We need to improve discipline - Proctor
MATT Proctor is as frustrated as the next person at Northampton’s Jekyll & Hyde start to the season.
Going into Round 12 of the Gallagher Premiership, Saints had scored the second-most tries (34) but had also conceded the most tries (40) after nine matches.
In terms of metres made and visits to the opposition 22, Saints were without peers. But on the flip side, their tally of 11 yellow cards was the highest in the league and the same applied to turnovers conceded and missed tackles.
Also, up to that point, only Exeter had been penalised more than Saints and Proctor admits improvements in defence and discipline are needed if Saints are going to be realise their full potential.
“I think the main feeling amongst the coaches and the playing group as well is that we are so good at times but we are also so bad at times,” said the Kiwi, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
“We either leave a lot of points out there or we let a big lead go quite easily. It is just about trying to find that consistentcy and what works for us and trying to put that out on the field for as long as we can. “Discipline, and our defence at times hasn’t been great. It is just moments in a game. I don’t know whether it is a lapse in concentration or maybe we just rest on our lead a bit, I am not too sure what it is.
“It is frustrating but I guess the good thing is there are so many positives and we know that when we do get our game right, we are pretty hard to stop. So you have to kind of take the good with the bad. We just love to keep our fans entertained!”
Proctor, 30, was brought over to England four seasons ago by his former Wellington Lions and Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd, left.
But it was not only the prospect of linking up with his former boss that appealed, like many southern hemisphere players Proctor wanted to experience playing in the Heineken Champions Cup.
“I really enjoyed my last few years playing in that competition. It’s just a pity that last year we were supposed to go to Paris and play and it got called off and the year before we were supposed to go to Bordeaux and play and it was called off,” he said.
Saints have the toughest start to this season’s campaign imaginable – away to reigning champions La Rochelle – but the centre/wing cannot wait for next Saturday’s fixture to come around.
“I can’t wait, it is going to be awesome,” he said. “When you’re in a stadium like that, it is hard to describe how it feels, it just gets you excited. It is what you play for – to play in front of those big crowds and showcase what you have got.”