Watson: Our players need time before we restart
IAN Watson has urged rugby league bosses to give its stars a belting before considering a return to action.
Super League players are keen to resume the season and there is plenty of backing for behind closed doors games.
But Salford Red Devils coach Watson says it’s vital the return date isn’t introduced too hastily, no matter how keen the players are.
He said: “Some players will say they are ready to play now because they are so keen to get back out playing.
“But they need to go through contact in training first. They need to feel those bumps and bruises you get from contact.
“They are all doing their best to keep fit but this is the longest that some players will have gone without any contact.
“The biggest thing is keeping the game alive, but I really think they need one to two weeks of contact first.
“It might be a short time but all the players will accept it because it provides them with a game going forward.”
Players will be reintroduced to club training in small groups first, dictated by Government guidelines, before full squads can reassemble.
Watson has been using lockdown to cherry pick ideas from other sports, particularly football and rugby union.
He said: “I have been speaking to other coaches and it’s been really educational. People are pretty relaxed about helping each other. You are always learning and it’s good to create a community of people that you can rely on to speak to.
“Super League coaches talk to each other about certain things but everyone is aware it is a competition so it’s probably easier talking to people in different sports.
“Everything we deal with as coaches is about managing people and mindset is the number one thing.”