Michael Foley says a meeting with skipper Matt Hodgson was turning point at the Force
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A good article with some insights into the relationship between Michael Foley & Matt Hodgson and the turn-around this year.
• Dale Granger
• The Courier-Mail
• June 07, 2014
WESTERN Force coach Michael Foley has lifted the covers on the meeting with captain Matt Hodgson that helped transform the Perth club from Super Rugby whipping boys to blue-chip playoff contenders.
For the first time in club history, on the back of a record eight wins this season, the Force control their own finals destiny.
In his second year of coaching in Perth, Foley has brought a club without superstars to the brink of their greatest triumph.
But he traces it all back to a discussion with Hodgson 18 months ago.
“The central theme of that conversation was very much about earning respect, about the likes of Sam Wykes and Pek Cowan, and in slightly more recent times Nick Cummins and Ben McCalman - players who had worked very hard at the club and not been able to achieve that,” Foley said.
“It starts with the captain, then another group of players and once you have something that you all believe in, both coaches and senior players defining the standards, everyone else wants to be a part of that.
“I don’t think there is a person alive who does not want to be respected.
“Initially earning the respect of each other was very important and, separately, earning the respect of our people. That included the respect of people in the office and our families, and also our supporters and the opposition.”
Foley was able to draw on his experience as a Queensland player under John Connolly, as well as tough times as forward coach with Bath in the UK, where England internationals Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock became central characters in a similar theme.
Harnessing the collective might of strong-minded individuals was the key to transforming the Force, but the coaches also had to equip players not used to winning with decision-making powers in the field of combat.
“As much as we are coach-led, we are player-driven and that has led to a lot of success in key moments on the field, as you can’t possibly prepare for everything that is going to happen,” Foley said.
“Rugby is so fluid that the player on the field needs to feel that he is able to make decisions and is empowered to do so. Part of the inclusive process is letting players know they should be confident to make decisions and that we are backing them to do so. “
Defining moments that reflected and rewarded this attitude included rookie prop Ollie Hoskins coming on as a substitute against the Chiefs and anchoring the scrum on the tryline, helping the Force to a stunning upset against the two-time reigning champions.
“The extra bit the players have been able to find in themselves at different times to try and earn the respect of their mates, that is the thing that I’m most pleased about,” said Foley.
“I’ve always believed that results will come on the back of those things but I don’t necessarily reflect on the number of wins as much as I do the special moments. Anybody who goes out and plays Super Rugby these days has to be physically committed, but to be more deeply emotionally committed to your team is what makes me proud.”
Foley said another key moment epitomising the Force’s fiery resolve was Kieran Longbottom hauling himself out of an exhausting scrum in the 80th minute against the Highlanders and tearing across field to tackle try-scoring wing Hayden Parker.
The flyhalf was forced to dot down two metres wider and then missed his touchline conversion, securing a two-point bonus point win for the 13-man Force.
“We will remain humble and whenever we are humble we will remain in the right frame of mind to keep competing the way we have,” said Foley.
Foley said the players smile when the club is referred to as a team without superstars.
“We smile and like to interpret that as meaning no egos. I would say often superstars are equated with skill and physical abilities to catch, run pass and kick. But I think a lot of our guys are very talented in terms of decision-making and mental strength.
“We have a very determined, persistent group who went through a very difficult season last year and were not getting results. It’s too easy too often to walk away when things don’t fall for you, but this group of players stuck together kept working and believed in each other and what they stood for and now they are starting to just get some rewards.”
Foley said this was reflected in the team dressing room post the club’s away victory to the Reds where wing Cummins was disappointed and tough on himself for his own performance, but bounced back with a hat-trick of tries against the Waratahs a week later.
“Sometimes the wins and the losses are incredibly important in terms of building momentum, not just now but into the future as a club. But it’s those little personal efforts that characterize this group and make it so much more worthwhile to be a part of,” said Foley.
In the future Foley says keeping the group together will be the biggest challenge as agents and rival coaches come knocking too woo successful players.
“We’ve undergone significant change and brought the right guys together. Hopefully now changes will be minimal and we’ve got to ensure that is the case,” said Foley.
Foley believes that the Force can press on from this season’s success and mount a challenge to lift the trophy.
“It’s one thing to be able to concentrate over 80 minutes over a weekend, but to be able to concentrate over twelve weeks and a month and eliminate the things that will distract you from being as good as you can be is the real challenge."
“As long as we understand the reason we work so hard at doing that - because we do really want to earn the respect of each other - then I would never discount this group of guys and what they are capable of.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1226946774516
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