Gloucester Rugby: Akapusi Qera breaks silence for rallying call after Bath defeat
QUIET man Akapusi Qera is Gloucester's silent assassin no more.
The brutal Fijian flanker is as renowned for his devastating tackles as his unassuming manner.
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But the 28-year-old has broken his personal protocol – to force his team-mates past Saturday's 32-5 West Country derby drubbing.
Australian hooker Huia Edmonds admitted the entire Kingsholm squad was surprised when Qera stood up to speak after Monday's analysis session.
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"We went through the game as a squad," explained the former ACT Brumbies front-rower.
"After Nigel spoke, Q stood up said 'that's forgotten now, forget about it, don't dwell on it, let's move on to the next one, and really start to focus on Saturday's Northampton game'.
"For him to come out and just say anything is pretty massive, so for him to come out in front of the whole team and say that, that's a big thing.
"He doesn't really say much.
"So that's pretty big from him.
"We've just got to focus on Northampton, on our strengths and what we have to build on for this game."
Gloucester leaked five tries in their heaviest professional-era Kingsholm defeat to Bath in the LV=Cup on Saturday.
Despite suffering their biggest home defeat for more than three years – and against their fierce rivals to boot – Edmonds believes Gloucester can still strike back straight away at Northampton.
The Cherry and Whites take on the Saints at Franklin's Gardens (kick-off 12.30pm) in the first of four pivotal Premiership matches.
And Edmonds knows only victory is enough to further Gloucester's play-off aims.
The 31-year-old continued: "Q's a senior player, just knowing him from this year, he doesn't say much.
"So for him to stand up and say that, it gave everyone a jolt – that we do need to pull our finger out and focus on this game.
"We've got to give everything for this game – it could make or break us.
"This is our grand final this weekend.
"It's easy to dwell on things, especially after a game like that against our big rivals."
Gloucester slipped up 26-7 at Northampton just two weeks ago, in the LV=Cup.
The Saints struggled in a 28-19 defeat at Exeter at the weekend though, and Edmonds sees two teams squaring up suffering similar problems.
He added: "I think Northampton are in a similar position to us really, after their defeat last weekend as well.
"They will be desperate to get back into winning ways, and so both sides are battling for form in this game.
"But we're in very enthusiastic mood.
"We've got points to prove, but to be honest we're always enthusiastic.
"Our coaches are massively passionate, everyone loves it, the same as the supporters, and that definitely rubs off."
12 Comments
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by mattw74
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 7:35PM
“Remember the last scrum of the Sarries game...? Don't let a Gloucester scrum be embarrassed like that ever again. Get Harden on the pitch as often and for as long as possible.”
by GlawsSurfer
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 7:27PM
“Rupert Harden is the number 1 and the best tight head at Gloucester Rugby. That is why Nigel Davies selects him for the crucial games.”
by CrazyLegs
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 7:22PM
“The number 3 shirt belongs to Harden. ND has selected him as his first choice.”
by SidGlawsder
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 7:09PM
“Harden is a superb tighthead and had a marvellous game on Saturday, just as he has been all season.”
by rayglaws
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 7:01PM
“It was good to see Rupert Harden delivering another excellent display of tight head propping on the weekend. I am hoping that, as our first choice & best tight head, he is still on to start against Saints on the weekend.”
by JBuddy
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 6:59PM
“Harden will be greatly missed if he is not available for the weekend against Saints. We need to go into that game with our best and most powerful scrummager. Without Harden, the scrum will be underpowered.”
by Archie_Brew
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 6:57PM
“What a clueless multi-troll sheadhead2011/flanker_6/akadau/autotroll is. He hasn't the slight idea about Gloucester Rugby let alone any of its players.”
by Steve_George
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 6:43PM
“Let's face it, Gloucester's scrum is never the same without Rupert Harden anchoring it. Nigel Davies knows that which is why he (and not the clueless multi-identitied troll sheadhead2011/autotroll/akadau/flanker_6/etc.) selects Harden to start in the tough, critical games.”
by Hinchcliffe33
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 12:52PM
“Our number one tight head and best prop, Rupert Harden, never lets the side down. The multi-ID troll, Autotroll, really hates the fact that Rupert Harden plays for Gloucester. I have no idea why that should be, especially as he is not even a Gloucester Rugby supporter.”
by Straw90
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 12:42PM
“Well done to Q for speaking up. He, like our best and top rated tight head prop, Rupert harden, is another player who never lets the side down. It's a pity that others decided it would be better to sit out ten minutes of Saturday's game. Anyway, onwards to next weekend where we will need our best players on the pitch against Saints and that will include Rupert Harden in the front row.”