Wallabies focused on winning when it counts
Roar Rookie By David Pocock, 17 Jul 2010 David Pocock is a Roar Rookie
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- David Pocock, Rugby Union, Springboks, Test rugby, Tri Nations, wallabies
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England celebrate their win over Australia in their 2nd Rugby Union test match at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, June 19, 2010. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins
We’re a week away from the start of our Tri-Nations campaign and under no illusions about the step up in terms of level of intensity that is required when compared to what we experienced against Fiji, England and Ireland. After the Ireland Test in Brisbane, we had two weeks of pretty tough training in our home states and club rugby for most of the guys in the team.
There was a big focus on strength and conditioning and I think this will help lay the platform for what will be a very tough Tri-Nations.
Reflecting on the inbound series, I think we have continued to move in the right direction.
A lot of younger guys got their first taste of rugby at that level – guys like Rob Horne, Ben Daly, Salesi Ma’afu, Saia Faingaa, Matt Hodgson and James Slipper.
It’s a huge honour to wear the Wallaby jumper, and earning your first cap is a special moment.
One that you won’t forget.
There are many challenges adjusting to the intensity of Test football, and as we saw in the first game against England with the scrum, it’s a steep learning curve and one that we have to climb quickly.
I’m confident we will.
The loss to England in Sydney was hugely disappointing, and a poor game. Yet it was a game that I think would be fair to say we probably just did enough to win – but let it slip away.
Champion teams like the Crusaders, the Bulls or the Melbourne Storm (even though they might have lost their trophies), in the years that they won their respective competitions, often just scraped through games where things don’t go to plan to take the points on offer.
In games where they didn’t play as well as they usually did, they still managed to find a way to win.
I think that is the next step as a team: to find the way to win when playing poorly. And I’m sure it comes with much pain, reflection and improvement after losses.
We understand that the Australian rugby public are frustrated, as we are, and expect results sooner rather than later. So it’s exciting to have eleven more opportunities this year to repay the faith of supporters and offer up performances they are proud of.
The first game between the Springboks and the All Blacks looked pretty brutal.
New Zealand stuck to very simple tactics and simply focused on getting over the advantage line and generating quick ball – making the South Africans chase rucks, which didn’t allow them to get into their rhythm. It will be interesting to see what changes in the second game.
The squad has been in camp in Sydney this week and we have a day off over the weekend (with a number of guys also playing club rugby) and then meet up as a squad on Sunday in Brisbane to prepare for our first Tri-Nations game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
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David Pocock is a current Wallaby and columnist for The Roar. The ex-Zimbabwean plays for the Western Force in the Super 14 competition. He is the founder of the charity Eightytwenty Vision.
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July 18th 2010 @ 1:42am
Frank O'Keeffe said | July 18th 2010 @ 1:42am | Report comment
Good luck David, especially for the Melbourne Test. I’ll be making the trip to Melbourne and will be cheering my lungs out for you guys.
With respect, I don’t like the title of your column. Bob Dwyer once said you can play bad and win, and play well and lose… the latter is more preferable. Few people might agree with that since a W is the main aim, but when teams win ugly it ultimately leads them to losing games. Last year the Waratah’s thought a win was all that mattered and continued to play ugly – it caught up with them. If you lose playing attractive rugby, you’ll end up winning playing attractive rugby. I’m hoping the Wallabies will play much better than they did against England in that second Test.
July 19th 2010 @ 9:07am
Zac Zavos said | July 19th 2010 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Guys – just an FYI that our editors chose the title of this article, not David.
We’ve updated it to better reflect the article. I think his point was clear and shouldn’t be misconstrued: the team need to learn how to win the tough matches, as great teams do.
Zac
The Roar
July 18th 2010 @ 7:12am
Rabbitz said | July 18th 2010 @ 7:12am | Report comment
Hi David,
Thanks for your comments.
However I think you have missed some of the the reasons why supporters are “frustrated”.
Firstly as well paid professional players, we expect, no demand, that you never play poorly. If the players do, such as in recent seasons, then they do not deserve the money and lifestyle.
Next is the attitude when the team loses – it doesn’t appear that many, especially “the leadership group” appear to care about losing, I guess the pay packet makes up for it.
Finally, we keep hearing about “a big focus on strength and conditioning”, well may I respectfully suggest that the palyers and coaches have a look at the videos of recent Wallaby games. Strength and conditioning is fine, but I would say if the players are being honest with themselves then it would be obvious that basic skills are a major part of the problem. So how about “a big focus on rugby skills and team work”?
Anyway good luck and best wishes for the upcoming season.
July 18th 2010 @ 1:38pm
johnny-boy said | July 18th 2010 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
David – it seems to me that the Wallabies are trying too hard to create some magic or opportunities too early on. Particularly individually. It would be worthwhile imho for the Wallabies to knuckle down and just play conservative for at least the 1st 15 or 30 minutes to get in to some sort of rhythm and teamwork. Goodness knows the team could do with some. Do some hard yards 1st. Build some confidence in what you are doing instead of silly nervous mistakes . The defence against Engand in the 1st test was sensational so we know the team can do it if it wants. Just let the b…. come at you if they’re keen and show them that they aint coming thru. Then let it rip.
July 18th 2010 @ 4:53pm
warrenexpatinnz said | July 18th 2010 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
Thanks for the piece David and wish you and the guys the best this coming weekend, looking forward to seeing 100% committment from the guys over the Tri Nations as this series can make this squad and really set the standard required for 2011.
PS when you play the All Blacks make sure someone constantly lets the ref know the All Blacks ‘fall’ over during the cleanout sealing the ball of. A pet hate of mine.
July 18th 2010 @ 7:16pm
Go_the_Wannabe's said | July 18th 2010 @ 7:16pm | Report comment
Also, how about:
1. Cleaning out the crouching tigers at the ruck and maul
2. Keep mixing up the kick offs, 22s, line outs etc.
3. Do the unexpected at all times
4. Ban the box kick
5. Run the ball whenever possible
6. Run those Boks off their feet
7. Take on board the kiwi game plan and mind set
8. Beer tastes better after a game when you win!
July 18th 2010 @ 8:09pm
Pete said | July 18th 2010 @ 8:09pm | Report comment
Thanks for the article David and good luck next week.
Just enjoy your rugby and the rest will follow. If you fear losing, you don’t enjoy the game and you don’t close out the tight matches.
Forget about the fans, the Head Office suits and the press and play the game for the sheer love of playing rugby. If you do, you will start to win consistently and the fans, the suits and the press will follow the euphoria. Good luck.