‘My size doesn’t matter here’
7 Dec 2009
Brent Russell on life in Clermont, learning French, and why overseas-based players should be considered for the Boks.
You had a run of injuries at Saracens which were disruptive. How have you been doing injury-wise at Clermont?
I’ve had a few niggles since I left South Africa, but that’s part of rugby. I haven’t had any serious injuries with Clermont, apart from when I was out for four weeks at the end of last year when I went over my ankle. But I’m feeling fine now and I’m definitely more battle-hardened.
You’ve said flyhalf and fullback are your favourite positions. Have you been happy with your opportunities at Clermont?
I started our first European Cup match at flyhalf, which was exciting. I’ve been playing quite a lot at wing, and have covered fullback, so I’ve had good opportunities.
What’s it like competing for places in the back three with international players like Benoit Baby, Napolioni Nalaga, Anthony Floch, Julien Malzieu and Aurelien Rougerie?
It’s healthy competition, and the coaches’ man-management is very good. You want to get the best out of your players for as long as possible, considering how many games we play each season. I don’t expect to start every game and I don’t consider myself better than anyone else, it’s just a matter of being ready to play when I get my chance. [Coach] Vern Cotter has been fair and given me quite a bit of game time. Being utilised properly makes a huge difference.
What’s Cotter like as a coach?
Vern learnt his coaching in New Zealand, but has also played in France. He speaks the language, which the Frenchies enjoy, but he has that southern-hemisphere rugby outlook and style. He has good coaching techniques, and spends a lot of time on the mental side of things, and because he was a player, he knows how we think. He’s a strict disciplinarian, he does his homework on the opposition and he knows how to dissect teams, so when he speaks, we listen. Vern is mostly involved with the pack, while Jo Schmidt – who coached the Blues until 2007 – looks after the backs. He is also knowledgeable and approachable, which is important to me.
When coaches listen to players, we listen more to what they say.
What makes the Clermont coaching staff’s management unique?
The way they come across is very important. Every player is different and needs to be treated accordingly. Every week they tell you what things you need to work on, and they believe in you and in what you do. They reward you when you do well, and when you’ve had a bad day they give you constructive criticism – it’s not just negative feedback and then you’re dropped. You have to constantly work on your game.
How are your French lessons going?
It’s still tough, as it’s a difficult language to pick up. I’m understanding it quite a bit more, but I find it difficult to speak the language with confidence as I don’t know the entire vocabulary. We’ve got a mental coach who comes in once a month and he speaks in French, so as a foreigner you’ve got to adapt.
What reception did Frans Steyn get when he arrived at Racing Metro?
He’s been well received. We played Racing Metro two or three weeks before he arrived and there was anticipation and excitement about him. There’s a lot of hype surrounding South African rugby at the moment because the Boks have been doing so well, so when a Bok arrives it’s good for the game here. Frans has only just started his career in France, so people are waiting to see how he performs. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the change in lifestyle and rugby.
Clermont have a history of losing in finals. How’s the team addressing the issue?
It’s a psychological thing, so our mental coach is helping us work on that aspect. Hopefully when we reach another final we’ll be ready for it.
How are the two other South Africans at Clermont, Marius Joubert and Willie Wepener, faring?
Willie’s an easygoing guy and he’s doing really nicely. He didn’t get much game time in the initial stages as the coach likes to ease new players into the system until they have familiarised themselves with the surroundings and built up their confidence. He scored a couple of tries when he did play, which helped him settle. Marius [above] has a strong reputation, and understandably so, but he had quite a bad groin injury at the end of last season. He tried to come back too early, and then had to have an operation. He’s been playing more now and is still highly regarded. He is great with ball in hand, is nice to run off, a good defender, and has great vision.
How does the standard of domestic rugby in France compare to South Africa’s?
I’ve always said that the French Top 14 is quite similar to the Currie Cup in terms of style, but the reffing is not up to standard here [only a few officials are professional in France]. It’s a long season [each team plays each other home and away, plus play-offs] that is taken seriously, which means there is quite a bit of pressure. But we have a strong squad, and generally, good depth is imperative in France.
The new laws have meant an increase in the kicking of up-and-unders. Has this affected your game?
Not at all. The French enjoy running the ball and it’s spread around quite a bit. Maybe the Super 14 has changed, but I haven’t noticed much of a difference here.
Are smaller players like yourself appreciated more in France than in South Africa?
Size is definitely less of a factor here. In fact, I don’t think anyone has mentioned my size since I came to France. There are smaller players than me in the Top 14.
What are your thoughts on the increasing influence and presence of South Africans at your ex-club, Saracens?
The South African players and coaches are doing really well, and it’s great to see the
way they’ve pulled a side together so quickly. I was happy at Saracens, but my time was up and I’m happy with my move to Clermont.
Do you have any regrets that your Bok career ended so abruptly after the Boks’ loss to France at Newlands in 2006?
You never know when or how your playing career will end. I’m happy with what I achieved at Test level, and I can’t ask for more in terms of the opportunities I had. As long as you’re playing rugby in South Africa, it will always be an ambition to play for the Boks, and I’m not bitter about anything – I’m just trying to enjoy the last few years of my rugby career. I’m enjoying it, I’m experiencing a new culture and learning a new language, and will return to South Africa with great memories. Hopefully I’ll stay involved in the game after I retire.
What are your thoughts on Peter de Villiers’s policy of not considering overseas-based players for the Bok team?
People have to keep in mind that this is our livelihood, and we’re thinking of our families and futures. I’ve probably got about four years of rugby left in me and I have to maximise my earning potential. A guy like Frans would have been stupid to turn down such a huge deal from Racing Metro, and why should that mean the end of his Bok career? The Springbok coaching staff should want him to play for the national team for as long as possible because he is still pretty young and very talented. It’s only natural for players to want to go overseas, but I’ve heard there are better contracts being offered in South Africa now, so that could help keep guys there.
Your good mate De Wet Barry has come back from London Harlequins to play for Eastern Province, with the intention of playing for the Southern Kings in an expanded Super Rugby tournament. What do you think about his move, and would it be an option for you, having been schooled in the Eastern Cape?
If the opportunity arose and the timing was right, I would definitely consider playing for the Kings. I have such fond memories of playing rugby in that region, and I’m sure if they can manage and nurture the talent well, the franchise will be a success. I speak to De Wet regularly, and he says he’s loving it in PE. It’s always tough to launch a new team, but I have a feeling they will do well.
By Grant Ball
– This article first appeared in the November issue of SA Rugby magazine
21 Comments
7 Dec 2009, 09:08 am
He was never appreciated for his immense skill over here
7 Dec 2009, 09:50 am
@WP_:
Agree. Typical South African size obsession.
7 Dec 2009, 10:00 am
come on guys Brent wanted to be fly half while he had no kicking game and no defense . I watched a lot of his game at Saracens and his defense was still suspect at fullback .
He is a winger full stop. Thriving in the the TOP 14 doest make him an international quality .
7 Dec 2009, 10:39 am
@gakaka: Agreed. He might be of similar size to Giteau, but the Ozzie can kick and defend very well. Adding these attributes to Brent’s arsenal would make him a very good flyhalve.
7 Dec 2009, 11:24 am
DUMB SUPPORTER – Russel still managed to undo the ozzies a few times BY HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!! Horses for course, he never did well against the ABs but was brilliant against the Ozzies, who liked him alot!!
7 Dec 2009, 12:22 pm
This guy could have been as good as Giteau if he had been given a proper chance.
I have been watching him play for Clermont this season and he looks sharp. Still has loads of pace, great awareness and great handling skills. His kicking game is not that bad and certainly better than some of the current incumbent Bok wingers (JP, Nokwe, etc). Additionally I don’t think the guy’s defence is actually that bad.
Still think he could be a great assest to the Bok setup but doubt he will ever get a look in again. Even if he retruns to SA.
7 Dec 2009, 12:36 pm
He would have been crushed in the Lions series. Overseas they talk about the Pretoria test being the roughest for years
7 Dec 2009, 13:15 pm
Yip Brent definitely a fine ball runner and sounds like a very down to earth guy. i thought he’d be a bit bitter he did not get more Bok caps, but he treats it the right way.
7 Dec 2009, 13:26 pm
I’ll bet that’s what all the French girls tell him…….
7 Dec 2009, 15:25 pm
I still rate him better than Odwa Ndungane and Jongi Nokwe right now
7 Dec 2009, 17:11 pm
Karma @Karma-zaf:
You are right as a winger he is better than them( Jongi and Ndungane ) . When we talking wingers maybe Lionel Mapoe can give Brent a run for his money .
7 Dec 2009, 17:17 pm
The Border Kockott Pocket Rocket 9/10 combination for the Southern Kings!
7 Dec 2009, 17:18 pm
@gakaka: Lionel Mapoe is nowhere even close to the skills Brent possesses. And you can reply when an overseas team actually shows interest in Mapoe.
7 Dec 2009, 19:24 pm
loved watching you dumbfound defenders, jinxing you way through and around them. I wish you would come home!
7 Dec 2009, 22:09 pm
@WP_: He had good running ability, but his deistribution was crappy. He would always look to go himself first before looking around and keep the ball too long before sending hospital passes.
I dont know if he has changed, but back then, he needed to look first, assess in an instant where the ball is going to be best used, and IF it is with him and there is a gap, THEN give it a go. Not give it a go every time and then pass when there is bugger all. He just ruins chances outside him.
8 Dec 2009, 00:03 am
no that heading isn’t kinky at all
8 Dec 2009, 03:56 am
Yup, South African selectors have made fools of themselves in the past with the whole “size is everything” nonsense.
Apart from Russell, another great example is Pieter de Villiers, he couldn’t get a contract at provincial level in SA because he was told he was simply “too small to be a successful prop” and ended up playing 68 tests for France!
8 Dec 2009, 04:40 am
Yep the size obsession. Look at Brussouw, would never has chance. Secondly, the Aussies decided to dump Waugh/smith combo for bigger blokes and look at the immediate decline.
He should have beengiven a better chance, and agreed he is better than some baggege we are carrying at the mo.
8 Dec 2009, 12:30 pm
Where do you guys get this size is everything nonsense? That was JW and especially for the forwards. Hello Andre Pretorius isn’t exactly huge?
Russel played for SA and did well. He had his moments but ultimately couldn’t deliver consistent performances. That is what is required to stay at this level.
8 Dec 2009, 15:47 pm
“my size doesn’t matter over here” – yep the French chicks aren’t quite as fussy!
8 Dec 2009, 15:48 pm
@fhpienaar: South Africans are obsessed with size
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