Like all sports, rugby provides success lessons which apply both to sport and to life in general. The Rugby Union World Cup has been an event full of shocks, incidents and comments which teach success lessons that could apply to anyone.
One quote by Les Brown could be applied to many of the rugby world cup games: "Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals, and charge after them in an unstoppable manner."
No one knows who will succeed for sure in any venture but the attitude that is most likely to succeed is one of whole hearted commitment and the determination to let nothing stop you en route to your goals.
When volunteers were being chosen to endure a tough challenge in the forests of New Guinea, one of the panel of selectors stated that the key factor in deciding who was a suitable candidate was not their physical condition or experience but their 'determination'.
Nation after nation has been determined to bring glory to their nation by achieving the goal of winning enough games of rugby to win the world cup. Team after team has charged towards their opponents' try line in an 'unstoppable manner.'
Whether they succeeded or were stopped before achieving their goal, their heroic efforts will not be forgotten and will add meaning to the lives of both the players and the nations that supported them.
France and Argentina were two nations who were fired up to charge after their goals in a do or die manner. Argentina had shocked the world, at the start of the world rugby cup competition, by beating France, the host nation who were one of the favourites to win the cup.
France later won a magnificent victory over the All Blacks in the quarter finals but were then beaten by England in the semi finals and condemned to play in the pre-final game on Friday October 19th 2007 to decide the third and fourth places.
Argentina prepared for the World Cup third-place play-off by visiting Disneyland, but they and France, their opponents on Friday, insisted that the play-off game would be a serious affair.
The visit to Disneyland was probably a wise move. Successful people realise they need to be relaxed if they want to achieve their goals and make the most of their potential. A relaxed Argentina would be far more likely to play well than a nervous and tense team who might be trying too hard.
The two beaten semi-finalists had to play in the Parc des Princes in the west of Paris while the Stade de France, in the north, was prepared for Saturday's final between South Africa and England.
It would be the last international for French coach, Bernard Laporte, before he left for a post in the government. He had decided to make nine changes to the team that lost 14-9 to England.
Pumas' assistant coach Mario Barandiaran said he would play his strongest side, but captain Agustin Pichot suggested that the reserve players should be given an opportunity.
The third-place play-off is often called "the match that no-one wants" but both sides came out fired up and ready to play running rather than kicking rugby.
There were fireworks from the start of the game as France threw assault after assault at the Argentinian line. One commentator remarked: "The game that no one wants to play in? You are joking!"
If you want to succeed or win at anything you have to turn up and show that you want to play. If you don't want to play, pretend that you do! Successful people realise that, even if you start by pretending, your pretence can soon become reality!
When Frank Bettger had lost his enthusiasm for baseball, he pretended that he was full of enthusiasm and played as if his pants were on fire. Promotion followed swiftly and his enthusiasm returned. The papers called him 'Pep Bettger'.
Les Bleus, attacked with vigour early on in the game. Centre, David Marty, touched down, only to be called back after Rougerie's quick line-out throw was judged illegal.
The French had most of the possession and territory in the first half but made mistakes (forward passes). The Argentinians managed to 'steal' tries on two of their forays into French territory.
Successful teams make the most of their opportunities even if they are unexpected and against the 'run of play'.
After fifty minutes, Argentina scored a brilliant passing try. 22-3 with twenty-seven minutes to play. The Argentine row of coaches leapt to their feet. One of them was an Englishman, Les Cusworth.
The French hero, Sebastian Chabal, came on, after sixty minutes, to cheers.
After 64 minutes, Corleto, in the celestial blue of Argentina, broke away and ran for fifty metres to score a try. The Argentine team had set the world cup alight from the start of the competition and their flame was still burning bright. 27 - 3 to Argentina.
Four tries for Argentina and a score line that was hardly believable. A brave and exciting performance from this Argentine team.
At last, after 68 minutes, France scored a try. 27 - 10 But then Felipe Contrapome, the Leinster player, scored a try for Argentina. 34 -10 was the final score.
The French crowd were stunned and humiliated. The French team had had a shot at redemption but had blown it. France bowed out bothered, bewildered bewitched and bamboozled! There was desolation throughout France and considerable rejoicing in Argentina!
The negative motivation of revenge for their defeat in the opening match of the competition was not enough to give France victory. The positive emotions of a desire for glory and a determination to win were enough for Argentina.
The Pumas were also helped by the confidence that came from previous victories over France. However, who knows what might have happened if an early French try had been allowed. A good early start is a major factor in success.
The third place bronze medal meant everything to the Pumas. They had now beaten France twice on French soil and had beaten both Ireland and Scotland. They had conquered three of the six nations.
They had made their case for entry into a big competition like the six nations or the three nations of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Commentators praised Argentina:
"Argentina powered to a convincing victory over France to claim third place in the Rugby World Cup on Friday."
"The Pumas, the revelation of the tournament, ran in five tries to snuff out French hopes of revenge for their opening-match defeat last month."
Before the earlier semi-final game, the Puma Manager, Loffreda, had praised the achievement of a team that came from an amateur set up in Argentina that emphasised traditional sporting values rather than playing just for money:
"I think what Argentina has shown is that rugby is not just about professionalism or individual interests. It also involves love, wearing your colours and team spirit. All these things have brought us to this semi-final. This speaks volumes about Argentinean rugby."
His words meant even more now that Argentina had won third place in the world of rugby union.
Again, more success lessons can be gleaned from this play off match. Some may seem obvious but everyone needs reminding of the obvious as so few people put the obvious into practice.
You never know for sure if you will succeed in any venture but you are much more likely to succeed if you approach your venture with whole hearted commitment and the determination to let nothing stop you en route to your goals. Determination is a crucial factor in achieving any kind of success.
One dictionary defines determination as:
"A firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end."
John Calvin Coolidge highlighted the importance of determination:
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
You also need to be relaxed if you want to achieve your goals and make the most of your potential. Do whatever helps you to relax. Don't copy what others do to relax. Discover, if you haven't already, what makes you, as an individual relax. Some people, including me, just hate lying on the beach in the sun.
If you want to succeed or win at anything you have to turn up and show that you want to play. If you don't want to play, pretend that you do! If you start by pretending, your pretence can soon become reality!
Make the most of your opportunities even if they are unexpected.
Use any emotions that might help motivate you whether they are negative or positive. Use the confidence that comes from past victories.
Do what you love to do even if you are not being paid to do it. Amateurs have been known to out perform the professionals.
Before you start any project, don't forget to visit Disneyland or to, at least, listen to Walt Disney himself. I, especially, like this great quote of his:
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."
John Watson is an award winning teacher and 5th degree blackbelt martial arts instructor. He has written several ebooks on motivation and success topics. One of these can be found at http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php
You can also find motivational ebooks by authors like Stuart Goldsmith. Check out http://www.motivationtoday.com/the_midas_method.php
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