Rawlings backs his All Blacks to turn season around at Polson
Cornish All Blacks captain Tom Rawlings said his side will do all they can put their poor start to their National League Two South season right, against Hartpury College at Polson Bridge this weekend.
The Launceston men were soundly beaten by their bitter rivals Redruth last weekend at the Recreation Ground.
That 46-24 defeat came a week after losing 33-29 to Chinnor on the opening day of the season. Rawlings has called on the club's supporters to help the All Blacks improve this weekend.
He said: "We've got a big game against Hartpury at home. I just want everyone to come down to Polson Bridge and get behind the boys, they are trying their hardest.
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"I know it will click soon. Nothing comes straight away. We will put this one behind us, we will pick ourselves up and give it our all next weekend at Polson."
The defeat to Redruth was a tough experience for Rawlings. However, he took comfort from his team's unwillingness to completely surrender.
They finished the game with a losing bonus point for scoring four tries. He said: "I don't fault the effort of the boys. I could feel the crunching hits going in, in defence.
"They came at us time and time again. We said on Thursday that they keep ball and use their forwards.
"There were good hits going in, it just lapsed in certain areas.
"Last year we were a very strong defensive team and it was something we prided ourselves on. I think we need to take a long look at ourselves in that area and tighten up.
"We will have a long watch of the DVD as painful as that will be.
"But we came back, we took the onslaught, we scored two tries and went in at half-time 14 points down. It could have gone either way if came out and got an early score but it didn't happen."
Rawlings also feels the All Blacks' young players will benefit from the tough lessons learned at the Recreation Ground.
He said: "It is a big thing playing in a local derby. We had Sam Chapman playing as an 18-year-old in the centre and another in Luke Tidball.
"Matt Bolwell came on in the back row and he is only 17. Mike Roach who scored the last try was only 18 as well.
"It is all experience to them and one they need to learn from quickly.
"They need to adapt to life in this league otherwise it will be a long one and a hard season.
"But I do have confidence that we can turn ourselves around."
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