What we can learn from the All Blacks

For a side with so many huge characters, this was an absolute team triumph

New Zealand celebrate winning the Rugby World Cup (Getty Images)

Some of my best friends are Kiwis – especially after this weekend! The pride and passion they invested in Saturday’s World Cup victory over the Wallabies was repaid in spades by what is one of the greatest teams in sporting history. It is a symbiotic relationship between fans and team.

If one thinks of New Zealand and what defines the country and its generally lovely, down-to-earth people (I’ve never met a Kiwi I didn’t like) then rugby, and pride in that All Blacks jersey, will be high up the list. (I wonder what it’s like to be a Kiwi who is not into rugby?)

And it’s funny how this magnificent sports tournament that England hosted with such enthusiasm and aplomb (the appalling South West Trains rail services aside) brought out such defined national characteristics so starkly. Particularly among some of the previously lesser rugby nations which made the event special.

From huge, hairy Argentinians being overcome with emotion during their (endless) national anthem ahead of the Australia game to the French collectively shrugging their shoulders and folding under relentless All Blacks pressure; from the injury-riven, indefatigable Welsh conjuring up an inevitable extra gear against the English to the foolhardy bravery of the Japanese passing up a certain, magnificent draw against the mighty Springboks to risk everything in an all-or-nothing, ultimately successful, last throw of the dice.

So, what of the English? What national traits did our rugby articulate? It is not too hard for myself, and many other former players of a certain standard, to play pop psychologist and see. A long youth of being coached into a safety-first approach in every sport we played (notably cricket) came to mind, watching performances that were all about a fear of losing rather than daring to dream.

We also believe our own press. As with football, we’ve fallen for the hype that our own league, our own system, is the best. We’re simply not as good as we believe we are. Why, we even think we can leave one of our few world-class players out for having the temerity to play for an overseas club!

Jonny Wilkinson, that most All Black of English players in his utter dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence, described it best in the last, excellent analysis: it’s the mutual sacrifices, endless training, inexorable search of the next marginal gain that marks out the Kiwis, plus a life-affirming mutual belief in each squad member. For a side with so many huge characters, led by Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, this was an absolute team triumph; mutual faith that allows individual expression.

If ever you needed proof, it was when replacement centre Sonny Bill Williams combined with test centurion Ma’a Nonu for the latter’s thrilling second-half try. Who was first on his feet applauding? The 92-cap Conrad Smith, just taken off for Williams in his farewell test match. No John Terry-style sulking there. Just absolute commitment to the team.

We can all learn from the All Blacks. It’s tough not to resort to clichés. We can all work harder at being better at whatever we do, refuse to accept good in the pursuit of great, and develop a greater understanding of, and belief in, each other. Looking good in that tight black rugby jersey, though? That’s another matter entirely!