Graham Henry warns Welsh players about off-field activities during RWC 2011 - Rugby News
The All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, has warned Welsh players to avoid unhealthy activities in the forthcoming Rugby World Cup 2011. Henry cautioned Wales Rugby Union that if their players did not change their attitude during the largest event of rugby, it could disrupt their dream of a good performance.
Wales’ rugby team has never been able to qualify for the finals of RWC in its 24-years long history. They have only once made their place in the semi-final of the Webb Ellis Trophy in 1987. Recently, the Welsh side was reduced to the quarter-final stages during the last showpiece played in France.
Henry, while talking to the media on July 5th during a press conference, has asked the Wales’ players to concentrate on their on-field performance during the International event. His reaction has come out after Welsh player, Mike Phillips, was held by police in Cardiff for a late night escapade.
Welsh players and staff members have gained a bad reputation for constant off field infractions. WRU has rebuked three other players and defence coach Shaun Edwards for the same reasons during last few months.
Graham Henry urged the Welsh players to avoid such situations during RWC 2011. He said that, “I was disappointed to read about the recent problems and I know Warren will have been very disappointed too. It can really affect a squad when players let themselves down and make poor decisions. It can happen in any camp or squad. It has happened to us and we were disappointed when it did.”
However, Henry appreciated Wales’ idea of setting guidelines for its players during the world showpiece. He commented that, “Personally I think it’s a good idea to allow the players to set the guidelines and to impress on their colleagues how important it is to behave in the right manner.”
Rugby Wold Cup 2011 is around the corner and will be kicking off on September 9, in New Zealand. Hopefully all players will behave and make the events on the field newsworthy and not what happens outside of the stadium.
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