Rugby World Cup 2019 looms large and it looks like it’s going to be an exceptional six weeks of all out action in Japan.

Let’s hope so, but something which is of an increasing concern, is how World Rugby CEO, Brett Gosper continues to push for more red cards.

The only way you can get player behaviour to change is to sanction with red cards. I would say in many ways we have probably not been hard enough – and not seen as many red cards as we would like.   Brett Gosper

His call for more red cards is making the paying spectator see red.

Red cards ruin rugby contests, especially when they come early in the game.

We all know that World Rugby wants to stamp out reckless and dangerous play that can lead to serious injury.

The players know that – we all know this.

No one is in disagreement that dangerous play needs to be sanctioned severely.

But, why continue with the unnecessary sanction of the paying rugby spectator –  the paying sponsors –  and the broadcasters who want maximum viewership.

Supporters will pay hefty prices to follow their teams in Japan, and all they wish for is to see a fair contest – where 15 rugby players come up against 15 rugby players.

 

Brett Gosper is failing to see the bigger picture in that sport is a platform for:

ENTERTAINING, EDUCATING and ENRICHING lives.

You have to GET IT RIGHT ON ALL THREE FRONTS to bring more people into the game on a worldwide basis.

When too much emphasis is placed on ’EDUCATING’ – as with stamping out dangerous play with red cards, World Rugby is effectively shooting themselves in the foot.

People have plenty of options on what they choose to do, choose to watch and choose to support.

Nobody will give too much time to a non- contest in sport.

Nobody wants a hollow victory.

Hopefully, World Rugby will urgently take a leaf out of the ICC rule book, where the cricket authorities recently changed the rule book, to allow concussed players to be replaced, so as not to unduly disrupt the game in progress.

A rugby red is a rugby red.No squabble with that.

Is there a better way to sanction dangerous play? Yes there is.

The red carded player should leave the field immediately, and thereafter have an automatic six week suspension period.

The game however should not be unduly disrupted – with a penalty awarded, and the offending player being allowed to be replaced from the existing bench players – after a 10 minute suspension period.

Then it’s back to a fair 15 versus 15 contest.

It’s game on again.  A Win / Win situation for all.

It’s the player who should be heavily sanctioned – not the paying spectators – not the sponsors – not the broadcasters.

The offending player must be allowed to put his case for a lesser suspension period after the game, at a disciplinary hearing.

The educational message is enforced afterwards by the severity of the suspension period agreed by a disciplinary committee, not the referee whose job it is to let the game flow.

When one hits the players pockets harder , the players will steer well clear of attempting any dangerous foul play.

Come on World Rugby.

Too much pressure is currently being placed on the referees. And the players.

It’s not too late to change.

If not, I see a wonderful spectacle in Japan, being ruined by an enforced red card call at a crucial knock out  point in the tournament.

World rugby deserves better.

What do you think?

Your feedback is always appreciated.

 

Go Great

Rob

 

Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Key-note Speaker, Author, Performance Coach to Teams and Life Coach to Individuals.

His game- changing THE GAME PLAN METHOD, is helping both teams and individuals throughout South Africa to achieve their greatest potential.

GET IN TOUCH:

robopie@thegameplan.co.za

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THE GAME CHANGERS – how to power up your game from Good to Great to Greater: Robert. A. Opie 

If you would like a complimentary eCopy sent to your inbox, just send me a request at

robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Or book an inspirational and interactive talk to take your team to that next level of Performance , Growth and Contribution.

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CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON COACHING.

 

 

 

 

 

“Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way.”–Brian Dyson. Former Coca Cola CEO

                              

When one observes and studies the great champions of business, sport and life – patterns begin to emerge.

Indeed, human greatness leaves footprints.

Consider the following insights from sporting champions.

 

On losing an agonizing five set tie- break epic to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

 

It was an incredible opportunity missed, but I do not only come here to win Wimbledon. I come here to try to have good runs, to play in front of an amazing crowd, to play on centre court against players like Novak.   – Roger Federer

 

On becoming the youngest winner of the Tour de France in 110 years and questioned about the pressure of donning the yellow jersey.

 

It’s strange, because I don’t feel pressure. I really love to ride the bike. I enjoy the race. I enjoy to be fighting with these guys, the adrenaline, you know – to wait, wait, wait, then attack and go full gas. For some it’s a lot of suffering but I love it. It’s not a space for pressure.    – Egan Bernal

 

On coaching the Crusaders to three consecutive Super 16 rugby titles.

 

We prepare people to succeed in life. Winning is a by-product.  – Scott Robertson

 

On becoming the first goofy- foot surfer in 30 years to win The J.Bay Pro in South Africa.

 

It feels so good. This is a hard contest to win. I just had a lot of fun this week, and I wasn’t expecting this.  – Gabriel Medina

 

There’s a theme running through all these quotes:

 

“Success is found in the process – not the result.”   

 

Let’s consider when too much emphasis is placed on the result – too much emphasis placed on winning.

 

Often the result is something known as BURNOUT.

 

 Burnout is the result of doing too many of the wrong things

 

There are many sporting examples of burnout, but the most famous must be Tiger Woods at age 31.

For over a decade Tiger dominated the golfing world in his relentless chasing of Jack Nicklaus’s record tally of 18 majors wins.

Tiger desperately wanted to become the best golfer who has ever played the game.

The domination seemed to be working for Tiger, until his dad’s tragic passing in May 2006.

It proved to be the tipping point in Tiger’s life – the real life game-changer in his personal and professional life.

Without his supreme mentor, strategist, tactician and confidante by his side, Tiger’s life began to derail at an alarming pace.

At age 31, Tiger was burnt out.

Suddenly he was on his own and without the life skills required to handle the relentless pressure which he had unwittingly learnt to place on himself

 

Chasing the game is the human trap one falls into when one places too much focus on results; thus placing too much pressure on one self; the pressure becomes unrelenting. 

Something has to give.

Domination is a dangerous way to approach life.

It’s simply not sustainable.

As we all know, Tiger is a ridiculously gifted  golfer, and has now  gone on to claim a further Masters green jacket, but it could all have been so different if  he had changed his outlook on life, after the passing of his dad.

Sadly, he lost nearly a decade of greatness.

The greatest sporting champions guard the fine line between human greatness and human implosion by learning to embrace the bigger picture, the bigger purpose of sport :

 “to Entertain, to Educate and to Enrich people’s lives”

It’s their inbuilt compass in good times – and scaffolding in bad times.

By staying in the game, and not chasing the game – the greats intuitively release the relentless pressure placed on themselves to win week in – and week out.

Results are their by-product.

It’s the very same in real life.

Key Insight

Success is found in the process – not the result.

 

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THE GAME CHANGERS – how to power up your game from Good to Great to Greater: Robert. A. Opie 

If you would like a complimentary eCopy sent to your inbox, just send me a request at

robopie@thegameplan.co.za

Or book an inspirational and interactive talk to take your team to that next level of Performance , Growth and Contribution.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON ROB’S  TALK

Taylor-made packages to fit your needs, your wants and your budget.

You can find out more at:

www.thegameplan.co.za

Go Great

Rob

Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Key-note Speaker, Author, Performance Coach to Teams and Life Coach to Individuals.

His game- changing THE GAME PLAN METHOD, is helping both teams and individuals throughout South Africa to achieve their greatest potential.

GET IN TOUCH:

robopie@thegameplan.co.za

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON COACHING.