What the All Whites (and NZ Football) could learn from the All Blacks
So, it is not often as a football fan that you look at rugby and compare the oval ball game favourably. However, there are three things that the All Blacks do that the All Whites should take notice of.
1. Treatment of the referee
The All Blacks and all rugby players treatment of referees is quite often exemplary. Yes, sometimes certain players will try and bend the rules, but when a decision is made there are no complaints. Compare this to modern day football where players surround the referee at the awarding of a free kick, or think they are within their rights to talk back at every opportunity. People say that football is a gentlemen’s game played by thugs, where divers and fakers try to con the referee at every opportunity and do not focus on the core values that make football so enjoyable to watch. Fans don’t flock to stadiums to see their team con or be conned, they want to see attacking football and a game won on the merit of their teams scintillating attacking play or unbreakable defensive line. Fans pay to for television subscriptions and tickets to games to see their players score goals, play as a team and fight within the laws of the game to cover every blade of grass and come away with a win, three points or progression in the cup competition they are competing in.
What does this make rugby? Today it is a thug’s game played by gentlemen. Aside from a few bruisers who are sent to revel in hurting the opposition, most of the players play to win and know that the referee’s word is law. No surrounding, no screaming, no shouting and when fights do break out, they are stopped and sorted out with sin bins, an admonishing from the ref and the players return to model citizens.
2. Culture
In his book, ‘Legacy - What the All Blacks can teach us about the Business of Life’, author James Kerr talks about how the All Blacks character is shaped by Maori culture. He talks about how current All Blacks teams always ‘sweep the sheds after a game’. That is, they have the humility to realise that no one is bigger than the team and that everyone no matter their place in the hierarchy, should pitch in. Their attitude is exemplary, and their play reflects it.
3. Perfection on and off the pitch
This is something that the All Blacks do better than any other side in world rugby, without question. They are faster, fitter and their ball handling skills are second to none when they are on the field. With access to all the similar facilities, staff, gear, and training space they require, the All Blacks have created an aura on the back of simplicity executed to perfection. As a result of their on-field legend, they have created their own story and identity off the field. Their aura transcends sport to become a symbol for the country they represent. The most winning team of all time, a source of envy and inspiration for coaches such as Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp. For the All Whites, despite the access to the same level of support, they have failed to capitalise on the popularity of their sport and their poor on and off-field performances have caused the team and the brand to suffer. NZ Football posted yet another financial loss and seems to suffer turmoil year upon year. The team fail to execute the basics on the pitch and off the pitch they struggle as well. The fear factor that the All Blacks have around the world, where teams can’t even call them that name and refer to them as NZ (I’m looking at you Cheika and Australia) is something that the All Whites would love to be able to replicate.
