England's biggest hurdle this weekend could well be what cricket legend Brian Lara once alluded to
When I was 18, I got an incredible chance to meet one of the finest sportsmen of his generation. The school I went to had parental ties with Gray-Nicolls, the cricket equipment company, and (somewhat unbelievably looking back on it now) that link managed to get us – the cricket team – a private half-hour session with Brian Lara.
If you are unaware of just how good a batsman the diminutive West Indian was, let me tell you. As he stood in the nets, just 25 yards or so away from us in 1995, he had recorded the highest individual score in first-class cricket (501) for Warwickshire versus Durham the year previous, and at that time had the highest individual score in a Test match too: 375 against England, also recorded in 1994.
He would lose that title to Matthew Hayden’s 380 in 2003, only to go and reclaim it a season later with an incredible 400 not out.
In the summer of ’95, Lara was at the peak of his powers. And that day, by means of public display, the school’s bowling machine had been set to full velocity (90mph). It was pinging balls down the track as Lara capered like a jester, flicking cherries from his hip like you or I would despatch unwanted flies from the table.
Young though we were, it wasn’t lost on us how good he was. We ooh-ed and aah-ed as he slashed one towards point and then stood high on his toes to play a backfoot defensive. I remember his soft smile, acknowledging our appreciation, and his famous, loping gait as he walked up the net towards us.
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He conducted a brief Q&A, leant characteristically on his bat, and one of his answers was arguably the greatest insight into sports psychology I have ever heard.
Lara was asked what it was like being the best batsman in the world. A question aimed, no doubt, at discussing pressure and how he coped with the high levels of expectation, but the reply was utterly enlightening and revealed a sporting nirvana only obtained when you are at the very top of your game.
“I’m not the best batsman in the world,” he said and then held a small Trinidadian pause, both for effect and in respect of his natural, island rhythm.
Eddie Jones sounds like he is loving the attention England are attracting in World Cup semi-final week
https://t.co/xLzr30nVHM— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 24, 2019
It was time enough for all gathered to register the ridiculousness of what he had said, but not enough time to challenge it. There was no need, he was about to qualify his statement. “I’m not the best batsman in the world,” he repeated, “it’s just everybody thinks I am.”
It is one thing to try and convince yourself you’re the best. Perhaps it can be regarded as sport’s greatest battle. But imagine the leverage you’d get if everyone you played against felt they were inferior. Lara’s expertise had given him such an advantage.
His answer not only showed humility but a supreme awareness of where top-level sport is often decided. It was a concession that at the highest echelon, where everyone has the talent, it is sometimes the smallest mental accession that can be the difference.
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Ford in ???? Slade out Barrett in ???? Cane out #RugbyWorldCup #RWC2019
Fast forward to Tokyo and England’s Rugby World Cup semi-final press conference in October 2019. Eddie Jones is up to his old tricks, talking about everyone else to stop anyone focusing on England.
The New Zealand press are thrown hand grenades about their professionalism and the All Blacks are simultaneously accused of spying on England and being the ones with everything to lose. It’s tongue in cheek. But then we know that about Eddie. Always running a smokescreen.
But one thing is very clear about what England face on Saturday and it is the quintessence of that quote from Lara. We are unsure of whether New Zealand will win the World Cup at the moment; South Africa, Wales and Jones’ England can all dethrone them over the next fortnight.
. @EnglandRugby have three non-negotiables if they are to beat the All Blacks on Saturday
– writes @alexshawsport ??? #rwc https://t.co/4kv2QCDbHE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2019
But we can agree that, at the moment, everyone thinks they can. As well as the skill sets of the individual players, the speed with which they play, the all-court game in which they all seem so well versed, England’s biggest hurdle could well be what Lara alluded to – Eddie’s men have to disbelieve that New Zealand are the best side in the world.
So while Eddie’s verbal fun and games are aimed at distraction and taking the pressure off his side, they do, conversely, confirm that England, at least outwardly, head into this game thinking their opposition this Saturday are No1.
It will be fascinating to see how they can combat this. Jones’ internal conversations will be vastly different to the press conference waffle he spins out, but England have to find some way – any way – of overturning not just the incomparable physical battle, but also the ultimate mental test.
If they can’t, then New Zealand, like Lara, will probably find themselves not out.
WATCH: James McOnie, Mils Muliaina and Steven Bates preview the World Cup semi-finals on the Bill Ellis podcast
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments