CHARLIE MULQUEEN: Analytical Varley striving to improve lineout technique
The emergence of Richardt Strauss as Irish qualified hasn’t helped his cause with the South African (although currently on the injured list) second in line to Rory Best with Sean Cronin and Mike Sherry also ahead of Varley heading into a series of Rabo Direct Pro 12 games starting with the visit of Edinburgh to Musgrave Park tomorrow night.
It could be that Varley’s relative fall from grace is connected to problems with his lineout throwing although he isn’t prepared to take all the blame on his own sturdy shoulders.
“Like we do with every area of the game, we look at where mistakes are made,” he reasons. “If I throw a crooked ball or overthrow or under throw, we put our hands up. Likewise, if it’s a lifter’s fault or a jumper’s fault, they put their hands up. If you look at the statistics, we have gone through Heineken Cup campaigns where we have worked off 90% success rates. It’s not a perfect area and it’s one that I strive to get better at every day.
“It’s a combination of many things, getting your technique right, throwing into a space, getting a fella standing on a platform and throwing to him, getting an opportunity on days like this (Munster sessions) to hammer out as many lineouts as you can. And there’s also a huge mental aspect to it. Media and public perception is something you have to deal with and if that’s an area that holds you back, it’s something huge to cope with and deal with and get over.”
Varley is fully aware of just how important the next few Rabo games will be and is quietly confident Munster will quickly improve on their current position of sixth.
“We’re in a good position, we’ve qualified in the Heineken Cup and are well placed in the Rabo although from my own personal point of view, I haven’t played as much rugby as I would have liked,” says Varley.
“Unfortunately, I was sick for a while and injured for a while and so missed a run of games. Mick (Sherry) and myself are competing all the time for the number 2 slot and we’ll keep slogging it out and see what happens.
“We have to make a big impression in the Rabo at this time of year. Leaders will stand out and often leaders are created in these weeks when the internationals are away and we all have to step up to the plate.
“It’s always a big week during the Six Nations when you’re in club mode. You often find the league can be won or lost during this phase and you can either put yourself in a great position when the internationals are away or you can suffer the consequences of a bad loss. For the guys who don’t normally see match-day spots, it’s a great opportunity. There are more places up for grabs and you can make a big impression over these few weeks and it’s a great incentive for players for their own personal progression.”
