The Hindu : Sport : Time for a change in mindset: Wiggins

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Sport - Sports : General

Time for a change in mindset: Wiggins

India will take part in a tournament in Kandy
Indian probables include a few England-born players

MUMBAI: David Wiggins, the newly-appointed English coach of the Indian rugby squad, is emphatic about working towards a mindset change as the national squad prepares for an international match against Guam in Mumbai on June 23 at the Bombay Gymkhana here.

India will then travel to Manila for an away game (July 1) against Philippines as part of a triangular tournament.

The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU)is organising the team’s preparations and international participation. After the triangular event, the Indian squad (sponsored by Hutch) will take part in an Asian seven-a-side tournament in Kandy, Sri Lanka, scheduled for September.

The ex-British Army player and coach, with extensive coaching experience at the national and club levels, believes ‘contact’ is an area worth paying attention to.

“Rugby in England is a physical sport, different from the type of rugby being played here. My focus will be to change the mindset of the players at the point of contact in rugby. I have found them to be receptive and can already see them moving forward in that direction,” said Wiggins, 52, currently coaching Surrey Club, Old Regitans, at a media briefing.

The Indian probables for the triangular event includes a few England-born players of Indian origin (the huge Manmandir Samra for example) whom the Kent-born coach believes will be familiar with his approach.

Exposure needed

Guam is ranked 82nd on the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) latest list, ahead of India (88).

Wiggins believes exposure to international competition will bring out the best in his new wards, among whom captain Nasser Hussain, Puneet Krishnamurthy, Emil Vartazarian and Hrisikesh Pendse are the notable names.

Wiggins takes over from New Zealander Willie Hetaraka, in charge during the 2005 World Cup qualifying matches. — Special Correspondent

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