Mental resolve is vital: Leklek

By ROBINSON LEKA
MENTAL toughness will be crucial to how the national men’s sevens rugby union team cope at the international level, says head coach Ian Leklek.
He told The National that he was impressed with the squad’s first outing during the Capital Rugby Union preseason on Saturday.
But Leklek said the mental aspect of the game would be key to their preparations while in camp.
The 28-man train-on squad are based in Port Moresby and will take part in camp before a final squad are named to compete in the qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
“We’re working really hard on their mental toughness and their fitness because these two things will help in their decision-making when they are playing,” Leklek said. “It also helps them as individuals to develop a greater awareness of the game and be more competitive.
“They’ve gelled together since the beginning of the camp.
“It’s good to see that they’ve picked up a lot and that’s the most pleasing part for a coach to see,” he said.
Meanwhile, Leklek said the option of picking overseas-based players was viable, however, it would come down to how the game’s administration would arrange to bring them in.
“In terms of the standard of competition, we’d like to get players who have played at the international level,” he said.
“But the challenge we have is, whether we have the systems and processes in place to capture and support them.”