'Following the herd doesn't cut the mustard, every team's got the opportunity to be unique'
Wayne Smith has done a lot of winning. If he ever built a personal trophy cabinet – a suggestion that would jar the former All Black coach to the brink of vomiting – he would have enough silverware jammed behind the glass to guarantee most of New Zealand’s national debt.
Winning is nourishment, but only sates the mind temporarily. Trophies bring elation, but no lasting cure for the great obstacle course of life. What happens when the cacophonous stadium falls silent, the ecstasy subsides, the silver’s lustre dims and normality resumes?
“Over the years of coaching, I’ve come to the conclusion that winning isn’t enough,” Smith told RugbyPass. “Winning creates a short-term euphoria. But when you’re talking about mental wellness, happiness, optimism, it’s not necessarily going to create that.
“I’ve got to the stage where I think, as a coach, I have a responsibility to ensure that we are creating happiness and positivity in the environment. Not to win, but to ensure that the players are battling these stresses and pressures they come under.”
On Monday, Smith will fly north from New Zealand to Japan, not to revel in the final stages of a glorious World Cup, but to begin pre-season training with Kobelco Steelers, the reigning Top League champions where he is the director of rugby, or kantoku.
(Continue reading below…)
Japan and its Brave Blossoms have taken a blowtorch to the old world order, roaring their way to the quarter-finals in the most captivating fashion against a backdrop of fervour and tragedy.
A relentless, adaptable beast that marries breakneck speed with outrageous accuracy and eye-watering fitness. A team that boots the notion you need an army of lumbering brutes to succeed in the modern game out of the window. Theirs is an astonishing culture. Where else could you stage a monumental Test match only hours after a snarling super typhoon had maimed the land and stolen lives?
Japanese rugby is special but brings its own unique stresses for those who play it. Top League clubs are affiliated with gigantic companies for whom most players have corporate jobs. That gives the athletes a wonderful platform to forge a career away from the game, but it adds another layer of responsibility.
Sounds like cash is nothing compared to the memories Japan are making at World Cup 2019https://t.co/T3hRdZnepR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 17, 2019
Elite sport, a corporate job, family and a culture where extreme diligence and lofty achievements are expected – it is a privileged cocktail for players, but one that applies pressure from all corners.
To help ease the burden, Smith has devised a bespoke mental health programme at Kobe. Its aim is to combat life’s stresses, generate gratitude and foster a deeper connection between the club and its people. “We won’t rely on the club doing everything for us; we’ll make sure we’re doing things for the club,” he explained.
“We wanted a dojo for our contact training that was lined with pads. Rather than going to the club, we built it ourselves and the players had to be part of that – measuring out the space, laying the mats, showing the club that you’re thankful for what they do for you and you’re prepared to give something back. It’s a wee bit like the All Blacks sweeping the sheds, which is a big part of their culture.
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Here are your teams for the big Sunday clash in Tokyo! #RWC2019
“Doing something good for other people is a big part of that. On a Wednesday morning, which is a day off, members of a mini-team will go and help with school patrol, making sure kids are safe crossing roads. Others will pick up rubbish around that vicinity. It’s not a statement that this is us, this is Kobe, and it’s not a publicity stunt. It’s just about doing something for other people.
“We found that those sorts of things create an attitude of more positivity, a bit more resilience, generate more support from the community, and ultimately that helps your accomplishment. Having those sorts of mindsets is healthy for the people you are involved with and gives you a lot of satisfaction whether you win or not.”
In the wake of their savaging of Scotland, a lovely video from within the Japan camp emerged on social media. Jamie Joseph, their canniest of coaches, and hooker Shota Horie were competing in a bombastic variation of rock-paper-scissors which involves belting your opponent on the bonce with a plastic hammer while he frantically scrambles to don a helmet as a shield.
Japan potentially joining the Six Nations or the Rugby Championship is proving to be a hot topic in the wake of their qualification for the World Cup quarter-finals https://t.co/NCKl1JtCRT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 15, 2019
The team room erupted when Horie was too slow to plant the helmet on his head and got a skelp from his coach. Bringing this sort of laughter and competition to the environment is vital. Depression, Smith says, can be toxic, infecting player after player, but happiness can spread rampantly through a group even more prolifically. His posse of coaches, led by New Zealanders Dave Dillon and Nick Holten, share this philosophy emphatically.
“Every meeting that you have, there’s an opportunity to open up the meeting to have a skit or a competition or show a video to break the ice and get the boys laughing,” Smith said. “It’s also a chance to bring out competitiveness, which is important in a team. You’ve got create opportunities to do stuff together and also have fun.
“We might have a small competition amongst mini-teams up in front of the group, quizzes, there is all sorts of stuff we can do. But alleviating the pressures is really important. It’s a hell of a complex job to create a winning and competitive environment.
“But what I do know is that following the herd doesn’t cut the mustard. Every team’s got the opportunity to be unique, whether it’s the language you use or the way you play. Following what everyone else does might get you mid-table. Being your own people and your own team is very important.”
A predisposition to follow – not lead – pervades Japanese rugby and it is a stance Smith has had to shatter. Young players will empty themselves without question for their kantoku and their cause. They are often shy to question authority, reluctant to take on responsibility and contribute tangibly to their own development.
“The Japanese are famous for their work ethic,” continued Smith. “They come out of high school and university quite instructed players. They’re used to being told what to do. The big challenge for me was to get them involved more in terms of answering questions, asking questions, coming up with ideas as part of a leadership group.
Really nice touch. ?https://t.co/gsfCffPOvs
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 14, 2019
“They’re beautiful, honourable, honest people and they will give you 100 per cent, particularly if you tell them what to do. But the game isn’t about that. The game’s a multi-level decision-making game. You need them to be able to adapt, adjust and overcome situations. To do that, they need to be prepared to ask questions and find solutions.
“Rather than it just being about coaches meeting with players, I had the players meet with each other and get honesty from each other. You’re trying to get to a level of excellence. We’re in high-performance sport.
“If you’re not at a level of excellence, you need to know that – and it’s better coming from players than coaches. It’s a big part of the All Blacks environment, a very honest environment, a very vulnerable environment. Young players are vulnerable with each other, it creates huge honesty and it’s a really positive environment.
“That’s been a big focus for us and I know Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown and Scott Hansen coach along similar lines. They’ve had a lot of time with that team and it shows. They have created a team that’s able to think on its feet and adapt to situations.
“They have led the way for the future of Japanese rugby by showing that is the way to go and that Japanese players are just as capable as anyone else in the world at being those types of players.”
WATCH: Jim Hamilton previews Japan vs South Africa in the latest episode of Don’t Mess With Jim
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on the @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments