Saracens must shape up

Chris Jones13 April 2012

There are impressive rugby c.vs and then there is Buck Shelford's. The new Saracens coach is a former All Black No8 who captained his country 29 times, earned 46 caps, never lost a Test and was a World Cup winner in 1987.

Shelford, a former New Zealand Navy PE instructor, signalled his arrival at the underperforming north London club by arranging a week's training with the Army at Aldershot. All the players, including Tim Horan and Thomas Castaignede, took part in the problem-solving and team-building exercises which Shelford deemed vital before the new season.

Having seen Sarries' poor finish to last season - they ended up in 10th position - Shelford knew drastic action was necessary.

This is a club which has spent £10million of owner Nigel Wray's money searching for a place among the elite of European rugby.

One domestic Cup triumph is all Sarries have given Wray during a six-and-a-half-year period which saw Francois Pienaar become the figurehead of the club.

Pienaar left last season, having failed to deliver the League and European titles which Wray's money was supposed to bring.

Pienaar moved from playing to coaching without a break, something Shelford believes cannot be done with great success.

You need to step back from the game just as the 44-year-old did after helping Northampton become a power in in the early Nineties, then giving Roma a lift before becoming coach of the ambitious North Harbour province just outside Auckland. Shelford needs Saracens players to "buy into the key elements" by accepting a leadership role rather than following someone else's commands.

Shelford explained: "A lot of players over here are too soft. Just because someone has played for France doesn't mean they are going to deliver. I need some key leaders who are uncompromising on the field. They need to get hard. Last season they lacked really tough boys up front. With these guys here, if it ' s a 50-50 ball, they might think: 'Not this time I might get hurt'. The guys have to be professionals. Some of them get paid but don't front up on the pitch. They cry off with small injuries. We are going to wipe out those attitudes.

"Everyone, no matter what they have done in the past, is going to have to earn the right to play for this team." The new man is well aware of the problems afflicting the English game, notably the heavy-playing schedule at club and international level.

Before the season has even started, key new signing Craig Quinnell, the Wales lock, is returning from a knee operation while Horan is battling to get fit after breaking a wrist and has major doubts surrounding a dodgy knee.

The club's pre-season trip to Japan from 12-27 August will help cement Shelford's views on his players including Abdel Benazzi, last season's captain, who was expected to join Sale but that move fell through. Shelford, however, is keeping an open mind and is happy to work with the former French captain.

Benazzi's planned exit and the regime which Pienaar installed are, according to Shelford, "in the past. I am only interested in the future."

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