The national rugby team are aiming to implement the Bazball style championed by their cricketing colleagues and strike a significant impact for the nation in the run-up to the forthcoming Ashes series. The head coach and members of his coaching team have had discussions with Brendon McCullum and aim their players to begin with a fast and furious start to the Quilter Nations Series in the coming days.
Forward-Thinking Attitude Key
A shared ambition within the England squad to send a message over the coming weeks, and Borthwick and his defensive coach Richard Wigglesworth have been learning from the cricket coach's brain on the best ways to promote a positive mindset. “We met the cricket strategist and his support team recently,” shared Wigglesworth. “It was a meeting and a break in Manchester which was very enjoyable.
“I asked the transformation of approaches in English cricket which was extremely valuable. We also got into the details of coaching someone personally and how that works. I wouldn’t want to say one main thing because we sat for a extended period and took loads from it, but they have developed a effective strategy.
“We also want to be a side that can triumph in diverse styles and adjust because all fixtures is different. We feel we possess a dynamic team so we want to perform that way.”
Forging a Fresh Approach
In spite of a sequence of seven straight successes this year, England fans are still awaiting the arrival of a exciting new “Borthball” period to match the dynamic aggressive cricket model overseen by McCullum and Ben Stokes. The coming weeks, however, offer the opportunity to make a important advance with the fixture allocation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup scheduled to be made in the final month.
Beating the Australian side on the weekend, hard on the heels of the tour team’s recent tour success, would additionally help to respond to the Aussies' victory in the recent league match ahead of the commencement of the cricket Ashes. There are multiple avid cricket enthusiasts in the England rugby squad and the coach feels the “intense competition” with the Wallabies drives the two nations. “In my view, the two squads really enjoy facing one another because it’s special. With luck to stick one on the board on the weekend.”
Growth from Past Tours
The defence coach was also part of the backroom team who achieved victory in the tour this summer and believes all the English coaches and players taking part benefited from a lot from the tour. He has carefully resisted the temptation to speak with Geoff Parling, the recent Wallaby assistant coach currently leading at the club, but states the intensity of the campaign has had “a big impact” on his style.
“If you’re working with top-level athletes, growth is natural, because they are often the top instructors. I thoroughly enjoyed it, developed significantly, we had a memorable tour and success was achieved. Personally, the players have noticed a difference in the players who were privileged to participate in a Lions tour. Unless you’ve been on one, you probably can’t feel like it. And the squad who were in the tour have likewise definitely grown. So the both groups have merged really nicely.”
Strategic Progress
The coach’s position with the national side has shifted with him in charge of the squad’s defensive systems, with targeted support from defensive specialists and coaching staff. In the corresponding fixture last season, the Wallabies capitalized on some gaps in the line to claim victory in the equivalent game, but the away side are likely to face tighter defence in the upcoming match. “We definitely aim for a proactive defence,” stated the coach, also aiming to motivate his players to bounce back in tough moments.
“One great aspect about the game of rugby is that all contests is unique and can be decided in multiple styles. Weather conditions? Referee decisions? All these things contribute to the melting pot.” The former Saracens and Sale scrum-half is also convinced that giving responsibility to the team is the path forward for the side rather than always directing every move them.
“I won’t decide our defensive system has to change because of me and my philosophy. As we develop as a unit, the greater we are aware of each other’s expectations within the team and what will create us a highly effective side. Then the more the squad members get to assume responsibility. Eventually you arrive at that sweet spot of trust that is productive, not freedom that is setting them up to fail.”
