Interview With....

Interview with Neil Back.

Neil Back joined newly relegated Leeds Carnegie as Head Coach last season. In his first season, the club won the Championship and were subsequently promoted. Neil is now in his second season and competing in the Guinness Premiership, England’s senior club competition.  As a player, Neil spent 15 seasons with Leicester Tigers (including 2 seasons as player/Defence Coach), achieved 66 England caps and three Lions tours. He won just about every honor the game has to offer, including a Rugby World Cup winner’s medal in 2003.  After retiring as a player, he spent a further 3 seasons at the Tigers as Defence Coach/Head Coach of Academy.  

Bob Dwyer talks with Neil about his experiences and thoughts about his first ‘senior’ season, to date, with Leeds Carnegie.

Bob Dwyer.  Neil, in your off-season interview, you talked about having established a clear strategy for the club, going forward. Are you still on course, or have you had cause to alter that strategy?

Neil Back.  Our objectives for the club are very clear & are still very much in our hands.  Our main objective in Year 1 was promotion back into the Premiership – done.  Year 2 is about consolidating a position in the Guinness Premiership which is ongoing & Year 3 is to move up the table.

BD. The coach’s role is to achieve improved performance, hopefully week by week, from his team. Do you believe that your team is achieving that?

NB. Physically we have consistently proven we can compete for 80+ minutes in every game.  Developing & executing our playing philosophy & our ability to deal with the mental pressure are continually improving.  This competition is extremely competitive.  From 12 exposures to date there are only 2 games we haven’t deserved a thing, the other 10 we could have won although we have only won 2 & drawn 1.

BD.  Is it difficult for you to watch improved performance without necessarily achieving a winning result? How do you deal with that personally?

NB.  In a word, YES!  However, we all knew the territory we were entering, we knew we would be competing against more experienced squads, with higher budgets etc.  However the journey for this group including myself is to give everything we have & if we fail it will not be through lack of effort.  I am confident we will get there, we will not fail.

BD.  Tries are at a premium in the Premiership this season. Have the styles of play generally adopted by opposition teams surprised you?

NB.  Yes and I must say many styles disappoint me.  Rugby is being forced down an ugly pathway.  Many games are not pretty to watch.  Current laws at breakdown are a minefield for both players and officials alike.  For me the need to be technically skillful and have strong core stability at the breakdown is diminishing.  Players are allowed to go mindlessly off their feet, plus there is too much inconsistency in the interpretation of the contact laws from game to game & even during a game.  Oh, another trend carried forward from the 2007 World Cup, far too much kicking!

BD.  On the contrary, the Heineken Cup matches have generally remained exciting with more tries being scored.  Why do you think this is?

NB. The European Cup is the most mentally & physically challenging competition a club player in the Northern hemisphere can compete in.  A short 4 team, 3 home, 3 away qualification pool for progression to the knock out stage means BONUS POINTS are critical to secure a quarter final home tie.  It’s a different mindset by clubs, players & officials alike.      

BD.  During your playing days, you were recognized for having a meticulous approach to both training and practice sessions. Do you see the same attitude with younger players coming through to elite levels today?

NB.  In many, YES! but, sadly with a few more than I would like, I strongly question their motivation.  Do they play for the love of the game or for financial reward, profile, the celebrity lifestyle?  How many can look into the mirror and honestly say that they do all they can do, to be the best they can be?

BD.  There will be, in your squad, a number of players who are new to premiership rugby. Are there any specific aspects of the game which they were not prepared for and were not, initially, able to handle?

NB.  During the past 8 seasons prior to this Leeds Carnegie have spent 6 seasons in the Guinness  Premiership so the majority of the squad have some Premiership experience playing for Leeds Carnegie in the past.  All of our new recruits this season have played for another Premiership, Super 14, Magners or a French 14 team.  There are a handful of the squad whom have been developed through our Academy who have no Premiership experience.  However, with the majority having spent last season battling for promotion from the Championship the difference in intensity, pace, required speed of thought & additional mental pressure has proved to be a big step up for some.

BD.  What would you see as an ideal coaching staff for a premiership team? What specialized aspects of the game need to be covered?

NB.   Head Coach (who is also Forwards or Backs Coach).

         Backs or Forwards Coach (to compliment Head Coach)

         Defence Coach

         Specialist Coach (to complement rugby coaches - maybe for Kicking/Lineout Throwing/Scrum etc)

         Performance Director (Manage S&C plus Medical Team)

        Strength & Conditioning x2

        Head Physio

        Physio Assistant x2

        Doctor

        Masseurs

BD.  What are your goals for Leeds Carnegie for the remainder of the season? Specifically, where can you see your team developing to be able to achieve these?

NB.  Finish 11^th or above in the Premiership.

To achieve this we need to continue to develop our Captain/Team Leader(s) and our players’  decision making/game management skills.  In addition, to continue to facilitate regular skill development sessions focusing on core skills & particularly decision making at the contact area.  Hesitation at the breakdown kills the opportunity to attack space, speed of ball and accurate delivery are key to ensure continuity to enable you to be able to apply pressure on the defense.