G
Guest
Guest
NO 'I' IN TEAM SAYS GRANT JONES
By Wayne Cousins
27/07/2011 4:55:14 PM
Wests Tigers U20s Coach Grant Jones says his players must ‘play as a team and not as individuals’ following what he described as an ‘inept’ performance against the Sydney Roosters last Saturday.
Jones, who led Wests Tigers to an U20s Grand Final appearance in 2009, said the 30-10 loss to the Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium was a missed opportunity in more ways than one for his side.
“At the start of that game, we completed our first six sets and led 4-0\. On our seventh set, we had an opportunity to score a try. We missed a golden opportunity after some good control footy which could have given us a 10-0 lead.
“It was a big turning point. Had we scored that second try, it gives everyone confidence. Everyone knows that we are on track and we go about our business.
“In the next 10 sets, we made 8 errors. How does that affect the confidence of other players?”
Jones said rugby league was about confidence and the ability to pick yourself up from a mistake.
“What our players need to learn as a group is that once you lose confidence, you think ‘I don’t want to make a mistake’ and they play negative one out footy,’’ he said.
“Experience will tell you that you’ve got to keep playing some footy. Stick to what you are trying to achieve with your game plan.
“We had no excuses against the Roosters. They were on the back of four wins and wanted to maintain momentum.
“For us, there was so much to gain to get that buffer (on the ladder). The Bulldogs have now jumped two points clear of us. We would have stayed on 26 points with them in equal fifth but sixth on for and against.
Now it is going to be hard and they have a better for and against.
“We are looking at sixth place. You really want to be fifth because there is no difference between fourth and fifth in the first week of the finals as they play each other.
“If you finish sixth, you have to play one of the top three.”
Jones said he side must now regroup and not underestimate the last placed Manly at Bluetongue Stadium this Friday night.
“Everyone has got to dig in this week and find that win. The boys need to have belief that they are a good team, have trust in everyone, and to play as a team,’’ Jones added.
“The temptation is ‘I will need to win the game for the team’ which is what we saw on Saturday. Its about playing as a team, working together.
That’s the only way out of it, to play as a team. Stick together, prepare together and play hard together.”
By Wayne Cousins
27/07/2011 4:55:14 PM
Wests Tigers U20s Coach Grant Jones says his players must ‘play as a team and not as individuals’ following what he described as an ‘inept’ performance against the Sydney Roosters last Saturday.
Jones, who led Wests Tigers to an U20s Grand Final appearance in 2009, said the 30-10 loss to the Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium was a missed opportunity in more ways than one for his side.
“At the start of that game, we completed our first six sets and led 4-0\. On our seventh set, we had an opportunity to score a try. We missed a golden opportunity after some good control footy which could have given us a 10-0 lead.
“It was a big turning point. Had we scored that second try, it gives everyone confidence. Everyone knows that we are on track and we go about our business.
“In the next 10 sets, we made 8 errors. How does that affect the confidence of other players?”
Jones said rugby league was about confidence and the ability to pick yourself up from a mistake.
“What our players need to learn as a group is that once you lose confidence, you think ‘I don’t want to make a mistake’ and they play negative one out footy,’’ he said.
“Experience will tell you that you’ve got to keep playing some footy. Stick to what you are trying to achieve with your game plan.
“We had no excuses against the Roosters. They were on the back of four wins and wanted to maintain momentum.
“For us, there was so much to gain to get that buffer (on the ladder). The Bulldogs have now jumped two points clear of us. We would have stayed on 26 points with them in equal fifth but sixth on for and against.
Now it is going to be hard and they have a better for and against.
“We are looking at sixth place. You really want to be fifth because there is no difference between fourth and fifth in the first week of the finals as they play each other.
“If you finish sixth, you have to play one of the top three.”
Jones said he side must now regroup and not underestimate the last placed Manly at Bluetongue Stadium this Friday night.
“Everyone has got to dig in this week and find that win. The boys need to have belief that they are a good team, have trust in everyone, and to play as a team,’’ Jones added.
“The temptation is ‘I will need to win the game for the team’ which is what we saw on Saturday. Its about playing as a team, working together.
That’s the only way out of it, to play as a team. Stick together, prepare together and play hard together.”
