Feeney puts sharp focus on skills
PAUL FEENEY has probably spoken more sense in the few weeks he has been with the Stormers than some in South African rugby have managed over the past decade.
After a press conference at the team’s training camp in Bellville yesterday, the new Stormers and Western Province attack and skills coach’s statement was simple: “It’s up to we as coaches to give players confidence to play and not let them be scared of making a couple of mistakes”.
The former Blues skills guru, who signed a three-year deal with the Stormers in October last year, emphasised the importance of allowing players to parade their game, even if it comes with an error or two because, well, that’s how they learn.
“It’s up to we as coaches to give them confidence and not let them be scared of making a couple of mistakes. The best players in the world make three or four mistakes in a game. If those players still make mistakes, you shouldn’t think a player at Super Rugby level should be perfect.
“Each individual is going to make a couple of mistakes. Hey, don’t worry about it. As long as they’re trying to do things right. And that’s where they’re going to learn,” Feeney said.
The New Zealander also addressed an age-old issue in South African rugby – an obsession with structures, while restricting or ‘boxing’ players in – and mentioned that both aspects are important, but there needs to be balance.
“You can have all the structures in the world, but if you haven’t got the skill to throw a good pass you’re wasting your time. You’ve got to have that balance between organisation and individual skill execution.”
“In New Zealand we have put a lot of time and a lot of repetition into skills. If you look at the way South African teams compete, imagine if they put as much emphasis on their individual skills – there’ll be quick growth,” he said.
The Stormers might get an early indication of how effective the Kiwi’s help has been when they face the Currie Cup champions, the Cheetahs, in Zimbabwe on Saturday.
And while Robbie Fleck’s men have worked a lot on their speed on the ground and getting back on their feet quickly, Feeney also said that decision-making has been a major focus point in their preparation.
“It’s about getting back on your feet quickly. If you have two men on the ground and one in a ruck and they’re getting up slowly then you can’t get line speed. So it’s about getting off the ground quickly and getting back in the line defensively.”
“Decision-making is another aspect we’ve been working on, hugely with the backs. 40 or 50 times in a game they have to make all these little decisions – do they run, do they pass, or do they kick.
“They need to learn more than just to run hard onto the ball. It’s about repetition, and if you do something a thousand times, you’ll start to see the picture a lot quicker.”
Training the players in decision-making will aid the Cape side a lot, who last year tried to play a more attacking brand of rugby.
And it is something that the assistant coach is excited about.
“A lot of these boys are good attacking players.
“They have a bit of X factor and they have good feet, so if we can add a bit of decision-making on top of their God-given natural skill, that excites me.”
Feeney highlighted the most important part of playing ‘better’ rugby; playing the situation.
“We have to play what we see.
“You can’t just be a robot, you’ve got to think. On attack, you’ve got to play what you see in front of you – if someone turns out, dummy and step them on the inside and go. You don’t have to follow through with your movement.”
“It’s not about playing Barbarians-style rugby. And with those sorts of games there are mistakes, it’s risk and reward, without being stupid about it. Without throwing Hail Mary passes. If you think it’s on, let the ball go, if you’re not sure, look after it and be patient.”
“You have to give players the confidence to do things and not be scared to make errors.”