BUILDING BLOCKS
Q
What style of coach are you and why have you embraced that approach?
A
One of the biggest things we’ve endeavoured to get is discipline off the field so they have every chance to succeed when they get to the professional level. Some come from privileged backgrounds but many don’t. We treat them as men until they behave like children. It’s respect given and taken back. I’m an analytical coach, I give them a spray when they need it but as head coach I’m mostly managing their heads and letting the team of coaches around me work on their skills and fitness.
Q
About 85 kids compete for 17 jerseys every week – how do you tackle that challenge?
A
It’s done by attrition through the physical and mental side of things. It’s ticking a lot of boxes and the side weeds itself out. A kid who plays second- row in the thirds, does he want to play As? He’s
got that opportunity. Here’s the deal, there’s Dave Fifita – if you want his position, go take it off him and we’ll move him somewhere else. That’s what you’re up against. Q
Does the school take credit for talents like Fifita, or would he have made it from anywhere?
A
I don’t think we’re solely responsible but we do play our role. In developing skills and discipline for the next level we are huge. We have them for eight hours a day, 40 weeks a year, and if they show up five minutes late for a gym session they’re not allowed in. We don’t teach them everything, some outstanding junior coaches have done magnificent jobs in getting them to this stage. But it’s our jobs to prepare them for the next and our coaches do a lot of work from the ages of 13 to 18.