Winner ... Smith has a history of playing in successful sides. Source: News Limited
Brumbies coach Jake White says veteran flanker George Smith's value is largely to do with the "winning culture" he brings to the side, one Wallabies coach Robbie Deans would be wise to use against the Lions.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
The Super Rugby pace-setters were granted an extension on Smith's contract from Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath on Thursday, with the star flanker now set to remain in Canberra until the end of the Super Rugby season.
Speaking to Fox Sports' Rugby HQ ahead of his side's huge clash with Queensland Reds, White said the aura that went with Smith's imposing record had been invaluable to his relatively inexperienced outfit.
"Firstly, let me say that's it's fantastic to have a guy like George on board, winners just create winners," White told Rugby HQ.
"He's gone through 33 games at Suntory now without losing a game, so it just shows that there's definitely a winning culture when George is around.
"I'm hoping that stat of being 12 from 12 on Saturday is obviously something that we're aspiring to and I'm sure George will do his bit to make sure we get that result."
White also paid tribute to Suntory for their professional approach to the negotiations, revealing the Japanese club were "honoured" to assist the Brumbies.
"I've slowly, slowly been dealing behind the scenes with Suntory – they've been magnificent in loaning him to us," White said.
"They've now come out and said it would be an honour for them to allow him to be playing.
Watch the Brumbies' clash with the Reds from 7.30pm Saturday Live and in HD on Fox Sports 2HD!
"Everyone knows the more George plays the better becomes and he doesn't need a break; he says he's loving his rugby and loving being a part of this Brumbies team.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
"So as I said, it's fantastic that Japanese rugby and Suntory have come on board and given us his services to our campaign's over."
Suntory's decision to allow Smith to stay on in Canberra now puts the ball back into Deans's and the Australian Rugby Union's court as to whether he is selected for the Lions series.
Yet even in the absence of the injured David Pocock the Wallabies backrow stocks remain strong, youngsters Michael Hooper and Liam Gill both performing in Super Rugby.
While he stopped short of calling for Smith's Wallabies inclusion, it wasn't hard to work out who the Rugby World Cup-winning coach thought should be lining up at No.7 in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium.
"It's not for me to decide who should be playing above who," White said.
"I think at the end of the day every coach knows that you want to win Test matches, you want to make sure that this Lions series is successful for Australia.
"So the answer's quite simple, Robbie's got to do what he thinks is best to make sure he gets victory in those three Tests.
"George Smith is one of the greatest players to ever play for Australia and who's ever played world rugby, and if it means he's going to be on the field to win a series then you pick him.
"It doesn't matter whether or not some guys lose out - the nature of professional sport is some players make it and some don't make it."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
'Winning culture' Smith's biggest asset
Dengan url
http://sportifoclube.blogspot.com/2013/04/winning-culture-smiths-biggest-asset.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
'Winning culture' Smith's biggest asset
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
'Winning culture' Smith's biggest asset
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar