Many people say, “All Good Things Must Come to an End.” On the contrary, as demonstrated by the New Zealand All Blacks with their continued success in world rugby. Not only is their winning streak of just two losses since the 2011 Rugby World Cup impressive, but their high caliber of sportsmanship reigns of goodness. There is considerable potential for them to defend their title in the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015. Nevertheless, there are quite a few other RWC qualifying teams that will put up a good fight and may lead supporters to say another adage applicable to the RWC, “Good things come to those who wait.”
For the Rugby World Cup qualifying teams, it is not just about waiting for the “good thing” to happen – it’s about dedication, determination, and hard work. The athletes learn from each other & themselves, always striving to be better, and they have improved since the Rugby World Cup 2011. Each player of each qualifying team is being patient in waiting for the delayed gratification of being the holders of the Webb Ellis Cup. They are doing a whole lot more than waiting though, with sheer excited energy fueling their powerful trainings and sure-to-be sensational 2015 rugby season ahead.
Consider the immense excitability and increased morale that would result from a RWC win by the Australia Wallabies. With a troublesome 2014 season now behind them, the Wallabies self-confidence is impaired. Other teams may already have considerable advantage over them, based on psychology alone. The Wallabies may therefore, put in the greatest physical effort to improve their disposition.
The USA Eagles are still savouring their historical undertaking of their challenge playing the New Zealand All Blacks. Their passion from the experience endures and immensely motivates them to perform to their ultimate best in the RWC. They also have the drive and spirit with the surge in growth of rugby in the USA. The opportunity to represent their country in a growth phase boosts their determination to outperform themselves, and potentially their opponents.
The European teams will deliver admirable efforts to battle it out for the title. They are focused on continuous improvement. The proud hosts, England Rugby and Welsh Rugby will have the home advantage, with the eager and enthusiastic supporters cheering with pride. Despite numerous defeats in 2014, Wales could come back with a vengeance for RWC2015, ignited with the will to win. They made it to the semi-finals in RWC2011 and can do it again for 2015. Good things may come to the Irish Rugby Union team, under new leadership of New Zealand native Joe Schmidt after RWC 2011, who would be privileged to earn a spot in their never-before-seen semi-final. Scotland Rugby were the most successful in their lineouts in 2014 and are on track to prevail in their pool.
Good things must not come to an end either for injured South Africa Springboks Jean de Villiers. His 2014 season was admirable, demonstrating respect, leadership, and camaraderie, but unfortunately ended with a dislocated knee. There is a modest chance that he will recover in time for RWC. Without his presence, the team still remains strong enough to perhaps secure a place in the final.
Richard D. Rosen appropriately states, “It isn’t sufficient just to want – you’ve got to ask yourself what you are going to do to get the things you want.” This is a question that the coaches and players on each team are asking themselves regularly, or if not, they should be. The other pressing question we are all thinking is, “What are they doing to prepare to win the RWC?”
Despite best efforts to research this, the answer to this question lies within the brilliant minds of the athletes and their leaders and your opinions. Please comment on this article below on what you consider to be the key RWC preparations and tactics that the teams are working on to increase their prospects of winning. The clues to this puzzle may also be demonstrated during the Super Rugby season leading up to RWC.
“Great things come to those who prepare so when the opportunity comes you have the means to take it” (Ron Shockley). Considerable preparations, changes in strategy, athletes, or coaches since RWC 2011 are in place as each team inches closer toward the ensuing win. Soon the teams will relinquish the anticipated clues, which will enable rugby supporters around the world to more clearly define their best guess for predictions of the RWC winner. The end result of the RWC2015 will not only be a winning team, but will clarify whether “Good things come to those who wait” or “All good things must come to an end.”
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