Keep the good part and keep developing as a team

Fourie Du Preez is a World top class fly half who led the South African team to win the 2007 RWC. Today, we ask him about Suntory's "Aggressive Attacking Rugby"

◆Make a good mental preparation

—— You are now back in the team, how's your condition?

I'm glad to be back, still not 100% yet but trying my best to be better every week.

—— What are you thinking about the team after getting back?

It was really disappointing that we couldn't get in to the top 4, but I think we need to become one team and do a good training every week to get the Japan Cup title.

—— What are the key points for going through the tough games ahead?

You have to think every game is your last game. It's not important how you win; you must win to go to the next game. It's been a long season for us but we don't feel we have any issues with our physical side but more importantly we got to have a good mental preparation.

◆Continue to play aggressively

—— What is "Aggressive Attacking Rugby" mean to you?

Keeping the ball continuously and having lots of options. We should have this as a base and play aggressively.

—— Do you get indecisive when you have too many options?

Sometime you feel like that, but it is becoming really simple now.

—— Sungoliath didn't kick a lot 4 years ago did they?

I think we kick less than other teams now but we have to kick sometime during the game. We can be smarter in that area. Not using kicks as defensive kick but sometime we use it to attack.

—— Do you have a belief in you about "Aggressive Attacking Rugby" which doesn't change?

When I was playing for the Springboks, I used more kicks. When I play for Suntory, I sometimes carry the ball and attack from our own line. Sometime we will do a quick restart so the game becomes more faster and have to think to play quickly. Depending on the team I play, playing options are different but my base understanding of "Aggressive Attacking Rugby" is always stay the same.

—— How do you find this year's Sungoliath Aggressive Attacking Rugby?

I've just returned to the team but we are not attacking like use to be. As a team, we've had a lot of changes this year and it will take a while for everyone to head in a right direction.

—— What do you see the future Suntory's aggressive attacking rugby?

I think its Suntory's characteristic so it is important to continue. But I think we have to think and play smarter. Sometime opposition diffence is strong and can't break the line but it is important to do what we are believed in.

—— What do you think of the reason for not getting that (Aggressive attacking) right?

As I said it before, we've had a lot of changes in this season. Therefore we weren't facing in a same direction and it will take a time to do that.

◆Make things simple as possible

—— What do you mean by playing smarter?

It is very hard to explain but we have to use our head more and make a right decision. Of course you will need experiences to do that.

—— Do you give any advice to other players regarding everyone to face in a same direction?

This is what I try to do always but there is a limitation as a player so I am trying to give advice as much as I can to the other players. Every player gets confused in some stage so it is my job to minimize the confusion they get.

I think you are asking me a good question and when you think about "Aggressive Attacking Rugby", not just players but including coaching staff, everyone has to have the same answer of "this is Suntory's aggressive attacking rugby". If we can't do this collectively, we won't able to look in a same direction and can't move forward from here.

—— When I ask the other players and everyone says that you give them an accurate advice. What are you thinking when you giving advice to other players?

I'm trying to give a simple advice all the time. I have a lot to do with attack and usually I give 2 or 3 important things. Even if it's a same message but it is important to keep saying to them. But it is hard to make it work always

◆Decision making is important

—— When you become a coach one day, would you coach aggressive attacking rugby?

I think so. It is how you view it but attacking rugby means you are always keeping the ball and attacking. Even if you kick the ball, it's attacking. What's important in aggressive attacking rugby is having lots of options to play and making the right decision.

—— Maybe this is come from a Japanese education culture but Japanese people tends to obey elderly people and don't think themselves. What do you think about that?

I think we have some players in Suntory who can create action and make the right decision. I think younger players need to learn a lot of stuff from senior players but if they think that they are special player in the team, they can speak up in the team.

—— It is important to think that you are special player.

I don't think they have to say it in front of everyone but I think few players are thinking that they are "I'm a special player". If you think you are special player then you can make the right decision.

Rugby is a very complex sport, 15 players have to think same and play in a same direction. But within those 15 players, you will need some players that can break the barrier and have a strong belief.

—— How many of those players do you think you will need in 15 players?

I think you will need 4 players in key positions. Of course other 11 players also have to work harder, for example, some player's job is to run a good line but making numerous decisions to run a good line. Some players have to make huge decisions but all 15 players must make good decisions too.

—— What do you think the most important for future Suntory rugby?

Keep all the good things and culture and start adding a stuff that we think we need. Everyone needs to see the same picture and moving forward from here. I must say that this season is not a great season for us but it is important to keep the good part and keep developing as a team.

(Interview & constructed by Kazuyoshi Hariya / Edited by Yutaro Igarashi)
[Picture ：Aki Nagao]