Why Are the All Blacks So Good?
I’ve written for NZ Rugby World every month since issue number one, 20 years ago in April 1997 – and I was thumbing through the archives this sunny Saturday morning in Auckland when my copy of the latest, special edition was delivered.
Gregor Paul, editor of the world’s favourite rugby magazine, just published a special edition celebrating 125 years of New Zealand Rugby. He focused on why the All Blacks are so good.
Here in summary are 15 values which help explain the AB’s continuous improvement and sustainable peak performance.
1. Sacrifice
- Give up things that won’t help you reach the summit.
- Proves that the goal is worth chasing.
2. Respect
- The legacy, the team, and the role of every individual.
- Leave it better than when you found it.
3. Gratitude
- Pressure is a privilege. Be grateful to have the opportunity to experience it.
4. Acceptance
- Handle disappointment, man up, and do your job bloody well, whatever it is – for the Team.
5. Speed
- In the mind. A positive attitude. Fail Fast, Learn Fast, Fix Fast.
6. Trust
- Believe in yourself, your skills, your game-plan, your systems and your mates.
7. Mental Toughness
- Learn and practice TCUP.
8. Awareness
- Uphold the higher standards. All the time.
9. Open Mindedness
- Flexible thinking, responsive to new ideas, relish change.
10. Accountability
- Everything can be done better. Use examples of the best players making mistakes. Everyone is accountable for the Team’s performance.
11. Dedication
- Master basic skills.
- Meet. Beat. Repeat.
12. Leadership
- Everyone is a leader.
- First know thyself.
- Know what you’re doing, why, when and where.
13. Honesty
- With yourself and your team.
- Review performance shortfalls brutally and directly.
14. Core Role
- Do your own job. Trust your mates to do theirs.
15. Continuous Improvement
- Wake up the next morning and figure out how to improve.
- Repeat daily.
Let’s see how these stand up to the latest threat – the British and Irish Lions in eight weeks time. Don’t miss the greatest sporting challenge of 2017.
