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| Visser Relishing Central Role |
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| Tim Visser (right) and Tom Dillon celebrate victory over Leicester |
| 8 May 2008, 3:57 pm |
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| As he prepares to line up for his third game in just six days on Saturday in Worcester, Falcons back Tim Visser insists his Newcastle team-mates are already building for next season. |
While a well-deserved holiday will be firmly in the minds of many sportsmen at this time of year, the 20-year-old Dutchman said: “In May I think traditionally people say they are looking forward to the off-season, but the feeling in the squad here is that we're more looking forward to next season now than our holidays, because we have a lot to prove and we are keen to get back out there and do it.”
Last Sunday's win over Guinness Premiership champions Leicester, and a spirited showing at home to title hopefuls London Wasps on Wednesday leave the Falcons faced with the task of playing three games in under a week.
But in his newly-converted position of inside centre, Visser is in no mood to complain.
“I've really enjoyed playing there for the last two matches, and I feel they've gone pretty well from a personal point of view even while getting used to a new position,” he said.
“The defensive aspects of playing at 12 are much easier than 13, where you are basically the last man in the line, and I've enjoyed the physical challenge of it.”
Having fronted up wth some big defensive displays, the imposing Visser said: “The whole team has been playing with a lot of passion, because there is a real feeling among the squad that we owe the supporters some big performances even though technically we had no trophies to play for.
“We spoke as a group before the Leicester game about how much it would mean to the fans, and how much we want them to come back next year and support us, so that game was for them really because we knew we hadn't always repaid their support during the season.”
With acting director of rugby Steve Bates having shifted the emphasis in Newcastle's play, Visser explained: “There has been a big focus on attacking the ball more, getting fired up, hitting harder, slowing opposition ball down and just making it tough for teams to attack against us.
“What we have been guilty of in the past is trying to play too much in the early parts of the game, so what we have said is let's just get ourselves down there, keep it tight and get ourselves in to a scoring position before we really let the ball go.
“That game plan has helped us a lot, because it means we stay in the game for longer. We saw the result against Leicester, and even on Wednesday against Wasps we gave ourselves an excellent chance at half-time. Credit to Wasps for closing the game out the way they did, but it showed that we can compete with these big teams which all bodes well for next season.”
Having been directly involved in the controversial try for Wasps wing Josh Lewsey on Wednesday night, Visser explained, referring to an alleged obstruction: “What happened was that Riki Flutey came on a short line, didn't get the ball and then ran straight in to me.
“Not only that, but he put his arms out and shoved his back in to me so I couldn't even get round to make the tackle. It was way too obvious, everyone saw it apart from the referee and it was just ridiculous. Obstruction goes unnoticed quite a lot in rugby, but this one was more blatant than I have ever seen.”
Preparing to make his second visit to Worcester in a fortnight following the recent European Challenge Cup semi-final exit, Visser said: “It is a much different scenario this weekend, but the boys feel there is a bit of unfinished business with Worcester and everyone is keen to really end the season on a high with a victory down there.
“It is a chance for us to get fired up again and show the fans what we are really about, and the boys are looking forward to it.” |
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