Johann van Graan brought Bath to life. Photo: Adrian Sherratt
Bath started New Year's Eve at the top of the Premier League table but ended it as the league's pantomime holiday villains.
Johan van Graan's side traveled to Leicester, but the head of South African rugby decided to leave plenty of their top stars at home during a congested playing period. After the 35–22 defeat, amid noise and outrage, Van Graan said he had «no regrets» about his choice.
Why? Because even though Bath decided to keep the likes of Ollie Lawrence, Finn Russell and Alfie Barbery at home, Van Graan's B team still had a number of internationals — Will Stewart started and was replaced Thomas Du Toit — and several have been identified as potential Test players such as Max Ojomo, Matt Gallagher and Orlando Bailey.
Although Bath are likely to reach the semi-finals on Saturday and could still finish the season as Premier League champions, the 13-point defeat at Mattioli Woods-Welford Road was arguably as rewarding as any match in 22 — Van Graan's one-month tenure in office. Bath sent a much-changed team to the East Midlands believing they could beat the Tigers and but for two yellow cards, who knows? Bath believed that their second line could win, something that five years ago no neutral observer would have believed.
With the arrival of Van Graan, the Bath team gradually transformed from occasionally competing on one front to regularly competing on two . Having reached the Premier League semi-finals as recently as 2020, Bath have always had a starting XI that can compete with the rest. But in this league, the strength of the starting lineup often doesn't matter; The depth of rest is important.
Bath's squad gradually transformed under the leadership of Johan van Graan. Credit : PA/Robbie Stevenson
Immediately with Van Graan's arrival on July 11, 2022, rejuvenation began. The former Bulls and Munster manager carried out a review of sorts and presented his recommendations to Bath council three months after his arrival.
“The big takeaway was that you need a lineup,” 44 said. — says Telegraph Sport. “It wasn't just about signing big players or just team players.
“You can't have 45 Test players; you can't have 45 players on the roster. You need age, experience, youth, ball players, good bench players – impact players – speed and guys who can keep fighting. This is a union.
“Before I spoke to the board of directors, I talked to as many people as possible, using my experience and what my eyes had taught me. A coach I have great respect for said: always trust your eyes.»
Following the advice of that coach (who Telegraph Sport understands is Eddie Jones), and in collaboration with the Oval, Moneyballers, who oversaw the recruitment Leicester's Premier League title-winning players, Van Graan and new head of recruitment Rob Burgess identified three vital pillars: ball and carry, leadership and youth.
“The Oval played a big role in assessing our current squad, its strengths and weaknesses, and [founder] Gordon Hamilton-Fairley has been fantastic,” says Van Graan. “Beyond my eyes, they provided data and insight into where our players are around the world. The next step was to look at the available options, which required long-term planning. Then when disaster struck, when Worcester and Wasps suffered defeats, Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence were two players who fit what I was looking for — a free-swinging winger and a center player in possession. Following this we also signed Alfie [Barbury].
Alfie Barbery displays powerful technique in the Bath back row. : Getty Images/Bob Bradford
“Going forward, rugby is easy. If you go backwards, it's quite difficult. We needed to go forward in the scrum, the maul and the win. Then they added certain people who were in a winning environment or who had special qualities that could be added. Example: JJ van Velze was the one I brought in extra because he was a captain, an experienced Premier League player and understood what it took to move forward.
“Ted captained Worcester in at a young age. Thomas du Toit was a player who could play for both teams, a very good ball player, but he captained South Africa and the Sharks. None of this happened by accident. I’m also proud of our retention.”
Given the salary cap restrictions, it is understandable that Bath have spent the £5 million cap this season and will continue to do so when the cap rises. up to £6.4 million – maximizing value is critical. Obviously, spending money on Finn Russell's unique talents meant compromising in other areas, and Van Graan knew that a player who could play both sides would be worth his weight in gold. The South African asked Oval to find him one. And they did it.
Du Toit, 29 and 18 caps for the Springboks, was one of the new signings of the season. Along with Russell, this may not scream «Moneyball» but it is about squeezing out every drop of value despite the financial cost.
An expensive team is not necessarily a good one. Bath has both.
“Value is very important,” says Van Graan. “Thomas was so good because we identified the position and found the right person. Once you get a player, the value is in his performance. Thomas is a member of the team this season and was voted our best striker. Speaking of value, he scored 11 tries, the same number as forward Joe Cocanasiga. And it’s not that we don’t score goals [wide]. That's who we are.
“You need balance. You need the right superstars. I'm not talking about superstars, I'm talking about players, and all the credit goes to Finn. When we first met, we were very open with each other, asking the right questions. I needed 10 more people who wanted to come for the right reasons, believing in the vision. He performed incredibly well and fit into the team brilliantly.
“But from day one the idea was that it’s not about one player, it’s about our team.”
Be Whether at Leicester or in the Premier League play-offs, Bath's team is much greater than what was once simply the sum of its parts.
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