Rugby Union: Callaghan warns players to improve against Ruskin

Oct 10 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

I HOPE Waterloo supporters turn out in force on Saturday to drive their team towards gaining their most important victory of the season to date.

They are due to entertain Redruth, one of only five teams below them in the Division Two table and a side who not only have to make an enormous journey to play, but have been having a pretty rough time when they do.

Waterloo coach Chris O’Callaghan has made it clear to his own players that he believes they are performing well below their capability and if they don’t win on Saturday there is sure to be a major bust up.

He does not believe all are fully fit, or really going flat out for victory and in such a situation will not accept half-hearted defence, unimaginative attacks or what seems to have become the habit of running out of steam with 10 minutes to go.

These are still fairly early days in a lengthy season but no side can afford to play at less than 100% if they want to have their coach and supporters behind them.

Initially, Waterloo management seemed to feel they had a good, strong squad, but O’Callaghan obviously does not believe that and thinks they are short of fitness, team spirit and sustained determination, attributes needed by any successful team.

Things certainly looked rather different after the pre-season preparations ended with a remarkable victory over Irish giants Londonderry, but of course there is a lot more at stake now, and everyone involved really has to roll up his sleeves and get down to business.

The key to it all has to be the pack, whose control is vital and I suspect its members are going to face a tough and quite abrasive time during the remainder of this week.