Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
I don't know if a lot of other coaches have something like this but Pat seems very open and genuine and I like the direction he seems to be taking the Blues.
Pat Lam talks about seeking an 80 minute performance, answers your questions & previews Friday's game
It was great to come away from North Harbour Stadium with a rare win and a bonus point last Friday, it’s not something we’ve been able to do in the past at Albany so as a team we were really pleased to do that.
We showed real signs of some quality rugby and there were also some frustrating moments where we just didn’t put them away until the very end of the game so again we’ve got to keep working on that and continuing to improve our game. I’d like to reassure everyone that as a team we’re working hard behind the scenes to try and get that 80 minute performance.
We’re happy with where we sit on the table but it’s not something we focus on; we know that can change quickly. Our whole focus this year has been on game-to-game, what we do at training and our preparation.
We don’t look too far ahead and when we go into a game the focus is not the win, it’s just the outcome that we’re striving for and for us it’s all about the process and how we go about achieving that. If we focus too much on the win we won’t get there and that’s been a real key for us this year, just making sure we tick all the boxes, we bring the right attitude and perform at training and in the game it’s just minute-to-minute making sure each guy know his job, is able to deliver it and if we do that we’ll get the success. So while it’s not bad for us at this stage we’re still not quite on top of our game and are working hard to achieve that.
To watch the Highlanders go out the following night and beat the Crusaders was a big effort and put us in the top spot in the New Zealand conference as well so it is all geared up for a fantastic game at Carisbrook on Friday.
It just reminds me of the old days of Auckland v Otago clashes before Super Rugby came around with full houses, the scarfies cheering and I’m pretty sure they’ll have a good crowd – the weather forecast is good so we’ll be heading down there expecting to cop some abuse from all the Southerners and it’s going to be a great contest and one we’re all looking forward to.
As always I’m more than happy to answer any questions you have about the Blues so keep them coming on facebook, twitter and the comments section below. I've answered the ones that have come in so far and will answer the rest next time.
Jamie Hislop asked who has been my player of the year so far, and the answer is there’s too many to mention at the moment. You can’t really go down that path of highlighting one individual until you get to the end of the season but it’s fair to say that there are quite a few boys putting their hands up and playing well, firstly for the team but also for themselves which is pleasing.
Little Manly and Jamez Quincey were asking about when I was going to give Mat Luamanu game time. He injured his leg in club rugby a couple of weeks ago and he’s still another week or two away but there’s no guarantee when someone’s going to start a game, I never guarantee players any of that. It’s about performing on the field and the guys that are in the starting team have to bring above the line performances and if they do that their chances of selection remain high. Conversely if they don’t take their opportunity then their selection comes into question with the next guys coming through so it’s all about the opportunity and when you get it, take it.
Another question that came through from Eliesa Nonu Rigamoto was in regards to the kicking last week and who would take over the kicking duties if Stephen Brett was not firing. Goal kicking is the toughest thing, Stephen Brett as you saw in the Force game kicked a crucial goal to draw the game for us after the siren had sounded and I would hate to be the goal kicker because all the pressure goes onto the individual. I thought Stephen played quite well aside from the goal kicking and he was disappointed with himself for missing those kicks and he’s working hard behind the scenes to get that right. Within our team we have Stephen, Luke and Lachie that are established goal kickers and then you have quite a few players that think they’re goal kickers. Ice probably heads that list followed closely by John Afoa and Peter Saili – they all try to let me know they’re available to kick the goals! But we’re just fortunate that goal kicking didn’t come back to bite us in that game on Friday.
In terms of selecting a team for Friday night’s game there are plenty of dilemmas. When we’re dealing with selections each week it’s up to the players to make it hard for us and we certainly got that this week. The guys that are coming through off the bench or in the squad are performing and pushing their cases for selection and it’s hard for us and that’s what we need.
I think the reason why so many of the boys are playing well at the moment is the pressure that’s coming from below, not only in the games but at training and that’s what you’re trying to create - a culture of competitiveness and guys knowing that performance is the only currency.
The Highlanders are a playing extremely well and we’re going down there to play a team so to beat a team you need to play as a team yourself. The individual players will come into it if we front as a team and that’s the most important thing so the game plan is quite important.
The coaches have put a lot of work into it over the last couple of weeks, we always stay a few games ahead as we watch them and the strategy group and coaches have got a clear idea on how we think we can beat them and it’s now up to us to really put that work in and apply it and hopefully that will come right. But on top of that game plan needs to come attitude and we’ve got to be right up for this game and I’m pretty sure we will be in the context of where both teams are at the moment.
We’ve got a good training day today and then we’ll have a captain’s run on Thursday before heading down to Dunedin later on Thursday afternoon. No doubt Highlanders fans will be out in force so if you are a Blues fan living down south make sure you get out to the Brook and show your support, it always means a lot to have you cheering us on in enemy territory.
If you’ve got any more questions or want insights into how we do things at training make sure to post them below and I’ll answer them next week.
Until then,
Pat Lam
Blues head coach