Rob Howley Q&A

Q: HOW DID YOU ASSESS YOUR FIRST-HALF DISPLAY WHICH LEFT YOU WITH TOO MUCH TO DO IN THE SECOND HALF? A: It was very disappointing, very frustrating. The possession and territory at one stage was 80 per cent, which wasn’t what we expected. We never had a foothold in the game in the first half. Traditionally we have always got better throughout the autumn series and it was a much improved second half because at least we did have a foothold in terms of possession and territory.

But when you give a side that is very cohesive, that has been together for the period of time they have been, people see how effective they can be with the speed of ball in contact area. We were unable to influence that area and then we weren’t able to get a defensive line set, so it made very, very difficult. In fairness to Australia, they took every possible advantage that they could and created a number of tries. Q: WHAT POSITIVES CAN YOU TAKE FROM THE PERFORMANCE? A: Oh, I think the second half most definitely. The share of possession was nearly 50-50. I thought we grew into the game second half. But we had no foothold in the game in the first half, which was frustrating for the players and for everyone, the supporters I am sure. It was difficult for 40 minutes and then the influence because you are playing against the scoreboard you start playing rugby a little bit too much in your own half and trying to force things. I am glad with the intent and the ambition we kept playing with. It was good to see the new caps coming on and getting their first taste of international rugby and they will be better for that experience. We look forward to the next couple of games now. Q: DO YOU THINK THE TRIES YOU CONCEDED WERE MORE ABOUT THE SPEED OF BALL THE AUSSIES CREATED OR YOUR OWN DEFENSIVE ISSUES OUT WIDE? A: It was probably a bit of both. As an attack coach, you always talk about the speed of the ball from the first contact. I thought we could have been defensively better, particularly structurally. I thought we made a couple of wrong reads. We weren’t staying square off our line when we were coming forward, but that was down to the speed of ball on the inside as well. It’s frustrating. The boys were despondent coming in at half-time. We had to start again. It shows the more you play at this level, exposed against sides like that, the more you learn and we were much better in the second half. Q: YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT HAVING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AFTER GAMES AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN THE PAST. WILL YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE AFTER THIS? A: No, because I saw enough good and detail. It’s the first game up. It wasn’t so much the speed or the intensity of the game, which traditionally we struggle with first up. It was probably how good the Wallabies were with ball in hand and how effective they were in the contact area. We weren’t able to have any influence. At lineout we planned to contest, but we weren’t to able to influence them in those areas. The set-piece we had in the first half was probably pretty much in our 22. I thought we defended well in the 10- minute period with the yellow card, we managed that period well and didn’t concede. Q: CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE THINKING BEHIND GEORGE NORTH AND ALEX CUTHBERT SWAPPING WINGS FROM HOW WE USUALLY SEE THEM LINING UP? A: George’s influence on the right wing and the number of times he has touches. He played particularly well on the right wing out in New Zealand. We have had a number of players step up into that left-hand position and Alex has been there throughout the week along with Hallam and we felt it was an option we would try. They started at 11 and 14 as usual in terms of their numbers because we didn’t want to give anything away in terms of their position. Q: GIVEN YOU HAD NEARLY 20,000 EMPTY SEATS IN THE STADIUM, HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU THAT YOU COULD LOSE MORE SUPPORT AFTER THIS? A: I think the attendance was the same as we have had for the majority of first games in the autumn. I think we are a sell-out against Japan, which is fantastic. Our players are always aware of the supporters being fully behind us. Q: WHAT’S THE LATEST INJURY NEWS ON RHYS WEBB? A: He has been caught by a tackle and then the leg has swung and it’s obviously his ankle. We are just not sure in terms of the damage. I don’t think there’s any breakage. The ankle ligaments look as if they have been damaged in some way. Q: GEORGE NORTH CAME OFF QUITE EARLY, WAS THERE AN INJURY ISSUE THERE? A: No, he just tightened up. In terms of the training through the week, there has been a tightness. We are looking after George really rather than any injury concern. Q: HOW DID YOU FEEL SAM DAVIES WENT WHEN HE CAME ON AT OUTSIDE HALF? A: He enjoyed the international game and I thought he did well. There were some nice touches. Obviously he has made that pass out of the back. It’s his first taste of international rugby. It’s great when players come in in form and have that taste and he will be better for that experience. We wanted to get him and other players on with the scoreboard because they have a points of difference and Sam certainly has a point of difference. I think he showed aspects of that when he came on. Q: DO YOU EXPECT TO HAVE MANY ADDITIONAL PLAYERS AVAILABLE FOR NEXT WEEK’S GAME AGAINST ARGENTINA? A: We will take stock to see what players we have got. Obviously some played for their re-