Pre-season Interview with Phil Davies

Our Glorious Leader
By Loosehead
September 13 2003

At the recent Press Day, Loosehead grabbed a few minutes with Phil Davies to chat about the off season, our new recruits and the Tykes style of rugby for the coming year.

Will this year's RWC have an impact on any of your preparations for the forthcoming season?
Yes, but every team is the same - we've planned for it. Certain players we knew would go - the likes of Aaron, Gordon, Diego and Mark. Others might possibly go: Alix, Scabs, etc. We have planned for this. It won't be much of a disruption to the training and preparation, it will also give other players a chance. We have bought in six academy players who trained through out the summer. I am pretty confident that 2 of them will get a run out in the first team. I think that this will also happen throughout the country as it will give young players a chance. I think it will be good for the clubs as some good rugby will be played. It will be good for the game as it will be a massive exposure.

Will any of the world cup players play for the Tykes before they go to the RWC?
No - it's not allowed.

What would constitute a good season?
To score more tries. I would like us to emulate what we did last season and be able to do it more comfortably so we'll be able to improve as a team. Last year we could have a finished third but we had to really bust a gut to finish fifth. If we can finish fifth again this year more comfortably I will be happy as we are constantly improving as a team. The squad is also a lot younger this season.

Who will be the most feared opposition this year?
(Jokingly) Referees. No all the teams will be a major threat, even Rotherham who not a lot of people are giving credit to. Saracens are a very strong side - they have two very talented players in Taine Randell and Rod Kafer - two very talented footballers. Leicester are also looking very strong. It will be a tough season - really really tough. It was a hard season last season and this season is going to be a lot harder.

In the last two years you've used the Parker Pen cup to rest certain first team players. Are you going to take the same approach in the Heineken Cup, or are you going to play your best available team?
Hmmm. I think this season is going to more demanding than ever before, particular with the Heineken Cup. Depending on injuries with players, etc, I am trying to develop a squad that is good enough to compete in all competitions. At the moment we are developing as a group and it will take some to get there with the strength to be able to do this - we are getting there. In answer to the question: in one word I will use the best players available to me at the time because I have to. If I have an important league game coming up in the following week and one of the players is returning from injury I would far rather give him an extra week off to recover than risk him in the game. But whatever happens the Heineken Cup is going to give us massive experience.

What's been happening behind the scenes? Any more news? We had a flurry of activity and now all seems to have gone quiet.
Hopefully they will be 2 more signings. There are still things I am looking at. I am looking to bring in at least one or two world-class players. I am quite excited about them - people will be excited about them. "Trust me" as Fergie says.

When trying to sign new players do you find it hard to persuade them to join the club?
No never have!

What qualities do you look for in a player?
It's a big thing for me. When I look for players I look at their characteristics - their attitude. Players who will be prepared to roll up their sleeves and work for the club. I am not looking for star players, I am looking at a star team. Someone who will bring honour to the team. That type of person is very important to me.

What coaching tips and advice were gained from your trip to NZ and how will these be implemented at the Tykes?
It was good. It was a chance for me to get away on my own; a chance for me look at we had done; a chance to recap it all. Secondly it was a chance for me to spend two weeks with Laurie Mains who is a very good coach. He has coached New Zealand rugby: Super 12 rugby and the All Blacks. His reputation in world rugby is awesome. He spends a great deal of time planning - very meticulous. His technical abilities are excellent - I am trying to follow that. I know we are going in the right course of direction. I also learned a lot more about the game in general. It was really good - it really stimulated me - it was a very good trip. I am also looking at other training methods from other teams in New Zealand and South Africa - with the Sharks in particular. I am quite friendly with their coach Kevin Putt from my playing days. I am also looking to establish other relationships with other sports as well. It's all good stuff meeting people from other sports. It's quite innovative. It gets you thinking. It keeps you fresh.

How have the team / player dynamics changed this season from last season's team?
I think overall they the strongest, fastest, fittest group we have had - this has been brought out by all the tests we have undertaken. We also have more creativity and vision in the team. People will, I hope, see a method behind all the madness as they will see a different style of rugby altogether this season from us. We are looking to develop a multi-phase style of rugby with more style, more pace and with the players we have they will lend themselves to that style of rugby.