Benny, I have to take some issue with this - and probably time to set the record straight. I learned a lot when I worked at the University of Queensland from Dr Cliff Mallett - who was not only an incredible Sports Coach (Athletics) - arguable the architect of Australia’s only Men’s Relay Olympic Medal in over 50 years at the 2004 Athens Olympics. But who’s influence has also been credited by NRL Premiership winning coaches etc. etc. Cliff is an expert in motivation and a qualified sports psychologist - one of the best going around. Cliff actually developed a Mental Toughness program for our HP Program at UQ and it was based on the work of Martin Seligman out of the US. Not a bad Psychologist himself. Which is interesting at the moment particularly as there are a number of Mystics out there promoting 'Flow' and 'Meditation' as the source of solutions to Health, Wellness & Performance. There's a bit more to it than that, and while I digress... I can honestly say that there’s at least 1 player that went on to play for the Wallabies - that frankly - probably wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for Cliff’s intervention through that Program. The key premise behind it was attributing things that happen to you accurately - If you’re responsible for something - take responsibility, learn, apply and move on. However, the flip side of that is - if it’s out of your control - recognise that build a fence around it - in terms of your overall wellbeing and again - move forward knowing that you did everything you could.
This is where I come back to your sin binning in the British & Irish Lions. Why was it that 3 weeks after that performance that you were part of a Brumbies Forward back that dismantled the Bulls in a Semi Final at Loftus Verfeld! Was there suddenly an epiphany in those 3 weeks? As you know Rugby is a team game and everyone contributes - The Brumbies as a case example everybody from the wonderful work that Gary Quinlivan does on a daily basis through the coaches, managers the squad members to the players that actually take the field - everybody involved contributes to a performance.
Smarter people than me have proven that 70% of a scrum’s power comes from the Back 5 (Locks & Backrow). It has since been reported (by the player himself) that the Tight Head lock went in to that game carrying a calf tear. Again smarter people than me tell me that the calf comes under fair heat when scrummaging. The Lions went in to that game with a square target on the scrum. The selection of a compromised player in such an important position (Tight Head Lock) has never come under scrutiny - and certainly there was no hands going up after the game - and there were no hands going up in since written auto-biographies since as well!
It’s all too often Coaches put blame squarely on the Players when things don’t go to plan - Yet I’ve only heard one Coach in World Rugby that puts his hand up when the team loses and says - I got the preparation wrong - and that’s Eddie!
As mentioned it’s a team game and the team behind the team are just as important in contribution as the team on the field. If I can quote the famous Gary Quinlivan again - Pretty hard to play Snooker with a piece of String! You had a piece of string behind you that night mate!
I know this is something that you would have never mentioned - regardless of knowing it - and it’s a massive part of your personality to take responsibility - which is also why you have been successful. But on the flip side - for your own wellbeing - it’s also bloody important to recognise when there’s actually nothing else that you could have done.
Now you’ve entered the business world and you’ve got a product that can genuinely make a difference - you’ll get the similar trolls denigrating because they’re now your direct competitors. The difference is that sometimes you don’t have another game in 7 days to atone.
You’re a good man and you’ve always done yourself and your family proud and you’ll continue to do so.
Cheers Boss! I really appreciate those kind words and thanks for giving me a crack back in 2003 with the Brumby u19s! There's no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't made it professionally had you not given me that chance when you did. I'll never forget it.
Ben, you were one of the rare types of Rugby players, with which many of us Joe-public can actually identify. You weren't enormous as far as forwards go. You lacked the amazing talent of the blistering, hand-eye freaks that make up the backline. You thrived upon no-thought-for-self-preservation toughness, skill and being able to push back against blokes who are the size of WWE wrestlers. You thoroughly deserved all your success and each one of your incredibly hard-earned caps. I will certainly be checking out Alfred.
Cheers Jason. Like teammates Scott Fardy and Pat McCabe, none of us where gifted physically, but we prided ourselves on not letting "what he didn't have" stop us. Pat especially, after he was told he was "too slow" by the Waratahs.
And I agree with Nick Leah. Rugby is a team sport and a scrum certainly isn’t the responsibility of one individual. You bring a lot more to the game than your expertise... that’s plain to see when the team lifts when you run on for the Owls. The public have a lot to answer for ... we expect the best and build our players up when they’re performing at their best but we are very quick to knock them down the minute they make a mistake. I always think of the time that Matt Gitteau missed that goal in front of the goal posts, playing for the Wallabies. I can’t remember the exact details but I think it was to win the game ... up to that point I think he’d scored all (or the majority)of the points & had been the hero. But everyone remembered him for the missed goal and gave him heaps. I think he got dropped after that.... Could be wrong but I just felt so bad for him as he fell from Grace in 2 seconds flat.
Benny, I have to take some issue with this - and probably time to set the record straight. I learned a lot when I worked at the University of Queensland from Dr Cliff Mallett - who was not only an incredible Sports Coach (Athletics) - arguable the architect of Australia’s only Men’s Relay Olympic Medal in over 50 years at the 2004 Athens Olympics. But who’s influence has also been credited by NRL Premiership winning coaches etc. etc. Cliff is an expert in motivation and a qualified sports psychologist - one of the best going around. Cliff actually developed a Mental Toughness program for our HP Program at UQ and it was based on the work of Martin Seligman out of the US. Not a bad Psychologist himself. Which is interesting at the moment particularly as there are a number of Mystics out there promoting 'Flow' and 'Meditation' as the source of solutions to Health, Wellness & Performance. There's a bit more to it than that, and while I digress... I can honestly say that there’s at least 1 player that went on to play for the Wallabies - that frankly - probably wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for Cliff’s intervention through that Program. The key premise behind it was attributing things that happen to you accurately - If you’re responsible for something - take responsibility, learn, apply and move on. However, the flip side of that is - if it’s out of your control - recognise that build a fence around it - in terms of your overall wellbeing and again - move forward knowing that you did everything you could.
This is where I come back to your sin binning in the British & Irish Lions. Why was it that 3 weeks after that performance that you were part of a Brumbies Forward back that dismantled the Bulls in a Semi Final at Loftus Verfeld! Was there suddenly an epiphany in those 3 weeks? As you know Rugby is a team game and everyone contributes - The Brumbies as a case example everybody from the wonderful work that Gary Quinlivan does on a daily basis through the coaches, managers the squad members to the players that actually take the field - everybody involved contributes to a performance.
Smarter people than me have proven that 70% of a scrum’s power comes from the Back 5 (Locks & Backrow). It has since been reported (by the player himself) that the Tight Head lock went in to that game carrying a calf tear. Again smarter people than me tell me that the calf comes under fair heat when scrummaging. The Lions went in to that game with a square target on the scrum. The selection of a compromised player in such an important position (Tight Head Lock) has never come under scrutiny - and certainly there was no hands going up after the game - and there were no hands going up in since written auto-biographies since as well!
It’s all too often Coaches put blame squarely on the Players when things don’t go to plan - Yet I’ve only heard one Coach in World Rugby that puts his hand up when the team loses and says - I got the preparation wrong - and that’s Eddie!
As mentioned it’s a team game and the team behind the team are just as important in contribution as the team on the field. If I can quote the famous Gary Quinlivan again - Pretty hard to play Snooker with a piece of String! You had a piece of string behind you that night mate!
I know this is something that you would have never mentioned - regardless of knowing it - and it’s a massive part of your personality to take responsibility - which is also why you have been successful. But on the flip side - for your own wellbeing - it’s also bloody important to recognise when there’s actually nothing else that you could have done.
Now you’ve entered the business world and you’ve got a product that can genuinely make a difference - you’ll get the similar trolls denigrating because they’re now your direct competitors. The difference is that sometimes you don’t have another game in 7 days to atone.
You’re a good man and you’ve always done yourself and your family proud and you’ll continue to do so.
Cheers Boss! I really appreciate those kind words and thanks for giving me a crack back in 2003 with the Brumby u19s! There's no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't made it professionally had you not given me that chance when you did. I'll never forget it.
Ben, you were one of the rare types of Rugby players, with which many of us Joe-public can actually identify. You weren't enormous as far as forwards go. You lacked the amazing talent of the blistering, hand-eye freaks that make up the backline. You thrived upon no-thought-for-self-preservation toughness, skill and being able to push back against blokes who are the size of WWE wrestlers. You thoroughly deserved all your success and each one of your incredibly hard-earned caps. I will certainly be checking out Alfred.
Cheers Jason. Like teammates Scott Fardy and Pat McCabe, none of us where gifted physically, but we prided ourselves on not letting "what he didn't have" stop us. Pat especially, after he was told he was "too slow" by the Waratahs.
Ben you’re so much more than a brilliant rugby player.
Thanks Sarah! I know that but sometimes when I was so deep in that environment, it became hard to see the big picture.
A great read! Thanks for sharing
Great stuff mate. Best of luck.
Go for it Ben
We are with you
Cheers. John Chant
And I agree with Nick Leah. Rugby is a team sport and a scrum certainly isn’t the responsibility of one individual. You bring a lot more to the game than your expertise... that’s plain to see when the team lifts when you run on for the Owls. The public have a lot to answer for ... we expect the best and build our players up when they’re performing at their best but we are very quick to knock them down the minute they make a mistake. I always think of the time that Matt Gitteau missed that goal in front of the goal posts, playing for the Wallabies. I can’t remember the exact details but I think it was to win the game ... up to that point I think he’d scored all (or the majority)of the points & had been the hero. But everyone remembered him for the missed goal and gave him heaps. I think he got dropped after that.... Could be wrong but I just felt so bad for him as he fell from Grace in 2 seconds flat.
I think public criticism is essential and learning to deal with the scrutiny is a lesson I've certainly taken forward with the Dock and Alfred.
I've also learned that the people who are most critical of others, are often the least happy and can't even look themselves in the mirror.