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'If they can't handle the pressure then maybe this isn't for them'
Pat Lam is remarkably upbeat despite having to deal with a season of underachievement and the disruptions caused by COVID and the salary cap reductions which have left Bristol Bears as also rans just 12 months after they topped the Gallagher Premiership table following the end of the regular season.
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They failed to win the trophy after losing a remarkable play-off semi final in extra time to Harlequins 43-36 and go into this season’s final game at Sale in 10th place having won just eight league matches and suffered 15 defeats. Instead of bemoaning his lot after a season of numerous injury problems to key players, Lam is energised and told RugbyPass why he has relished the obstacles put in his way this season.
Lam said: “Who would sign up for salary cap reductions and COVID? I would because I love a challenge and we will crack on and keep pushing no matter what obstacles are in our way.
“The challenges create real growth and you don’t want to be in jobs where it is comfortable. You want the pressure or else you get bored and I think it has been a privilege for me because it adds to my coaching and me as a person with the experiences we have gone through. Everything is mind set and what we have learnt from COVID is perspective about what is important. Things like the team bus is late well don’t panic it will be here and if the conditions are shocking well you can deal with it.
“The more you go through things the more you realise it’s not that bad. I love seeing how people react and that is why I like to see the reaction of people under pressure and even when they get it wrong you can improve them. If they can’t handle the pressure then maybe this isn’t for them just like the military putting guys through sleep deprivation and it is the same on the pitch; are we responding under pressure? This season it has been incredible what we have learnt about our club.
“We dealt with pressure last year – we didn’t win anything. Everyone talks about success and winning a trophy well ( on that basis) we haven’t been successful for a while like 12 other clubs. I don’t see it as season to season it is about a period of five years and there have been ups and downs and ultimately people have come and gone and new guys join the journey. The bus keeps going but people get on and off it.”
Lam is bringing Leicester captain Ellis Genge and USA captain AJ McGinty in to a squad that is being trimmed to accommodate the reduced £5m salary cap and actually expected more players to have lost their jobs than the 70 being predicted.
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Lam added: ”I am not surprised it is 70 (losing jobs) and I thought that potentially it could be more. This is the product of the salary cap reduction and we all expected people to be without jobs because it means what the clubs can offer is reduced . I was interested in hearing listening to Ronan O’Gara who has done an incredible job with La Rochelle and he talked about having six front rowers all being international class because they don’t have the same issue and the French are winning everything.
“Does it change our mind set? The other English clubs will get there and while it will be harder it is not impossible. I found that with Connacht when everyone said you can’t do it and you can but it takes a lot more work because you are against the odds.
“A lot of us directors of rugby have had a lot of challenges this season and I see that as a positive. We have learnt in terms of salary cap, COVID and managing lots of things outside the game and it will make us all. The tough times are what makes you and this season has become history. I love history because it tells us where we come from but it is the vision that continues our journey. We will take a lot out of this year.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
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