New Penrith Emus coach brings hope for glory on the field
HIS SIDE was flogged last week, conceding 80 points, but former Australian international Jeremy Paul reckons Penrith players ought to be aiming for Wallaby berths.
Two matches into the 2016 Shute Shield competition, former Wallaby and new Penrith Emus coach Jeremy Paul exudes confidence that the beleaguered team would soon lift its image with hard work.
Paul said Penrith Emus provided opportunities for players
“It’s out there, if they commit to want to go further.
“That’s where I see my players getting to; it’s not about playing for Emus but playing for the Wallabies.
“If you have that aspiration that’s half the battle.
“It makes players more committed to their training as well as their physical experience — the harder you train the better you play.”
Paul said the Australian Rugby Union’s plans to boost rugby union in the West was a great idea but said emphasis should be placed on infrastructure and improving coaching instead of just paying players.
The ARU has targeted the West to spend money it obtains from its broadcast deals.
“The money should not be used to pay players, the money should be used for infrastructure and coaching so our coaching across the board are better and look clubs work exceptionally hard for that.”
He said amateur coaches could be helped and clubs could be helped with quality uniforms, footies and fundamental essentials to play rugby and the day-to-day running of clubs.
“The carrot for the players — when you have 87 per cent of the players playing in Super Rugby coming from the Shute Shield and the Brisbane comp, there are multiple opportunities for players to be able to get to the next level — and that’s where you earn the money.
“There shouldn’t be that extra pressure on clubs to produce even a couple of hundred dollars per player per game. Over 18 rounds you’re looking at $54,000.
That money could go into running of the club new jerseys and all that sort of stuff,
towards the coaching side of the things.
The Emus first grade lost their first two games of the season, 39-7 to Gordon and 80-26 to Sydney University on Saturday.
Paul said the Emus’ commitment was there.
“It gives me something to work on. It’s improving in increments.
Paul said the club had to ensure they kept improving each week.
“If we can cut down on missed tackles that will put us in good stead.
“If we can halve the penalty count — if we can work on just these two things, we’ll be a far better outfit.
“The difficulty with sport is having that belief and having the right players with quality and talent.
“I have a side I can work with we have some real good competition in the club in our first and second grade.
“I don’t think it will be long before we start putting pressure on sides in regards to winning games.
Match Report
Despite sporadic displays of skill, Penrith Emus lost their first grade rugby union match against Shute Shield favourites Sydney University 80-26 at Nepean Rugby Park.
Coach Jeremy Paul said it was atrocious to concede 80 points.
“We bombed three tries under fatigue and we have to create new habits and try to hold on to the ball,” he said.
Paul said for the team to improve they needed to stop reverting to bad habits.
“They are working hard at the level they are playing — they are playing against the top-echelon teams such as Sydney University and Manly,’’ Paul said.
He said the University side had good players including Waratah Jeremy Tilse and Wallaby Will Skelton.
“We are playing well for 40 to 50 minutes and we let in 50 points in soft tries,’’ he said.
He said the team could not be competitive until they stopped giving away points.
“We are a work in progress for we accept we need to work harder. To be competitive in this competition it will take a long period of sustained hard work,” Paul said. “We are still amateurs but we are trying to be as professional as possible.
“We want to improve and sustain long periods of work.”
Paul said he was pleased the Emus remained defiant until the last minute when they thwarted a final attack by Sydney University for a try under the posts.
He said he was certain the score would be different when they clashed again later in the season with Sydney University.
“We will be fitter when we meet them the second time,” Paul said. “I accept where we are at. We are not fit enough to compete at this level and need to work harder.”
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