Humphreys fronts up for a change in fortune
DAVID Humphreys believes the answer to Gloucester’s fragility in the final quarter of games lies in the new look pack he has built for the coming season.
With new head coach Johann Ackermann in place following last weekend’s conclusion of Super Rugby, and Leicester lock Ed Slater on board from Tigers, Humphreys is banking on a tougher pack to see the Cherry & Whites home.
Humphreys said: “In 2015-16 we lost six games in the last ten minutes and last season’s failures are well documented.
“The best teams, when they’re under pressure, fall back on their set-piece: They win scrum ball, they win their lineouts, and they use that to get field position.
“If we’re honest, there were occasions last season when, under pressure, our set-piece let us down.
In a couple of games we went into the final scrum of the match with our possession, where all we had to do was win our ball and kick it out, but we didn’t do it, and it cost us.
“That’s why we’ve recruited in the way that we have, with the likes of Val Rapava Ruskin, Ed Slater, and now Ruan Ackermann – big, physical men.”
The director of rugby added: “Johann Ackermann was my choice as head coach. A lot of that is about him as a person, as much as it is about his coaching. “All the great coaches are great people who connect with their squad, make their players play for them, and for each other. “I think that’s Johann’s biggest thing – we’ve all seen how well his team have played in the past months.” Humphreys reveals the departure of Jonny May to Tigers was not planned but it is the nature of the professional beast. “There was some shock among our supporters when Jonny, below, left, but rugby’s becoming more like football,” Humphreys said. “In effect he put in a transfer request, based on personal and rugby reasons. “Jonny has been a big part of Gloucester, and has that Xfactor, but the reason we’ve lost games hasn’t been because we couldn’t score tries.
“So our mindset was, Jonny’s leaving – that’s part one – now what do we need to do to improve the squad?
“My view, and the view of the coaches, was that we needed to strengthen our front five, and Ed Slater fitted the bill because of his leadership experience at one of the top clubs in England, and because of his playing ability – he brings a hard edge to things.
“Ed has been on our radar for the past three years and we’re delighted to have him.”
Supporters in Gloucester are unhappy with how the club have stagnated in recent seasons and Humphreys is confident they will see brighter times ahead.
He added: “I absolutely understand the frustration of our supporters, but I genuinely believe that we have a good squad of players, and that we only need a small improvement in a number of areas for us to be a really successful team.
“Despite the frustrations of the past three years, I’ve loved every moment of my time at Gloucester, and it has gone in a flash.
“In this business if you look back too much it paralyses you, so we’re focused on the new season – it’s an exciting time with a new head coach, and we’re looking forward to an exciting chapter in Gloucester’s history.”