By Chris Randall (filed: 7/9/03)
September 7 2003

Rod Kafer opened up the live chat season on the new official Saracens website on Thursday 4 September. Chris Randall was there too and provides us with a transcript of some of the questions asked and answers provided. On future chats


Q: Do you plan this as a regular feature? I know some people are still having problems logging onto the website.....(I know people are working hard to fix that.)

So attendance for this webchat may well be down because of that. I'm sure there are folks with burning questions that couldn't get on !!!!

Top new site though.

A: I think the plan is to get some players online the Thursday before a home game. Andy Goode will hopefully be online next Thursday, so please be gentle with him!

On the Commercial Side

Q: Rod do you think you could suggest to the powers that be at the club a video of highlights for this season showing all the tries etc,i know we've never done one but I'm sure there's a big market for one.

A: It's a great idea but I think there's a significant cost implication with things like this. Perhaps it's something to consider for the future.

Q: I see in the press that Sarries have a 28% reduction in season ticket sales this year.

Apart from this being a vote with their feet comment to last seasons performance by some less stalwart fans or recent converts to rugby do you a) feel this is added pressure on the team to perform, and b) what do you see as the best way the fans can support the team on the day - is it volume of noise, numbers or something else? For example do individual messages of support (e.g. adopt a player) work?

A: I've been advised to ask you to look under Ticket News re the downturn in season tickets, apparently there's been a change in focus for group ticketing which will help explain this.

In terms of support on a matchday, noise certainly helps and seeing full stands. I'm sure the players who have their individual fan clubs with banners appreciate that too!


On the Squad

Q: out of the Saracens squad what is your best 15
A: We'll pick our best fifteen for the Newcastle fixture!

Q: What other players would you have suggested be brought to the club if you had been given the choice

A: Good question, but I'm afraid it would be unfair to answer it!

Q: I notice Andy had his dog with him at the bbq who do you think would win over a 100 yards

A: Last year Andy may have tried to eat the dog as opposed to race it (sorry Goodey, just joking!). In all seriousness, Andy has applied himself to his training with a vigour not matched by many in the squad. He is currently in the top four fastest players over 30 metres as well as being one of the fittest members of the squad, essentially all due to his attitude which has been exemplary.


Q: Obviously joining us as a backs coach/player and then getting promoted to head coach i was wondering how much input you had in player recruitment and if you feel happy with our strength in depth in all positions .

A: I had some involvement with player recruitment although most of the work was done by Mark Sinderberry. We currently have a very strong squad with good depth, particularly in key positions such as hooker and scrum half where we have two players from the club at the World Cup.


Q: Following on from Paul's comment about recruitment. Last year we (almost) had an embarasment of riches at centre and now this year with Horan and Shanklin gone, Little at the RWC and you hanging up your boots, we look a little thin on the ground. Are there plans to bring in any new players in to these positions?

A: We are in the process of negotiating with a player to fill the inside back position made vacant by my overdue retirement and an announcement should be made within the next couple of weeks. This player will join us for the period of the World Cup.


Q: I see your starting with TC at fullback tomorrow, is this the position the 2 of you feel is most suited to his mercurial talents?

A: I will have to be very boring and advise you that I won't make speculative comments about players' selection or their position because it can become destabilising for the team. Thomas is a gifted player who is very motivated to perform well for the club this season, given his recent disappointments relating to the World Cup.


Q: In your opinion is the squad fitter than last year? A lot has been made of Ebeneezer being lighter this season, and what impact do you think the loss of the players to the world cup will have on us compared with the other sides in the ZPL?

A: In relation to fitness, we were lucky to secure the services of Peter Atkinson from Leicester who, along with his team of Dave, Leah and Thibault has added a great deal of value to the squad with their dedication to ensuring they deliver a world class training environment. Over time the players will benefit from the collective hard work that has gone on so far.

I don't think we'll be as affected as teams such as Leicester, Gloucester and Wasps, as we won't lose as many players as them, so it may be something that works in our favour.


Q: With so many natural leaders in the team, Simon Raiwalui, Taine Randell, Raphael Ibanez (post RWC), and players who have been with the club for years, how hard a decision was it to appoint Simon captain, and what were your reasons behind it?

A: The decision was made easier by the obvious leadership skills Simon Raiwalui displayed throughout the course of the pre-season. We do have the luxury now of three players within the squad who have captained their country. As the team develops and the players become more accustomed to the leadership styles of a variety of the players mentioned, I'm sure that their natural leadership skills will assist Simon with the captaincy of the team.

One area we were really let down on last year was our line out - it was either very predictable or we just didnt win it at all.



Q: I know with Simon and Alex we have strength and ball winning ability but how else will you toughen our eight?

A: The eight have a commitment and have set themselves a target to be tough and uncompromising whilst at the same time having the ability to be very effective at the set piece. This should see us eradicate some of the problems that existed last year.

Both Alex and Simon as you suggest, as well as Taine Randell, have made a significant contribution to the line out. I anticipate this being one of our strengths throughout the course of the season.



Q: A hotly debated topic last year was squad rotation. I was wondering what your views are. Is it a necessity to make sure all of the squad have game time, or is there a danger that it can destabilise a winning team?

A: Chris, I'm not a great believer in squad rotation for rotation's sake. I believe that the team should be picked on performance. There will be a 10 game 2nd team structured competition later this year which will give players game time.


On Coaching

Q: The game has been going a very long time, where do you find new and innovative ways to keep the coaching fresh?

A: It's more a case of reinventing the wheel because there's rarely anything new left in rugby, just different ways of doing the same things. We do spend some time watching international rugby as they produce the trends that we follow.


Q: If I have missed it on the news or elsewhere on the site forgive me but what is the new coaching set up and support for you. For example do you have a defence coach, a forwards coach, a line out throwing in coach, a kicking coach etc? I am interested to understand what is the back up and specialist coaching at your disposal, particularly given our outstanding weaknesses last season.

A: The Forwards Coach is John Lambden, the specialist Skills Coach (including line out throwing) is Mike Hynard, our Video Analysis and individual skills will be conducted by Pat Jerram. We are currently negotiating with a leading kicking coach and I will handle the defensive coaching myself.


Q: What will be your main focus this season......finishing high (or even top !) in the league,or some European Cup Glory ?

A: Our focus will remain on key performance areas, that the team need to perform every week in order to be successful. We will try to avoid being outcome driven and simply try to improve on a week to week basis.


Q: As a coach who was an ex player.....do you miss getting out there on the pitch ?
Perhaps we will see a guest appearance sometime

A: No - and no! I'm now quite happy in my retirement from playing; I don't mind doing the yelling but have never enjoyed being yelled at!


Q: So, has the way you were treated in your playing days influenced you in the way you coach the side. Like being poacher turned gamekeeper....you know the tricks that work ?

A: Knowing tricks surely must be an advantage when coaching. The challenge is always doing what you can to get the best out of the players.


Q: What kind of coach are you in the dressing room? Are you the kind to yell at your players for a bad performance or a more talk it through kind of coach?

A: More a talk it through kind of coach. One of the difficulties is determining what individuals respond best to, some like to be yelled at, others like a shoulder to cry on.


On the ZP

Q: The video ref or televison official was trialled in a domestic game for the first time, between Wasps and Stade Francais a week ago. Would you like to see this in all domestic matches or do you feel the refs and linesmen should be able to make the decisions?

A: A video ref would be excellent as it would take out the human error associated with determining who wins a rugby match.


Q: It was reported in the news that the Non-EU player rule was no longer "legal". Has the club taken this on board and would it affect your selection?

A: We've not had any official instructions from the RFU as to this, so selection will be made around the rule of a maximum of three players in the 22 up until the completion of the World Cup and then one thereafter.


Q: How do you feel about the RFU decision to play through the Six Nations campaign this year. Do you feel that it is important to maintain the consistency of games or would you rather have your full squad of players available?

A: The unique nature of the competition means that it's not possible to please all of the people all of the time. From my point of view, a team can easily fall off the rails if it doesn't have regular fixtures and I experienced that last year with Leicester, so having regular games is a bonus, whilst it's a shame that we will miss some of our stars.

And Finally on Agen

Q: I think everyone has been avoiding the subject. Without getting into the specifics of the why's and how's, do you think the pre-season friendly will take place next year?

A: The events on the field will have no lasting implications for our relationship with Agen. Occassionally these things happen in rugby; it was disappointing and regrettable for both teams, however, the notion of actions staying on the field are relevant in this situation.