I went on a trip Down Under to make myself a better player
England hopeful Quirke on learning from Oz league greats during rehab
RaFFI QuIrKe is 21, going on 35. He is a young player already thinking and behaving like a senior pro — even like a coach. His fact- finding mission to australia will become a template for others to copy.
sale’s rookie scrum-half was brought straight back into the england squad after six months out with a hamstring injury. But Quirke was not content just to go through the painstaking rehab process, he also wanted to seize a rare opportunity to expand his horizons, so he set up a solo trip Down under, to learn from some of the world’s leading rugby league teams and players.
Before telling Sportsmail about his pioneering venture, there was a glimpse of what he brought home. after finishing a training session with his club, Quirke sat on the pitch at the aJ Bell stadium, on his own, for five minutes of quiet contemplation. Visualisation is now part of his personal routine.
when he was ready to talk, he said: ‘I want to have an experienced head on young shoulders.’ well, Quirke is certainly going the right way about that.
explaining how it came about, he said: ‘the coaches at sale said, “you are going to be off for a long time, so you should go and experience a different environment”. Funnily enough, the day before, I had had exactly the same conversation with my dad at home. the coaches asked if I had any ideas and I love watching the nrL (australian rugby league) so I said that. they weren’t sure if I could do that, because it is on the other side of the world. I said I would organise it, if they just said I could do it. I just needed them to say, “yes”.
‘so I organised it with help from anthony seibold, england’s defence coach, who has coached in the nrL. He gave me a few contacts and sorted out the days when I’d be at training. I was over there on my own for three weeks. I went to Cronulla sharks, newcastle Knights, st George Illawarra Dragons, Penrith Panthers and sydney roosters.
‘I went to all of those clubs for a day, on their main training days, then I was at the roosters for a week and a half. I did some of my rehab out there in local gyms and also at the roosters facilities, with their physios, and strength and conditioning coaches.
‘I’d come in at the start of the day, watch every meeting, watch them train and take notes. It was just about seeing what I could add to my game and what I could bring back to add to sale. that is what my plan was and I got loads of little nuggets out of it.’
Quirke was able to rub shoulders with greats of the 13-man code and took every chance to ask for advice. the host clubs, players and coaches were happy to help their english guest.
‘ the best ever players there — the “Immortals”, as they call them — are still working with clubs on certain days,’ he said.
‘so Cooper Cronk was with the roosters and I got to sit down with him and talk about dealing with pressure. He told me about his preparation during the week.
‘that is what I wanted to see. How their best players analyse other teams, speak with their coaches, and what they do on a certain day of the week, in terms of their extras. now that I’m back, I try to go through some of the same processes.
‘I got introduced to people at the clubs by the head coaches. If I was with certain coaches or players, I would ask them questions. after the sessions when boys were doing extras, I would grab them for a chat. when I was at the roosters, I went for dinner with a few of the boys and one of them invited me round for dinner, with him and his wife and kids.
‘everyone was so welcoming and I really felt like part of every team when I was there. I thought they would take the p*** out of a Pom going over there, but I got treated really well. It was amazing.’
there was some down- time Down under, but Quirke could not surf at Bondi Beach for fear of aggravating the hamstring as it healed. However, he has discovered a new water-based activity closer to home, having joined sale’s new signing, tom o’Flaherty, spear-fishing in north wales. ‘I’ve not caught anything yet,’ he admitted.
Quirke returned to action for sale earlier this month and was recalled by england head coach eddie Jones after two accomplished appearances for his club.
He is in contention for a role in the match- day 23 against argentina on sunday and, further ahead, has a chance to establish himself as the country’s premier scrum-half.
Last november, his scorching try against south africa sealed england’s victory against the world champions and Quirke has used that early- career peak as inspiration ever since.
‘I watch it back before every game,’ he said. ‘I have little highlights clips that I watch, for my confidence. that’s where I want to be; playing for england. that’s where I was and it’s where I want to be again.’