What does it mean to be a successful rugby team? According to a recent poll I conducted on social media, it is probably not possible to be one hundred percent successful in more than one thing simultaneously. There needs to be a balance, not only amongst everything we strive to succeed at, but also amongst the people who desire to succeed with us. Therefore, as a rugby team, there needs to be one hundred percent effort put in from one hundred percent of the team.

The combined force of determination and dedication resonate back to each individual contributor on the team. Dreams elevate the attitudes of the players and command their shared focus to the common goal of victory on the field. Consider 4 October 2014 All Blacks versus South Africa test, where the All Blacks lost by just 2 points (27-25). Challenges such as this discover the opportunities of powers deep within the players. Requirements are increased in order to win, depending on the opposing team and their percentage of focus and optimistic endurance.

Reality settles down the character of the team faced with a loss. Dissatisfaction from not winning can be burdensome and disheartening. The way in which a team reacts to a loss on the scoreboard exemplifies their persona and stamina. This can be debilitating or elevating to the entire personality of the team and its outlook on whether or not they are successful.

On the other hand, the winning team players exhibit their triumph by celebrating. True sportsmanship and comaraderie is demonstrated when the team who lost on the scoreboard is recognised for their individual achievements, which contributed to the team’s efforts to succeed. The New Zealand All Blacks have an excellent reputation of complimenting their opponents. Captain Richie McCaw almost always takes a moment in his post-game interviews to recognise the other team, whereas other team captains sometimes only focus on their own team’s performance. One classic example was when McCaw presented South African Springbok Jean de Villiers with a gift from the All Blacks to commemorate his 100th test. Opportunities to find the best in others, even in opponents, are one of the best ways to collaborate for success.

Without finding the best in others in rugby, or in any aspect of life, the will to succeed gets masked by the need to win. Conquering the game on the scoreboard is definitely a success, no doubt. Of course winning is what every team strives to do, but success is really what is laid down as the foundations in order to gain the win. These premise of these foundations are thinking about what was done in order to accomplish the win and how good does each individual contributor feel as to whether they were an honest, positive support to their team.

Rugby personal development and measure of success is akin to a tree in nature. A tree is a success in nature when it has strong roots, is fed by the surrounding soil and occassional rain, growing gradually over time, stemming new branches and budding new leaves. There are seasons in nature, as there are in rugby with each season showing growth from the predecessors and stemming new buds that turn into beautiful flowers and fruit.

Hard work pays off, but the passionate attitude of being a supporting team member is what a winning team is made of. The broader picture of rugby needs to consider the opponents, who altogether combine to make a forest with constant regrowth and evolution. As we progress together we advance the game of rugby together in harmony. New seeds are constantly planted to one day blossom to the success of the forest.

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