Rugby Academies - an alternative model.

                     Harnessing the energy of youth – an alternative model for rugby union 

                  Photo courtesy of SU Sport 

                Fig.1. Cardiff Met. students rise to the challenge of supporting their team at the Arms Park 

The orchestrated singing resonated loudly across Westgate Street echoing off the walls of the Angel Hotel and into the city of Cardiff. This was not international day. It was BUCS Super Rugby night. Cardiff University were taking on Cardiff Metropolitan RFC in a league that is vibrant, of high quality and very well supported. The energy of youth was apparent in the 4,000 students competing against each other to out sing, out support and lyrically out think the opposition in the stands of the Arms Park. This energy is evident in the delivery of the rugby programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University that has provided a platform for a number of Met. Alumini to progress smoothly into professional rugby. Alex Dombrandt, Luke Northmore (both Harlequins), Tom Pearson (London Irish), Will Hurd (Leicester), Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby) have recently made this transition whilst Jack Yeandle has been leading the charge with Exeter Chiefs for many years including successes in the Gallagher Premiership and European Cup. These former Cardiff Met. RFC players all have the foundation of a degree to fall back on. There is an argument that this holistic model provides greater value than the current professional rugby academy programmes available. 

Capped by England in May and an ever present squad selection for the recent Autumn Rugby Internationals, ex-Cardiff Met. Student, Alex Dombrandt, looks back on ‘uni-life as the best three years of his life. In a recent interview on the Good, the Bad and the Rugby, an independent podcast, he reflects on his experience at Cyncoed, stating that the training programme was as good as any professional set up. A combination of Welsh Championship rugby and BUCS Super Rugby, the latter which is made up of the 10 best rugby Universities in England and Wales, provided a varied but competitive route to professional rugby. BUCS Super Rugby has creditability having seen recent English and Welsh internationals, Freddie Steward (Loughborough University) and Christ Tshiunza (Exeter University) also play in the competition. 

For Alex the added incentive of an academic pathway is having a qualification and degree by the age of 21, in his case a 2:1 in the Sports Programme at Cardiff Met. Damian Hopley, the Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Rugby Association, the body that looks after rugby players in the Gallagher Premiership, stated in 2018 that a professional player’s life span in this league is 7-8years, 10 years at the most if you are fortunate. This equates to 16-20% of an average person’s working life in time spent playing rugby. It is minimal and the importance of having alternatives in your life takes on greater significance. Freddie Steward has decided to finish his degree in Economics and Spanish, after gaining a contract with Leicester Tigers.                 

Fig.2. On the left Alex Dombrandt after a MOM performance in the BUCS Super Rugby Final 2018  Photo courtesy of SU Sport 

Fig.3. Diagram above right shows time spent in professional rugby career against your total life spent in work

A recent accolade from the Times Higher Education recognising Cardiff Metropolitan as the University of the Year 2021, cited amongst other things, ‘compassionate leadership’, as being one of the reasons for this award. The Cardiff Met. RFC rugby programme exemplifies this approach. Director of Rugby for four years and with an involvement for the last ten years, Senior Lecturer, Danny Milton leads a strong coaching team in delivering some key messages to students which align themselves to the University values. Although the rugby training programme is intensive, with a comprehensive S&C base running alongside skills and technical development, one eye is always kept on the course work of the student. The analysts (third year students on placement) have even developed a system to monitor players match and training time against their course work. If their module marks start to fall, the students are taken out of training and selection to focus on their course work and get the balance right. There is an incentive to deliver balance and recognise the big picture. Team Manager and coaches, Amber Regardsoe and Thomas Griffiths monitor this closely. Ellis Bevan, a scrum half, who is now with Cardiff Rugby, gained a 1st class Hons. in business from the University. 

Danny Milton is supported by an experienced coaching team who follow his lead. Not only do they coach up to 200 students but they also deliver courses within the University framework. As well as producing players fit for the Gallagher Premiership this coaching team has also produced coaches fit for professional rugby too! It doesn’t end there; some of the coaching team also pursue their own academic post graduate interests in the area they love – coaching. Danny is currently in the process of completing a PhD examining Motivational Climate: Creating and empowering environments. There is a relentless pursuit of excellence. 

The facilities within the University support the high performance environment. Strength and conditioning Manager Dai Watts, has a depth of experience having worked as a part of the back- room staff with Warren Gatland’s 2008 Grand Slam winning team then supported Welsh rugby U-21’s, U-18’s and the 7’s squad as well as Welsh women’s rugby. The S&C programme is based at the National Indoor Athletic Centre (Cyncoed campus) and integrated within the degree course running at times that do not clash. This places a firm commitment on the shoulders of those aspiring to make the Cardiff Met. RFC First XV, with students having to start training at the crack of dawn, or earlier, for some of these sessions. 

Contributing to this formidable team are Head Coach Dr. Ian Gardner who recently completed his doctorate in Sports Coaching, Dr.Gethin Thomas, Alun Williams, Chris Ower and Rhys Roberts. Ian represented the University when it was UWIC back in the 90’s. He joined the University after 21 years as a Physical Education teacher in Caerphilly. ‘Gards’ was Head Coach of Bedwas RFC prior to taking on his current role; he is responsible for the forwards and the defence. Rhys helps manage the group and is responsible for attack from 1st phase. Former Newport RFC prop, Alun ‘Benny’ Williams, brings a hard edge to the coaching team. He focusses on the technical aspects of the scrum and the lineout lift. 

Photo courtesy of SU Sport 

Fig.4. Above, Danny Milton, Director of Rugby, surrounded by the Cardiff Met. Rugby team 

Talking to Danny Milton prior to this season it was apparent that he understands development of the person as being as important as the development of the rugby player. This mirrors the recent words of New Zealand great and twice Rugby World Cup winning player, Sonny Bill Williams, “I always say a better man makes a better athlete”. This was taken from a frank conversation with James Haskell and Alex Payne on the Good, the Bad and the Rugby podcast last month about his recent biography, “You can’t stop the sun from shining”. 

Cardiff Met. RFC provides an attractive alternative model to that of the current professional rugby academy in the UK. The overriding culture of the University is authentic – based firmly on values that everyone looks to learn, share and live by. It is one that will not only give you the skills and attributes to play professional rugby but one that will give you the skills and attributes for a career for life not just rugby. 

Alun Carter December 2021 

Gatland, Guardiola and Erasmus – What Influences Team Selection?

In recent years football manager, Pep Guardiola, has dumbfounded nearly everyone with his controversial team selections in games of huge significance for Manchester City. He saved his most outrageous decision for the biggest game of all – Chelsea in the Champions League Final. Out went the captain Fernandinho and fellow midfielder Rodri. Either one of these players had been involved at the base of midfield in 59 out of the 60 games City had played up to this point. The change in team selection and thinking was a shock to many, but most of all it was bound to have come as a shock to those City players taking the field in the final. Their lack of cohesion and the space they afforded Chelsea in the first half reflected this and ultimately led to deciding the fate of this game. Why change team selection? When does it work and what are the reasons? 

Tactical influence can impact selection. Pep, whilst being highly successful as a manager, is also viewed as a romantic. He is an idealist whose philosophy is founded in playing possession football; players who can keep the ball through high skill levels, awareness of each other’s positioning and quality passing. His teams invariably starve opposition of the ball and create many chances due to an attacking style centred around possession and knowing when to take opportunities. He is also concerned about the way his teams play; it is not just about winning the game he wants to win it in style! Also, the recent success Chelsea have had over Manchester City in the Premier League and the FA Cup semi-final, put pressure on the Catalonian. Pep made changes to selection that he felt would benefit their attacking style. The result and the manner of City’s first half performance dictates he got it

wrong. 

Captaincy does not carry the same weight as in rugby union. But in the culture that has been created at the Etihad, it does hold significance. The loss of Vincent Kompany and his leadership has been a difficult challenge. Recently City have found a consistent performer and leader in Fernandinho. Not starting him in the Final again had consequences. All teams need strong leadership. 

In rugby union British and Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland will not be so concerned about how he wins. The Kiwi has once again caused some ripples with his recent Lions squad selection. It looks as though there has been compromise with Gregor Townsend (BIL attack coach) and Steve Tandy (BIL defence coach) having an input to team selection. We do not know whether this has caused less Irish players being chosen or whether it is the GPS data that shows that the chosen players may be capable of a performance that will be needed to succeed in the highveld. It could just be Gatland’s indifference to anything Irish. 

Close knowledge of players and who you are working with, or playing alongside, is a strong factor. Graham Henry had his head turned when finalising selection for the First test in his hotel room at Coffs Harbour, 4 days before the British and Irish Lions First test match at The Gabba in Brisbane, 2001. With his room crammed with English heavyweights, defence coach Phil Larder, forwards coach Andy Robinson and Captain Martin Johnson, his original favoured thinking for the 6 position was shelved for Englishman Martin Corry. The Lions won the First Test emphatically and whether Corry or Welshman Colin Charvis had played, the result is likely to have been the same. 

When it comes to Lions’ selection Warren Gatland seems to have had a magic wand and a thick skin. He is not one to get carried away by emotion and keeps a cool head. In 2013 he selected the centre combination of Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts for the crucial Third test match against Australia. Brian O’Driscoll had been controversially omitted. The game was won; and Gatland’s decision was vindicated as was his decision to drop Peter O’Mahony, in 2017 in New Zealand and reinstate Captain Sam Warburton for the successful Second test match against the All Blacks in Wellington. O’Mahony Captained the Lions in the First test then did not make the match day 23 for the Second test. 

Lions squad selection for the South African 2021 tour undoubtedly took into consideration the beast that is South Africa, namely the altitude and the physicality. The type of game that they will face is only too apparent; in RWC2019 (RWC Statistical Report 2019), RSA won 99% of their lineouts losing just 1 throughout the competition; they won the most penalties on their own scrum and they forced the most turnovers and penalties on opposition scrum; they drove 2 out of every 3 lineouts; they conceded only 1 try in the knockout stages (3 matches); and the Springboks were happy for the opposition to have the ball, RSA having less possession than 18 of the opposition teams in pool stages and in both the semi-final and final matches. Their game plan is one of attrition, designed to wear down the opposition. 

Rassie Erasmus knows clearly what he wants and how he wants to play the game. The ‘bomb squad’ as it is known, or 6/2 forward/backs split on the bench reinforces what the Head Coach wants – total physical dominance of the opposition through wearing them down at forward level. The majority of players that won the World Cup in Japan have been selected for this coming series. Whilst the Springboks have not played any international rugby for 18months, neither have the Lions and for longer. 

The key to success against South Africa is examining how Japan played in RWC2019. RSA and Japan met in the quarter-final. The hosts were unbeaten. It was the one and only game in RWC2019 that RSA changed their profile, keeping possession away from the Japanese. And why? The Cherry Blossoms played the game faster than any other country – getting the ball away from the scrum within 5 seconds (SA was 9 seconds); they only drove 1/7 lineouts getting off the top ball not focussing on the near channel; their recycled ball at ruck was 30% quicker than any other team with designated ‘9’’s looking to get the ball away quickly. RSA did not want to be drawn into a game where the pace was being dictated by such a style.                            

                                                                                               

Gatland’s 2021 Lions will not win the physicality battle. The type of game Gatland decides upon to take the sting out of the Boks will require the right mix of players. He will not be swayed by emotion when that time arrives.

Photos:

Pep Guardiola 2021 (Adam Davy/PA.).

Lions 2013 (Stephen McCarthy /SPORTSFILE).

Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi at RWC 2019 (CNN).

Quick ball from Japanese lineout in RWC2019 (Getty Images).

Pross : Terms of Endearment

There is a warning that comes with this blog - 'Pross' was rarely politically correct. But as a coach at Pontypool RFC he was unique and protective of his group of merry men who loved him and rewarded him with their best years. The following nicknames are an assortment used by Ray Prosser to put ‘names’ to faces in the Pooler team during his time in charge of the club. The majority were generated by him. It was his connection to the player regardless of the player’s family name or birth name. They were often irreverent, nowhere near being politically correct but aligned themselves to humour and were often an aide memoire for the coach. 

The expression, ‘Terms of endearment’ described the names used and focussed on connections to physical traits, stories, colour, family or embarrassing moments. Many of the nicknames that Pross gave became a rite of passage within the group. They also became the names that the players would refer to each other by. There were up to 40-50 players training at the Park during the halcyon days of the 70’s, early and mid 80’s. Many players came and went within that time. There will be some players and Pross himself who either never knew the true name of a player or just referred to him by his nickname. 

Journalists working with Pooler during Pross’ tenure had to quickly get up to speed with the nicknames and who they represented, as team sheets in the newspaper for forthcoming games had to be accurate. One journalist, Andrew Baldock, relates the story of calling Pross to get the team for the next match and the whole team was given in nicknames. 

To emphasise this ‘Staff’ Jones, former British and Irish Lion front row forward who played for Pontypool in the 80’s related this wonderful story recently:- Staff has kept in touch with Pross calling him every couple of weeks to check how he was doing. Pross’ daughter Bev would often answer the phone and call to Pross, “ Staff on the phone”. 

Pross would mutter that he didn’t know anyone called Staff. 

Taking the phone, “Who is this?”, “Staff, Pross”, 

“I don’t know any f…..g Staff”, Pross growled, 

 “You know, Fat Arse!” , Staff replied 

 “Ah, now Fat Arse why didn’t you say, how are you son?” 

The following names come from my own time as a supporter and a player at the club. There are stories around some of them. Some I am not sure about and would need to be corroborated. Pross also abbreviated surnames – Cob, Bish, Perk. If he called you by your first name you were either lucky or respected – Bobby Windsor (The Duke) would be just such an example. At the end of the list are some phrases that Pross used to reinforce a point making it far more graphic and memorable. 

Jaw 

Pross’ right hand man Ivor Taylor, former Pooler and Newport RFC centre. 

The Banana Bunch 

Collective term Pross had for some of the committeemen of Pontypool RFC. 

Charlie 

Anthony Faulkner. 

British and Irish Lion Prop. Not sure where the name Charlie came from. 

Fat Arse 

"Staff” Jones. Front row forward. Pross once said in a training session, referring to Staff and Jeff Squire, as having the sorts of arses only women can have or should have. 

Bonker 

Neil Waite. Great club servant and loose head prop who played for Athletic. 

Aubrey 

Steve Jones, hooker. Also known as Junna. Pross knew Steve’s uncle Aubrey and the association was born from this. 

Pimple head, Lions head, Shirley Temple 

Graham Price. Pricey had bad acne at one stage especially on his back. Pross generated this name although I am not sure where the other two came from but they were used too. 

Jockey 

Steve O'Donahue. Rumney hooker who settled into the Pooler ways easily. Named after a famous horse jockey from Pross' early years.

Shink 

Paul Jenkins. Another great front row forward who could play loose or tight. A local lad from Blaenavon who could run all day and was a gifted footballer. 

Round Head 

Ynysbwl’s very own Garin Jenkins who later joined Swansea RFC. A hooker who gained 58 caps for Wales placing him as most capped international hooker for a short period. 

The Bear Mike Crowley. Powerful and strong scrummaging tight head. The Bear had two brothers – Robert and Andrew. They were to become known as Middle Bear and Baby Bear. Steve Peters (Waterloo Front Row) tells the story of having a tough time against Pricey up in Waterloo. There was an injury in the forwards and Pricey had to change positions. Steve was relieved but then recalled hearing a loud voice from the touchline - GET THE BEAR READY. Pross was barking orders to get Mike Crowley ready to go on. Steve soon realised there was to be no respite and quickly found out who the Bear was ! 

Slim 

Prop Mike Williams who was anything but slim. 

Perk 

John Perkins, Welsh second row forward and club Captain. Simply Perk. Blaenavon product. 

Boris 

Kevin Moseley, Welsh second row forward. In Kevin’s early days at the club his face was badly scarred from the inevitable confrontations he had. This sparked a connection to Frankenstein and the actor Boris Von Karloff who played the part of the mad scientist who developed Frankenstein. 

Jammy 

Second row Ken Rowles. Another local man. 

Ricky 

Talented second row and back row forward Richard Goodey. 

Lump Head / Mort

Hadyn Moreton, second row. Great servant to Pontypool. A bald headed Cwmbran man who frightened the hell out of many opponents. Used to step in admirably for internationals and play in his own right too. 

Horse, Horse Head 

Martin Jones, a Cwmbran product. Another Pooler great in his own right. Martin was the most ungainly, hard as nails, awkward second row in the Pooler ranks who was also one of the most valued and loyal of players. He was all knees and elbows and injured as many of his own players as the opposition. 

Arkle 

Heavy Kevin Edwards. Powerful second row who used to tape his ankles over his socks revealing the white bandage above his boots. This wound Pross up and resulted in the name of the famous racehorse Arkle, who had white 'socks', being bestowed upon Kevin. 

Farmer John 

Hereford RFC’s John Watkins. A tall goal kicker extraordinaire who normally played at full back but was coerced into second row action for Pontypool. He sat on the bench for Pontypool RFC in 1983 when pooler won the Welsh Cup Final. He was the last person in the dressing room, with the team off to celebrate in a nearby bar. The Cup was left behind with him. 

Long Dog 

Pross invited many a tall player to train with Pooler. They could work in Woolworth, be security guards or people Pross had met in the street. They usually had one thing in common, they were tall – at least 6’8 or above. Inevitably these players were referred to as Long Dog. 

Buffalo 

John McCabe - good ball carrier who bowled defenders over for fun. 

Ginger 

Eugene Murnane. A short stocky back row forward from Blaenavon with a real bright ginger mullet. Once answered an emergency call on a Saturday morning whilst stood on the bus stop in Blaenavon and flew off to Ireland that evening with a small contingent of Pooler internationals on a private jet. The next day he was playing for a World XV in a game against Ireland. He shared a back row spot with Jean Pierre Rives and Jean Claude Skrela. 

Shaft 

Welsh International and Sevens flier Mark Brown was named after the 1973 TV Detective Series character John Shaft. 

Madman/ Huick

The ever consistent back row forward Chris Huish – Huick. Chris drew many comments from Pross with his powerful body building frame and the skimpy vests he sometimes wore in the middle of winter training. 

Bamber, Cambridge Blue, The Elegant Edward, Edward 

Welsh International and Captain, British and Irish Lion Eddie Butler. Pross regularly used Edward. In the early days Bamber was Eddie's new name. Bamber Gascoigne was the quiz master on BBC's University of Challenge back in the 70's and 80's. The fact Pross had a Cambridge University man in his team provided him with great amusement. In one session he blurted out – what a combination – Madman, Shaft and the Cambridge Blue. 

Cob / Dick 

British and Irish Lion and Captain of Wales and Pontypool. Terry Cobner was simply Cob or Cobs. Referred to as Dick as well after Cobs' father who Pross would have played against. 

Black Frank 

Athletic back-rower and second row stand in Frank Jacas. A player who was international class in the wrong era. 

Fingers / Gregors 

Local favourite and hardened back row forward Brian Gregory. Pross had difficulty persuading Gregors to play as he was keen on racing his pigeons, which was a weekend pursuit. Gregors had an ability to strip players of the ball in mauls by working on their fingers although there maybe another explanation ! 

Sticks 

John Watkins – no.8. A thoroughbred with legs to match! 

Jacks, Jacko 

Steve Jackson No.8. Always quick off the mark. 

Haydo 

Fiercely committed and grand protectorate Haydn Wilmott who played both centre and back row forward. 

Upside Down Head, Curly Mostyn Davies – no.8. Another great footballer who was at the heart of the post match social scene. 

Spring 

 Alun Carter., back row forward. Nickname stuck after a trip to Limerick to play Shannon RFC. “When the Irish music started Zebedee bounced out of his box and half way to the ceiling”, as Mostyn Davies remembers it. 

Countryside Shithouse 

One of the many transitory players, who was large and was struggling with a bad stomach during a training session. The aroma and constant rumbling bowels had Pross gagging for this name. Needless to say this player did not last long. 

Big Head 

Chris Jones – scrum half. 

Tich Ian Taylor – diminutive scrum-half. 

Bish David Bishop, Wales international scrum half. Simply Bish. 

Abe, Jew Boy, Goldie 

Pontypool outside half Mike Goldsworthy who had a great kicking game that was perfect for Pooler. Pross once asked him at the last minute to play full back. Mike grudgingly accepted. He then got roasted by Pross later for dropping a high kick in the game. 

Little Dai 

Dai Thomas – outside half. 

Bill Sykes

The multi-talented winger, centre, outside half and scrum half, Adrian Parry. The perfect bench player when only 1 back reserve was allowed. He was named after the character in Oliver Twist. At one summer session when Bill was leading the go for home last lap dash with Shaft, Pross was imitating the sound of a police siren and shouting, “Watch out Bill, the coppers are after you”. 

Sheets 

Teacher, Headmaster and legendary Pooler wing – Goff Davies. On a stay away trip early in his Pontypool RFC career the young teacher was embarrassingly caught with some bed sheets in his kit bag. The hotel manager had demanded that the club return a number of items belonging to the hotel before they left. Kit bags were emptied and a totally innocent Goff Davies was surprised to find sheets in his bag. When told about this Pross thought it was hilarious and hence his alias was 'born'. 

Doc 

Goal kicking machine and full back Peter Lewis. The Doc is looking fitter now some 40 years on than during his time at Pontypool RFC during the 80’s. He was often to be found at the bar with a whisky in one hand and cigarette in the other. These habits have been long since cast aside. 

Most 

Mostyn Richards, attacking full back in the 70's. 

Dai Fish 

Centre David Cornwall, ex-Newport RFC. Affectionately known as 'Dai Fish' given the fact that Dai could avail himself a regular supply of fish which Pross was partial to and of course it was free. The message was clear to players and in true Fagan parlance, "Surplus and ill gotten gains are more than welcome!"  

Tater 

Phil Blight. Centre who later made his way to USA and coached Atlanta Renegades.

Rog / Roger

Crash tackling centre and Welsh International roger Bidgood.

Golden Bollocks The winger and top finisher Sean Hanson. Lyndy Centre – Lyndon Faulkner. Another player who made his way to USA. 

Shire or Shire Horse

Powerful legged winger, Gareth White.

Zulu 

Bargoed wing Steve Evans. Not quite sure where this name came from. But he was a bottle of pop winger with dark skin. 

Hairy Man 

Winger John Young. 

Mowgli Eastern valley wing David Hussey. Swarthy and dark skinned. 

Hatrick Patrick Patrick Hayes – winger. After an immortal night in Bath when Pat ran in 3 tries this name was adopted. 

As the years have passed and when players speak to each other it is invariably through the nicknames Pross gave them. Some like ‘Bill’ Parry, a combination of nickname and surname have become their adopted names to one and all. 

Pross quotes 

There was a frustration at some of the Pontypool RFC committee men who were happy to wear the blazer but not spend time in Elm House. "I dribble more feckin beer down my feckin tie in one night, than they drink in one week in this club house" 

Players whose running style was restricted, "Son you are running like the hairs of your arse are tied together" Another variation on this, "Your arse is chewing a toffee"

Post Christmas Stress Disorder

Are we able to relax anymore? With ten days off for the Christmas break I was looking forward to being able to kick back. But each day seems to bring with it challenges that eat away this time, bring their own stress and are anything but relaxing… 

Firstly, returning a pair of undersize neoprene water boots should be straight forward. The local One shop has a Hermes parcel delivery machine which generates postage labels. It is situated on top of a cash dispenser. This was being replenished and I patiently waited for the shop assistant to complete his task. Once in front of the Hermes screen I tap in all the relevant information which takes 4minutes. At the end payment is required but the Hermes cash card reader will not accept my iphone Apple pay. No matter how many times I wave the phone at the reader whilst maintaining thumb contact, it does not respond. Fortunately, home is only a 2minute walk away. By the time I have returned and collected my debit card there is a queue waiting for the cash machine. Finally I am able to input all information and pay for my parcel return ticket. Only 25minutes wasted. 

Secondly, dog walking is usually something to look forward to. We take our neighbour’s dog Rosie together with our two collies, Bonnie and Clyde. Collecting Rosie means running the gauntlet with her owner Margaret, who suffers from COPD. She is a retired pensioner who is fragile but sharp enough to take advantage of every able-bodied visitor on her doorstep. Whether it is re-distributing some of her food bank left overs, collecting fallen apples from her tree or putting the bins out, Margaret is always on the lookout for help. Today is no exception. Before collecting Rosie, which seems to be enough charity for one day, I adjust a security light so the sensor extends further than its current one metre radius. 

 “Al, would you be able to do me a favour?” (I just have Margaret, two in fact if you count walking Rosie which I don’t usually as she is a joy) 

“What is it Margaret? ”, I reply. 

“There is a handle on my window that needs replacing. I have a new handle for it.” 

 “Let me get my tool box”. I return and look at the task facing me. 

The handle attaches to a PVC window and there is cold air getting in because it will not close properly. Simple, just take off the old handle and replace with the new! This type of DIY job would take most practical people 5minutes. Just looking at it brings me out in a cold sweat. My demeanour changes within a short time from mild mannered to a blaspheming madman. All items on the window sill are removed once Margaret realises she is dealing with a DIY Jekyll and Hyde. One hour later after cutting screws with a hacksaw and three attempts at fixing the handle in the right position, success! 

Thirdly, and at last the dog walk ! Perhaps this will bring the peace and tranquillity that this holiday needs. The three dogs are harnessed and loaded into the car boot. Barkby Beach is our destination 1 mile away. It sounds like California but is in fact Prestatyn on the North Wales coast. The sea is raging and the white rollers are smashing onto the long stretches of sandy beach with Storm Bella on its way. The dogs love the beach and we enjoy the walk. As an anti-dote to the malaise of Covid-19 I have taken up wild water bathing, today is very wild ! The dogs look on bewilderingly as I strip to my shorts and look to FREEZE TIME, STOP THE CLOCK and enjoy the benefits the cold water can have and finally find that quiet moment. 

Not the best decision of the day as the sea takes hold and throws me round like a rag doll. Bonnie and Clyde clamber onto the rocks and have a worried look on their faces. Rosie guards their tennis ball on the beach. I manage to get a hold onto one of the ragged rocks and crawl over them to the safety of the beach. Resembling a stand in actor from one of the gory scenes in Game of Thrones I emerge, legs and hands cut to shreds and blood flowing freely. 

This was not quite the peaceful bathing experience that had been shown on Countryfile. I return home a little bit shaken and feeling ashamed. The day has disappeared and almost taken me with it. There is still time left to salvage some peace. Perhaps a little bit of cooking from the wonderful recipes in my new Yotam Ottalenghi book will prove to be more relaxing!?

Take the Points !

After being awarded a penalty which is within range of the posts when is the time right to kick at goal? Australia could have been celebrating a comfortable victory if they had opted to kick at goal in Saturday morning’s Tri-nations clash against Argentina. However, they decided on 6 occasions to kick to touch allowing the Pumas opportunity to stop them scoring and win some key battles within the game. These small victories gave the Argentines heart and kept them in a game which resulted in a 15-15 draw. 

For years, the England teams of Sir Clive Woodward chipped away at opposition grinding them down. This consisted of dominating the territorial battle and forcing penalties. They then used to take the points through the accurate goal kicking boot of Jonny Wilkinson. 3, 6, 9, 12 – before long England would be 12 or 15 points up without a try being scored. This paved the way for many victories and second half collapses which would inevitably allow an English try fest late on. 

So, when is the right time to kick at goal? 

     •   Your goal kicker is kicking well. Reece Hodge, the Aussie 10, had a kicking return of              100%, 5/5 penalties until his last kick of the match. Is your lineout winning success as good          as your goal kicking success, if not then kick at goal ! 

    •     Don’t give the opposition a chance to stop you scoring. By taking the kick at goal the                  opposition can only watch. When you kick to touch it is a challenge, a team like Argentina           will rise to the challenge. England will remember only too well their decision in the                      RWC2015 pool game against Wales. Chris Robshaw the England Captain had this                     decision to make. Kick at goal successfully and go through to the quarter finals of a home           RWC. Kick to touch and give a delighted Welsh team the chance of frustrating England. 

 

    •     Reward yourself for territorial dominance. Keep the scoreboard ticking over. Australia had           70% of territory in the first half and came away with 9points. They turned down a further              6 shots at goal. That is potentially a 27-6 score at half-time as opposed to 9-6.                              Conversely Argentina had 30% territory and kicked both the penalties that came their                  way keeping them in touch. 

    •     Weather. More mistakes occur in wet conditions and invariably less tries are scored. In the           second half of this Tri-Nations game the heavens opened and no tries were scored. Take           points on offer and keep in front when the weather conditions are poor. 

    •     Know your 'enemy'. Argentina have been struggling to score tries. They beat New                      Zealand through kicking 6 penalties the week before but only managed 1 try to the All                  Blacks 2. But defensively the Pumas were world class. This would have taken a huge                  physical and mental effort to maintain which is always difficult to reproduce 1 week later              as England found out to their cost in last year’s World Cup Final. Deny them the chance to           do what they do best – defend. Kick the goal. 

In the Autumn International between England and Ireland the visitors had a penalty on the English 10m line, 15m in from touch…kickable. The score was 5-0 to England. Ireland, as they seem to do most of the time, opted for the kick to touch and consequent lineout. An overthrow and great counter attacking play from their own line saw England score a try and go 12-0 in front. If the Irish had opted for goal the score at half time could have been 5-3. This would have been a game changer and put pressure on the English. 

Why do teams give the opposition a chance of winning key psychological victories. There are so many things that can go wrong with a lineout – the throw, the call, the lift, the catch and the opposition. Kicking at goal is far simpler and takes away any opportunity for the opposition. Teams that prefer the macho choice of taking the lineout and imposing their dominance invariably lose out. It would be interesting to see which choice has the best returns for scoring. The Argentines would seem to have the inside track on this.

Time for Change

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” Albert Einstein 

After a dreadful loss in the first game of Pontypool RFC’s 2014 season I walked into the club house of Bargoed RFC. Situated in the centre of the town it was like the tardis; after squeezing through the packed bar it opened out into a large function room that also caters for weddings, children’s parties and private functions as well as being the place to go on a Saturday afternoon. It was bursting at the seams. The heart of a community blighted by the loss of its colleries back in the 80’s was alive with happy supporters and families. 

When I learned of the appointment of Robert Butcher as the new Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union my thoughts went back to this vibrant club, punching above its weight at senior level with an outstanding junior section. If Robert Butcher had anything to do with the atmosphere and organisation of Bargoed RFC as club secretary for some 20 years from the mid-nineties then Welsh rugby and especially the clubs have made a good decision. 

We are in difficult times. Clubs throughout the Principality struggling to keep one nostril above the water before Covid-19 are now in dire straits with no rugby. The international team is struggling to win a game. After the departure of technical coach for Defence/breakdown Sam Warburton and Defence Coach Byron Hayward, plus the introduction of Gethin Jenkins into a coaching role, the National team's settled environment of previous years has been challenged. Add all this to the desperately poor form of the four professional Welsh regions and you have an unenviable situation facing the new Chairman. Opportunity knocks. 

There is a mediocrity at regional level. Can we keep the same system that has struggled to be successful and lost so much support from the outset 17 years ago? Or do we reduce Welsh professional senior contracts from 200 to 90? Take control and create two strong teams based on cultural roots and with a greater identity than the regions who arguably have divided Welsh club rugby and weaken the club setup. Can we have a strong club system that provides a safety net for players not making the grade after Academy and allowing them an opportunity to get a professional contract when they are ready. Like the AIL does in Ireland. Can we retain the academies within a two-tier professional set up? 

The clubs are the life blood of the game in Wales arguably providing a far greater connect to the community than the regions. WRU cannot sustain four senior professional regions and four academies and still hope to balance the books or be successful. The regions have had limited success since their inception in 2003, 17 years ago. At present in the Pro14 Welsh regions have played 44 games in total and won 20 losing 24. A 45% winning return. Only Ospreys have won more games than they have lost. The Dragons have the worst record having won 3 and lost 6. 

Taking current senior player contracts at regional level squad numbers are Ospreys – 44, Blues -48, Dragons – 53 and Scarlets – 63. The latter look as though they have included academy players in their squad on the Scarlets website. If we round up playing numbers to 200 and give a conservative average of £50k per player per annum then the annual playing budget stands at around £10million. This figure can be reduced but it will cause huge heartache and upset, whilst providing a HR nightmare.

The quality of playing talent is still here in Wales. We have seen this through the success of our national team. The regional academies have produced some outstanding professional players who have had the foundation to become world class players and leaders – Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North. The Academies are not as strong as they were when they run by and closely monitored by the WRU. The level of quality throughout is not there to sustain continued success in Pro14 or in the European Cup competitions. The system is in desperate need of an overhaul.

By reducing senior playing contracts and coaching staff contracts the academies can be bolstered as well as the clubs. Some players will search for contracts elsewhere but many will go back into the club system in Wales. With a strong league benefitting from added support in facility and coaching the challenge is there for players to show their worth and bounce back. The academies can still provide the pathway to professional rugby but must have closer connections to the clubs in their regions. 

Increasing finance by stream lining professional contracts can help create a new model for Welsh rugby:- regeneration of facility, improving coaching and equipment at club level; greater opportunity for the women’s game; and junior rugby through the clubs. There is an opportunity to create an environment where a Welsh club player can eventually go on to play for Wales. This happens on a regular basis in Ireland where the AIL provides a great environment for players to win professional contracts. In the Ireland v Wales international in November there were 5 players in the Irish team who were playing club rugby in the AIL within the last 3 years.

Opportunity knocks - two professional teams. East Wales (maintaining academy regions Cardiff Blues and Dragons) and West Wales (maintaining academy regions Ospreys and Scarlets). A stronger mix with a greater chance of success in all competitions. Robert Butcher has entered the chair at a crucial moment in Welsh rugby development. He knows how to create and organise a club that is vibrant, now he needs to transfer that model to the national game. From what I have been told he is more than capable of doing that. He just needs support from the WRU executive and a model that works. The current model is not working. The decision is whether we keep the system as it is now or look for change? I do not know the answers but there needs to be an open and frank discussion and then some hard decisions.

Addendum (following feedback and further thought)

1. Local heroes. There are some 220 rugby clubs in the Welsh Rugby Union, although this figure is constantly changing in the present climate. That means throughout Wales there is a potential for 400-600 local heroes; the types of players that stay with a club and are the players that youngsters within that club look up to. That number of role models is significant. International players will have started their rugby pathway at one of these WRU clubs. This needs to be celebrated and reinforced not diminished. 

2. The English connection. It never surprises me when Wales upset the bookies or the odds in their international encounters against the English. Competition against the English be it at international or club level, always raises the level of performance for a Welsh person. We need to be doing this regularly and entertaining the idea of competition that involves our English friends. 

The High and Lows of International Rugby

The performance of the Argentinians in round 3 of the rescheduled Rugby Championship 2020 tournament was the highlight of the weekend. The emotion of their coaches, players and supporters erupted after their first ever win against New Zealand 25-15 at the Bankwest Stadium in Sydney. It also demonstrated a reward for the sacrifices that this team has made during the last 3 months. They released a video prior to their first competitive game for 13 months It shows the lengths they have gone to as individuals in their own homes during lockdown to practice, train and keep their skills sharp -

https://twitter.com/lospumas/status/1327344003088592896?s=20 

The other huge sacrifice is family. With South Africa deciding to stay at home, all teams in this Tri-Nations tournament will be away from family for the duration of the competition which lasts another 4 weeks. The Pumas achieved a stat that I have never seen in a top level international rugby match in the last 26 years. No missed tackles. This was a phenomenal effort against a team that has the highest try scoring strike rate and a high number of devastating linebreakers. To maintain this effort requires huge concentration, focus and trust in each other. It also shows a clarity and understanding in what they are all doing. It required huge energy to sustain the physicality and line speed right to the end. How often have we seen the All Blacks steal games in the last 10minutes of matches. The defence provided the foundation for success whilst Sanchez, contrary to main teams today, kicked at goal converting 18 points from penalties. 

In contrast to the energy, belief and understanding of their defensive system shown by the Argentinians we saw the opposite in the Welsh performance against Ireland. The lack of energy and ill-discipline prevented the performance Welsh Coach Wayne Pivac was hoping for. Playing Georgia next week will provide a welcome opportunity to put a halt to the losing run of 6 matches by Wales which still falls short of Steve Hansen’s 11 match losing record between November 2002 and August 2003. Wayne Pivac might opt for a training camp in Covid-19 stricken Merthyr in the lead up to the English game in two weeks’ time.