Coaching a team to Win....
By apb
October 14 2005
When looking at the statistics for the match tonight, I have to admit I was somewhat surprised. Apparently, Leeds have only ever won once at Sixways in seven times of asking, and that was in a Premiership Two - National Division One as it's now known - match in January 2000.
I've always considered the two clubs as kindred spirits in many ways; clubs from the "lower leagues" who in recent times have fought their way up the rugby hierarchy to the pinnacle in the Premiership. Two clubs who have both surprised the established elite in their respective first seasons in the Prem; Leeds taking the relegation battle all the way to the line in 2002, and Worcester memorably last year confounding all onlookers to finish ninth - the highest place ever for a newly promoted club - to give them a crack at the wildcard playoffs.
Both clubs have also gone about staying in the Premiership this season in the same way - judicious recruitment mixed with faith in the old boys; inproved quality combined with consistency; evolution not revolution.
Of course, this season, that's where the similarity ends, and although not exactly lighting the Premiership up at the moment, Worcester have clearly taken their chances when they got them and put valuable points on the board. We all know the contrast there, with Leeds having scored zero points in both competitions they've taken part in so far.
The Leeds coaching staff have already come under pressure for the lack-lustre start to the season. This is perhaps thrown into even sharper relief, with the SuperLeague grand Final due to take place tomorrow evening and the Leeds Rhinos looking to defend their championship from last year. Phil Davies and Daryl Powell have come in for particular criticism on this site, and I just wonder if Daryl is thinking if he really should have changed codes when he did.
Some of you may know that I'm a coach myself. I look after a set of Under-11s who are well into the season, and are - like Leeds - looking for their first win. But - also like Leeds - my lads are all good rugby players. I would even go so far as to say that there are one or two that look to have real potential, and could become really good. Every lad in the team has talent, and my role as coach is to channel that talent into an effective, winning team that plays - and enjoys - attractive rugby.
Sound familiar?
I don't have the pressure of Phil or Daryl. We don't operate in a league structure, and there are literally no financial implications if my team doesn't win all season. But the team morale is an important factor, and the more you go on losing, the harder it is to drag the team up out of their socks and get the training, coaching and teamwork right to make the next match the winning one. We have what looks on paper like a good chance to register our first win on Sunday, where we meet with a team who we have beaten before, and we know we can.
Again, sound familiar?
Tonight's match against a pretty good Worcester side represents a good chance for Leeds to register a good performance and a win. The crowd, I'm informed, will be a large one, and of course the Warriors supporters are always pretty vocal, but even they would (reluctantly) agree that Worcester represents a different proposition to the hard start to the season Leeds Tykes have had. Winning at Sixways would really kick-start the season. I believe they can do it, and I also believe that the Leeds coaching staff believe this too. They need to make sure the team believes it as well. Then it will happen.
Teams:
Worcester Warriors: 15 Nicolas Le Roux, 14 Jonny Hylton, 13 Ben Hinshelwood, 12 Thomas Lombard, 11 Thinus Delport, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Drew Hickey, 7 Pat Sanderson, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Craig Gilles, 4 Phil Murphy, 3 Chris Horsman, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Tony Windo. Replacements: 16 Tevita Taumoepeau, 17 Alan Keylock, 18 Tim Collier, 19 Saosi Vaili, 20 Matt Powell, 21 James Brown, 22 Gary Trueman.
Leeds Tykes: 15 Tim Stimpson, 14 Tom Biggs, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Chris Jones, 11 David Doherty, 10 Roland De Marigny, 9 Justin Marshall (c), 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Richard Parks, 6 Nathan Thomas, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Scott Morgan, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Gordon Bulloch, 1 James Isaacson. Replacements: 16 Gavin Kerr, 17 Rob Rawlinson, 18 Chris Murphy, 19 Dan Hyde, 20 Danny Care, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 David Rees.