With the politics surrounding the modern game in Wales it is refreshing to sit down and talk about rugby. This is exactly what I did earlier this week with Scrum V favourite Robert Jones and his brother Rhodri. They were speaking about their website www.rugbysuccess.com and how it will be re-launched in the near future.
Rob told me that “It’s all about developing aspiring players with an online resource using the six pillars. It is providing information for those looking to make their mark in the game.”
The six pillars that Rob speaks of are; coaching, conditioning, nutrition, psychology, injury rehab and recovery. These six areas would be used by all rugby players over the course of a career and gathering all in one place is what makes the website unique.
So far the website has been run by Rob and Rhodri. However, as they re-launch, they are bringing experts on board in each of the six areas. Rob tells me that “this will keep it fresh,” and they can draw “on the experience of players and coaches that they both know from their time in the game.” There are some areas of the website, such as psychology, which both brothers confess needs an expert “with a better understanding of the mind.” They have turned to Andy McCann, a sports psychologist that Sam Warburton has worked with when with Wales. McCann has over twenty years experience and he will be on board with the new website when it launches in a few weeks’ time.
I had a chance to chat with the pair about the current state of Welsh rugby and with Mark Hammett coming into the Blues, I asked Rob whether Welsh coaches are being given a fair crack of the whip. He told me that “We have a lot of good knowledgeable rugby people but we lack the belief that we are as good as the Southern Hemisphere. New Zealand have a strong belief that they are better than most. That comes from performances, character and personalities.” Rob believes that this lack of self-belief is still holding us back and says that to perform at top level you have “Got to believe you were better than the guy you are playing against.” He also adds that “as a nation it is not something we are good at.”
At the end of this week we will see the first Welsh senior trial match in 14 years, as Wales warm-up for their Summer tour of South Africa. Rhodri Jones see’s this game as a risk. He tells me that it’s a “great concept for guys on the fringe, but for guys like Alun Wyn it’s the last thing they want. They are there to be shot at.”
However, both brothers quickly point out that they need to “have something because won’t have played for 5-6 weeks.” A few people have mooted the risk of injuries in the run up to this trial match and Rhodri shares the concerns, he says “a player like Alun Wyn only knows one way but that it could risk injury” Rhodri went on to say that he “fears he’s one or two games away from a 9 month injury” with the amount of rugby he has played this year.
Rob informed me that “Gatland will have a general idea of his squad already.” An issue with the trial has been whether players really get the chance to impress with the squad announcement for South Africa, taking place straight after the game.
Both brothers see the trip to South Africa as a real test for Wales and Rob told me that “it’s a hell of a place to go to.” Rhodri added that there is a risk that it “could dent the confidence of the younger players.” However, the young players will have to face these challenges at some point, and both Jones’ agree that Gatland should invest in youth on this tour to fill the gaps that have been created by injuries.
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