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Paul Dearlove columns

 

Paul Dearlove column: I predict a clean sweep for the southern hemisphere sides this w/e

By Paul Dearlove, 06 November 2010

All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter
Dan Carter: The
unstoppable
points machine
Photo: Michael Paler

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau's Australian captain Paul Dearlove looks ahead to this weekend's international matches as northern hemisphere goes up against the might of the southern mob...

The autumn Tests this year will provide for much more than northern versus southern hemisphere bragging rights. For the first time in a long time the southern hemisphere nations have sent all their top players, realising that momentum is critical and this is the last time many sides will meet before RWC2011.

It will also be a major test for the new brand of southern hemisphere rugby. The Tri Nations this year has been a feast of running rugby. Kicking the ball away has been punished by potent counter attacks and teams have real incentives to build phases ? even in their own 22.

I sincerely hope not, but difference in referee interpretation may end up being the major talking point after these November Tests.

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Paul Dearlove column: Age Shall Not Weary Them - The Importance of Experience, Pt 2

By Paul Dearlove, 29 July 2010

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
Experienced campaigner:
 Pau's Paul Dearlove

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove talks about pre-match nerves, Richie McCaw and the art of influencing a referee in the second part of his trilogy on the value of experience within today's professional rugby squads.

I used to hear the older guys saying things like ?you can?t buy experience? and I?d pretty much always dismissed it as one of those things senior players say to convince the coaches they should be in the team for the weekend. Now, as a senior player myself (unbelievably, at 31, I?m the oldest player in the Pau squad!) I am realizing just how important experience is. Here's why...

Match Preparation. Don?t let anyone fool you ? game day is a nerve racking experience. It doesn?t matter if you are the biggest or best player on the field ? if a guy tells you he doesn?t get nervous, he?s lying. I remember a former international telling me a story about how he dealt with pre-game nerves. He asked me if I?d seen Saving Private Ryan (remember the opening 20 minutes? Pretty hectic stuff) and to think about how those men felt in those boats as they approached the D-Day beaches. They knew there was a strong likelihood they would be killed or horribly maimed. ?Imagine that feeling? the player told me ?and then think about what you have to do ? it doesn?t even come close?.

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Paul Dearlove column: Age Shall Not Weary Them - The Importance of Experience, Pt I

17 July 2010

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
Less bench presses, more squats
- Pau's Paul Dearlove

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove talks about wasted effort, the fitness benefit of having children and the value of experience...

I used to hear the older guys saying things like ?you can?t buy experience? and I?d pretty much always dismissed it as one of those things senior players say to convince the coaches they should be in the team for the weekend. Now, as a senior player myself (unbelievably, at 31, I?m the oldest player in the Pau squad!) I am realizing just how important experience is.

Gym work. If I had my time again I?d spend a lot more time at the squat rack and on my core strength (gainage as it is known in France). I shudder to think how much time and effort I?ve wasted in the gym doing things that haven?t made me a better player. Bench press, calf raises, bicep curls and basic sit ups all fall into this category.

Read More...

 

Paul Dearlove: "It's been a good couple of weeks - in fact it's been a good six months"

13 May 2010

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
"No problem going to
Lyon" - Dearlove

The Top 14 play-offs may be be generating the majority of headlines this week but it?s also a crucial weekend in ProD2, with four teams putting themselves on the line for the opportunity to take a step nearer plying their trade in France?s elite division next season.

Champions SU Agen have already secured their slot in Top 14, so now it?s over to Lyon OU, La Rochelle, Oyonnax and Pau to stake their respective claims.

Lyon OU finished second ? although level on points with third-placed La Rochelle ? and so have home advantage against Pau, while La Rochelle?s dramatic last-day win at Oyonnax means they now have a home semi-final against the same opponents.

Home advantage can be crucial in these matches, but Pau?s Paul Dearlove (and FRC columnist) says his side have nothing to fear from their trip to Lyon. Earlier in the season they drew 22-22 at Lyon, and they go into Sunday?s match full of confidence on the back of a run that seen them lose just twice in their last 18 games ? dating back to mid-December.

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Paul Dearlove column: The down sides to being a pro rugby player

11 September 2009

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
Paul Dearlove: 'I am
injured,... it's awful'

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove talks about the flip-side to being paid to play sport for a living...

As anyone can attest ? sometimes work sucks. Here are some of the down-sides of pro rugby.

Injury

I am currently injured, and it is awful. Not only do you lack the personal satisfaction of playing ? you miss that wonderful feeling when the team achieves something. Pau had a great win away at Aurillac last weekend and while I was excited, it can?t match the feeling when the final whistle blows and you have 22 other guys to share it with (to put it in perspective, since I?ve been at Pau we have played around 50 games away ? we have won six).

Look no further than Ewen McKenzie and Christophe Dominici (the ex-coaches of Stade Francais). Five weeks ago there was no doubt they were the men for the job. Now, they are without a job. This applies to players too, especially those in the UK. To explain this a little more fully ? if you are playing in the UK, there is often a clause in your contract that says if you are unable to play for any reason (it is most often applied for injury) for more than a stated period of time ? the club can terminate your contract. Just like that. As Donald would say... ?You?re fired?.

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Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: 'Bloodgate' - "Most players thought it was a good idea"

27 August 2009

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
'No players objected':
Pau's Paul Dearlove

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove tackles the 'Bloodgate' scandal currently dominating the British (and global) game - including his own experience with the club-sanctioned use of blood capsules - and he asks where is the line truly drawn between acceptable and unacceptable levels of 'cheating'...

?If you?re not cheating ? you?re not trying!?

I have heard this from many coaches and players and I understand the mentality. Rugby is a game with many areas requiring interpretation and this opens the door to all types of games within the game.

But what is cheating? Slowing the ball down for two or three seconds is against the laws, but is it cheating? Holding or obstructing an opposition supporting runner for even the shortest moment can save a try - this is also unlawful but teams train strategies with dummy runners for exactly this purpose. I could go on but anyone who has played or watched a game of rugby could pinpoint innumerable examples of players ?cheating?.

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Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: The merry pranksters of ProD2's Section Paloise 

07 May 2009

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
'Pranksterism': Pau
captain Paul Dearlove

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove tries to explain what turns hardened rugby professionals into juvenile pranksters...

I don?t know if it is because professional rugby players get most of their decisions made for them (when to train, when and what to eat etc) and we need an outlet, or if it is because we are all infants at heart, but there is always an undercurrent of ?pranksterism? when we get together.

Acting like children (especially when we travel) seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Today I will give you an insight into the best pranks of the year at Section Paloise.

The biggest prankster at Pau is a 6ft 7,ins 120 kilo, former policeman, second rower. He set the tone of the season early when he decided anyone?s phone left in the locker room was fair game. Coaches, the club president and other players would receive text messages from a player usually criticizing something they?d done or said the previous week. The oblivious player would then receive a (usually terse) phone call from the recipient asking them to explain themselves.

Read More...

Paul Dearlove's column: Only four British  and Irish Lions would get into my World XV 

24 April 2009

Italy's Sergio Parisse
Sergio Parisse:
Outstanding player

Photo: Michael Paler

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove runs the rule over Ian McGeechan's British Lions squad and sees how many would get in his own World XV...

While the rugby world digests Ian McGeechan?s British and Irish Lions this week ? I thought it would be an interesting exercise to pick a current world XV and see how many of those Lions would make it. There are some notable omissions (as there have to be) and I?m sure there will be many of you that disagree with certain selections (I certainly don?t agree with everyone that has made the Lions squad) but I will explain my reasoning as we go and should my team ever get the opportunity to play the Martians ? I reckon we?d do ok.

Let?s start at the front ? where rugby starts anyway. You should ignore whatever those little men with the nice hair say.

Read More...

Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Opinions and a***holes - Stop giving the ELVs a bum deal 

10 April 2009

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
Paul Dearlove:
Talking ELV's

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove gives a current player's insight into the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) currently attracting such wide ranging criticism...

The thing about commenting on a topical issue is that no one listens unless you?ve got either an outlandish opinion or you point fingers ? why do you think David Campese still gets asked for comments?

That is why I just roll my eyes when I read the criticisms being leveled at the new laws being trialed to various degrees throughout the rugby world. Rugby luminaries and, in particular, the ?blazer brigade? in the northern hemisphere ? none of whom are actually playing anymore ? think the ELV?s are destroying rugby and all seem to want a return to the glory days when rugby was ?the running game?.

You know what they say about opinions and a***holes ? everyone has got one (and yes, I do see the irony of calling them a***holes while giving my own opinion in the same breath).

Read More...

Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Home truths, and the struggle to perform when playing away 

26 March 2009

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
Paul Dearlove:
Home comforts

In the latest of his exclusive columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove asks why rugby teams have no problem getting up for home matches, but struggle to perform when playing away...

Pressure is something we all deal with on a daily basis. Meeting that deadline at work, organizing a present for your wife?s birthday (which turns out to have been yesterday ? who knew?) or a phone call from the principal of the school about why your child?s teacher needs six weeks stress leave.

It is a part of all our lives. But today I?m going to get specific and ask ? 'why is there so much more pressure when you play at home and does this provide an answer as to why the home team invariably wins?'

We lost our first game at home this season on the weekend. People had been talking about ?Fortress Hameau? and how teams feared coming here. Perhaps this had an element of truth and helped us in close games, but this doesn?t explain how we can win 12 games in a row at home and only win two games away.

Read More...

Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: A week in the life of a professional rugby player

13 March 2009

Pau captain Paul Dearlove in action
Paul Dearlove:
weather expert

In the latest of his exclusive weekly columns for FRC, Pau captain Paul Dearlove takes us through a typical week for a professional rugby player. and explains why the backs always seem to be drinking coffee...

The typical week of a professional rugby player looks something like this:

Monday morning ? recovery pool session (if you played less than 30 minutes you have to do a fitness session before the pool).

Monday afternoon ? video of last weekend?s game. Weights followed by a short and light field session (lineouts/handling for forwards or passing for backs).

Tuesday morning ? weights and a speed session.

Tuesday afternoon ? rugby (usually something technical ? limited contact).

Wednesday morning ? weights followed by lineouts and scrums for the forwards and attacking plays for the backs (in reality the backs spend more time drinking coffee and talking about the weekend than actually running ? if I had a dollar for every time I said ?I wish I was a back? at training?).

Read More...

06.03.09 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Me and my 'lucky undies';  The value of superstitions
19.02.09 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Drugs in rugby - Part II: The 'recreational' debate
12.02.09 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Drugs in rugby - Part I: Performance enhancing
05.02.09 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Are 'les etrangers' good for French rugby?
28.01.09 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Do the French deserve their reputation for foul play? - Part II
15.01.09 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Do the French deserve their reputations for foul play?
08.01.09 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: Is professional rugby going to be credit crunched?
18.12.08 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: When two tribes go to war - The local derby
11.12.08 - Paul Dearlove's exclusive column: The game they play in heaven but who is playing God?
05.12.08 - The Unknown Soldier - Life as a journeyman professional in France's ProD2

 

 
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