Hartley: I can take any jibes from Aussies
Dylan Hartley says he is now mentally prepared not to be wound up by the Aussies.
After his six-month ban for eye-gouging, the Northampton Saints hooker was set up with top sports psychologist Steve Peters, who worked with Great Britain's Olympic cyclists.
The fruits of those sessions are now being seen as Hartley prepares himself for his second successive game on the bench for England.
And his new mental preparation will be tested to the full by Australia, who are renowned for their winding-up tactics.
Hartley, who won his first cap for England in the win over Pacific Islands on Saturday, said: "I had Dorian in my ear, telling me: 'You've got to stop the off-the-ball stuff and learn to focus on your rugby'.
"I used to be a loose cannon. I picked up a reputation and I was open to anything which would help. It's all very well to prepare physically for a game but you also need to be right mentally.
"Steve has given me a clear plan in that respect. Now, before each game, I sit down and say to myself look, I know people are going to come for me.
"When I get punched on the chin or something like that, it's easier to deal with because I know it's coming. So far I have proved that it works, that my discipline is not an issue."
Saints coach Dorian West has also helped Hartley get on the straight and narrow.
West said: "Dr Peters had been recommended to us and there is no question Dylan is all the better for it.
This was never a case of a lunatic running around a rugby field beating people up. It was more a matter of doing some stupid things because of gamesmanship.
"He was drawing attention to himself unnecessarily.
"I kept telling him this game is hard enough as it is without allowing people to wind you up.
"He has made some massive changes and I'm delighted for him because of all the hard work he's done.'
Former Australian coach Eddie Jones recently declared Hartley's discipline would be an issue on the international stage after an incident in Saints' EDF Energy Cup clash with Saracens.
But West said: "Eddie was out of order. He made a big issue of it and Dylan didn't deserve the amount of grief he got as a result.
"Instead of coming out with all that stuff, Eddie Jones might be better served looking after his own players."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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