rugby
Shaun Edwards was a legend and a coach, which will apply to the Lions. Shane Williams, Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips
in Rugby League – now on tour A Lions tour is where legends can be to do the rest.
with the Lions he is hoping that made,” said Edwards.
he can succeed in the arena It is that ability to get some incredible
where legends are made in “I did not get bitter about not being results in such a short period of time that
Rugby Union. involved in international rugby, but I am made Edwards such a shoe-in for the Lions,
very, very grateful Wasps and the Welsh especially once Wasps boss Ian McGeechan
Given that his speciality as a coach is the Rugby Union came up with a scenario was handed the coaching reins.
least sexy part of rugby, the defence, it whereby I could do both.
will be more diffi cult. However there is no “It was a big advantage coming into Wales
doubt that stopping people is becoming “It is unusual because people usually do that the Ospreys were using the same
more important and that is down to the one or the other, so it is good that I can defence system, that was a big help for that
likes of Edwards. do both. Six Nations,” explained Edwards.
There is also little doubt that he would “There are always new challenges for a “That is one of the advantages with the
not have achieved his ambition of coaching coach with new players, but I like to think Lions that there are similar staff, plenty of
with the Lions if it had not been for the I understand what makes players tick Wales and Wasps players, even someone
opportunity offered by Wales, but there is and what technical aspects they need to like Tommy Bowe will be familiar with what
more to the relationship than that. improve. is going on through the Ospreys.
There is a feeling that the hard-nosed “I like to think I get on with most people “That will be a big help for a lot of the lads
Edwards, a down-to-earth star of rugby in rugby, there are not many people that I while some of the others will need to do
league, is more at home in the traditionally dislike in rugby – they are good lads, decent some extra work, but I am pretty certain
working class rugby background of Wales individuals. everyone will learn. There are some
than he would have been at the rather technical aspects of the game to work on
snootier surroundings of Twickenham. “There is a big similarity between Wales but we are getting there.
and the North of England, they are both
Of course the truth is more about passionate about rugby with a working “This is all you expect, the players have
personalities and the closeness of his bond class background so I do feel at home. got a great attitude and there is a great
with Wales coach Warren Gatland after camaraderie.
the pair worked together at Wasps. “I do not want to compare it with
Twickenham, I have had some very good “You can always learn and we are all aware
When there were rumours of England days at Twickenham. this is a step up in level, you only have to
trying to poach Edwards back at the end look at South Africa’s results in the autumn
of the 2008 Wales Grand Slam, Gatland “I am delighted that the players in Wales against the three teams.
argued in a press conference that the have been desperate to improve and want
defence guru could either stay working to become winners.” “We had a fairly evenly matched game
with people who have been friends for a against them and Scotland also performed
long time and he knows he can trust, or he That process of turning the disgraced admirably but missed their kicks in that
can work with Rob Andrew. Wales World Cup players into winners game.”
started very quickly. The sergeant major
It was delivered with perfect comic timing in Edwards was highly effective in Wales You cannot question Edwards’ credentials,
in his dry Kiwi accent. Suffi ce to say training sessions – players did not want the scrum half or stand off was one of the
England’s Elite Rugby Director Andrew did to let him down and that attitude was smaller members of Wigan’s triumphant
not pull out the stops to attract Edwards transferred into the games. sides of the eighties and nineties but one
back over the bridge and it is probably of the most infl uential in winning a record
not something that the Wasps head coach Wales broke the Six Nations record for eight successive League titles and nine
wastes too much time thinking about as he tries conceded. The previous mark was Challenge Cups.
patrols the Lions touchline. four, but on their way to the 2008 Grand
Slam Wales conceded just two – both He signed for Wigan at the age of 17 for a
He does admit, though, that he would not because of human error rather than any reputed £35,000 – a remarkable testament
have achieved his dream with the Lions fault in the defensive system. to talent.
if he had not been given the chance at
Shaun Edwards
international level by Wales. At the end of the fi rst half in Twickenham But the journey that started in the North
and then again in Dublin, heroic defence of England, then London and Wales before
“There is no doubt that involvement in kept Wales in the game long enough for taking him to South Africa could be the
SW
international rugby will help you as a player greatest test yet.
36
sportingwales
issue7twothousand&nine
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