Blooming Rose 'living in the moment'
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:02
Lions fullback Earl Rose feels that a simple yet vital realisation has changed his fortunes on the rugby field for good.
The mercurial Rose has seen his form transcend steadily in the space of a few months, something the player puts down to living in the moment.
The Lions struggled in the Super 14, finishing the tournament in bottom spot on the points table.
Rose's form was also not up to standard, although putting it that way is actually playing him a compliment. Some New Zealand commentators openly asked if Rose was "intoxicated", so poor was his display in one game.
However, he has regained some form and is slowly rebuilding his confidence as the Lions, after yet another slow start to the season, recorded big wins in their last two outings - 35-23 against the Falcons and 57-17 over the Boland Cavaliers.
"The thing is that I broke my finger early on in our overseas tour [in the Super 14], and that hindered the way I was playing," Rose told rugby365.com, when asked about his Super 14 struggles.
"It took me a while for everything to heal properly, and it caused me to go into my shell a bit.
"Now that we're in the Currie Cup, I thought to myself it's time that I use these opportunities that I'm given for the Lions."
Rose also revealed that he has changed his philosophy on the game somewhat.
"A lot has changed recently for me. Rugby has gone from a hobby to a job for me. I have realised recently that it's very important for me to do the best I can.
"I want to work as hard as possible to get into the Springbok set-up.
"It was very encouraging for me when I was chosen in the Springbok [training] squad [in May], and it showed me that I was still in the coach's reckoning."
Rose also credited Lions coach Eugene 'Loffie' Eloff for his change in fortunes.
"The coach [Eloff] is a very nice person. I've played under him since the Under-19s, and he's the type of guy who likes to give us a chance to play.
"He is also somebody who likes to give young players a chance to prove themselves."
Although the Lions started the Currie Cup season with two defeats 7-21 against the Blue Bulls and 18-22 against the Cheetahs - they are now back in the running, in third place on the standings.
"We are still working towards our goal of a home Final," Rose told this website, when asked about the Lions' prospects, adding: "We haven't had the best of starts, but things are coming together better now.
"It is very important for our players to work as hard as they can and take every opportunity that comes our way. That's the only way we'll achieve our goal.
"We responded well after those two losses [to the Bulls and the Cheetahs]. The game against the Cheetahs, we really should have won that game in Bloemfontein.
"I think our guys suffered a little from butterflies, and the pressure seemed to tell in the beginning.
"But as I say we have responded well. The coach has urged the players to have a dip, although we have struggled to execute when the chances have come our way.
"We decided to go back and stick to the basics. It's very important for us as a team to remember to play to the structures that we've worked on."
By Phil Coetzer
