This post is part of The42′s Facing History series, supported by Cadbury Boost. To read more, click here.
“NEW ZEALAND RUGBY is all about the All Blacks.
“Everything is designed to make sure the All Blacks are as strong as they can be.”
Towards the end of our visit to New Zealand, John Plumtree succinctly sums up the primary function of all that we’ve seen in the previous two weeks.
The former Ireland forwards coach helped the Hurricanes to their first-ever Super Rugby title this year, so he is well placed to explain the real strength of the rugby system in New Zealand.
With the All Blacks having notched bonus-point wins in all six of their Rugby Championship games this season, the evidence is that they are certainly as strong as they could be. The system is delivering.
Christchurch, Rotorua, Wellington, Palmerston North, Auckland and New Plymouth were all part of our trip. Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42
Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42 / The42
What is it about New Zealand that allows the country to be so dominant in rugby?
What is it that produces a Test side that has now won 17 games in a row, a run that has continued even after the retirements of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith?
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How does this nation, with its population of around 4.5 million people, win two consecutive World Cups and then continue to succeed? Why is the production line of players so relentlessly impressive?
Everything in New Zealand rugby is designed to ensure the All Blacks’ success, but the truth is that there is no single answer to these questions, no one magic ingredient we can all attempt to capture.
Rugby Park in Christchurch. Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42
Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42 / The42
Instead, the All Blacks’ success is built on an intelligent and multi-faceted foundation that focuses on technical and tactical skills, mental strength, culture, world-class coaching, athletic talent and grit.
My colleague, Eoin Lúc O’Ceallaigh, and I travelled to the other side of the world to learn about the strands that make up the All Blacks. Our whistle-stop tour was fascinating.
We visited some of the best rugby schools in New Zealand, learning about their coaching philosophies and methods, as well as how their young players deal with the ever-increasing media exposure and contract offers from professional clubs.
Visits to the set-ups of Super Rugby franchises, a Mitre 10 Cup squad and a Heartland Championship outfit allowed us to gain an understanding of those competitions’ place in the Kiwi rugby structure.
Christchurch Boys High School. Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42
Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42 / The42
We spoke to New Zealand Rugby about attracting children into the game, understanding what players really want from rugby and strategies for retaining talent in the sport, even at amateur level. The union’s central contracting, so similar to Ireland’s system, is apparent as a key strength too.
The influence of Māori culture on rugby in New Zealand, and the sense of flair and fun it brings, was part of our study too, while the impact of players with Polynesian backgrounds featured as a prominent part in the trip.
The Pākehā people – what many Kiwis call ‘Europeans’ – have brought a willingness to work hard into the sport, one wrought from their agricultural history. The melting pot sees teams like the current All Blacks one emerge.
Māori culture is a big part of New Zealand rugby. Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42
Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42 / The42
Young Irish players now based in New Zealand helped us to appreciate the differences in the approach to rugby in the land of the long white cloud, where learning and practicing the basic skills is close to a religion.
A range of coaches from all levels of the game explained how New Zealand rugby excels at coaching its coaches, and how willing to share information they are with each other – even those who could be viewed as rivals.
All Blacks legends – including a former captain and a 132-Test star – shared insights into a nation that continues to produce outstanding rugby players, as well as detailing the pressure and privilege that goes with wearing the black jersey.
With the All Blacks having shown impressive mental fortitude repeatedly since their 2007 World Cup quarter-final collapse, we examined the processes that have allowed New Zealand rugby to build its mental skills. 2013 in Dublin came up once or twice.
Buck Anderson of the NZRU. Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42
Eoin Lúc O'Ceallaigh / The42 / The42
Over the coming weeks, as Ireland prepare to take on the All Blacks in Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday 5 November, we will explore each of these strands.
History beckons for Ireland but even a first-ever victory against the All Blacks will not change the fact that New Zealand’s rugby system is world-class. It may not be perfect, but the rest of us are fighting to catch up.
Our trip will continue in Chicago, from where we will broadcast live throughout the Test match week as Joe Schmidt, a New Zealand native, and his team attempt to notch that first Irish win over the All Blacks at the 29th time of asking.
Why are the All Blacks so dominant? We travelled to New Zealand to find out
This post is part of The42′s Facing History series, supported by Cadbury Boost. To read more, click here.
“NEW ZEALAND RUGBY is all about the All Blacks.
“Everything is designed to make sure the All Blacks are as strong as they can be.”
Towards the end of our visit to New Zealand, John Plumtree succinctly sums up the primary function of all that we’ve seen in the previous two weeks.
The former Ireland forwards coach helped the Hurricanes to their first-ever Super Rugby title this year, so he is well placed to explain the real strength of the rugby system in New Zealand.
With the All Blacks having notched bonus-point wins in all six of their Rugby Championship games this season, the evidence is that they are certainly as strong as they could be. The system is delivering.
What is it about New Zealand that allows the country to be so dominant in rugby?
What is it that produces a Test side that has now won 17 games in a row, a run that has continued even after the retirements of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith?
How does this nation, with its population of around 4.5 million people, win two consecutive World Cups and then continue to succeed? Why is the production line of players so relentlessly impressive?
Everything in New Zealand rugby is designed to ensure the All Blacks’ success, but the truth is that there is no single answer to these questions, no one magic ingredient we can all attempt to capture.
Instead, the All Blacks’ success is built on an intelligent and multi-faceted foundation that focuses on technical and tactical skills, mental strength, culture, world-class coaching, athletic talent and grit.
My colleague, Eoin Lúc O’Ceallaigh, and I travelled to the other side of the world to learn about the strands that make up the All Blacks. Our whistle-stop tour was fascinating.
We visited some of the best rugby schools in New Zealand, learning about their coaching philosophies and methods, as well as how their young players deal with the ever-increasing media exposure and contract offers from professional clubs.
Visits to the set-ups of Super Rugby franchises, a Mitre 10 Cup squad and a Heartland Championship outfit allowed us to gain an understanding of those competitions’ place in the Kiwi rugby structure.
We spoke to New Zealand Rugby about attracting children into the game, understanding what players really want from rugby and strategies for retaining talent in the sport, even at amateur level. The union’s central contracting, so similar to Ireland’s system, is apparent as a key strength too.
The influence of Māori culture on rugby in New Zealand, and the sense of flair and fun it brings, was part of our study too, while the impact of players with Polynesian backgrounds featured as a prominent part in the trip.
The Pākehā people – what many Kiwis call ‘Europeans’ – have brought a willingness to work hard into the sport, one wrought from their agricultural history. The melting pot sees teams like the current All Blacks one emerge.
Young Irish players now based in New Zealand helped us to appreciate the differences in the approach to rugby in the land of the long white cloud, where learning and practicing the basic skills is close to a religion.
A range of coaches from all levels of the game explained how New Zealand rugby excels at coaching its coaches, and how willing to share information they are with each other – even those who could be viewed as rivals.
All Blacks legends – including a former captain and a 132-Test star – shared insights into a nation that continues to produce outstanding rugby players, as well as detailing the pressure and privilege that goes with wearing the black jersey.
With the All Blacks having shown impressive mental fortitude repeatedly since their 2007 World Cup quarter-final collapse, we examined the processes that have allowed New Zealand rugby to build its mental skills. 2013 in Dublin came up once or twice.
Over the coming weeks, as Ireland prepare to take on the All Blacks in Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday 5 November, we will explore each of these strands.
History beckons for Ireland but even a first-ever victory against the All Blacks will not change the fact that New Zealand’s rugby system is world-class. It may not be perfect, but the rest of us are fighting to catch up.
Our trip will continue in Chicago, from where we will broadcast live throughout the Test match week as Joe Schmidt, a New Zealand native, and his team attempt to notch that first Irish win over the All Blacks at the 29th time of asking.
QUIZ: Win A Trip To Chicago To See Ireland Finally Beat The All Blacks (Hopefully)
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