De Chaves: We need to be ruthless
NEWCASTLE enforcer Sebastian de Chaves says the time for what ifs, buts and maybes has to stop as the Falcons go to Bristol searching for their first Premiership win of the season.
The Falcons came agonisingly close to getting the monkey off their back in their last league game at home to Leicester, losing a 100-minute game 19-13 after failing to convert a series of scrum penalties into a matchwinning score.
Since Steve Diamond arrived in January as consultant DoR they have felt closer than ever before to delivering the win they so desperately need. But with only four games left, time is running out.
“On a personal level things are going well. It is another season where I am playing quite a lot and enjoying my rugby,” said 33-year-old lock de Chaves. “The results haven’t gone to plan but it is definitely not a lack of effort or a lack of want to do better.
“What is more frustrating is that we have been close a number of times, it is probably that little bit of ruthlessness that we have lacked and probably that little bit of skill execution in vital moments that have let us down.
“That first win, we are not too far away, but you can only say that so many times. Bristol at Bristol is going to be a tough game, they are a great team with great players. When you come up against teams like that it is always going to be a battle. But one of the things that Dimes brought in when he first came in was this theme that we are 100 per cent Falcons – looking at ourselves and trying to improve ourselves.
“Of course we will do analysis as you always do on other teams but there was definitely more of an inward focus on what we could do better and execute what we can execute and take it from there.”
Despite his flamboyant-sounding name, which comes from his Portuguese father, de Chaves is more roundhead than cavalier in his no-nonsense, pragmatic approach, which helps to explain why he gets on so well with Diamond.
“Steve brings a wealth of experience but I also think he has brought loads of clarity – he has simplified everything for us as players,” said the Falcons’ lineout caller.
“His messaging and what he wants from us was incredibly clear and it is the same week in week out. That has been a breath of fresh air.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. His coaching style suits the way I like to be coached and I like to be managed and everything. So, yes, I think Dimes has been great since he came into the building and I think if you spoke to any of the lads, they’d say they are enjoying having him here.
“There are no grey areas with him which I personally really, really enjoy.”
The much-travelled, former South Africa U20 lock committed himself to Newcastle for another two seasons when he signed a new deal in January – not that his commitment has ever been in doubt.
De Chaves, who has played professionally in his native South Africa as well as in France (Mont de Marsan), USA (Austin Gilgronis) and in England, where he is in his second spell at the Falcons, revealed how he passed over the chance to play for Portugal at the World Cup to focus on club duties.
“They (Portugal) wanted me to join them and go to the World Cup with them,” he said. “I wanted to put my best foot forward with Newcastle first and foremost, and I also looked at it from the viewpoint that Portugal might not make another World Cup and I didn’t want to take that opportunity away from a Portuguese player from representing his country and family, just so I could say I have been to a World Cup.
“It was my decision and I am proud I made it but I must admit when they were performing so well I did have a sense of missing out. But overall, I think I made the right decision.
“They’ve approached me in the past to go to camps but it never worked out but with my EQP status through my mother’s British citizenship it is a bit tricky. But I am really happy for them. I think it is good for rugby in general that a team like that can go to the World Cup and come away with more fans.”