Ruddock – We must show our bite

Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has called on his Worcester Warriors to bear their teeth against Leicester Tigers in the Guinness Premiership and show a cutting edge on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Warriors travel to Welford Road hunting a first league win of 2009 and keen to break a long run without a win over the Tigers in Leicester.

Ruddock is confident the team he selects will be good enough to secure a crucial league win and climb away from the foot of the Guinness Premiership table.

However, he admits his side must not only show a ruthless streak but also adopt a patient approach to break down a difficult side.

“We made nine line breaks against Bath and they only made five against us. So we are certainly creating chances and at half time against them I felt we were going to on and win. I thought we were defending well and had taken our two chances well,” he said.

“Unfortunately Bath really turned the power on, put on the pressure and got the result. The scoreboard probably looked a little bit worse than it should have. We tried to play catch-up after missing a tackle midway through the second half.

“But if only we held on to the ball once or twice more, not kicked it away or lost possession we could have built the pressure that would have allowed us to score the tries.

“We certainly feel we are capable of scoring tries and playing good rugby, it’s just about the mindset of being patient on the ball.

“I am conscious that I have asked the boys to play a style of rugby that involves more decisions, a greater number of passes and more options. Sometimes that can lead to more mistakes – I take full responsibility for our failings there.

“Having said that, whenever I ask the question of the players, whether they want me to give them a game-plan that will make us more efficient and less likely to turn the ball over – but it will make us less likely to score – to a man they have asked to persevere with the type of game we are playing. To a man we are united behind that it’s just a case of getting it better.”

Ruddock knows the injury situation at the club throughout the season – which could now rob his side of Chris Latham’s services on Saturday – has had a major impact on his team and continuity.

But he admits the team must now start performing and winning games to move away from the foot of the table.

“Cecil Duckworth has asked me to come in and try and develop that style of rugby and it’s taken a lot longer than I thought, but we are committed to it. As much as it is hurting us at the moment we believe it is the way forward,” added Ruddock.

“The boys are incredibly united here. There is a great team spirit and there is a great focus on trying to get better and play rugby that will not only be winning rugby and will encourage the fans to come and watch the team play, but will also have a style and winning mentality that they enjoy playing.

“Unfortunately there has been a few disruptions with injuries. While we can’t hide behind that, it does mean our continuity and understanding of each others’ play – those little one per cents that can break down – have definitely affected our ability to hold on to the ball and build a game that we want.

“We are feeling as though we are making progress. Despite the last two heavy scorelines against us, this is a proud bunch of players who feel they are definitely still moving in the right direction.

“There are some fans getting increasingly frustrated and I don’t blame them. I accept full responsibility for that and I can only thank them for their patience so far and appeal for some more going forward.

“We realise we’ve got to improve. I take full responsibility for our under achievement, but the players, the coaches and I believe in what we’re doing.

“Everyone is committed to trying to play good, winning rugby – a brand of rugby the fans will enjoy.

“We feel that we’ve got the ability and if we can improve out composure, patience and decision-making – and our ability to hold the ball under pressure – then we believe we can double the number of line-breaks we make and, in turn, the number of try-scoring opportunities we create.

“I think we can get back to the level we had at the end of last season – we saw signs of that against Bath when we created nine line-breaks with only five against.

“Once I go away from that and tell the players to kick in their own half and not make mistakes, then we may as well shut up shop because we’ll be going nowhere. It is my responsibility to stick to my guns.”


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