Tabai aims to mix Quins stardust with dose of reality
TABAI Matson labels his Harlequins stars “a shining light” on the rugby stage but admits they will need to be pragmatic in order to make a strong defence of their title.
The new head coach also warns his players it will be much more difficult to win back-to-back Premierships than a single title.
New Zealander Matson, 48, has been brought in by the Londoners to ensure last season’s Twickenham Final glory was just a stepping stone to repeated success on the domestic front while laying the ground work for Quins to become serious Champions Cup contenders.
Conquering Europe is high on the Twickenham Stoop agenda, but for now Matson is more focused on getting the right balance of sunshine rugby along with a more controlled attitude.
The former New Zealand U20s boss insists: “I coached Fiji and I love positive attitudes, and positive rugby. Everybody loves a free spirit approach. That’s what the team showed to win the title in June, and at the moment Quins are a bit of a shining light in English club rugby.
“People want to see teams playing with a positive intent. They want to see teams wanting to throw the ball around, score tries and attack.
“Game two between South Africa and the Lions was the antithesis of what Quins are about... different ends of the spectrum. But at the same time the Premiership is tough and you have to be pragmatic. We have some wonderful young talent here mixed with some real experienced heads, and that’s why I am so excited about what we can achieve together. I have joined a club who have strong leadership at the top and who want to keep improving on what has been achieved already.
“It is also about consistency. That’s one of the things I will be driving from last year .... can we deliver the same level of intensity around the skill sets and attack on a frequent basis. Also defensively they have to be more consistent.
“What the team did last year was clearly a wonderful achievement but things will be much more difficult this time round.Once you start winning things, life gets harder. Other teams try that bit more to beat you, so you simply have to prove you are ready for that new challenge. You have to prove you are able to lift your own level a notch or two.
“A lot of other clubs in the Premiership have bolstered their squad and are stronger. Saracens have joined to make it a 13strong league so it is clear to win back to back titles will be extremely demanding. But I have every confidence in this set of players that they will be well prepared both physically and mentally to give it a really good shot.
“It is a different group of players facing different challenges in a different year. That’s the beautiful of this game.
“If you are not moving you are going to be overtaken. We have some wonderful young talent here mixed with some real experienced heads.”