Is the slogan ‘a champion team beats a team of champions’ really accurate?
Is there a defined role that sees an individual like Dan Carter or a collected group of men stand up and win the game for the team on a consistent basis which defines success?
My simple answer is no, neither option is true at all.
Success in a professional sporting team is determined by how you measured up against the outcome you planned, coupled with how you implemented your process within a competitive environment.
Much time and effort has been dedicated to bottling a magic potion that can deliver excellence. If only it was so simple. If only we could all be successful in what we wanted to be successful in.
Realistically, it requires a shift in thinking and a shift in goal posts.
The main question is more like: what do we need to do to be successful?
What is that magic formulae that we look for so tirelessly? That is a broad and difficult question to answer, but let me give you a brief introduction into some of my thoughts as to how success is measured.
My view is that should you understand what it is that you want or need to be successful in, half the battle is already won.
The reason for this is simple – you know where to put the effort in. You are measurable and totally accountable for your actions.
When playing at the Waratahs a while back, the senior players had a mantra to play well week in, week out. How could we expect our fellow teammates to have any form of guidance if we were delivering subpar performances?
It wasn’t possible and it’s not very fair. Your words would soon fall on deaf ears, and this is not the type of culture any team wants. You do not want talkers – you want doers.
Phil Waugh is one such player, who never led by talking. He is one of the first men on my list of guys to get into the trenches with. A true warrior and one who delivered on every occasion. I learnt so much from him as both a player and friend. You want team members that are passionate about the team, bring energy to the team and will go the extra mile for the team.
This, I suppose, is not rocket science, but it is vitally important. It is true that when you work hard together, the victory is all the more enjoyable, because you enjoy it together. That is the brilliance of team sport or working in a group. Win together and lose together – you are never alone.
I loved each and every team I was part of and gave my all every time I played with my mates, but there are actions that I was not proud of and they still haunt me today. On occasions I completely lost it and spoke to mates in a manner that was totally unacceptable.
I have on numerous occasions apologised, but still that is not good enough, because it is after the fact. I will therefore again take the opportunity to say sorry to my mates. I never meant it, but at the time got caught up in the moment.
It saddens me to think about it now, so best to move on.
It is counterproductive having someone else giving you a hard time when things go wrong, because boy do they. The great teams have the ability to move on and move on quickly. Therefore practice not dwelling on mistakes but focusing on remedies.
Key message: treat your mates as you would like to be treated.
Putting this aside, no matter which team it was, the greater the clarity as to what we wanted to achieve, the greater the probability that we would achieve this. Why do you train for hours in the gym and on the field? To be able to dominate on the weekend, not to be a world champion trainer.
You have a finite lifespan, so make each and every second count. Do not finish playing and think: if only I worked a little harder or did what I said I would. Control the controllables, which is a lot easier to do with a simple clear gameplan.
One of the funnier sayings when a mate would win a fitness race or you would see a team celebrating overzealously after a trial match win, was that you do not win the Melbourne Cup in February.
This was a play on words, but in actual fact, the Melbourne Cup may already have been won the day after the previous year’s race. This clarity I talk about takes ages to get right. You spend months looking into what it is that you have to do to generate that winning potion. You have generally failed on a previous occasion, and the knowledge of what not to do is essential in generating that winning mix.
It is also vital to understand your limitations in your chosen field and avoid being a guru in an area where this is unrealistic. Why try and be the greatest ball runner when you are not explosive, fast and struggle to catch a ball?
My goal was to identify two to three areas which were strengths and focus on those with the goal to be the best in the world. Did I achieve that? That’s debatable, but it was not due to lack of effort. Everyone has weaknesses, it is a fact. Why focus all your time and energy on these? Why not be proficient at them but make your strengths excellent?
Key message: have a clear plan, know your limitations but work harder than anyone to identify your strengths and make them the best you can.
Culture is all important in breeding a successful team environment. To have a group that lives and breathes the mantra is vital. Even if the mantra is incorrect, if all are on deck, at least then all are going in the same direction. Having tangible markers, key drivers and a squad of accountable members sounds simple but is difficult to achieve.
The ideology of there is no me in team is so true. The belief or assurance that should the team do well, the individual’s success will follow is at times hard to comprehend.
This culture is learnt and if it is lived by the senior players and leaders in either a sporting team or organisation it is then instilled and becomes synonymous with that group.
It took us two years of work at the Waratahs in 2006, 2007 and finally in 2008 when we almost won in New Zealand against the Crusaders. We worked so hard as a group, and eventually after identifying what worked for us, we had a group of players that loved playing together, but knew one another well too. One of the best teams I have been a part of.
Once achieved, this culture is unwavering and the only thing then left to do is design a gameplan that is realistic and suitably designed for the team.
Key message: culture is key. Get this wrong and you are doomed for failure
I am a firm believer in being able to revert to type regardless of circumstance and know exactly what you are striving for. Once known, it is then crucial for one to reaffirm this daily, both visually and mentally.
Make sure you are able to perform your role regardless of being under extreme pressure or no pressure. Be unrelenting in your approach to getting the micro details correct. Live what you desire – ‘I am the best at x’. Rather than ‘I will be the best at x’.
Do not be unrealistic. I was never going to be a sprinter, so having a goal to win the 100m gold medal at the Olympics would have been doomed from the start. Be realistic and pursue what you are trying to achieve with vigour.
Document it, put posters around the place of goals and dreams pertinent to the outcome. Have fun driving everyone to help achieve the desired outcome. In saying this, it is imperative that the planning is done prior to attacking your challenge.
Do not get caught out through poor preparation.
There is no excuse for not controlling what you can. This equates to sloppiness and laziness and is ultimately inexcusable. Be honest with yourself first and foremost. ‘Did I do what I promised myself I would do?’ should be a question you ask yourself daily.
In life as with rugby, one has to be willing to deal with disappointments, but never be content with losing. Learn from your mistakes, tweak your plan to adjust weaknesses and make sure mistakes do not become habitual. Make winning the habit you associate yourself with.
Key message – Revert to type through uncompromising preparation and be clear where you are going.
So with in mind, who do I think will be the team to watch after viewing three rounds from the outside?
Take it with a pinch of salt, but my picks are the Brumbies, Highlanders and Waratahs. Why I hear you say are the Waratahs in the mix? Because I have been involved with the team when they won and they have a great culture which is an overriding factor.
The team plays for each other, and the individuals will selflessly give to the team before they take for themselves. The same can be said of the other two teams I mentioned. The Brumbies have been driving a standard under their new coach and I think their strengths are superior to their peers.
They have not tried to be brilliant at everything, but their forwards are effective and dominant, backs explosive and they play both near to the ruck and with width with ease and ability. You can see the enjoyment that the team has when they score points too. Back slaps, smiles and congratulations are there in abundance.
This shows to me that they are playing for each other, not just for individual glory. It optimises the word ‘team’.
The Highlanders know their gameplan backwards and they are able to revert to type no matter what the situation. This is not to say that they will always win, but more times than not, they are able to come through with the goods when it matters most. They do not panic and try to reinvent the wheel.
My crystal ball has projected the image of these three teams, but there is not enough paper to discuss all the other teams that I think have been showing a great culture and ability to perform under immense pressure.
I may be wrong with my team predictions, but what I firmly believe is that the team that wins will have a great culture, will have lived their ethos each and every day visually and mentally, would have had a clear and concise plan perfected by tireless training both the team and individuals and key to all this is they will have fun doing it along the way.
Oh and I forgot, generally they have a number of highly capable players too directing the troops around when the pressure is on.
It was a memorable night in more ways than one for the Queensland forward.
The youngster was playing his first Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench, but his game wasn't the main talking point after the game.
Is this a sign that rugby laws are getting too tricky, even for the players and commentators?
The kick of around 50 metres got the Reds well downfield!
Wallaby Jordie Petaia is in doubt for the rest of the Super Rugby season, and potentially Australia's Test series against Wales, after suffering a…
The Reds centre had to leave the field to get the shoulder popped in, with fears he will need several weeks on the sideline…
