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EXCLUSIVE: Haskell reveals new strategy in bid to reclaim England spot
James Haskell has turned to a sports psychologist who helps mixed martial arts fighters and poker players in a bid to regain his England place and win a new contract for next season.
Haskell was left out of Eddie Jones’s squad for the Autumn test matches but the broken jaw suffered by Maro Itoje, who has been playing lock and flanker, has opened the way for the Wasps forward to push his claims for a recall to aid England’s bid for an historic third successive Six Nations title.
Haskell, who toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions in the summer, is never scared to try something new and believes sports psychology is an aid that rugby still doesn’t properly utilize.
Haskell has revealed he regularly speaks to Elliot Roe, an American based English mind coach, and the flanker’s improved form for Wasps heading into Sunday’s daunting European Champions Cup clash at La Rochelle has been impressive, prompting speculation that his test exile could be very short.
The 32-year-old who has won 75 England caps, was in typically robust form as Wasps defeated Leicester 32-25 on Saturday and helped the Coventry based club withstand a fearsome physical assault from the Tigers. Haskell is out of contract at the end of the season and while he wants to finish his career at Wasps, he knows the arrival of Brad Shields from New Zealand will be a factor in the squad make up.
He said: “Whenever you play Leicester then physicality is always first on their agenda and in the last four games I have been really happy with what I have done and I am in a good place.
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“I have tweaked a few things and it seems to be working. I am coming off the field feeling great and for me it was a lot about the mind-set off the field, working with a sports psychologist. It is about going into a game with a clear head and trying to then be more efficient during a match. I have always trained hard and maybe I was working too hard and when I took a look at my performances I concentrated on my positioning and tried to do things differently.
“I think sport psychology is so overlooked and I have done some work with Elliot who also works with UFC, MMA guys and poker players and I feel it has worked. When you do try something new and it clicks then you really feel the benefit and while I am not turning in Superman, my goal is to come off the field happy with what I have done.
“Everyone looks at making physical improvements; can I run faster etc… The mind is something you need to look into and even if you are playing your best ever rugby then why are you doing that? How can you keep improving?
“We play around 30 games a season and to emotionally be up for every one of them and put your body on the line is something you need to constantly review. I work with Elliot who is based in America and I wanted to try something different and there are always pressures on players. He works with the top poker players and UFC fighters.”
Haskell now comes up against a La Rochelle team that has a fearsome home record and have All Black Victor Vito as their main ball carrier, a player Haskell has faced at test and Super Rugby level. “La Rochelle weren’t in the Top 14 when I was at Stade Francais:” said Haskell.” They are now a force to be reckoned with and have the biggest pack of forwards you are ever going to see and this is why you want to play in Europe. Victor is a super athletic player and really dynamic ball carrier.”
Name: Garry Potter
Specialist subject: Harry Potter@jameshaskell takes on Mastermind…? pic.twitter.com/DjopTERy8b— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 6, 2017
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
9 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments