VERSATILE centre Jackson Willison admits it has been frustrating defending for large periods of Warriors’ matches so far this season, but is hopeful his side can ‘strike a balance’.
The Kiwi, who can play at both 12 and 13, has spent much of the club’s four Premiership defeats defending and has rarely been able to get forward, as opposed to last season where he was a key cog in a campaign which saw Worcester bag a club-record 56 tries.
Warriors have only scored five tries in four outings so far and have conceding 15, giving them a points difference of minus 77 – the worst in the Premiership.
But the New Zealander insists spirits are still high in the camp and is confident his side will soon show their attacking flare.
“Hopefully there will be less defending and more attacking (going forward). It’s hard when you’re defending the whole time during matches,” said the former Grenoble centre.
“I think confidence is a bit down. We know how many tries we scored last year and we know how good we are. We just need to do less defending.
“The back three, wingers and full-backs need to put in a bit more of a shift and take some pressure off the forwards.
“The belief is there but we need more consistency. I think we’re prepared to defend for 80 minutes if we really have to, but it leaves you short on energy when it comes to attacking. We need to strike a balance.
“Spirits are still high and we’re putting in the work, so results will come. I think we’re so close.”