By KevinTheB
January 27 2005

With Barney doing better than a Leicester water carrier, kevinTheB was fully refuelled and put the final few questions to Wasps's long-standing prop, Will Green.

KevinTheB (KtB) talked to Will Green (WG). Barney Burnham listened in, and bought the drinks.

 

KtB:  I think it’s fair to say that you don’t get a Testimonial Year at the start of your career, so what do the next few years hold for you, Will?

 

WG:  That’s probably the hardest question you have put to me today, Kevin.  I really don’t know.  I’m out of contract at the end of the season, and I would like to stay at Wasps, there’s no doubt of that, but in the end it’s not up to me.  I don’t fancy coaching personally, I think once I get past playing at the top level my future will be outside rugby completely.  I won’t end up in Henley 3rds on a wet afternoon – at least, I don’t think so right now.

 

KtB: Warren has made noises about himself moving on, what chance do you think the next manager has against such a record?

 

WG:  This management team has been a great bunch to work with.  They have done a really great job and moved Wasps into the top flight of British rugby, and have put a far-sighted youth policy in place.  As I said earlier, I think Wasps at the highest management level have to be a bit introspective and make sure they set their long term goals and then put things into place to achieve these consistently. This will be the challenge a new management team will face.

 

KtB:  Any plans for Arthur to follow you?

WG:  I hope he plays team sports, not just rugby.  I think it’s a fantastic grounding for self discipline and respect for others.  I would hope to be like my parents were for me – not pushy, but supportive of whatever he wants to get into.

 

KtB:  There is a lot of talent in the Wasps youth players, who would you single out for future attention?

WG:  Both Tom Rees and John Hart are going to be great players, Rob Hoadley has a fantastic attitude, and Alex King has been very vocal about Dan Cipriani.

 

KtB:  Where do you sit on the great Mooloo question?

 

WG: Most of the players don’t understand the Mooloo thing; it has largely left us behind.  I think it is a little short-termish to base something on Warren, just in case he does decide to go – what will become of it then?  If the Club ARE pushing the idea, I think it should be done properly and they should be made available to supporters in our colours as a free giveaway.

 

KtB: Will, do the referees have any clue about what goes on in the front row?

 

WG:  No.  Sometimes even we don’t, so how can they?  You can buy penalties if you need them, and some teams are a lot better at this than others.  I personally think that all offences in the scrum should be a free kick and not a full penalty.  This would take away some of the questionable decisions, in my opinion.

 

KtB:  Why is it that in some games the scrums are fine yet in others they collapse every second time?

 

WG:  It’s dynamics.  There’s a lot of power going through the point of contact, and it is all to do with relative strengths and balance.  Get it wrong, and you go out of shape very quickly.

 

KtB:  Now that it’s professional, does the fly half still buy the prop a beer and disappear into the horizon with the trophy totty?

 

WG:  No!  Actually, I think the wives and girlfriends at the Club are top quality throughout!  I personally have been truly fortunate to marry Charlotte – my speech at our wedding was “I don’t think I’ve done badly for a front row forward”.

 

Barney's note - Charlotte is far, far too attractive to be married to a prop!

 

KtB:  How much notice do you get of referees for matches, and do you change tactics accordingly?

 

WG:  We certainly don’t get enough notice.  We do discuss it in the week, as we know them quite well, and their strengths and weaknesses.  For example, if you get Lander, you know it will be a pedantic match!  It’s different in the European competitions – they are more of an unknown quantity so you can’t plan for them.  I suppose we do play different refs in different ways, yes.

 

KtB:  Well, Will, I think that’s all we have time for today.  Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, and I’m sure all Wasps will join me in wishing you personally a beneficial testimonial year, and the team a great season on the pitch.

 

WG:  Thanks, and please let everyone know how much both the guys and I value the support we get from you week in and week out.  It’s your success as well.