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By Christian Nicolussi
April 07, 2010
Happy with new approach...South Sydney's Beau Champion. Picture: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Daily Telegraph
IN-FORM South Sydney centre Beau Champion claims veteran mentor John Lang has changed a culture that had Rabbitohs players fearing for their positions in the team under former coach Jason Taylor.
Crediting Lang's confidence in his players as the basis for Monday night's stunning 38-16 win over Canterbury, Champion noted differences from his time under Taylor, who was sacked following an incident with back-rower David Fa'alogo at the club's end-of-season get-together late last year.
"I personally didn't feel JT had that much confidence in us. I don't think he believed in us that much and he tried to baby us a little too much," Champion said.
"Johnny Lang has come in this year and given us freedom. Every week you can go out there and not have to worry about your spot."
Champion said Lang had breathed new life into the Bunnies, who are now chasing their third straight win this weekend. There was a positivity, Champion said, that was rarely seen during Taylor's reign.
"At the start of the season John said to me and Besty [Colin Best] we'll be the two centres, 'so go out there and show me what you can do'," he said.
"It took the pressure off and let us concentrate on football - we didn't have to worry about 'if I do this or that, my spot will be up for grabs'. We started the season slowly but Langy didn't make changes. In the past, one or two guys may have been dropped and it would create disbelief and friction among the players.
"As Langy said, the best 17 out there he'll keep picking every week and they'll get form over time.
"We played too negative last year. There were times we played really well then played really poorly. We just lacked a little belief. It was like everyone thought it was a fluke or something [when we won] but it was no fluke. We went out there and played what was in front of us, and that's what Langy is letting us do."
Taylor declined to comment when contacted last night.
To be fair, Taylor rebuilt the Bunnies and never got the chance to work with new recruits Dave Taylor and English forward Sam Burgess.
After a wobbly start to the first two rounds, Souths' giant forward pack continued to click against the Bulldogs and, said skipper Roy Asotasi, will not peak until "about round 10".
As for Burgess, Asotasi said: "He definitely likes to get his hands on the ball. He's one of those blokes who has done it in the [English] Super League and for England, and he brings us that aggressive X-factor.
"After Saturday we've got five Sunday games, so hopefully we can get a win against the Knights, then we know we've got a seven-day turnaround to work on things."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-in-us-champion/story-e6frexnr-1225850696390
April 07, 2010
Happy with new approach...South Sydney's Beau Champion. Picture: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Daily Telegraph
IN-FORM South Sydney centre Beau Champion claims veteran mentor John Lang has changed a culture that had Rabbitohs players fearing for their positions in the team under former coach Jason Taylor.
Crediting Lang's confidence in his players as the basis for Monday night's stunning 38-16 win over Canterbury, Champion noted differences from his time under Taylor, who was sacked following an incident with back-rower David Fa'alogo at the club's end-of-season get-together late last year.
"I personally didn't feel JT had that much confidence in us. I don't think he believed in us that much and he tried to baby us a little too much," Champion said.
"Johnny Lang has come in this year and given us freedom. Every week you can go out there and not have to worry about your spot."
Champion said Lang had breathed new life into the Bunnies, who are now chasing their third straight win this weekend. There was a positivity, Champion said, that was rarely seen during Taylor's reign.
"At the start of the season John said to me and Besty [Colin Best] we'll be the two centres, 'so go out there and show me what you can do'," he said.
"It took the pressure off and let us concentrate on football - we didn't have to worry about 'if I do this or that, my spot will be up for grabs'. We started the season slowly but Langy didn't make changes. In the past, one or two guys may have been dropped and it would create disbelief and friction among the players.
"As Langy said, the best 17 out there he'll keep picking every week and they'll get form over time.
"We played too negative last year. There were times we played really well then played really poorly. We just lacked a little belief. It was like everyone thought it was a fluke or something [when we won] but it was no fluke. We went out there and played what was in front of us, and that's what Langy is letting us do."
Taylor declined to comment when contacted last night.
To be fair, Taylor rebuilt the Bunnies and never got the chance to work with new recruits Dave Taylor and English forward Sam Burgess.
After a wobbly start to the first two rounds, Souths' giant forward pack continued to click against the Bulldogs and, said skipper Roy Asotasi, will not peak until "about round 10".
As for Burgess, Asotasi said: "He definitely likes to get his hands on the ball. He's one of those blokes who has done it in the [English] Super League and for England, and he brings us that aggressive X-factor.
"After Saturday we've got five Sunday games, so hopefully we can get a win against the Knights, then we know we've got a seven-day turnaround to work on things."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-in-us-champion/story-e6frexnr-1225850696390
