The power of a narrative

You can construct a narrative to fit whatever tale you like. When Tony Smith announced, unexpectedly, that he was to leave Hull KR at the end of the 2022 season, a narrative was to take hold. We just didn't know what it was.

Option 1 was that Smith's announcement derailed Hull KR's season and the club's drop in form was directly attributable to that. Option 2 was that Smith's announcement galvanised Hull KR and they kicked on.

Option 1 prevailed. But this isn't how it has to be. In 2014, Nathan Brown announced he was to leave St Helens days before the Grand Final. The narrative that took hold is that this pushed Saints on to a first title in 8 years. In 2018, Shaun Wane departed Wigan with a third Grand Final triumph. They did it for him, we were told.

Equally, if Saints or Wigan lost those finals, then no doubt we would have concluded this was because of the disruption caused. Narratives.

Hull KR have faced injury disruption and despite poor form remain in contention for a play off spot. But for their substantial overachievment in 2021 and Smith's bombshell announcement, I doubt their form would have received such scrutiny.

Where this narrative changes is through Smith's conduct. He announced his departure, not the club. By all accounts, the club was blindsided. Smith referred to open disagreements with the club's management, thought to be Paul Lakin.

When you have referred to 'disagreements' and are due to leave in a matter of months, the likelihood of your early departure markedly increases. That's before poor form is taken into account. That's more fact than narrative. 

Smith's tenure at Hull KR is a success. They were in a relegation battle when he took over and he led the club to two semi finals. Whilst both were unsuccessful, this was substantial progress.

Alongside that, Smith's team played in an exuberant style, winning many external admirers.

To coach at the top level in such a cutthroat environment is no mean feat. You have to be a special talent to do it, as so few do. As Smith enters his third decade of coaching, despite his acrimonious exit from Hull KR, I doubt he will be short of opportunities, should he want them. Although, you must wonder whether potential suitors may be put off by Smith's noisy departure.

Danny McGuire takes interim charge. His first match? Hull FC at the Magic Weekend. Talk about a baptism of fire!