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'That is something that sits in the back of my head': The mental scar driving England's Proudfoot on against Wales
Matt Proudfoot is hoping his scars from being involved in a four-game losing streak with South Africa against Wales will help ensure he has his England forwards primed to fire in next Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations round three game at Cardiff.
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The ex-Springboks assistant had a 0-4 record against the Welsh, losing three consecutive Principality Stadium games by 14, 2 and 9-point margins and another in Washington by two points. That was before South Africa finally edged past Wales at the World Cup by a three-point margin in an October 2019 semi-final.
Proudfoot has since been involved in two winning England performances over Wales since linking up as Eddie Jones’ forwards coach last year, winning at Twickenham and Llanelli, but thoughts of that yesteryear losing streak with the Springboks against the Welsh aren’t far from his mind ahead of his latest match-up against them.
“(Alun) Wyn Jones, what more can you say about him? (Justin) Tipuric, exceptional rugby player. We [England] understand the challenge,” said Proudfoot.
“I coached for years against Wales and didn’t beat them so I understand how tough they are up front. I went there four times and lost four times. That is something that sits in the back of my head to know how well the (England) pack has got to play and how intense they have got to be in the collision area to be able to keep your foot in the competition against Wales.
"He is probably a better set-piece player than he gets credit for"#SixNations #WALvENGhttps://t.co/61KXpPvtqH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 24, 2021
“We improved a bit from the Scottish game to the Italian game. Our competitiveness will need to improve. Structurally we were better but competitively we will need to improve to take on the intensity that the Welsh side will bring. It about setting the right tone in preparation, creating the opportunity where players can bring their competitiveness out some more.
“That is definitely the mindset we have created in training, it’s definitely the mindset that players have shown throughout the week, so I expect them to bring that. It is something they are, something that English packs are known for, and I’m sure that is what we will be bringing his week.”
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England made four changes to their starting pack after the opening round loss to Scotland and while he gave nothing away regarding what team Jones will select to take on Wales, he gave praise to the influence of Courtney Lawes who was one of the changes last time out versus the Italians.
“The balance that Courtney brings to the pack is crucial,” he reckoned. “He gives you a real presence, particularly around the edges defensively or carrying the ball. But more so you get those type of forwards that just are the glue in a pack.
“It is not something you can measure on a spreadsheet, it is not something you measure in a stat, but it’s just the presence they bring, the confidence they bring to players around them. When you have a guy like Courtney next to Jonny (Hill), then it brings that type of connection.”
The England No8 has pulled no punches in candidly reviewing his own performances#SixNations #WALvENGhttps://t.co/g5j7rgdsaq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 23, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments