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The Cranbrook ChronicleFEATUREFrom the standsX-Factor: Overrated?by Dugald Holloway and Tom MahonyWith the Ashes underway, the recent Lions Tour and Origin completed, the appointment of new coachesat national level in both cricket and rugby union, there has been plenty of discussion about the success ofour national teams. When these teams do not perform, an analysis of player performance and selections areclosely scrutinised. The X–factor in a player is a term that keeps coming up in this discussion. This week, FTSlooks at ‘X-factor’ – what is it and how important is it to a team’s success?James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale, David Warner,Ben Barba, Josh Dugan have it- this mysticalX-factor. When switched on, they can singlehandedlychange the course of a game. Theypossess a special talent or quality that is almostimpossible to coach, yet more and more we areseeing selections based on this intangible asset.Unfortunately, this X-factor usually comes withan ego, which can be difficult to work with andhard to tame, often resulting in inconsistencyin performances and some degradation of teamculture. Are we sacrificing excellence achievedthrough a combination of talent, hard work andteamwork for this X-factor?Let’s take James O’Connor and Kurtley Bealeas examples in the recent losses againstthe Lions. Robbie Deans, ex-coach of theWallabies selected both of these players fortheir ‘X-factor’ in attack. Neither was able toperform consistently; O’Connor because hecouldn’t work with his backline, and Bealebecause of a lack of form and game time.Relying on a mysterious X-factor, which mayor may not turn up, clearly didn’t work. Theother downside of X-factor was the negativeimpact that these players had on the Wallabies’team culture. O’Connor and Beale were foundon Wednesday evening, leading up to one ofthe most important games of their careers,munching on Hungry Jacks at 4am and takingphotos with Lions fans. Imagine how thisbehaviour made the rest of the team feel, whoselivelihoods depend on the team’s performances.Leigh Halfpenny, player of the series andpossibly one of the best fullbacks in the game,even without his incredible goal kicking hasnever been associated with the term X-factor.On tour, Halfpenny kicked 40 from 45 kicks(89%). Compare this with his previous season(2012/2013), where he only made 78% of hiskicks. In between, there was nothing but hardwork- hours and hours of kicking. Genia andMowen are similar, they are players who basetheir success on accuracy and work ethic, andwere both stand-outs for the Wallabies duringthe Lions tour.David Warner is another man known for hisX-factor. “Sometimes it’s not going to lookgreat when he gets out, but on the other handhe has the X-factor. He can take the gameaway from the opposition in the first sessionof a test match,” says Michael Clarke, captainof the Australian cricket team. Inconsistencyhas marred David Warner’s erratic test career.He has had a miserable past few months,recently being suspended and fined $11,500for punching English player, Joe Root. Prior tothat, he was fined $5750 after an expletive-ladenTwitter rant. On the contrary, Australian bowlerPeter Siddle has been the go-to man with theball, constantly providing the breakthroughsrequired of him. His approach is solid andhumble.The X-factor is very alluring, and often wronglyrelied upon by coaches and players. Just becausea sportsman possesses something ‘uncoachable’,should not make him exempt from goodpractice and discipline. In this day and age, withthe avalanche of statistical analysis available,the X-factor must be complemented by a workethic and consistency, otherwise it will beexposed for what it is- mysticism. No playeris ‘too big to fail’ and, as a result, the same oldlesson is learnt; you cannot, no matter howtalented you are, avoid hard work.5 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill NSW AustraliaPhone: 9327 9000 Fax: 9327 9033Email: publications@cranbrook.nsw.edu.auPortal Address: portal.cranbrook.nsw.edu.auChronicle teamThe Fine Print Editors: Tom Gibson, Matthew TheophileFor the Lads Editors: Alexander Bogaty, Eddie NajmSilver Lining Editors: James Broe, Jack JahnFrom the Stands Editors: Dugald Holloway, Tom MahonyFocus Editors: Ben Grossberg, Max McGrathPublication Editors: Ms Nisbet, Ms Duke, Ms SnowdenLayout Artists: Ms Brooks, Ms Deans, Ms HodgsonAll material must be submitted in electronic form. The deadline is Tuesday 9.00am32