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Spirits of Lote and Dell linger at the Tahs
April 11, 2010
Settled ... former Reds and Force flyer Drew Mitchell is enjoying his time in Sydney with the Waratahs. Entering last night’s match against the Crusaders he was leading the tryscorers’ ladder with six. Photo: Wolter Peeters
NSW can thank two former flyers for helping to inspire their latest strike weapon, writes Josh Rakic.
GUN Waratahs flyer Drew Mitchell has revealed the secret behind his blistering form - he's modelled his game on dual internationals Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri.
With six tries to his name and counting ahead of last night's clash against the Crusaders, Mitchell is regarded by many of the game's experts as Super rugby's premier No.11. And the 26-year-old Wallaby credits specialist wingers Sailor and Tuqiri as the inspiration behind his standout season.
''I guess I've just had an emphasis on work-rate this year,'' Mitchell told The Sun-Herald. ''In previous years I've found myself just drifting through games - you get involved for a few minutes and then you're not involved for another 10 or so minutes. Coaches have said you can't drift through periods as games.
''So I guess it's been going in with an emphasis on higher work-rate and if the ball's not coming to me, then I go looking for it.
''I guess similar to the way Wendell Sailor or Lote Tuqiri would.
''When I first started playing Super rugby, I was on the wing at the Reds and Wendell Sailor was on the other side. And at that time he was a fair bit bigger than I was so he was capable of coming in, looking for the ball and getting involved.
''When I first started, and for a few seasons after that, I just physically wasn't able to match it with some of the other guys.
''But having developed physically and being more experienced, I feel I can actually go in and break tackles or at least get across that advantage line. And that's through having the engine to enable you to do it, and having the confidence that you can actually physically match it.''
Mitchell has bulked up 11kg since making his debut for the Queensland Reds in 2005 - the same year he made his Test debut for the Wallabies against South Africa - to tip the scales at 93kg, and said he feels fitter than stronger than ever before.
The former Western Force flyer also revealed he's still in contact with Tuqiri and Sailor, who doubled as mates and mentors.
''I still catch up with Wendell and Lote and those guys - you play so many years with them you form some pretty good friendships. So I still have pretty good chats with those guys - we talk footy, too,'' said Mitchell, one of the Waratahs' many out-there personalities, with a laugh.
''They're dual internationals, so you always listen to what they have to say when they speak football.
''I guess they just reinforce that thinking that I've got to try and get involved.
''There's nothing worse than being out there for 80 [minutes] and not really getting your hands on it, and those two guys were pretty good at that.
''They'd go seeking the ball and seeking those involvements. Essentially, when they had the ball in their hands, often they got over the advantage line and all of a sudden momentum came and they'd attract players and open up opportunities for other people.
''Often you run your routes and you don't find the ball but you are creating opportunities for other people around you by just being there. And then some games, those routes help you get a bit of a reward.''
And as a result of moving back to Sydney, where he owns property, Mitchell said he feels more settled and centred away from the field, which has translated to a greater enjoyment of his rugby.
''I guess a big part of playing good footy is feeling settled,'' Mitchell said. ''And I guess if you've got stuff worked out off the field, then it can correlate into your rugby. Not only that, but I've settled being one, in Sydney, but also in the Waratahs environment. I'm just getting back to really enjoying my footy.
''Perth was a nice place and I enjoyed my time there, but at the same time it never really felt like you were going home when you came back from matches.
''For me, because you're so far away, that when you go back there no sooner had you unpacked your bag that you had to pack it again.
''Once you get that feeling of comfort then you start enjoying yourself and you get back to why you played footy, which is to enjoy it. And that's what I've been doing. I guess winning helps as well.''
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0410-rzqr.html
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