Concentration is the key to Wallabies success
Roar Guru
By LeftArmSpinner, 30 Jun 2009 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- James OConnor, Rugby Union, Spring Tour, Test rugby, wallabies
Concentration on playing professional rugby is the key to the Wallabies achieving their full potential. Not just on the field for 80 minutes, but off the field for the duration that they are playing rugby in Australia.
On the field, the Wallabies have played out the full 80 minutes in the four games so far this season.
This is an improvement on last season, when they clocked off early against the All Blacks in Brisbane by four points and in Hong Kong by five points.
However, the antics of Cooper, Valentine and O’Connor demonstate that at least three players are not fully aware of the fact that their bad behaviour can distract a whole squad and, hence, make or break a team’s performance.
A food fight is harmless on the scale of bad behaviour, but it can still distract the squad. Rather than concentrate, there is that word again, on the rugby, the players go into schoolgirl “gossip” mode.
Further, it does affect the code’s image overall. The “holier than thou” brigade will ensure that.
This is not the first incident for O’Connor. He reportedly played up on the 2008 Spring tour.
Just as age is no barrier to selection, age is no excuse for bad behaviour. Zero tolerance is required, for the sake of the players, the team and the code.
Concentration, in the form of living and breathing the Wallaby experience, is both essential and an effective way to eliminate such behaviour.
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- Explore:
- James OConnor, Rugby Union, Spring Tour, Test rugby, wallabies
katzilla said | June 30th 2009 @ 2:01am | Report comment
O’Connor was required to carry the Mascot everywhere with him last year so was subsequently the Butt of many practical jokes instigated by senior players. This may have been a reason for his gaining a tarnished reputation on that tour.
But also it shows that this kind of ‘Larrikin’ behaviour (which i might add is usually lauded by Australian media) starts with the Senior players and filters down.
The rot starts at the top as they say.
LeftArmSpinner said | June 30th 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
Kats, there is a big difference between a practical joke on a youngster, like stealing the mascot, and food fights, breaking curfews, and then rising to the stuff that goes on League.
frankly, the mascot thing is good because it gives the youngster the chance to interact with the more senior players and feel more part of the squad while he is new to the squad. it is a harmless, humorous tradition within the walls of the squad!!!!
You are making a big leap from two youngsters and a fringe player to the senior players!!!!!! The facts just dont bear it out. O’Connor got into “external” trouble at the end of the last tour. my memory fails me on the details.
craig said | June 30th 2009 @ 8:48am | Report comment
I don’t think there would have been much gossip etc about this incident. The players and those internal would have known what had gone on and what was being investigated. It was only those on the outside who were left wondering. The biggest distraction would have been the questions from the media. I think the lads have learnt their lesson. No harm no foul.
sheek said | June 30th 2009 @ 9:24am | Report comment
When the Wallabies can prevail in tight games against the ABs & Boks, we will know they have “arrived”.
Until then, keep your powder dry, & don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!
Rickety Knees said | June 30th 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
The answer to this is simple – junior members need to be mentored by senior members. The seniors need also to be held accountable for the junior’s behaviour. This process needs to be formalised from the top.
LeftArmSpinner said | June 30th 2009 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Craig, what makes you say that they have learnt their lesson? This is 2nd time in 6 months for O’Connor!
Sheek, prevail!!! spot on!!! But they have a better chance of prevailing if they are concentrating on all aspects of the performance, on and off the field.
Rickety, I agree. Mentoring is the answer, as long as the young player is open to it and not too arrogant. Accountability is a familiar concept to me, but if the senior player puts the junior player in his room safe and sound, the senior player’s job is done, even if the youngster then ducks out again!!!!
I cant see it being formalised, but informally, definitely. Nothing more than a stare from Waugh, Smith, Baxter or Sharpe or Giteau, problem solved and then there is Dingo’s stare!!!!!!
Amy91 said | June 30th 2009 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
A food fight? Seriously get over it! Sure it’s not exactly the most responsible thing to do, but they where just having a bit of fun. If League only had food fights to worry about, im sure they’d be stoked! I hardly think that a food fight could have seriously affected the concentration of the team. They where just having a bit off fun, and so far the Wallabies have won 4 from 4, so any “antics” haven’t exactly affected their form.
It’s not all O’Connor’s fault either, he was one of three players involved. When he does something serious, then say he needs to mature, for now he is just a good up and comer proving Australia has depth.
It was a food fight…. My family had a food fight not to long ago, adults and kids included and no one whinged about that. Is it just me or does anyone else think that the boys can have as many food fights as they want as long as they pay for the clean up! I’d much prefer them; enjoying each others company, increasing team friendships and having fun in the safety of the hotel room, rather then them; going out and getting smashed and breaking curfews and facing assault charges!
Anyway, on a positive note, hopefully the Wallabies can continue their good winning form heading into the tri-nations!
Pippinu said | June 30th 2009 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
did anyone cop a creamy cake in the face?
Justin said | June 30th 2009 @ 6:26pm | Report comment
What did JoC do in Europe? I missed that episode completely….
Jim B said | June 30th 2009 @ 7:49pm | Report comment
Left Arm Spinner – If you want to see how a so-so team is turned into a professional successful team watch Guus Hiddink. You can start with PSV and go on from there. Regards JB