Playing 2nd Phase, 3rd Phase, 4th Phase.

I am really beginning to dislike the distinction between “Backs” and “Forwards” coaches. Obviously, coaches have to be able to pass on knowledge to their players about individual positions, and in this sense some coaches may have more expertise in certain areas of the game. However, the traditional distinction of the coaching split is slowly [...]

Get your sessions to be player driven.

Only 10-15% of a team’s time together is spent on the pitch in a competitive representative game. The other 90% is taken up with preparation, fitness work, team meetings and skill sessions. For the over-bearing coaching team that means their players will only really be making decisions and leading on the pitch 10% of the [...]

The Munster Haka.

For those of you that missed it or just need to see it again! Unbelievable.
I think Manning’s tash is for Movember. Everyone grows a tash to raise money for charity. Check it out. We’ll be doing an analysis of how and why Munster got to the All Blacks so badly soon [...]

Munster 16. New Zealand 18.

We were 5 minutes away from a big big upset. Munster, missing 10 front-line internationals with a squad buffered by a handful of academy players pushed the All Blacks to within breaking point on one of the great nights in Thomond Park.
Munster always provide an occasion and tonight Limerick did not disappoint. Probably for the [...]

One Game, Two Hakas?!

Munster play New Zealand tonight to commemorate the opening of the new Thomond Park and the 30 year anniversary of Munster’s 12-0 win over the All-Blacks in 1978.
There is a buzz down in Limerick over how Munster will respond to the Haka. There is some great talk of Doug Howlett, Rua [...]

The Warm-Up (Part 1)

Static stretching is dead. A warm-up is all about heating up the body and loosening the muscles. Stretching does neither. Movement does. A dynamic warm-up gets the job done. It gets the players on their feet and working from the moment they get out onto the pitch. Fine tune it down to a fixed time, set [...]

Effort over Talent and Importance of Support Play.

This tackle by Ben Watson is one of the most incredible defensive plays I have ever seen. I don’t care what sport you play, at what level, in what era, this speed of thought, pace, technique and sheer effort demands respect.
In rugby the mantra is follow your pass, support the ball carrier! Even if that [...]

Jake White on innovation.

Jake White spent four years building a World Cup winning team. His success was methodical and calculated. He claims there were five main components to winning. Planning, Loyalty/Experience, Leadership, Innovation and Luck. In the above talk (split into six parts) he discusses innovation, how he invited in outsiders like Sheryl Calder, [...]

Fiji v New Zealand. Hong Kong 7’s, 1990.

The joy of sevens! I love this clip. Four point tries, a strangely round rugby ball, place kicks straight out of a divot, one armed spin passes and amateur players in the best possible sense; playing for love of the game and country.
The skill level, imagination and pure pace exhibited by [...]