You don’t need to play the game, or even understand the game, to learn from the way the game is played. It’s all in the teamwork, the persistence, and of course, the bounce of that odd-shaped ball.
Sport is great for many reasons. It’s great for team building and fitness, it’s a nice distraction from reality, and it makes our weekends more entertaining. Most of all, though, sport teaches us some important life lessons. Rugby teaches us important values about respecting authority and working together as a team. And here are some more to add to your list of rugby’s little life-lessons.
You’ve got to get ahead of the game…
The Springboks learned the hard way in their first Test against Ireland that not having a plan will end in a disaster, especially when you are up against a team who have clearly thought everything out. This is true in life, too. Planning ahead and approaching every day with a plan is key to success. This can be something as simple as waking up 30 minutes earlier, while everyone is still dozing, because you know you’ll get so much done in those 30 minutes. Always stay ahead of the game and think two moves ahead.
…but an impulsive moment of innovation can lead to great things
While all that planning to stay two moves ahead is important, sometimes a moment of madness can lead to great things. When Joel Stransky slotted over the drop goal that helped South Africa win the World Cup in 1995, he took advantage of an opportunity that outfoxed the All Blacks. It was simple and cunning. If you go back and listen to the commentary, you’ll hear that the commentators were expecting it, but the opposition clearly were not. Sometimes you just have to grab a half-chance by the scruff of the neck.
Play through the pain, but know when to stop
Life knocks us all down. Sometimes it hurts, and there is nothing wrong with showing pain. What is important is knowing how far you can push yourself. No rugby player will play through a concussion, but many play through cracked, bruised and sometimes broken bones, joins and ligaments. Just ask Rory Best, the Irish player who broke his arm against New Zealand in 2013 and carried on playing for 15 minutes as the All Blacks, the best team in the world, were advancing. Ireland lost 22-24, but anyone who remembers that match will remember it as one of the most heroic and inspiring efforts by the Irish.
There’s a role for everyone
No matter what shape or size you are, there is a role for you on a rugby field. Few team sports so embraces the diversity of skills and abilities. We far too quick to judge people for not looking a certain way or not being as good as us at something, but rugby is a solid reminder that no matter what shape or size you are, there is something you’ll be good at. More importantly, rugby reminds us that we need people of all shapes and sizes to make it together as a team.
There are always growing pains when you begin a new journey
You can ask former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee about growing pains. His journey in charge of the Springboks began with what some pundits described as the “worst 120 minutes of rugby in recent memory”. Ireland notched up their first Test win on South African soil, and they were on course to clinch their first Test series win on these shores with one Test still to play. But then everything changed. South Africa managed to engineer an emphatic comeback – from being 3-19 down against the Irish at Ellis Park – to winning 32-26, thanks to some inspired substitutions. Sometimes, all it takes to get out of a dark hole is a bit of patience, persistence and inspiration.
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