Competitiveness in its right place

International weekends are exciting, because you get to see the best in their category battle it out.

Emotions run high, and someone always gets the blame, whether that’s a player, coach, or referee.

Rarely, it seems, do social media commentators accept that the other side played better, or got the rub of the green when the ball bounces awkwardly.

In the case of England against New Zealand, a puff of wind might have been enough to send England into the lead with the clock almost up. We might have then been arguing whether England deserved to win!

I think both sides deserved it. Every player gave their all.

Under extreme pressure, passes were made or dropped, tackles completed or missed and, for New Zealand, a clutch kick from the substitute full-back, made from the touchline, gave them a winning margin.

This should be relatable to our grassroots scenarios. Pressure is a privilege. It should be worn appropriately.

The pressure point at U11s is different from that at U16s or an U18s representative match. Our attitude helps players find the proper context.

This is difficult to modulate, and stories abound from club matches, where the coaches are acting as if their job is on the line – when, in actual fact, coaching Old Rubber Duckians U11s on a Sunday morning, in a November triangular tournament, won’t actually lead to them being hauled into the director’s office on Monday for a "departure by mutual consent.”

Our players should be competitive and understand how to win a game.

We must keep this context at the right level. If we go in too hard, players will leave the game because it becomes a chore. If we go too easy, the joy of the game will be lost.

A thumping tackle is worth as much as a sweet offload. It’s a game for all shapes and sizes, and that should include an understanding of our emotional investment.