There is much to gain from staying humble in victory or defeat.
The All Blacks, despite their domination in World Rugby are perfect examples of “keeping your feet on the ground”, when you sit comfortable atop the Everest in your sport.
Even in defeat, the same type of demeanour and candour is evident among the All Blacks. We do know however, deep down the All Black as world leaders in their sport, do not like to lose. They’ll accept it if it happens, but defeat is not an outcome they take lightly, I take it!
But when opposition coaches Steve Hansen and Heyneke Meyer profess to have a buddy relationship off the field of play – as well as do a few players – you have got to ask the question: “what for?”
I am all for back-slapping and handshakes – and maybe a beer together after the game. But private agreements, where the losing coach buys the winning coach a case of beer, and Heyneke entertaining Hansen with barbecues at home before or after matches?
I say: “no thank you” to those kinds of informal arrangements.
These self-same coaches before their World Cup semifinal encounter spoke about ‘going to war’ – the All Blacks even enlisting the help of an old war veteran pre-match as was reported – which in itself is not an outrageous analogy
Because when you have age-old foes together, of the ilk of the All Blacks and the Springboks on the same field, scrapping it out for ascendancy – it is tantamount to war!
If you are all battered and bruised physically and emotionally, would you still feel like having a barbecue with a fierce rival who shot down all your hopes and dreams?
No thank you. Not even a phone call from Hansen to Heyneke saying: ‘sorry mate’ would do. Do the commiserations on the field after the match and leave it there.
If you are saying that by engaging with the opposition off the park that you are building friendships and learning what makes the other team so successful why don’t you hook up a video of previous matches and take it from there?
This is international rugby. Not a kick-around on the C-field in some overgrown park.
In my opinion, this friendly relationship off the pitch, is not beneficial to both teams. This is a softening-up of what this rivalry really stands for. No quarter asked. No quarter given.
No, Steve Hansen and Heyneke Meyer, this buddy system must be brought to an end. We do not want a situation where fans start thinking you are faking it only because you are now friends off the field of play.
There is history between the two teams – a history that cannot be wiped away. It is a fierce history – of rivalry that is one of respect of course, but that does not necessarily demand some sort of compromise.
What is going on here?
Yes, let’s be friends to a degree, but please let’ s not taint the respected rivalry!
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