confirmed he would implement a rotation policy following talks during the coronavirus shutdown with Irish rugby club Munster's head coach Johann van Graan, to help his side time their run better for the finals.
The Roosters have adopted a load management policy with some of their stars over the last two seasons. Storm great Billy Slater also claimed Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will look to give some of his players a bit of rest at some point throughout the season to try and be at their optimum at the right time.
Load management of athletes has been a controversial topic across the sporting landscape because it robs the fans of seeing the best players when available every time they take the field.
There's also an argument that it robs players of rhythm and form.
The coaching philosophy has rocked the boat in the US, with the NBA putting guidelines in place to stop teams from resting their biggest stars when they're not injured. The Toronto Raptors' 2019 NBA championship run was punctuated by their biggest star, Kawhi Leonard, missing games through the season to keep him fresh for the playoffs. The move paid off with the Raptors winning their first championship in the face of criticism from basketball purists.
For Seibold's system to have any chance of working, fringe players will be key to its success. But with the major second tier competitions being cancelled for 2020, the coach faces a battle to have those players fit and ready to perform at NRL level. He said his talks with his rugby counterpart widened his eyes in terms of the gruelling load those players have to carry.
"The two teams that go all the way to the grand final have played 21 or 22 weeks straight," Seibold said of Munster's tough European rugby schedule.
"It is something we have never done because we have the bye. To get a player up for 21 or 22 weeks straight is physically and mentally very challenging.
"So if there is an opportunity to rest a player for a weekend and two weeks later rest another if they are looking fatigued ... that is something we will get a feel for as we go.
"For us to be consistent and successful we will have to look at our whole squad, not just expect the 17 players to play each week."
Speaking on Wide World of Sports Freddy and the Eighth, Johns took aim at Seibold's plan, pointing to the failed rotation policy in the Australian cricket team as a case in point.
"Please don't talk about rotations," he said. "You'd play three times a week if you could.
"Rotations tore the heart out of the Australian cricket team. Don't let sport science rule the footy club. They're footy players let them play."
The Broncos will be without Tevita Pangai until Round Six due to suspension, and David Fifita will miss some time with injury. The club has been boosted by the return of Matt Lodge but Seibold still sees a need to have players on the periphery ready to go.
He said the NRL would be best served if the teams came together to give those other players on the cusp a chance of staying match fit.
In the meantime, the Broncos have been adding intensity to their training sessions to prime players outside the top 17 for an NRL call-up.
"Once the NRL gets up and running I think the next thing for clubs and head coaches to look at is how do we get some footy for our team (fringe players)," he said.
"Do we combine with Cowboys and Gold Coast and go and play a Western Sydney team on two or three occasions? It has been suggested at head coaches' meetings.
"Or do we play some Nines footy against the Gold Coast and Cowboys here in Queensland. I'm not sure how it will work."
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-andrew-johns-rubbishes-brisbane-broncos-rotation-system-plans/02d8c129-8e15-44b7-b008-b6496d66c56e
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