COMMENT
Death-riding is an Australianism meaning to secretly but sincerely hope that your team loses. Traditionally indulged in by players frustrated at not making the starting XV, it's the dark flipside of the rule that you never change a winning team.
While not a subject that's openly discussed, it's known that death-riding
was extensively practised in Wales during the late 1980s and early 1990s. New broom coaches came and went, creating a cabal of discards who would get together to cheer on whoever Wales happened to be playing.
And the Aussies must be well-acquainted with the syndrome to have invented a term for it.
To the committed supporter, death-riding seems monstrously selfish to the point of treason. In reality, its human nature in the raw with the added component, in the professional era, of pecuniary self-interest.
Not that there's the slightest chance of any of the All Blacks death-riding tomorrow night. We know this squad is as tight a band of brothers as ever left these shores because they keep telling us so. Besides, from here on a loss means they all come home - or go into exile - so what would be the point?
However, our ambitious coaches - are there any other kind? - may be about to fall prey to insidious temptation.
If the All Blacks win the World Cup, the only person who might conceivably prevent John Mitchell staying on is John Mitchell. Given the youth and potential of the current group of players, a successful era beckons and with it the prospect of Mitchell taking the side through to the 2007 World Cup.
Indeed, it is not inconceivable that he could still be in charge in 2011. He'll be a mere 47 then. There's a precedent of sorts in Clive Woodward: he will end up coaching England for 10 years if he sees out his contract.
For wannabe All Black coaches that scenario is too awful to contemplate.
Last Sunday night the dogs of defeatism were let loose. A quarter-final exit is no longer unthinkable.
It seems highly unlikely that Mitchell could survive that eventuality.
What happens if we crash and burn in the semifinal or final is less clear-cut, although should goal-kicking prove our downfall, aircraft noise and volcanic eruptions will be drowned out by a mighty chorus of "we told you so", followed by non-negotiable demands for Mitchell's shaven head on a stick.
Mitchell sought and gained total control. That comes at a price - total accountability - and he doesn't seem to have built much of a political support base for a rainy day.
Then there's the perception, recently bolstered by Christian Cullen, that Mitchell's assistant Robbie Deans is the power behind the throne. A loss to the Springboks could be a death-riding coach's dream: two birds with one stone.
But with all due respect to those coaches lurking impatiently in the wings, let's hope the Mitchell/Deans era has only just begun.
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COMMENT
Death-riding is an Australianism meaning to secretly but sincerely hope that your team loses. Traditionally indulged in by players frustrated at not making the starting XV, it's the dark flipside of the rule that you never change a winning team.
While not a subject that's openly discussed, it's known that death-riding
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