Nathan Sharpe: Time for us to make a stand

[travelling_gerry]

The West Australian
March 13, 2012, 6:54 am


Nathan Sharpe: Time for us to make a stand
The irony of statistics in rugby union is that you can find which- ever conclusion you wish to draw, depending on which way you choose to analyse it.

The one general statistic, however, that you can't hide from is that with 65 per cent possession and 65 per cent territory you should never lose a game.

I am positive that last Friday night had moments that could have swung the match in our favour at certain periods of the game.

Small things, such as Cameron Shepherd getting knocked into touch just before he was able to ground the ball, could well have shaped the game differently.

However, as in all sport and in business, you must play the cards that are dealt and be good enough to overcome your opponent.

Winning does not come down to one isolated event.

During the last game we worked incredibly hard to score tries and put ourselves into position to do so but as we got to the final hurdle on almost every occasion we stumbled and let the Hurricanes score easily.

Our defence coach Phil Blake will have probably missed more than a few nights' sleep lamenting the poor display of our transition from attack to defence. He shouldn't be the one doing so, it is the 22 players who ran out onto the field where the accountability must squarely fall.

This week becomes incredibly important in several areas.

Our standing on the Super Rugby log for one, but more deeply than that, the desire to win every small contest within a game which will result in the team collectively achieving its goal of victory.

If we stand to challenge the competition this year, this is the week for us to stand and be counted as men.

Yesterday saw frank discussions between all members of the team about finding the solution to winning games we know we can win. The strategy group, which includes coaching staff and key personnel in playmaking positions, has thought long and hard about the tactics that will enable us to claim the Waratahs' scalp on their home turf this Saturday night.

We feel the plan is a good one. It hasn't required a complete revamp of what we've done until now as there have been some good elements to our play. The execution of that plan, however, will be the key, as it is in any winning strategy.

It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces come onto the field after the game and this makes us more determined to travel well over the next few weeks and return to Perth for a barnstorming performance here against the Reds.

The only statistic that you can't dispute is a win and that's the only thing that matters this weekend.

[GIGS20]

There's the true measure of a man.

I'm not sure I gel with Woody's mealy mouthed 'bounce of the ball' in a six try romp bullshit.

I far prefer, we weren't good enough, we weren't switched on, we didn't do our job, now is the time to nut up.

Good I ya Sharpie, maybe Bam got the reins a year too early. Here's hoping you teach him this sort of stuff quick smart!

[palitu]

UI wathced the replay last night, and i saw Pocock asking advice of Sharpie, and sharpie was saying to go for the posts...

[Tazzmania]

The West Australian
March 13, 2012, 6:54 am

The only statistic that you can't dispute is a win and that's the only thing that matters this weekend.

The sad reality of the matter, come on boys lets do it this week, and the next and the next, its all about confidence, lets get on a roll.

[jono]

well. of the accountability lies with you. then you're all one the line this weekend.
because this trip will show graham's metal, and the boys as well.