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Team culture is regarded by many observers of sport as fundamental to both a team’s success and their acceptability by stakeholders – especially the supporters.
When the Australian cricket team reached its nadir in Cape Town last year, much of the blame for the transgression was attributed to a toxic team culture, which was then the focus of a major review. The team’s culture was re-set under the stewardship of coach Justin Langer and captain Tim Paine. The results have followed.
Similarly, the All Blacks, the most successful team in world sport over a period in excess of 100 years, have made team culture a cornerstone of their approach to winning. The All Blacks went through their own nadir between 1999-2007, losing regularly to the Wallabies, who had developed a unique team culture under the leadership of Rod McQueen and John Eales.
Graham Henry and Richie McCaw introduced a new team culture which was encapsulated by the phrase “sweep the shed”, which had both a literal and symbolic significance. The All Black team members – senior and junior – take it in turns to literally sweep out the dressing room after the game.
This signifies the symbolic significance of the phrase: be humble. No one is bigger than the game and everyone in the team must have personal humility.
One of the accusations leveled at the Wallabies is their lack of humility. Steve Hansen, the current New Zealand coach, who feigns humility but regularly expresses disdain towards the Wallabies and in particular their coach, recently stated he had never come across a Wallaby who was not “self-assured” – which is his euphemism for “arrogant”.
But is this the case with this current Wallabies team?
A group of nine mates have been attending a Wallabies game in Australia each year since the 2003 World Cup. We try to rotate cities and opponents and this year we chose the Bledisloe match in Perth last Saturday. We usually arrive one or two days before the game, have a big dinner on the Friday night (which we prepare ourselves!), look around town on the Saturday and go to the game on Saturday night before heading home on Sunday.
This year we had an extra engagement: we were invited to the captain’s run on the Friday morning to see the team go through their final hit-out at the ground on which they were to play the following evening. We also got to meet and greet most of the players and that, for each of us, was a transformative experience.
(Paul Jonson)
The opportunity arose when we contacted the manager of the Wallabies team and suggested it may be of some value for the Wallabies to hear from a bunch of rusted-on Wallaby supporters in their 60s as to what they mean to us, why we go to a game each year and why half the group have been to the past three World Cups to watch them play.
The manager thought it a good idea and indicated that it would be helpful for us to “have a chat and share our stories and history with the players individually”. That’s exactly what happened. What was more significant however was the manner in which the players and the coach, approached and spoke to us.
We ventured at 11am to the Optus Stadium in our bright golden yellow fluffy jumpers, on which we have embroidered in green cotton each of the games and venues we have attended.
By chance, we arrived at the venue at the same time as the President and CEO of Rugby Australia – who were very interested in the story of our attendance and cordially accompanied us to the entrance and security. On with the “official” wristbands and into the arena we went with unclear expectations of what was to follow.
The team in due course came on to the ground and very efficiently took their place for the team photo before heading on to the field for their warm-up drills in front of the media. The media were duly asked to leave the arena and then came our turn.
We were invited down onto the ground where we watched the drills and moves. Then it began – like the northern lights emerging out of the skies.
Firstly, Michael Cheika walked over and thanked us for coming to the captain’s run and for our support. He spent a good ten minutes chatting about how the lads had been preparing well and sharing a few laughs. Then followed the procession of players – at least 20 of the 30 or so who were at the ground.
They variously came up and shook our hands and quite a number spent time chatting to us as a group and to various individuals. Many of the guys admired and commented on our distinctive jumpers and noted the list of matches attended. Michael Hooper shared his thoughts on what he expected in the game, Kurtley Beale told us the boys have been very sharp and focused at training and that there was a very good vibe in the team.
Reece Hodge promised he’d score two tries in the match the next evening (true story!) – and Christian Lealiiafano went out of his way to speak to one of our group who is undergoing cancer treatment and said to him “good onya survivor”!
That blew away our mate and indeed all the group and it epitomised what this team stands for and what they mean to us.
The fact that they took time to come and chat was only half the story. The really significant element of the whole episode was their genuine respect for our support. They – including the coach – were all aware of our email and hence our history of support, and they were all grateful for it. Their humility and grace were patent to a man.
(Paul Jonson)
After the event we were all simply gobsmacked by the welcome and sincere appreciation for our support these Wallabies expressed to us. What impressed us above all was that they knew and understood what they meant to us and they wanted to show how much it meant to them.
They did so in spades. Indeed, it appeared to us that they got as big a buzz out of the experience as us.
We wrote back to the Wallabies Team Manager and the Event Manager to thank them as follows.
On behalf of all the “Yellow Canaries” our very sincere thanks for affording us the privilege of being at the Captain’s Run. Meeting the Wallabies and The Coach is unquestionably one of the greatest highlights of our rugby experiences. They could not have been more welcoming and impressive. I can assure you our group will be buzzing for a long time.
Please accept and pass on our warmest thanks to all involved. And all the very best for tomorrow and thereafter! Hope to see you in Japan.
Please pass on our special thanks to Christian for giving a special word of encouragement to our mate who is meeting his cancer challenge. He was immensely appreciative (as were we all).
The reply was telling:
Glad you guys could make it. The boys appreciate the efforts you fellas make.
Again, gratitude for our support was foremost. They exhibited collectively and individually the qualities that I suggest are most admired by Wallaby supporters – humility, respect, grace.
To top it off and indeed graphically exemplify all that had preceded and our summation of these Wallabies, when I wrote to the manager to ensure he was comfortable with me sharing this story he replied;
Your experience is yours so no need to ask for our permission to share it. That said, no-one here – players or staff – does anything seeking praise. We just appreciate the support of people like you and your mates and love that you are with us through thick and thin.
(Paul Jonson)
It was clear to all of us that there is a change in the culture of this team of Wallabies. Whether it be the influence of the worldly-wise Scott Johnson, the new Director of Rugby, Patrick Molihan – the congenial and composed team Manager, the willingness of coach Cheika to adapt to his new regime structure, the return of a metamorphosed James O’Connor or all of the above and more, there is a new “vibe”, a new attitude, a new humility.
And, dare I say, an underlying “team assuredness”.
After the game on Saturday night, the players could be seen warmly engaging with the fans and were still signing autographs and taking selfies when we left half an hour beyond the final whistle. And to illustrate how serious they are, our inside mail is that they were unusually subdued when they finally returned to the “shed”, and there was no alcohol to be seen.
I have no idea if the Wallaby players sweep out the dressing room, but one can see a new broom in their cupboard.
All the signs indicate there is a new team culture for this team and the results are there for all to observe and enjoy. To be sure, this mob of Wallabies are without arrogance; without “ego”; and, without doubt, worthy of our ongoing/renewed and utmost support – no matter what the outcome in the second Bledisloe.
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.