Controlling the controllable
27 Sep 2010
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says players can only control themselves — which is why they have to stay fit.
I missed the last three minutes of the Lions’ victory against the Sharks, but the first 77 minutes again highlighted how important fitness is to succeeding in sport.
The Lions defended more than they would have liked in the opening 40 minutes and there was a suspicion that the first-half tackling would be their undoing in the last 10 minutes and that the home team would not have the fitness levels to last the pace.
A lack of fitness has been synonymous with any Lions performance in the past three to four years, perhaps even before that. Bizarrely, the players did not see the importance of being fit and conditioned to play rugby. The coaches believed it to be the responsibility of the players and it was one bloody mess after the other.
Lions coach John Mitchell, during his two years as All Blacks coach, and as coach of Australia’s Western Force, has not relented on the fitness of his players. He has always believed that if a player has something left in his legs in the final minutes of a brutal contest, that player has got a chance to finish a winner.
When I worked with the Springboks between 2000 and 2003, one of the more enjoyable experiences was a workshop with a Jamaican sports psychologist and motivator, and while I forget his name I’ll never forget the one exercise he did the with players.
He asked the team why they believed they were losing and as the players answered he would jot down the reasons.
The media were ‘anti the team’, said a player, and it was why they were losing.
The referees were anti-SA and it was impossible to play against any team who had the referee on their side, said another. Late kick-off times made it impossible to be at their best, said a few players.
Other reasons were the weather conditions, the quality of the opposition, match venues, the lack of good training facilities when overseas, the location of the hotel, the bus time to training and match-day engagements, jerseys that were either too heavy or too tight and in the odd instance too big. And, said one, don’t get us started on the hotel food.
The sports psychologist wrote down each answer on a flip chart without countering any of the reasons. He just called for more and the players responded. Team selection, they said, was not always good. The coach’s game plans were not always that sound and there was uncertainty in understanding the thinking of the coach.
‘What about you guys?’ he asked. ‘What is it you are doing — or not doing — that is contributing to losing?’
Some players looked surprised at the question. The odd one even looked shocked at the mere suggestion the players may be responsible for anything.
One player said he could be fitter. Another said he could work harder at his skills. Another added there could be greater communication within the team.
It was at this point that the friendly consultant reacted to a player’s comment.
‘Can you guarantee me the communication will be better in the team and that there will be a better team spirit and a winning culture?’
The player said he couldn’t give such a guarantee because he couldn’t talk on behalf of his team-mates and he couldn’t necessarily influence them positively to do what he believed would benefit a winning culture.
‘Exactly,’ said the consultant. ‘And you can’t control what the media say or write. You can’t control who the opposition coach selects, where the game is played, what time the match starts and playing conditions.’
The player could also not control the coach or the coach’s thinking. All the player had control over was himself, and as a professional sportsman the only guarantee a player could give was that he was in optimum physical shape for every game and that every day was an opportunity to improve his skills .
‘Is that it?’ asked a Bok player. That these were the only things the players had to worry about just emphasised how much there was to worry about, because being fit and skilled are not minor details in the life of a sporting professional.
Mitchell has ensured an environment that rewards those with something in their legs at 77 minutes, but if this Lions team is to develop into the real deal then hopefully the players will believe in the controllable elements of their sport and not seek comfort in hiding behind what they can’t control.
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192 Comments
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27 Sep 2010, 14:40 pm
@nama1(nama1)-92: Not great reading but lets see how PdV looks after this EOYT ! A whole year of shambles when he inherited a World Cup winning team from …. JAKEY !!!
27 Sep 2010, 14:45 pm
@bananas(bananas)-99: Lets ask Roy for a poll
Streauli
PdV
Jake
27 Sep 2010, 14:47 pm
news from my Lions … ROAR
Some frustration and lots of satisfaction for Xerox Lions’ Mitchell
26 September –
The exuberance of youth at times frustrated Xerox Lions coach John Mitchell, but generally he was very happy with the performance that saw his side beat the Sharks 22-20 at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday. “They certainly care for each other,” he said after the match, referring to the way his side fought back from a deficit and continued to hammer at the Sharks line.
But he added: “Being a youthful side they actually at times can certainly frustrate you. There was a time in the second half when we were on attack when their decision-taking was immature – I nearly had kittens!” he said.
“We stuck to first phase script really well; stuck to the kicking game OK, we probably didn’t kick out enough in second half; the second phase shape was right to plan
Mitchell said that the Sharks were a very good side on attack and defence and that the Lions, by breaking the line from first phase found some weaknesses. It could well be that the other sides will start following the Lions’ example in this respect.
“We thought Stefan was so good at cutting off the wide attacks and that we would switch the attack to work their forwards a bit and we got some pay-off from that, he said about his team’s play on attack.
On defence, Mitchell felt, his side “wasted lots of defenders close in. It proved costly for us (when Sharks took it wide) but we sorted it out in the second half.”
Sharks coach John Plumtree was full of praise for his long-time friend’s team and coaching.
“You have to give them credit for their scrambling defence,” he said when asked whether the Sharks hadn’t let some opportunities. “You’re not going to finish all the time, it’s how many times you’re going to convert.
“It was always going to be a close game, could have gone rather way.”
Plumtree felt his side was a little naïve at times, running from their own line in the last five minutes when they were five points ahead instead of clearing. “We didn’t clear the pressure when we had the ball. These are things we’ll take into our next contest.”
27 Sep 2010, 14:51 pm
cont.
Commenting on the Lions’ performance: “But they didn’t go away, did they? They held onto ball at crucial times for long periods; their set piece was fine, you’ll probably find the tackle count was even. We probably had most of the first half; they dominated the second half, certainly the last 20 minutes.”
If was a fine performance by the Lions, their fifth successive win at home and making it six from the last seven all in all.
On 35 points they remain in fifth place as all the sides above them also won this weekend. A Lions win against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday will be virtually a quarter-final.
Plumtree said that the Lions could win that en counter. “Yeah, it’s going to be tough.” Plumtree said it depended on how they picked themselves up after the tough match against the Sharks. ”But they (Lions) can do it, they definitely can.”
It’s almost certain that the Lions will be without fullback Jaco Taute for the rest of the season. He seems to have damaged a shoulder AC joint. Deon van Rensburg will most probably be back on the wing with Michael Killian moving to fullback.
27 Sep 2010, 14:55 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-91: Rose brothers fight back
24 minutes ago
Johannesburg – It has emerged that the
recent claims of Earl and Jody Rose
deserting their team is more a case of bad
planning and communication from the
Lions coaching team.
Media reports on Monday suggest the Rose
brothers left their union high and dry at
the recent Platinum International Sevens
tournament in Rustenburg. Lions Sevens
coach Jorrie Muller told the media that the
players basically deserted the team and
attempts to contact them were
unsuccessful.
However, according to the RuggaWorld
website, after speaking to Earl Rose a
different picture emerged.
The Rose brothers were only notified on
the Thursday prior to the tournament that
they were required to participate.
Concerned whether this would be wise
given they hadn’t practiced with any of
their team-mates and that they would be
playing against the Springbok Sevens
squad bound for the Commonwealth
Games in a code they have not played for a
while, the brothers were nevertheless
assured that an experienced team would
be assembled to limit a one-sided thrashing
and possible injuries against a fully
professional Sevens outfit.
Given assurances from the Lions, the Rose
brothers committed to the tournament.
However things quickly turned out
differently.
Firstly the accommodation was of such a
nature that players were expected to share
one room between three players, of which
one had to sleep on a bunk. Earl and his
brother decided to rather book their own
accommodation 14 minutes drive from
Rustenburg at their own expense.
Of the “experienced Sevens players”
promised to join them for the tournament,
only Shandre Frolic was present.
“Jody got injured in the first game when he
hurt his shoulder, and as luck would have
it, Shandre was left concussed. I also took a
heavy knock to the hip in that game, ” Rose
confirmed.
“Following the game I went to the team
physio who confirmed a heavy knock to
my hip and given there was a break in the
tournament, she told me that I need to
assess whether I can continue playing or
not.
“During this break we went back to where
we were staying, and, given our injuries,
we decided it would not be in our best, nor
the team ’s best interests, to continue.
“I sent coach Jorrie a text confirming our
situation to which I still have received no
reply, either through a text or a phone call.
“I was as surprised as anyone to read this
morning how he (Muller) tried to get hold
of us as we have received no
correspondence back from him in any way,
and I am quite happy to make phone
records available to prove this and I still
have the text I sent him. ”
Rose also claimed that throughout the
ordeal that they had been in contact with
Mac Hendriks from the Lions union which
makes Muller’s claim that they deserted
their team even more bizarre.
Rose was set to meet with Lions
management on Monday to clear up the
matter.
27 Sep 2010, 14:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-105: JJ Harmse is ‘n stuk chop…hy like kuk skryf oor ons ingekleurdes
27 Sep 2010, 14:58 pm
Jorrie Muller, the pathetic QUOTA
27 Sep 2010, 14:59 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-105:
I would love to see JJ Harmse’s reaction when he reads that!
27 Sep 2010, 15:02 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-105:
so let me get this right.
both rose brothers and frolic were all injured in the first game of the tourney?
they don’t make them like they used to.
I wonder where rose was when he texted?
I would wager my keo vegas fund he was already back in joburg.
27 Sep 2010, 15:03 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-107:
calm down before you make a mess on your hurricanes jersey.
27 Sep 2010, 15:03 pm
aaaaw poor baby Roses … Jody “Earl I hurt my shoulder in the tackle” – Earl “Jody I bruised my hip in the game, I thought 7′s was not meant to be physical. Lets go home to cry to moma”
pfffft Rose dooses.
27 Sep 2010, 15:07 pm
@gunther(gunther)-110: Actually just recieved the stolen Moari jersey. Some poacher send it to me
27 Sep 2010, 15:08 pm
@bananas(bananas)-101:
Let’s do that. Wait for the EOY tour and then really compare the year the two coaches had the year before the WC.
In 2006 the Boks played 12, won 5 and lost 7. (A 41.7% winning ratio). It included 4 losses in a row in the 3N. But it was the manner in which they lost that irked the rugby followers.
This year the Boks played 10 test matches so far, won 5 and lost 5, including four 3N losses in a row. (A 50% winning ratio so far). Again the manner in which we lost was what irked the rugby lovers. And of course the fact that PdV is the coach.
Al PDV and the Boks have to do, is win one match out of the remaining four to have a better record than “JAKEY” in the corresponding year.
Let’s hope they do better than that, shall we?
27 Sep 2010, 15:11 pm
@nama1(nama1)-113:
I’m not telling you again – no facts and logic will be tolerated!
27 Sep 2010, 15:12 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-105: Come on Transie. You expected impartial responses to that? Here???? Much more fun to bash ‘em.
27 Sep 2010, 15:13 pm
I hope we lose all 4 .. cause PDV is a d00s riding on the back of Jakes team. Just my opinion
27 Sep 2010, 15:14 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-90:
I would check if Quade Cooper is currently in New Zealand…
27 Sep 2010, 15:18 pm
@100 Charo.
6 months initially. Still trying to figure out the place but I’ve managed to find a shop that sells whisky
If I get WAP working on my blackberry, I get the feeling I’ll be racking up the keo dollars big time. So far, no luck. Hopefully catch you later matey.
27 Sep 2010, 15:20 pm
Sounds to the katman like Earl is trying too hard to please-explain. I say separate the Roses in two interrogation rooms and see if their stories corroborate. Even by his wobbly version, they did leave the tourney halfway without even telling someone (no, a text from the road doesn’t count).
27 Sep 2010, 15:22 pm
@katman(katman)-119:
sounds like its time for a bit of rendition and waterboarding 101.
27 Sep 2010, 15:24 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-114:
Ek belowe, ek salie weerie.
@quotas_sux(quota_conrad_jantjies_is_jorrie_muller)-116:
Some Bok supporter you are.
Then you have a problem with people when “they” support the AB team because of other, valid reasons.
27 Sep 2010, 15:27 pm
@gunther(gunther)-120:
Play them some Steve Hofmeyr songs…
27 Sep 2010, 15:28 pm
@nama1(nama1)-121: Praat liewers Afrikaans met hom, want die ROOI taal maak hom seer
27 Sep 2010, 15:31 pm
Earl en Jody praat lekker kak. Hulle het gaan slots speel by Sun City, gevolg deur ‘n lekker na-middag by die Valley of the Waves.
27 Sep 2010, 15:32 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-123: Jy’t vergeet om te se: “My broeh”
27 Sep 2010, 15:33 pm
@katman(katman)-124:
Slots? Ek sou dink hulle speel darem ten minste roulette? Hulle like mos wiele wat spin?
27 Sep 2010, 15:39 pm
Unfortunately, for the most of you, this is a simple but smart and wise Jamaican(mecrazy) and I have wonderful expriences with all of them in my area.
More importantly, just looking at the weak, putrid, pathetic excuses offered by these ‘BOKS’ they are clearly stupid in the extreme and, moreover, many of them have university degrees from the likes of OFS, Potch., Pret., UPE, Stell. and yes the odd one from UCT and elsewhere.
What was that again about handing out degrees in the ’70s, 80s, and even the 90s to these dummies? Was the comparison not to the effect of handing out candy to a baby?
Never forget that 95% of all sportspersons worldwide are NOT necessarily smart but they may be rich.
I will never forget what I was told by a Dr. White(of even NASA fame) during my first days in Philly; “… not all our students are necessarity educated and smart especially those on sport’s sholarships….”
27 Sep 2010, 15:40 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-125: Hoekom moet ek dit se?
27 Sep 2010, 15:42 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-124:
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-126:
Bwahahahahaha.
27 Sep 2010, 15:44 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-128: Dis mos indjou nature ekse….
27 Sep 2010, 15:44 pm
thanks for tht transie
always good to come on keo and learn the truth
funny enough not always from the keo writers
27 Sep 2010, 15:47 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-130: Watter nature?
27 Sep 2010, 15:48 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-132: Djulle manne affie Kaap….
27 Sep 2010, 15:49 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-115: to be honest i had no expectations, i was doing my usual ‘around the world thru rugga websites’ routine and i saw that and laughed.
27 Sep 2010, 15:49 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-130: Kan sien jy is nog vol van daardie Orania maniere. Sies skaam jou
27 Sep 2010, 15:52 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-135: Ohhhhh jirre, hoe high an mighty hou ons nou vir onse self. Djy kan uit dish, maar as djy moet vat, issitie sharp nie?
27 Sep 2010, 15:54 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-136:
Djou nommas makie vollie.
27 Sep 2010, 15:56 pm
@bananas(bananas)-101: i’ll say it again, the biggest ruse jake ever sold to desperate Bok supporters was that he didn’t have to win sh*t between world cups because he was ‘building a team’. The fact that the Boks won the world cup and got ‘inflated’ points for wins against usa, tonga etc didn’t make them the best team in the world by a long shot!
It’s amazing how some here and elsewhere never want to admit that half the world cup winning team were off form in 2008. Be that as it may some here too know enough not to let logic get in the way of a good ‘bashing’ session
27 Sep 2010, 15:57 pm
Ungako ufundise abantwana bakho obo buciko unabo!
27 Sep 2010, 16:02 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-136: Die feit dat jou mind al klaar opgemaak is wie ek is, wys eintlik rassistiese motives
27 Sep 2010, 16:03 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-138:
Good post.
You’d think a coach that good would have seen a number of coaching offers after RWC 2007, but the silence was deafening…
27 Sep 2010, 16:03 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-139: andinabo abantwana…
27 Sep 2010, 16:06 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-140: Moenie nou kom sta opkawwer nie, my broeh… Praat jou praat! Djy speel die racist kaart weer vinnig vandag?
27 Sep 2010, 16:09 pm
Kucacile ukuba uchama amamzi lomfana
27 Sep 2010, 16:11 pm
” All the player had control over was himself, and as a professional sportsman the only guarantee a player could give was that he was in optimum physical shape for every game and that every day was an opportunity to improve his skills . ”
It is clear to me that Keo is paraphrasing the Jamaican psychologist here and since his exposure to ‘Jamaicanese’ is limited he is doing do incorrectly. It is inconceivable that this consultant did not say ” … in optimum physical (AND MENTAL) shape for… ” .
But then again what does Keo really know about the health sciences as it pertains to sporting endeavours and the quest for its perfection?
27 Sep 2010, 16:16 pm
Man I just saw that powerful, and sadly nostalgic, picture of the SAA plane as it flies over Table Bay and the Peninsula on page 1 of IOL headlined ‘ SAA flight attendant..’
Marvelous, majestic, brilliant, captivating are some of the adjectives I would use without any hesitation.
27 Sep 2010, 16:16 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-144: uthetha ububhanxa, uncinga ukuba ndingahamba ndichamela bonke abanomtatsi baphandle apha!
27 Sep 2010, 16:18 pm
@ET(ET)-146:
It takes my breath away and my wife is somewhere on that superb Peninsula at this time on a much needed vacation.
27 Sep 2010, 16:20 pm
@ET(ET)-146:
We do love our city, the most beautiful in the world!
27 Sep 2010, 16:24 pm
@ET(ET)-146:
looks more like sea point than the peninsular to me.
unless i got the early edition?
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