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There was something missing from the Wallabies team in Wellington. Most viewers could see what it was. But maybe the players need to see it for themselves.
You see, I help to coach an U8’s Rugby team in Sydney. Our boys, on average, weigh 25kg. They recently came across a team with a number of players weighing in at over 65kg each.
But our boys have heart. They have guts. And they have pride in their jersey.
Every time one of the opposition big kids received the ball, our boys stood up to be counted, and had a go.
Our boys were down by three tries at half time. They were bloody and bruised. They were exhausted from trying to stop rolling mauls, being driven by an opposition weighing almost three times as much as them.
But they weren’t going to let their team mates down. Weren’t going to let their parents down. They especially weren’t going to let their coaches down.
They had belief. Belief in themselves. In their abilities. In their mates.
And soon, the opposition realised that this wasn’t going to be another walkover. They hadn’t come across this before. They didn’t know how to handle it.
At full time, our boys came off completely spent.
Mum’s crowded around their little boys, fussing over bruises, stud marks and bloody noses. Dad’s shuffled around with tears in their eyes.
But it didn’t matter. The boys had had a go. They’d given their all. They’d supported their mates.
And they had won the game by two tries.
Perhaps the current Wallaby squad should come and watch next time the boys play. Because these kids have something that was sadly lacking last Saturday in Wellington.
These kids have heart.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.