Australian cyclist Michael Rogers recently achieved his Everest. In a bold move 4 kilometres from the finish, he attacked to claim stage 16 of the Tour de France.
I was an accomplishment that took him 189 attempts to realise. He said after his victory that he had been in this position too many times not to win. Was his dilemma a case of fear of success? The fear of actually doing what we claim we want to do. Winning sometimes means getting out of your own way. Many individuals and teams fall at this hurdle.
I find parallels between Rogers and previous Super Rugby campaigns of the Waratahs: at times content to make up the numbers, but coming close on occasions. Perhaps both were afraid of what might happen if they actually did succeed. I know that sounds weird, but it is a common battle in the psychology of sport.
How do you overcome those fears that can work on a unconscious level?
Having a vision will help dramatically and is a significant part of winning; having a clear focus on aspects in your control. In other words, control the controllable. Identify those tasks and commit to them. Conversely, scramble like hell when shits are trumps.
It could be said that the Waratahs are burdened by history – perhaps that is the take from the opposition – but from watching the growth and leadership within the team during the past two years, this team are far removed from the history.
We have seen the evolution this season from Michael Cheika's men and the remoulding of the team to give players the say in how they want to play the game: ball in hand and keep applying pressure. And it is working.
The ability that this team has shown playing under pressure is about self-belief. Self-belief that if you stick with what you know, which is running the ball, and defend to the hilt, eventually you will be rewarded. Exactly like last week with the try that sealed the game in the 75th minute.
One of my former Waratahs coaches, Greg Smith, was one of the great strategists of mind games. He left me with one endearing phrase: "Enjoy the experience."
To me that sums it all up. Look around and and take it all in. You have earned the right to be out there in the theatre that is a final.
I also suspect that is what Rogers was reiterating to himself on the climb of the 16th stage when he said to his opponents: "Don't play with me, you are not going to beat me today."
Finally, I once read a quote from a sports psychologist that said: "Fear of success is simply fear of failure one step removed. What happens if you can't actually duplicate your breakthrough?" Well I say, it is better to have won one than none. This outfit has the making of a great team.
Let's get behind them on Saturday. Here is to a Waratahs' win!
