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by PAM
"What a kick!
"Beautiful, beautiful Rugby from New Zealand."
"Beautiful, beautiful Rugby from New Zealand."
"It's New Zealand's! And it's history - confirmed.
"The All Blacks, still the kings of World Rugby."
"The All Blacks, still the kings of World Rugby."
It's been a while since I had an adrenaline rush from an exciting sports match. In fact, I'm beginning to feel kinda 'lifeless' these days... just surviving on high dosage of 'excitement at work' - if there's such a thing, that is - which leaves me 'comatose' from exhaustion after the adrenaline rush subsided... because that's what work does. I did see 'this and that' sporting event lately... and they kinda drew some flat "woohoo" from me... just because the inspiration was short on spirited runs, and bereft of deep interest on my part admittedly.
Anyway, you get the picture... I've been living a 'boring' life - no time to appreciate other forms of excitement outside the suffocating confines of huge responsibility and imposing challenges that come with the 'territory' conquered at work with my brilliant team.
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| Highlights from the Rugby World Cup 2015 final match between NZ All Blacks and Aussie Wallabies via Fox Sports 2. |
I never thought that I'd get a good slamming dose of excitement from the Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC 2015) final match between New Zealand's All Blacks and Australia's Wallabies... just a while ago. Boy, that was a burgeoning dose of pure adrenaline right there! NZ's All Blacks routed the Wallabies, 34-17, to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, which they collected in 2011, making NZ the first country to retain the Cup, and the first country to become World Champion three times. What a match indeed! And, I cannot thank Prince Harry of Wales enough for introducing me to this 'passion' of his. :) Yes, the Prince sort of introduced the game to me - indirectly, that is (I'm not that lucky!)... through press releases from the Kensington Palace on Twitter. :) Gosh, but of course, I wish I knew the Prince personally just because he seems humorous, compassionate, and real. But that's another topic for a post... if I'd get lucky enough to find the time for it, that is. :)
After seeing a bit of matches in the Group Stage of RWC 2015, and those quarter final matches between Australia and Scotland, New Zealand and France, and South Africa and Wales, I was hooked! I had to go on-line and educate myself with the rules of the game... and, I admit, it wasn't easy. I'm still struggling to understand the rules... and getting used to terms like "scrum", "ruck", and what have you. But what I am certain of is the way the players in the attacking side strategize to set one of them to go for a try, and the way the opposing team set up to stop the other side is absolutely beautiful to watch! And, I thought you only get to be fascinated by brilliant team tactics in football (soccer). I was wrong. Rugby is the real deal, too! It's a wonderful balance of intelligent team strategy, physicality with a huge dose of roughness, and fun. Love it!
With the exception of tennis, I've always preferred team sports over individual sports. I like the interaction among players in a team. I love watching the way a number of individuals move in an invisible woven fabric of harmonious rhythm, moving as one, thinking as one, eyes fixed on a common goal, moving forward like one body... and then celebrating triumphantly after reaching their goal. I believe that is called 'Teamwork'... and the victory always seems sweeter when shared with teammates. I cannot help but feel the adrenaline rush that propel the team to move forward, and feel the excitement of winning.
Teamwork in team sports inspires me as a leader. Great coaches like Pep Guardiola challenge me to think outside the box, to recognize talents in my team and figure out a
way to optimize their talents to work for the benefit of the team. And great teams, like FC Barcelona - 'more than a club' - inspire me to view winning differently... not for personal glory and achieving personal ambition, but making a difference in people's lives with achievements that are pleasing to God.
One wise person always tells me that there is "no OJT for leadership, it's either you've got it or you don't". In response, I always tell him, "yeah, but there's football, and all sorts of team sports that a leader could watch... to inspire teamwork, to learn coaching that brings out the best in every individual in the team, to come up with inspired team strategy... and succeed - as a team." And I believe that with all my heart.
Today, the 'beautiful men' in All Blacks affirmed these. There were brilliant individual performances, but they all contributed to the Team's goal. In the end, it's not about the brilliant man with the nerves of steel, Dan Carter, or the legendary captain, Richie McCaw, or the ferocious Ma'a Nonu, or anyone else... it's all about New Zealand... it's all about All Blacks... and it's all about the love and passion for Rugby. And, what a great fun it all is for the fans of the game!
Huge CONGRATS to All Blacks! And, hey, the Wallabies were worthy championship contenders, too. So, congrats to them , too! And, huge congrats to England for hosting a really exciting tournament!
And since the adrenaline surge refuses to subside, why don't we soak it up? So, here they are again....
After seeing a bit of matches in the Group Stage of RWC 2015, and those quarter final matches between Australia and Scotland, New Zealand and France, and South Africa and Wales, I was hooked! I had to go on-line and educate myself with the rules of the game... and, I admit, it wasn't easy. I'm still struggling to understand the rules... and getting used to terms like "scrum", "ruck", and what have you. But what I am certain of is the way the players in the attacking side strategize to set one of them to go for a try, and the way the opposing team set up to stop the other side is absolutely beautiful to watch! And, I thought you only get to be fascinated by brilliant team tactics in football (soccer). I was wrong. Rugby is the real deal, too! It's a wonderful balance of intelligent team strategy, physicality with a huge dose of roughness, and fun. Love it!
With the exception of tennis, I've always preferred team sports over individual sports. I like the interaction among players in a team. I love watching the way a number of individuals move in an invisible woven fabric of harmonious rhythm, moving as one, thinking as one, eyes fixed on a common goal, moving forward like one body... and then celebrating triumphantly after reaching their goal. I believe that is called 'Teamwork'... and the victory always seems sweeter when shared with teammates. I cannot help but feel the adrenaline rush that propel the team to move forward, and feel the excitement of winning.
Teamwork in team sports inspires me as a leader. Great coaches like Pep Guardiola challenge me to think outside the box, to recognize talents in my team and figure out a
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| The best Team emerged victorious... NZ's All Blacks! |
One wise person always tells me that there is "no OJT for leadership, it's either you've got it or you don't". In response, I always tell him, "yeah, but there's football, and all sorts of team sports that a leader could watch... to inspire teamwork, to learn coaching that brings out the best in every individual in the team, to come up with inspired team strategy... and succeed - as a team." And I believe that with all my heart.
Today, the 'beautiful men' in All Blacks affirmed these. There were brilliant individual performances, but they all contributed to the Team's goal. In the end, it's not about the brilliant man with the nerves of steel, Dan Carter, or the legendary captain, Richie McCaw, or the ferocious Ma'a Nonu, or anyone else... it's all about New Zealand... it's all about All Blacks... and it's all about the love and passion for Rugby. And, what a great fun it all is for the fans of the game!
Huge CONGRATS to All Blacks! And, hey, the Wallabies were worthy championship contenders, too. So, congrats to them , too! And, huge congrats to England for hosting a really exciting tournament!
And since the adrenaline surge refuses to subside, why don't we soak it up? So, here they are again....
"We got the job done tonight, so it's great."
"He gets this chance to do something now that nobody else has done: to hold on to a second World Cup, a third Cup - for his nation."
"He gets this chance to do something now that nobody else has done: to hold on to a second World Cup, a third Cup - for his nation."
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Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.
Photo credits: (1) I took all the photos from the live cablecast of Fox Sports 2 - thanks.
(2) Thanks, Rex photo via www.telegraph.co.uk.
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