The national rugby squad are aiming to embrace the Bazball style championed by their cricketing colleagues and deliver a early impact for the team in the run-up to the upcoming Ashes series. Steve Borthwick and assistants of his coaching team have had discussions with Brendon McCullum and aim their side to begin with a quick and aggressive start to the Quilter Nations Series this weekend.
Forward-Thinking Approach Key
There is a shared goal within the England camp to make a statement over the coming weeks, and Borthwick and his defensive coach Wigglesworth have been consulting the cricket coach's expertise on the optimal ways to foster a confident mindset. “Our meeting with Brendon McCullum and his assistants recently,” revealed the defence coach. “We had a meeting and a break in Manchester which was highly productive.
“I asked how he changed attitudes in English cricket which was really interesting. We also discussed the details of coaching someone individually and practical applications. It’s hard to pinpoint one main thing because we sat for a extended period and learned a great deal, but they have developed a good thing.
“We also aim to become a squad that can succeed in diverse styles and adjust because every game is unique. We feel we possess a dynamic lineup so we want to play that way.”
Developing a Fresh Approach
Despite a run of seven successive wins in recent months, England supporters are still awaiting the introduction of a exciting new “Borthwick-style” approach to match the attention-grabbing aggressive cricket model spearheaded by the cricket coach and the cricket captain. The autumn fixtures, nevertheless, offer the chance to take a significant advance with the draw for the next World Cup scheduled to be conducted in the final month.
Overcoming the Wallabies on Saturday, hard on the heels of the British & Irish Lions’s victorious campaign, would further contribute to offset the Aussies' victory in the recent opening clash before the beginning of cricket’s Ashes series. There are multiple keen cricket fans in the England rugby squad and the coach feels the “great rivalry” with the Wallabies motivates both teams. “Personally, the two squads genuinely relish competing with one another because the rivalry is unique. Hopefully to claim victory on the weekend.”
Learning from Elite Environments
The defence coach was also involved with the Lions management who achieved victory in Australia this summer and is convinced all the English coaches and players involved gained a lot from the campaign. He has diplomatically declined the urge to consult the former Wallaby coach, the ex- Wallaby assistant coach now in charge at the club, but says the challenges of the tour has had “a significant effect” on his methods.
“Operating with top-level athletes, learning is inevitable, because they are often the top instructors. I absolutely loved it, developed significantly, we had a wonderful period and success was achieved. Personally, the players have observed a transformation in the players who were lucky enough to participate in a prestigious series. Until you’ve been on one, you may not understand. And the team who were in the tour have also definitely grown. So the two have merged very well.”
Strategic Progress
The coach’s position with the national side has evolved with him currently overseeing the squad’s defensive systems, with expert guidance from defensive specialists and coaching staff. This time last year, the Wallabies capitalized on some unsettled defence to win the same match, but the opposition may find tighter defence in the upcoming match. “We definitely desire a aggressive defensive system,” commented Wigglesworth, additionally seeking to encourage his squad to react well in adversity.
“What I love about the sport is that every game is unique and can be decided in different ways. Weather conditions? Referee decisions? These factors go into the melting pot.” The ex- Saracens and Sale player is furthermore adamant that giving responsibility to the squad is the path forward for the side rather than constantly micro-managing them.
“I won’t decide our defensive system has to change due to my preferences and my philosophy. The more we evolve collectively, the more we are aware of each other’s expectations from each other and what will create us a highly effective squad. Then the greater the players can drive standards. In time you reach that ideal balance of trust that is effective, not freedom that is leading to failure.”
