Wellington Rugby 7's Update: Day 1 Wrap Up

Perhaps we expected too much from the lads. Perhaps they have over-trained. Perhaps they are jaded. Perhaps they are homesick. I just don't know. Our mental strength does not seem to be up to the task and we're struggling. Despite over a week at a high performance centre, we don't seem to be showing much for it. My own experience tells me we tend to relax after such an exposure. We tend to think the games will be easier on us, on our bodies. So we do not work as hard as we would normally.

We do not seem to be exerting ourselves. We just want the job to be done and the plays to sort out the scoring. Nothing extra. The normal people are stepping up their game and providing the difference. Captain Humphrey Kayange as usual leading from the front. And Ian Simiyu, working hard to create as always. Vice Captain Gibson Weru Kahuthia is also bringing in the extra edge. And this time too, Lavin Asego is doing much more, though I think he should lay off goal kicking for a while. Collins Injera.. well, he seems to be waiting for space to avail itself.. doing nothing on his own.

Maybe it is our normal hardship that makes us special. Maybe the tag of under dogs makes us work harder. Maybe we need to step back and look at it from the outside. But it seems my predictions were wrong, and Samoa will definitely have our number. Notwithstanding the injury to Ashioya and maybe Injera will wake up sore after that body slam, and maybe we may just wake up mentally tough. But I look forward to Las Vegas, where the 13th man will be there in full force.