Tinds ... NZ-bound

By Cherry Picker
July 4 2011

Pre-season training has been going for some time, the fixtures are out - but there's still no 'r' in the month, so for the next few weeks only rumours and conjecture are on the menu for Gloucester and all the other Premiership team fans before September heralds the return of League action. 

But there’s no shortage of topics for the game’s chattering classes as Gloucester and their rivals piece together their squads and try to work out how much of an impact the World Cup will have on their prospects.

At Kingsholm, coach Bryan Redpath believes between seven and nine players will be in New Zealand for their countries when the season here starts on September 3 at Northampton.

But the big question is, will they be missed or is there enough strength in depth to cater for their absence.

Redpath expects James Simpson-Daniel, Charlie Sharples and Mike Tindall to be with England, while Scots Jim Hamilton, Rory and Scott Lawson and Alasdair Strokosch can be expected to be packing their bags.

Akapusi Qera (Fiji) and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Samoa) are already away for the Pacific Nations Cup, and they too should make it to New Zealand.

Redpath told the Citizen: “We've planned for all of them to be away of course, and if a couple of them come back then that will be a boost for us.

"But whenever some of them come back, they'll need some time off to recover mentally and physically, because Charlie for example has hardly had a weekend off since last summer.

"It's important that we don't look too far ahead, that we realise that there will be some disruption for the first six weeks.

"But it won't be that much, and we know pretty much who and when it will be, so we must prepare properly and ensure that we don't use any of that as an excuse.

"The other sides have players away too, everyone has to deal with it, and it's not something to dwell on.

"So it's important how you start, because some teams will get stronger when players come back."

Meanwhile Redpath has set his team a target of repeating last season’s unbeaten home record. They were the only side to win all their Premiership home games last season, and Redpath is aiming to do it again.

After the trip to Northampton, Gloucester start at home promoted Wocester Warriors then travel to Harlequins before hosting Bath at Kingsholm on Saturday, September 24.

Redpath said: “We're intent on keeping that unbeaten run in the League intact. The challenge becomes harder all the time – everyone is aware of the record from last season, so it only serves to make the opposition more determined than ever to bring that to an end, and with teams like Worcester and Bath, you always know motivation will not be in short supply."

Still a long time to wait for eager fans

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 04/07/2011 16:56

Shedloads
04/07/2011 16:56

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Message List Search Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net