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Published 08:47 6 Sept 2023 BST
"It's something I learned when I played in France, that they were all on emotion.
"They were all waiting for the head coach to give a really motivational speech before you hopped on the bus to go to the game, a couple of hours before kick-off.
"By that stage, it's too late," he says.
"Yes, it might work one week, but in terms of consistency and relying on emotion, week-in, week-out, it's just not going to last. One of the things that we did when Tana Umaga was (captain), he had to tell Graham Henry that we no longer needed him doing the motivational speech to us on game day.
"You know, he was a little bit taken back by it, Graham Henry, but he had the growth mind-set to realise, ‘Ok, well, you know, if the captain is asking or telling me that the players don't need this then, then I don't do it.’
"And we've never had a pre match speech from the coach, the day of the game, you know, from Friday onwards. You don't hear anything from the coaches. It’s up to the players to drive things on the Friday and then game day, Saturday as well."
"You know, the less you hear from the coaches, it inspires you that they have trust and faith in the work that's been done throughout the week, to get you over the line."
Styles make fights. Bring on Friday.
*The Art of Winning: Ten Lessons in Leadership, Purpose and Potential is available in book stores, and online, now.
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