Interview With....

INTERVIEW WITH MIKE RUDDOCK

Mike Ruddock is currently Head Coach at Worcester Warriors, playing in the Guinness Premiership. Worcester are currently enjoying their best ever season in this toughest of competitions, and perhaps this is not surprising. Mike has been successful pretty much wherever he has coached. He led Swansea to a massive win over the then World Champion Wallabies in 1992 and Wales to their first Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship in 2005, including their first Triple Crown for 25 years.

I caught up with Mike to ask him about Wales’ prospects for this year’s autumn internationals, the subsequent Six Nations in 2010 and the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.

BD.  Mike, Wales have had somewhat of a modern day resurgence, indeed since your Grand Slam in 2005. What are the factors which have bought Wales back to their traditional position as one of the world’s leading rugby nations?

MR. Well Bob, first & foremost Wales have a really good blend of players available for the National Team at this moment in time e.g. experienced World Class players such as Steven Jones, Martin Williams, Gethin Jenkins, Shane Williams and Mike Phillips plus fine young up & coming stars like Jamie Roberts & Leigh Halfpenny. They have an excellent coaching team looking after them and the regions are now producing more competitive teams to choose from e.g. The Cardiff Blues won the Anglo Welsh EDF trophy last season.

BD.  I have always felt that the Welsh are one of the few nations in the world who can actually “play rugby”- that is, who have the running and handling skills, and the vision, to make space for others. Should Wales use this more in their approach, or have I overstated this ability?

MR.  I agree Bob, there is a belief in Wales that we produce a lot of great “footballers”.  It’s true that so many youngsters are encouraged to pick the ball up at a very early age. We have this romantic notion that we can produce incredibly skillful players and Welsh songster Max Boyce even sings about the Welsh outside half factory. I guess when you have produced people like Barry John, Phil Bennett & Stephen Jones it gives you a reason to perpetuate that mindset. The other reason we encourage the art of creativity in our play is that Wales is not a big country & it has not always had the biggest forwards in world rugby. Therefore Welsh players have always been taught to avoid collisions and contact rather than run into defenders.

BD. I believe that, to be consist at this very top level, you need around five players in your team, who are there or thereabouts for World XV selection. Who are those Welsh players?

MR. Steven Jones, Martin Williams, Gethin Jenkins, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Dwayne Peel and Mike Phillips

BD. How do you see Wales’ prospects then in the upcoming internationals against the Southern Hemisphere sides?

MR. From memory I think they have fixtures against New Zealand, Samoa, Argentina & Australia. The tests against Samoa & Argentina will test Wales physically however I fully expect Wales to win them both. Australia have not been that impressive in recent years having struggled since they lost leaders like Latham, Gregan & Larkham. I fully expect Wales to win that one (sorry guys!) particularly if there is some unrest with senior players over the change of Captain and more particularly the process that underpinned it. It’s the test against New Zealand that will be the “acid test”. Even though Wales have had some close games of late, New Zealand have always held the upper hand, however on this occasion I believe there is a real chance that Wales could win the game (of course I would say that!).  There are several reasons why they could sneak a shock result. NZ have had a poor Tri Nations by their standards and are lacking real form and confidence. Graham Henry’s recent decision to dramatically change the roles & responsibilities of his coaching team will either prove to be a masterstroke (thereby rejuvenating the AB’s) or it could add to their woes. If it is the latter Wales will pounce ,setting up their first victory in over 50 years. To achieve this Wales will have to find a replacement for Adam Jones at tighthead prop. Adam enhanced his reputation during the recent Lions tour however he sustained a serious shoulder injury that required surgery.

BD. I’m assuming that you were able to watch the Tri Nations Championship earlier this year. What are your thoughts on those matches?

MR.  NZ really struggled in the lineout and for all their talent behind the scrum they couldn’t hold field position for long enough due to their misfiring lineout.  The changes to the laws, particularly in the tackle area, meant that quick ball from the ruck was extremely scarce and this disadvantaged Australia & New Zealand. The law changes enhanced South Africa’s gameplan as they were able to use Heinrich Broussou to slow the ball down thereby allowing their blitz defence to pressurize the opposition. Their immense levels of physicality really caused major problems to the opposition including the British & Irish Lions. Their kicking game was better than any other teams and they ended up winning the territorial battle. Their defence was aggressive and they had try scorers like Habana who could finish when the chances came along. They weren’t always pretty to watch but it was extremely effective and in this sport there’s no prizes for second place!

BD. There’s a commitment from SANZAR to accommodate Argentina into that tournament. Your thoughts on that move?

MR. Argentina had a great world cup & I believe that they will add value to the tournament without a doubt. It will be exciting for the players however it will be expensive for the away fans to support their team. The benefits for Argentina will be immense as they have struggled with professionalism and they will hope this involvement will generate greater sources of revenue in order for them to construct a business plan for the future health of the game.

BD. Do you think that the Magners League has been good for Welsh rugby, both at the top level and below, at the old club level?

MR Overall I think the Magners League has been extremely good for Welsh Rugby. If you look at the recent Lions selection for the SA test matches it proves that the players in the Magners League are playing to an extremely high standard and are able to play well at the very top level. The playoff system introduced this season will make it extremely exciting at the end of the season. There are a couple of things that could need tweaking. With no relegation it could be argued that coaches should play more of their “home grown” youngsters instead of bringing in lots of overseas players stars. Whilst this might put “bums on seats” it can restrict the development of indigenous players.

BD. So Mike, moving on to next year’s Six Nations Championship. Is it still the jewel that most European commentators would have us believe, or is it a second tier competition, below the standard of the Tri Nations?

MR. Bob, look at the numbers that watch the Six-Nations. The European market is huge and this tournament captures the hearts and minds of all its rugby playing population. It’s a massive tournament and it certainly cannot be considered a second tier competition on or off the field. It’s a brilliant tournament to coach in and the clash of the different cultures as well as playing styles is quite unique.

BD. Your thoughts on Wales’ prospects in that next Six Nations?

MR. I think Wales should go very well as they have a settled squad and coaching team. As for the other Nations -  Can Ireland hold their form for a second year after winning the Grand Slam? Will France ever pick the same team? Can England improve under Martin Johnson? Italy for the Wooden Spoon once again? Scotland dark horses under experienced coach Andy Robinson?

BD. Many thanks, Mike, for your insights and your time, but, finally, can Wales go further in New Zealand in 2011?

MR.  No problem Bob, thanks for asking me to contribute. As for Wales in the World Cup, my crystal ball is in for repair at the moment mate, but if they beat the AB’s in November you wouldn’t bet against them doing pretty good.