By Jonathan B Geddes

It was the most intriguing appointment this rugby season.

And after his long career in charge of NRL teams, Anthony Griffin has offered a fascinating insight into how he has developed a different perspective on rugby as head coach of Shute Shield club Eastwood.

“Once I got myself out of my comfort zone – and learnt and became a bit vulnerable- it’s been a great experience,” Griffin told Rugby News. “I am really enjoying it, I am learning all the time the subtleties of the game and the technical side of it.”

While some people regarded the club’s choice of the former Broncos, Panthers and Dragons coach as a gamble, it is paying dividends. The Woodies currently sit in fourth spot on the ladder despite an exodus of players after a turbulent end to last season.

Under Griffin’s guidance, the team with no rock stars has been a surprise packet after ten rounds.

UNLOCKING THE CODE

NOW at the coalface, Griffin has a newfound appreciation for rugby’s intricacies.   

“Like all codes, it’s got its own unique identity which I have worked hard to learn and understand,” he said. “Probably over the last six months, I’ve got a good handle on it.

“I like the fact that the ball is alive all the time; it’s a totally different dynamic to the NRL where you plan sets, and you’ve got a strategy of where you want to finish them. Whereas in rugby, everything is live every play.

“I enjoy that part of it, it’s a lot more tactical that way.”     

His transition has been greatly assisted by assistant coaches Sam Rolfe and Reg De Jager.

Rolfe looks after attack, De Jager the set piece and Griffin defence.

“The way you move in defence in rugby union is very similar to league, you are just not 10m apart,” he said.

“And no matter what sport you are in, it is still a man-management or leadership position, and that part is something I am used to.”
HARD WOOD

GRIFFIN ‘S influence on the team is evident. His experience in the pressure-cooker environment of the NRL has rubbed off on his players.

They have displayed steely resolve, particularly in wins over Randwick in round one, Warringah and Sydney University.

“They are a really good group of guys, I really enjoy being involved with them,” he said.

“On the field, they have stuck together and shown a lot of resilience at times,” he said. “The last 10 minutes against Warringah they had to defend it out, and Uni were on top of us for most of the game, but in the last 15 minutes we came home pretty strong.

“They are a tough group and just finding a way to win.”

He is especially happy with the efforts of workhorse props Iain Carmichael and Will Goddard.

“They have been a real cornerstone for us; they have been scrummaging really well and playing long minutes,” he said.   

TACKLING THE REBELS

EASTWOOD face Souths on Saturday at Forshaw Rugby Park, which is shaping up as a danger game for the Woodies.

A week after their 101-5 loss to Easts at Woollahra Oval, Souths showed the character of the side under coach Scott Fava in their heartbreaking 24-21 loss to Hunter in Newcastle.

Back on their home ground, which has been a graveyard for so many visiting teams over the years, Souths will be pumped for a big performance in front of their passionate home crowd.

And there could be plenty at stake for Griffin’s side.

They are on 35 competition points, four ahead of Randwick (31), with Sydney University and the Wildfires both on 30.

A loss on Saturday could see Eastwood slip to seventh place if Randwick beat Easts – as well as Uni defeating Norths, and Hunter winning over Warringah with bonus points.

Such is the unpredictability in the race for the top six.