Pat Lam hits back at 'personal' Andy Goode remarks on Genge and Bristol
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has hit back at comments made by former England flyhalf Andy Goode on The Rugby Pod suggesting that there is an issue with empathy and team spirit within the squad.
Bristol Bears have had a mixed season in the 2022/23 Premiership Rugby so far, currently sitting in 7th place with 41 points. They have won 7 games, drawn 1, and lost 9 and their points difference is -19, having scored 438 points and conceded 457.
The Bears have however scored the 4th highest number of tries (56) in the league so far.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, RugbyPass columnist Goode said that were ‘rumbling’ coming from Bristol about the state of affairs at the club and referenced rumours that former Wasps boss Lee Blackett might be in line to take over from Lam.
He also questioned Ellis Genge’s performance against his former team – Leicester Tigers – in which Goode felt the Test prop didn’t fire-up despite playing his former teammates.
“Leicester’s ex-captain coming back, he is a Bristol boy, first time back at Welford Road and I have been there, I played at Leicester for 10 years and the first time I ever came back to Welford Road as an away player at the end of my 10-year tenure I got sent off because I booted Tom Croft in the face – the emotions get hold of you.
“So, Ellis Genge is coming on and I’m thinking he is going to do something. He is going to get angry; he is going to be aggressive at the breakdown, he is going to try and dominate the scrum. He got hosed at scrum time because as soon as he came on, Richard Wigglesworth brought Dan Cole on. Cole absolutely shoved his [Genge’s] head up his own arse. Genge looked like he wasn’t interested. He was basically patting all the Leicester lads on the back as if he was still a Leicester player but in a Bristol jersey.
“The only time he got angry at the end of the game was when Leicester scored a try right at the death and James Cronin is giving him some stick and then they start headbutting and I think there were fingers around the eye area and he got a bit angry towards the end but really surprised. It was like he wasn’t bothered – and I think that is the same for a few of the Bristol boys.
“I think there is a big issue there at Bristol around the empathy and the team spirit within the squad and there is some sort of breakdown there. Yes, they have won a few games recently, but we have said it for a while, there is something not right there, and the fact that Pat Lam is on a seven-year contract – it’s only down to six years now – I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a big change.
“Just rumblings and there are a lot of players leaving. Bristol have spent all this cash, unbelievable squad, but the hangover of losing that semi a few years ago when they were top of the league, got turned over by Quins when they were 28-nil up or something, they haven’t recovered from that. There is a bit of ill-feeling in the squad for various different reasons and if you are Steve Lansdown putting loads of cash in and now you are losing (Semi) Radradra, (Charles) Piutau, there is a lot of other players leaving as well, I don’t know. Big questions.”
In response to Goode’s comments, Lam told reporters: “I think the biggest thing here is, it sounds like it’s getting personal. It’s one of those things, the invention of podcasts and social media gives everybody the ability to say how they feel. Opinions can always be challenged, because it’s someone’s opinion. What you can’t challenge is fact.
“So when people make comments – if I go off what you’re saying about – whether it’s about Ellis, any of my players or if it’s about me, then it’s opinion, so we don’t need to listen to it. If it’s fact, then let’s have a look at it.
“Particularly when people aren’t in the environment or see what we do. And that’s how you determine.”
While Lam said everyone is entitled to their opinions, he suggested that Goode may have stepped over the line into the personal in relation to comments about England loosehead Ellis Genge’s performances.
“It’s good for people to have their opinions but you go down a dangerous line when you get personal and try to say what they’re doing or not.
“That’s (Genge’s attitude) a given for us. I know what Ellis is like, I know what all the players are like – these boys care. I get the advantage of seeing what they do in the environment, how they work and operate and how they do things, and that’s how I determine it.
“I suppose, in a way, people are making their opinions on what they see on the field on that Saturday and all players will do things well, and all players can do things better and can be challenged on it. If you make a mistake, it’s not like the player doesn’t care. I’m pretty sure Andy and anyone else who makes those comments, the first thing you look at, like the big fella says, ‘anyone who’s never made a mistake, be the first to cast a stone.’”
“The fact you’ve brought up something that I didn’t even know about shows you how I deal with this stuff. And that’s what I try to talk to the players and the staff (about). If you want to read that stuff, understand what you’re going to see. Understand that it’s a lot of opinions and the real strength of a person is being able to not see your self-worth based on what people’s opinions are.
“If you’re someone who doesn’t let other people’s opinion determine how you live your life or who you are then, mate, you’ll be fine with it. However, that’s easier said, if you’re affected by it, then don’t read it.
“The only thing that matters is the people who mean the most to you which is generally, your partner, your kids, your parents – those are the people that matter so just focus on that. When my old man tells me it’s not good, it’s not good!”
Comments on RugbyPass
The side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
4 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
4 Go to commentsI 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
4 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.
4 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 comments