Disappointment driving Dean

By pitprop
August 19 2007

And we're off... The first warm-up game, against Bayonne, has been played (and won). Next up the much sterner test of Manu Samoa at Edgeley Park on Friday. At a recent Press Day, our very own pitprop turned up, with "PRESS" card firmly tucked into hatband, pencil correctly poised and prepared to ask the hard questions...

With the new season looming large on the horizon, thoughts have been turning to last season and how it will affect this season. What impact will the Rugby World Cup make on the Guinness Premiership, and in particular on Sale? How has the squad prepared with this in mind?

So when invited to the Press Day, your correspondent took the opportunity to pin new captain Dean Schofield against the wall (as if!) and quiz him on these matters.

Pp. Sale had a disappointing season last season, when the team didn't do itself justice. How do you feel about that?

DS., somewhat shamefacedly replied:- “It still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to be honest, last season. Still a bit disappointed with our reaction when we had a lot of injuries. And the players that stepped in, we were just lacking a bit of dog really, at times. When you have that many injuries its out of your hands, you've just got to do the best you can, basically. It was a tough time for us, especially winning the league and then finishing tenth, its a bit of a shocker.”

Pp. And how will the team set about rectifying matters, particularly with the first six games replicating the injury crisis of last season?

DS. “We've had a massive pre-season this year. We've put last season behind us, we're refreshed, we're raring to go. Personally, as captain, we've just got to take one game at time. We've got to look at Newcastle first game away. We know what the history books say about that game, we've never had a win down there, but I think we can do it. We've got a good opportunity to do it. So one game at a time, we've got to get back to winning ways.” Just a hint there that Dean has already mastered the art of the professional sportsman's interview. But a focussed approach, nevertheless.

Pp. And how do you view the forthcoming match with Manu Samoa? As a chance to rectify matters, and to make a statement against international opposition?

DS. “It certainly is. Its good for the lads, its three weeks before the first game against Newcastle. Its going to be a good chance to separate the men from the boys and to see who's up for the challenge.”

Pp. The RWC starts shortly in France. You were recently involved with the national side, how do you feel about being unable to take part?

DS. “I think that once you've had an opportunity, and you've had a taste of the England set-up, you want it again. But there's quite a bit of experience at the moment in the second row department in England, so its out of my hands. I just want to play well with Sale and we'll just see how that goes.”

Pp. Has pre-season been different this year, knowing that a number of first-choice players were likely to be away?

DS. “To be honest, when you look around the squad you've got a lot of quality players here. The focus hasn't been so much on the players that are missing, its the players who are here and the positions that are available. So the lads are just concentrating on fighting for that spot for the first Newcastle game. So really they're out of sight, out of mind at the moment, the lads [away with the National squads]. Obviously we're going to watch them and support them on the TV, but they're not here. So we'll just get stuck in with what we're doing.”

Pp. Charlie's return, whilst particularly disappointing for him – will this lift the squad now?

DS “Yes, he's been training this morning and he's given the squad a big boost. I just want to say personally as a close friend of Charlie's off the field, I'm devastated for him. But its good to be playing with him again. He's a strong character and I'm sure he's going to bounce back from this.”

And with that, Dean set off for more interviews, meeting sponsors and other duties of a Premiership club captain. It was obvious that the disappointment of last season was still irritating sufficiently for him not to go through that again. And it was noticeable in the way he made his replies that the issue of internationals being away from the club had been addressed, that the youngsters and squad players had a chance to nail down their own spot. Noticeable too that the focus was really on the Premiership, and the first League game against Newcastle. The Manu Samoa game, while certainly not cast aside, doesn't have League points riding on it. But it is without doubt seen as a stern test, particularly for the younger players. Can they stand up to the Tuilangi tank charging through the midfield? And if not, do they have the Mark Taylor-like determination to scramble up from a missed tackle and hunt that Sherman down from behind. If they can, then they may well be ready for the attrition of the Premiership. Bayonne, Manu Samoa, the trial match, all just hurdles on the way to the Promised Land of GP rugby. And not just to the Promised Land, but to a position closer to the top of it than the bottom.

Samoa Rugby World Cup squad:

Forwards: Census Johnston (Saracens, UK), Justin Va'a (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Kasiano Lealamajua (Dax, France), Donald Kerslake (Vaiala, Samoa), Mahonri Schwalger (Hurricanes, NZ), Muliufi Salanoa (Scopa, Samoa), Silao Vaisolasefo (Alhambra, NZ), Filipo Levi (Ricoh, Japan), Kane Thompson (Wests, NZ), Iosefa Fekori (Auckland, NZ), Daniel Leo (London Wasps, UK), Henry Tuilagi (UK), Siu Lafaialii (Yokogawa, Japan), Semo Setiti (Docomo, Japan), Ulia Ulia (Marist, Samoa), Justin Purdie (Wellington, NZ).

Backs: Steven So'oialo (Harlequins, UK), Junior Poluleuligaga (North Harbour, NZ), Loki Crichton (Worcester, UK), Lolo Lui (Moataa, Samoa), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish, UK), Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono (Bath, UK), Jerry Meafou (Scopa, Samoa), Elvis Sevealii (Sale, UK), Anitelea Tuilagi (Leeds Tykes, UK), Brian Lima (Bristol, UK), David Lemi (Bristol, UK), Lome Fa'atau (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester, UK), Gavin Williams (Ponsonby, NZ).

There are 12 Guinness Premiership players in the squad including our own Elvis Sevealii (although it has just been announced that Henry Tuilangi is moving from Leicester to Perpignan) with two more at Glasgow.