He made have had his kicking record stolen by Jonny Wilkinson – although Wilko paid the price for that – but Wales’ kicking coach Neil Jenkins has better things to talk about. He spoke to www.rucked.com
How’s your week been?
Well it’s pretty hectic with training and all that – and most people who’ve been ringing me have just wanted tickets, I’ve not been bothering to answer it.
Is it hard to believe you’re on the verge of a Grand Slam?
Ha ha, it’s difficult to considering where we were. But you look at the coaches that have come in and the work they’ve done, it’s not surprising they’ve got the best out of the boys. It’s all about momentum. The Grand Slam in 2005 was all about momentum that built from the win against England and we should’ve beaten Ireland last year [Wales lost 19-9] and if we had things could’ve been different. This year that win at Twickenham – where we haven’t won for a long time – gave us a lot of confidence and brought on a lot of this.
What have Gatland and Edwards brought with them?
I think they’ve given the boys a bit of belief and hard work. They’ve made the boys work hard, nobody gets a rest and not even the captain’s place is guaranteed. They dropped Mark Jones, swapped over Stephen Jones and James Hook, the same with Dwayne Peel and Mike Phillips and Ryan Jones has been brought off too – it doesn’t matter who you are, if you’re not on top of your game or don’t work hard, you won’t get in. That kind of thing makes you work harder and Warren isn’t afraid of making that sort of decision.
How much are you enjoying being part of it?
I was so pleased when I met him after the South Africa game and he said he wanted me to be part of the set-up, especially after Gareth losing his job, I was concerned because I didn’t know where I’d stood. It’s good to be able to work in the same area I have been for the last 14 months, kicking is a big area, it’s a massive part of the game and things don’t happen overnight. It takes time and so I’m really chuffed to be honest to be wanted.
And the life as a coach, how’s that working for you?
I’ll always be thankful to Gareth and Nigel for giving me the opportunity. It’s been fantastic to be part of the set-up and I’ve learnt a great deal from two different sets of coaches. I’m happy to be involved and working first with a good friend Nigel and then a good friend in Rob.
How do you feel the kicking’s gone?
Yeah it’s gone pretty well, Lee Byrne has been outstanding with lots of variation, Shane has kicked on time and Gavin and Shanklin have been good too, as have the main kickers and nine and ten. The kicking is important, if you look at the best sides in the world, they’ve always got quite a few kickers in the backline. You need to have lots of variation, a fifteen can’t cover everywhere, so you need to make it difficult for him.
What about the Jones/Hook debate?
I just think the squad has realised that it’s extremely lucky to have two world-class players in the number ten position. James started the first two and Stephen has started the last two and it was a toss of a coin for this week, both have been playing extremely well and they’re hugely influential figures – they run the show. You don’t want to see anyone miss out really.
Could they play in the same side?
Ah, I think the way Gavin Henson has been playing very well, he’s probably one of the best 12s in the world at the moment and if he stays on form and injury-free then he should be in the side. But, if we do get injuries then either of them could fit in there, but we’ve got a top quality 12 in Gavin and hopefully he stays there.
There’s going to be huge expectations if you win at the weekend?
I think we should have huge expectations, we’re a proud rugby nation and have been for 100 years. It’s hugely disappointing when we win something or are successful and then have two or three disappointing years with only the odd win in France or against to show for it. We’re proud and people should expect a lot out of us. If we were to win this weekend, and it’ll be a very tough game, then it will be two Grand Slams in four years and that’s an incredible stat, but what's happened in between? We won one game last year and got a draw and a win the year before – we were lucky to get the draw. We just need to be more consistent and perform regularly at the top level, we’re good enough to do that.
It must help that the regions are doing well…
I’d have thought so, it’s important that they compete. The Blues are doing well in the Magners and Ospreys are in the semi-final of the EDF Energy Cup and both are in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. Last year Scarlets were unbeaten at the group stage too, so for the last couple of years we’ve done well and we need them to do well if the national side is to be successful. And I think the Ospreys can win the tournament. I think they can go to Saracens and win, they’re more than capable. They’ve got a fantastic squad and a lot of the boys have been playing in the Six Nations – we started 13 of them against England – so they should go back to Ospreys full of confidence, whatever happens this weekend. They’ll hopefully also take of stuff that they’ve learnt from Rob, Shaun and Warren. All the regions need to keep working hard though, nothing comes easy and we need them all to be competing, that’s the way forward.
Even if you don’t win, it’ll still be a successful Six Nations…
It’s been a huge tournament already even if we do go down. France are a very good side, one of the best in the world, and you don’t know what’s going to come to the table – that’s the worrying thing. Other nations you know what you’re getting, but France you’re never too sure. They know what’s at stake though, that’s why they’ve brought back some of the more experienced players.
Ever fancy going beyond the role of kicking coach?
Maybe, I’m not too sure, at the moment I do get to do bits and bobs with Rob and I want to learn more from him, Shaun and Warren. But kicking is a massive area at the moment and taking a huge amount of time, we’re targeting the youngsters too. You need to do a tonne of work with them because they come through so young into the senior team now, when they’re just 19 or 20. We trying to get structures in place at all levels, so I’ve got a big job on my hands.
Are you nervous about Saturday?
Yeah I’m nervous, they’re a frightening side to play if they’re on song, so I have been getting butterflies.
How big is it going to be?
Yeah it’s massive, if you’re going for something like this game it’ll be the same as 2005 and it’s always nice to be playing in Cardiff. I’d imagine there’ll be 75,000 in the stadium and 50,000 outside – it’ll be crazy like it was a few years ago.