The age of the white orc returns

Kiinda


"Matt Parker, British Cycling's former director of marginal gains, will start work early next month as England's head of athletic performance. There had been speculation last month about his appointment.

Parker will be joined by new senior team doctor Phil Batty, who arrives at Twickenham following spells with Manchester United, Manchester City and Blackburn.

Parker previously coached the British cycling men's endurance squad, masterminding two gold medals and two bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He also helped Bradley Wiggins between Beijing and the 2009 Tour de France, when Wiggins finished fourth, and was then upgraded to third after the Lance Armstrong scandal was fully exposed.

A year later, Parker took on the position of director of marginal gains in preparation for London 2012, a Games that resulted in eight gold medals being won.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: "Matt's experience across a number of sports and his record with British Cycling, be it in Beijing and London or the Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins, says a lot about his skills in developing champions, and we are looking forward to them transferring to a rugby environment."


http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-cycling-coach-joins-england-set-110637692.html

I'm really hoping this guy has a similar influence on the rugby team! I read some of the stuff he'd looked at improving and it sounded pretty impressive. I still feel that the England team doesn't look as well conditioned as a team like the ABs, in stark contrast to the 2002/03 team which always looked a step ahead on physical development.

As long as they add this to the basics, not try and replace the basics then I'll be happy enough.

Will he be doing this for all the levels of English Rugby? So age grades up to EPS? As it could be interesting to see his effects on the Saxons and 7's etc.

But to be honest a head of rugby basics would probably be more useful.

'White orcs'.....Dont see how the Aussie press saw this as an insult to be honest. Better than a team of golden fairies. Im sure he will have all sorts of things up his sleeve, fingers crossed, it have a real impact. Just hope it doest involve the lads sitting in a freezer.

You mention white orcs, then you say he worked with Bradley Wiggins who is the furthest removed thing ever from a white Orc (apart from the colour)! Didn't turn Wiggins into a over bulked muscle creature whose only option was to 'bosh', so reckon he'll do OK with the rugby boys.

Griff, the White Orcs of the early millenium had other cards up their sleeves beside the bosh option. But since then, except for a handful of occasions, they havent really been Orcs, more like Elves... Im sure this new guy could have turned Wiggins into the Hulk, but I doubt it would improve his aero dynamics or his stamina

MotelMoneyMurderMadness wrote:Griff, the White Orcs of the early millenium had other cards up their sleeves beside the bosh option. But since then, except for a handful of occasions, they havent really been Orcs, more like Elves... Im sure this new guy could have turned Wiggins into the Hulk, but I doubt it would improve his aero dynamics or his stamina

That's sort of my point. How is he any different from any other strength and conditioning coach? He trained Wiggins very well, so why would he over bulk England and 'Orc' them? I guess what I'm saying is that your headline for this thread suggests that this appointment is a bad thing as he may turn England into the oft criticised (but successful) bulky 2003 ish side once described as white orcs on steroids. However, I see it as a positive as he's obviously good. Maybe I've misunderstood which side you lie on!

Griff, it wasnt my title mate. As for where I stand, Im all for big, horrible Englishmen duffing up the opposition. I even enjoy watching ugly ten man footy. However, id much prefer a balanced team, with skillfull backs getting decent, quick ball. White Orcs have a vital part to play in that, and good for Lancaster that he realises this. As for how is he different, well this guy has done a great job with the cyclists, and only the best will do for the men in white.

Plus, as the Welsh have shown, new attitudes to fitness can reap wonders. Their world cup performances were testament to this. Hopefully he can bring similar improvements to England

Someones watched the New Hobbit film...

EngInAuck wrote:Someones watched the New Hobbit film...

If a Dwarf lops off Dan Coles arm, I for one will be very upset!

It's about time England brought in someone who knows a bit about cycling, those guys pedaling away at the side of the pitch weren't getting anywhere.

MotelMoneyMurderMadness wrote:Griff, it wasnt my title mate. As for where I stand, Im all for big, horrible Englishmen duffing up the opposition. I even enjoy watching ugly ten man footy. However, id much prefer a balanced team, with skillfull backs getting decent, quick ball. White Orcs have a vital part to play in that, and good for Lancaster that he realises this. As for how is he different, well this guy has done a great job with the cyclists, and only the best will do for the men in white.

Apologies, thought it was your title. It sounds like we both think the same thing though. I think the OP thinks bringing in this specialist is a negative thing (just guessing from the title), but I can only see a positive for England. Good stuff.

The Great Aukster wrote:It's about time England brought in someone who knows a bit about cycling, those guys pedaling away at the side of the pitch weren't getting anywhere.

Haha, excellent Aukster, made me chuckle.

Do you think that England will produce the same type of white orcs that they did in 2002/2003. The same type that won the 2003 rugby world cup?

I dont see why we cant. To be honest, big fit forwards arent the problem. Its getting them playing good go forward football, taking the ball forward at pace and over the gain line. Far too often I see the English play slow, pedestrian foot ball, turning quick ball into slow, then passing to stationary ball carriers, 10 yards behind the gain line.

The Great Aukster wrote:It's about time England brought in someone who knows a bit about cycling, those guys pedaling away at the side of the pitch weren't getting anywhere.

AlastairW - Couldn't agree more that without the basics in place no amount of strength/fitness work will make as much difference as improving the core skills at Internatioanl level. I'm not saying that new ways of looking at fitness aren't a good idea as they obviously are but in terms of working with the age groups I'd rather see the younger players working towards getting the best possible skill base whilst they're naturally developing then start training when the join academies at around 16/17 and build up the training from there.

It already frustrates me when I see a school system in which bigger rugby schools with scholarships etc tempt kids away from other schools and their club. Whilst I like County and International age group sides young players thinking selection for them is the be all and end all of getting a pro contract only encourages them to leave their clubs and schools - or play too much rugby and get injured. When kids are growing up enjoying their sport and getting something outside of it is most important thing IMO. We don't want to go down the route of the Andrex Premiership where academy players at 14 (or younger) are encouraged to take days of school and neglect an education on the off chance that they get a career out of football!

Rant over.

I saw this news a while back. My initial reaction was that it was a great move as he is clearly a superb expert. But, the more I think about it the more I am concerned.

First up, I'm concerned as a cycling fan. I used to race fairly competitively myself, and while I was never at national/international level my main training partner was (this is about 10 years ago now), and I went out on training runs with a few others at that level as well. Obviously I've kept in touch, and through them I know that Matt Parker is a top bloke, though perhaps not as highly rated as the other cycing bod (Peter Keen) who is doing the review of the elite rugby structure in England. So, cycling, my other sport has lost a guy who is an important part of their team. Not good for me.

Secondly, I'm struggling to see what he will add to rugby. While I've no doubt his skills and knowledge are transferable, the fitness demands of cycling are completely different. His usual work involves co-ordinating the fitness training over the period of a year (or rather several years) to get athletes in absolute peak condition for a few days/weeks of a major tournament. This is completely different to rugby, where a) you need to balance the long term training requirements with the next match in x days time, and b) the RFU only control the players for a limited period prior to each international period. To get the most out of him they'd really need him co-ordinating the fitness training of the players all year round, but the clubs want the players peaking at different times and that may mean they block or interfere with his input when the players are away from England.

edit note - missed yappy's comment there. Would be very interesting to see the results if he worked with the 7s players, as he probably would have year round access, and the general fitness demands are closer to those of cyclists doing the track world cup circuit.