| Interview
with Saracens Head Coach Wayne Shelford |
Wayne Shelford |
Date of birth:
Place of birth:
Nickname:
Position:
Previous clubs:
All Blacks Test caps:
Test points:
International debut:
Last Test:
|
13 December 1957
Rotorua, New Zealand
Buck
Number eight
North Harbour, Northampton,
22
20
France, 1986
Scotland 1990 |
You have recently moved to Europe. How do you feel about Rugby in Europe?
Wayne Shelford stated: “Ideology!
Ideology is completely different from New Zealand’s Rugby players. The approach
is different. In New Zealand we grow with Rugby. Rugby is our number one sport.
In Europe there are other sports considered more important. As example, Soccer.
Basically it’s a cultural thing. Therefore it’s hard to coach a European
team”.
What differences do you find in the European
Rugby comparing it to the New Zealander?
W.S.: "The game is
similar. But New Zealanders tend to play a more confrontation
game. The rest of the world plays a bit different. Again we can
say that it’s a matter of mentality. A few years ago New
Zealand used to beat the rest of the world. Nowadays New Zealand
already loses with some teams. This means that Rugby in the rest
of the world started also to be more serious and considered as
an important sport."
What can you tell us about the Saracens and
how important is a good pre-season train?
W.S.: "A good pre-season
is very important. We came now to Browns for a coaches meeting
already to discuss next year’s strategy. To plan next season.
Where do we want to go. The rugby season is very long. It lasts
approximately 10 month or more. That doesn’t allow players
to have a good recover period. Some have a 2 month break but most
get only a two / three weeks holiday, which is not much. Also
in that period many are recovering from injuries. The life of
a rugby player is not long. Around 3 / 4 years. Exactly because
of the long season and many injuries. For more quality we need
more recovering time. The average age of the Saracens is 24 /
25 years”.
How would you describe Browns as a training
centre?
W.S.: "Very good! As a training centre it’s fantastic.
Mainly its proximity to the centre and the vicinity of all facilities to the accommodation
makes it ideal. We can have training sessions at the pitch, gym, pool, have conferences
and still have some time left to relax playing tennis, doing some sauna or simply
by hanging at the bar. I would say that this vicinity is a PLUS to Browns."
|
World Champions Bulls charge into 2005 !
Browns Swimming Club at Portinado Swim Meet March 2004
