The national rugby squad are aiming to implement the attacking cricket philosophy led by their cricketing teammates and deliver a significant statement for the country ahead of the upcoming Ashes series. The head coach and staff of his backroom team have conducted meetings with Brendon McCullum and want their squad to begin with a fast and furious start to the Quilter Nations Series in the coming days.
Positive Mindset Essential
A collective ambition within the England setup to make a statement over the next month, and Borthwick and his defensive coach Richard Wigglesworth have been picking McCullum's expertise on the optimal ways to promote a positive mindset. “We met Brendon McCullum and his support team recently,” revealed Wigglesworth. “We had a meeting and a break in Manchester which was quite insightful.
“I asked the transformation of mindsets in English cricket which was extremely valuable. But then explored the details of training someone personally and what that looks like. It’s hard to pinpoint a single takeaway because our conversation lasted for a considerable while and gained numerous insights, but they have developed a winning formula.
“We also aim to become a team that can triumph in multiple different ways and adjust because each match is distinct. We feel we possess a versatile squad so our intention is to perform that way.”
Forging a Fresh Approach
In spite of a sequence of seven straight wins in recent months, England fans are still anticipating the arrival of a exciting new “Borthwick-style” approach to rival the dynamic cricketing equivalent overseen by the cricket coach and Ben Stokes. The next month, though, present the opportunity to take a major advance with the fixture allocation for the global tournament scheduled to be conducted in the final month.
Overcoming the Wallabies on the weekend, hard on the heels of the Lions squad’s summer series triumph, would further help to offset the Aussies' success in the previous league match ahead of the commencement of the cricket Ashes. There are several avid cricket fans in the England rugby squad and the coach believes the “historic contest” with Australia motivates the two nations. “In my view, both sides really enjoy facing one another because it’s special. With luck to stick one on the board on Saturday.”
Growth from Experience
The defence coach was also part of the Lions management who won the series in Australia in the past season and thinks every English team members taking part benefited from a lot from the campaign. He has tactfully resisted the urge to seek advice from the former Wallaby coach, the ex- Wallaby assistant coach now in charge at Leicester, but states the intensity of the tour has had “a significant effect” on his style.
“When you work with top-level athletes, growth is natural, because they’re usually the greatest educators. It was a fantastic experience, developed significantly, we had a memorable tour and we were victorious. I think, the squad members have seen a change in the individuals who were privileged to participate in a Lions tour. Until you’ve been on one, you may not appreciate it. And the group who were in Argentina have also clearly developed. So the both groups have come back together extremely smoothly.”
Tactical Refinement
The coach’s position with the national side has changed with him in charge of the team’s defence, with expert guidance from defensive specialists and coaching staff. Previously, Australia capitalized on some defensive uncertainty to claim victory in the same match, but the opposition may find tighter defence this time. “Our aim is to desire a proactive defence,” said the coach, also aiming to motivate his players to respond positively in tough moments.
“One great aspect about the match is that all contests is different and can be decided in different ways. Is it wet? What’s the referee doing? All these things go into the game plan.” The ex- Saracens and Sale scrum-half is furthermore certain that giving responsibility to the team is the best approach for England rather than continuously over-controlling them.
“My approach is not decide this defence requires adjustment due to my preferences and my philosophy. As we grow together, the more we know shared goals within the team and what’s going to make us a successful squad. Then the more the players get to take a lead. Ultimately you reach that sweet spot of empowerment that is productive, not empowerment that is doomed to disappoint.”
