'Glasgow play a very fast, attacking brand of rugby. We want to keep that going'
These days, new rugby coaches are given ostentatious unveilings, introduced to the press and the supporters against a sparkling backdrop. Clubs and their marketing people are eager to put on a show that befits the grandeur of the appointment.
Richard Cockerill held his first briefing in charge of Edinburgh in a steakhouse. Glasgow staged Dave Rennie’s at a glitzy hotel where most of the lunchtime patrons are adorned by some corporate lanyard or other.
Such is the necessary tedium of life amid the coronavirus pandemic, Danny Wilson addressed the media for the first time as Glasgow coach from his house on Wednesday afternoon, presented to a rogues’ gallery of sprouting lockdown hair, crinkled shirts, desperately unflattering webcam angles and the painful absence of a free buffet.
Rightly or wrongly, this enforced and unglamorous first look at Wilson as a Warrior mirrors how a chunk of the club’s fanbase feels about their new man. Scotland’s pack did not blossom as Wilson would have hoped under his stewardship, although his influence may well have been blunted by a conflict of styles with Gregor Townsend.
There are worries that his sideways shift from the national team to Glasgow after less than two years is a convenient and inexpensive route out for all parties.
But the former hooker should not have to begin his reign by defending his credentials for the job.
As a number one, he was adored at Cardiff Blues while the region was ravaged by financial chaos, winning the European Challenge Cup in 2018, developing a powerful culture and a host of top young players.
Some of Welsh rugby’s biggest names are effusive in their praise for the former hooker. In the years before the Blues, he took Wales Under-20s to a Junior World Championship semi-final and final in successive seasons, beating New Zealand along the way.
Yet after the stardust of Rennie, and the glory brought by Townsend, Wilson is going to have to compel those unmoved by his excellent work.
“I’m really proud of what I’ve been involved in as a head coach and the environments I’ve been involved in,” Wilson said.
“I’ve been involved in Cardiff Blues winning a European trophy, taking an U20s team to a World Cup final and what we achieved as that group.
“Granted, I’m not a Dave Rennie name, I understand that, but I believe in my ability to do the job and add value to the job. I know it’s a very passionate rugby environment, going in to Glasgow as an away coach I know that, and being there as a Scotland coach I know that.
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“My focus is getting in the door, getting on the job, and hopefully adding value.”
The angst is compounded by a dearth of new signings at a time where Glasgow has inexorably leaked some of its greatest talent. In three years under Rennie, Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg left, and Jonny Gray has now followed.
There was talk of a major recruitment drive when Gray’s departure for Exeter Chiefs was confirmed, but Covid-19 took a sledgehammer to that.
Warriors have done very well to keep Leone Nakarawa, the incredible Fijian lock, for another season, brought back Richie Gray from France and signed Argentina international prop Enrique Pieretto, but there are still big holes in their squad.
Warriors desperately need a front-line full-back a year since Hogg went, and while Wilson would dearly love to sign one, he can’t do so with Scottish Rugby’s recruitment in a state of indefinite suspension.
“I’m not going to hide away from that [signing a full-back], it’s certainly part of the plans,” he said. “It’s on hold at the moment and hopefully we can pick that up again.
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He added: “We have a couple more announcements to make. Due to the current situation, we were paused in terms of recruitment. There were plans to do a bit more, but we have been on pause since March.
“Leone makes a huge difference to the back-five of the scrum. We worked really hard over a period of time to keep him at Glasgow. We now have a couple more signings to make that will deal with the back-five of the scrum area and we will then see how the future lies when we come out of this period.”
On the Pro14’s official podcast last week, it was fascinating to hear Sean Holley, the former Ospreys coach and a colleague of Wilson’s at Bristol, talk of his friend’s love for the “nuts and bolts” of the game, how he might steer Glasgow away from an overly gung-ho style of play that has haemorrhaged tries from turnover ball this season, and improve their set-piece.
The gist was that Wilson is exactly what they need.
That seems to jar with the established and treasured Glasgow way, a feverish, edge-of-the-seat team who can score from anywhere and play at blistering speed. What Wilson wants to bring is a little more calmness, a more robust defence and greater accuracy in possession. This term, they concede on average three tries per Pro14 match.
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“Glasgow play a very fast, attacking brand of rugby,” he said. “Their attacking stats are phenomenal and have been for the past few years. We want to keep that going and develop it because I think that’s what brings people in to watch.
“The players and supporters are passionate about it, so that identity is not going to change. But we also need to build on our defence and develop a game management strategy.
“If we can build on those two things to go with the attacking brand then I think that will move us forward.
“That’s the balancing act of what we’re trying to do. When we talk about defence, there are still some really good examples of some defensive strengths at Glasgow.
“When they lost the final last year, they were a top-four defence in terms of tries conceded. They’re not a top-four defence for tries conceded this year, however a lot of those tries conceded have come from turnovers as a source of possession to the opposition.
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“We need to look at that balancing act, and yes, it is difficult to be able to maintain huge focus on attack and get the other two improved, but being very open and honest, the other two do need to improve from a statistical point of view a little bit to help bolster this season’s league position for the future.”
Because of the government furlough rules, the new coach has not even been able to contact many of his players until very recently, let alone get a look at how they are faring and begin to implement what he wants. Only last week could they return to Murrayfield for voluntary conditioning sessions.
Glasgow are third in Conference A, and will complete their truncated Pro14 season with consecutive derbies against Edinburgh at Murrayfield. The first is scheduled for 22nd August, seven weeks away. Even should they take maximum points from both, it is virtually impossible for them to catch Ulster, nine points above them, and make the semi-finals, and there will not be much respite before the new season starts in earnest.
For all that Wilson longed to return to a head coach role, this is an entirely unique and deeply challenging prospect.
“I haven’t spoken before, but the first thing you do when you go into a new club is you get in front of your players and you speak to them about your research and your plans and you get their thoughts,” he said.
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“I haven’t been able to do any of that. I’ve done the research and I’ve been able to speak to the boys now in some capacity, but nowhere near as I would have wanted to speak to them. Things have been very different.
“I had had plans to spend a couple of months with Dave as a fly on the wall but that went out of the window so all my research was done from afar. That research has been done so the next stage is to get in, get in front of the players.
“We get through this first phase of voluntary conditioning – at the moment the guys have been out of proper gym conditioning for three or four months, so there is going to be a drop of muscle mass, and that muscle mass is the foundation of playing physical contact sports – but the running part is an important part as well and then we get to the rugby bit.
“The rugby bit really is a four-five-week block, all being well. So it’s a short gap where you need to be well-prepared, well-planned, it’s much shorter than a normal pre-season to try and get up to speed.”
Glasgow have long cemented themselves among the Pro14’s biggest fish, carved out a feverish niche in a city gripped by football and unstintingly sell out Scotstoun.
Rennie’s panache and intelligence took them further, but not far enough to land a trophy. There is no fanfare for Wilson in these unprecedented times, but you get the feeling he doesn’t care about that.
In his quiet, studious pragmatism, Glasgow must now place their faith.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to comments