Howley calls for renewed focus
March 21 2008
Wales' backs coach Rob Howley has warned his Grand Slam heroes that the Grand Slam party is over.
Less than a week after securing their second Grand Slam in four years Howley has said that the acid test is yet to come. Wales travel to South Africa for a two-Test tour in June and Warren Gatland has every intention of going with a full-strength squad.
Howley, who many people forget about when talking about how the new coaching team have transformed Wales, has urged the side to build on their success.
"We must move on from our win as we haven't played the world's top four teams yet," Howley told BBC Sport.
"Past history shows, particularly in Wales, that we like to enjoy the moment for too long which has been detrimental to the game. That won't happen again."
Not only do Wales face the Springboks twice in June but they also welcome the World Champions to Cardiff in November, as well as Australia and New Zealand - who they play on consecutive weekends.
"Don't get me wrong the players enjoyed a Grand Slam party on Saturday night and probably well into Sunday morning," Howley said.
"And the coaches sunk plenty of champagne but that has gone now, the Grand Slam has been achieved and now we have bigger targets.
"South Africa are the world champions and they will be our acid test, they'll be the barometer to find out where we really are in world rugby because we haven't played any of the top four.
"The Welsh coaching staff have a winning mentality, we want to be the best and that means beating the best.
"There's still a great deal of work to do before we can go to South Africa with a realistic opportunity of beating them.
"But the players have taken on board how hard we want to play and train so they've an idea of the work that needs to be done if we're going to beat the world champions on their own turf."
In the past Wales have used their summer tours as a way to blood new players, opting to leave first choice internationals at home to rest, but that trend doesn't look set to continue this year.
Gatland, never one to follow tradition, has said he wants to go on tour with a full-strength side, and Howley agrees that it is the only way to go.
"I think we'll take a near on full strength squad to South Africa," Howley admitted.
"If you are going to gauge yourself against the world champions, you have to take your best players available.
"And I think the players that carried Wales to a Grand Slam will be in the box seat for selection on the summer tour.
"We haven't had detailed discussions as a coaching team but Warren is of the mindset that the same squad will go.
"There might be an opportunity to take two or three younger players for development purposes so we can check out the next players coming through but we will be mindful that there is an U20 World Cup going on then."
Howley, who won the Heineken Cup under Gatland, was high on the New Zealander's wish list when he was appointed as Head Coach. And Gatland got his man, luring Howley away from the Cardiff Blues, although it will not be on a full-time basis until the end of the current season.
"Warren has proved time and again that he is a master at putting the right coaching team and environment together," said Howley.
"He knows trust and loyalty are the underlying indicators for success.
"We all challenge each other. Shaun challenges Warren, I challenge Shaun and Neil Jenkins challenges all of us - that's why it's working.
"Talent has never been a problem in Wales, it's just the direction."
Howley hailed Edwards' defensive impact as Wales conceded just two tries in the whole Six Nations.
"International rugby is all about defending," said Howley.
"And in Shaun Edwards we have the best defence coach in world rugby.
"Shaun is very good at putting systems in place and he is very up front in how to get them across to the players and our defence will only get stronger."
Wales' 2008 Fixtures:
June 7: South Africa (Bloemfontein)
June 14: South Africa (Pretoria)
November 8: South Africa (Cardiff)
November 15: Canada (Cardiff)
November 22: New Zealand (Cardiff)
November 29: Australia (Cardiff)