“We take full responsibility,” Simpson said.

“Brett’s maybe just saying that in the media but we, as the players, definitely take responsibility for how we’re starting [matches].

“Brett’s up in the coaches’ box. He can’t really do much once the game’s started. He can pull a few changes but it’s definitely on us once the game starts.”

If you're studying a shit subject you find it hard to get/stay motivated.

Professional athletes all have different methods of self-motivation. Over time, they would have sorted out what works best for them. Coaches might give parting instructions, but no matter how technical the coach - they are all likely to be a similar message of follow team rules of the day, work together, be accountable and let's get off to a good start.

Guys like Dangles Armfield, Chooka McLean and Mitch Robinson are very vocal in the rooms before a match. That's their style. A Michael Jamison or Shaun Hampson are at the other end of the scale vocally...but again - that's their style...their motivational style works for them.

Noel McCarthy takes the boys for a stretch and a run on the ground and is a pretty good judge of whether or not someone is or isn't switched on. A pat on the bum is about all you can do at that stage...it's up to the players...or more importantly - it's up to the leadership group of the day.

It's like good or bad customer service in the end.
The last five weeks,
we've had the equivalent of the shop chic filing her nails and telling you to wait while she chats on the phone.