Strauss aims to prove auld fiddles can still call tune
FOR powerful, naturally dynamic men like Josh Strauss, rugby can be a very straightforward game and it is clear the former Glasgow Warrior likes to keep it that way.
Articulate as he is, there seems to be no deep and considered analysis of the meaning of rugby as he contemplates the past, present and future, even as he moves towards his sporting dotage.
“The age thing makes it easier, because you never know where you’re at,” said the 32-year-old. “At this age, you get injured more easily, but it’s always been my focus, since I started at 19, just thinking about the week ahead. If you look too far ahead, you lose sight of what’s in front of you. I think that’s worked for me so far.”
There was, then, no agonised soul-searching during his 18 months in the international wilderness after being part of a Scotland team who were beaten by Fiji on his last Test appearance before reappearing this month in Scotland’s victory against the same opposition.
“I wouldn’t say I’d put [playing international rugby] out of my head completely,” Strauss said. “When two or three squads are picked and you’re not involved, it’s still not something I thought was done, but I got to the point where I just started thinking: ‘Just focus on your game at Sale. That’s all you can do.’
“If I was good enough, I’d get picked. If I wasn’t good enough, I wasn’t going to get picked.”
Returning to the squad, Strauss believes his time away has made things tougher.
“The depth every year is getting better. That was my feeling even when I was at Glasgow,” he said. “The players coming through are really good. Time does flash before your eyes. It feels like yesterday that I was a young player. Now I’m like one of the grandfathers of the group. It’s a weird business to be in, because you’re 32 but you’re mates with an 18-year-old.”
Strauss has been around more than long enough to know exactly what to expect on that long-awaited return to the Scotland starting XV tomorrow. And, for all that he is part of a team that is determined to make up for the disappointment of losing to the Springboks, he recognises that Argentina are also smarting from having failed to hold on to leads in both Ireland and France over the past fortnight.
“They come out of the blocks quickly,” he said in anticipating how the Pumas will set about seeking revenge for last summer’s thrashing at Scottish hands.
“Latin teams normally are very emotional, very up for it at the start of a game. They’re a physical team, they’re very good at the set-piece. From the time I can remember they’ve always had a great scrum, great line-out, great drive.
“Last week we were obviously very disappointed with the result. I thought the game was there for the taking, maybe [there were] a few mistakes. It’s going to be a good game.”