Lewsey: you need ‘mental edge’ to win World Cup
JOSH Lewsey believes that “mental edge” is a key requirement for teams to thrive in the rarefied atmosphere of a Rugby World Cup campaign.
Lewsey helped England win the World Cup 12 years ago, lining up at full-back as Martin Johnson’s men broke Australian hearts through a Jonny Wilkinson drop-goal in the dying seconds of extra time that sealed a dramatic win in Sydney.
The Webb Ellis Cup was again in Lewsey’s sights yesterday as he attended a 2015 World Cup Trophy Tour event at Newport High School in south Wales.
Asked to identify the quality that underpinned England’s world title charge in 2003, he said: “Mental edge. We had it, and that is the one thing that defines champions.
“There is no difference in how strong they [teams] are or skillwise, but on the biggest stage when it matters most, big-match players deliver.
“When you get to a global stage it can be quite intimidating, so that’s why mental edge is the one quality that distinguishes winners and good players from champions.”
Lewsey, the Welsh Rugby Union’s head of rugby, will find himself in an interesting position – to say the least – when Wales meet England at Twickenham on 26 September. It promises to be a pivotal encounter for both countries, especially given the presence of twice-world Cup winners Australia in their qualifying pool, and Lewsey – whose mother hails from the Swansea Valley – was a master of diplomacy when asked an inevitable question about who might come out on top.
“When I walked over here today, I thought if there is one question I am going to sidestep it’s that one!” he added.
“The honest answer is nobody knows, and that’s the beauty of this sport.
“That is the beauty of a group where you’ve got three top international sides in England, Wales and Australia, and let’s not forget Fiji as well.
“I think it could come down to points difference and which team is going to turn up on the day. But the fact that we are even talking about it, and it’s such a dilemma, makes for a great sporting spectacle.”
Recalling his memories of 12 years ago, Lewsey said: “While rugby is a game of tactics and skill, it’s also a game of emotions.
“There are a whole lot of people that had been on a journey together in the lead-up to 2003.
“For my mind, the most special moment wasn’t necessarily during the final, it was the personal stuff afterwards, having realised what we had done.
“And what was lovely from a UK perspective – with the Ashes guys going on to win in 2005 – is that it lifted everyone and just gave everyone that self-belief that we can compete with the best in the world.”