CROSSING THE LINE
There is one damaging consequence of New Zealand’s obsession with winning at rugby.
At times, some of their leading players have gone too far in pursuit of their Holy Grail. Victory.
They have crossed the line that divides industry and effort from wanton violence on the field.
The reputation of certain players and also of the national team has been damaged by such acts. If we accept the premise that, in terms of the pursuit of excellence, New Zealand stands alone at the summit of world rugby, then it is surely beholden upon them to play in a manner that upholds the highest standards and traditions of the game.
But alas, these occasional acts of violence and cheap tricks have, at times, demeaned both the national team and the game at large.
How best to define that desire to win and the fear of losing? A couple of Yanks nailed it in specifying the fine lines between the desire to win and the fear of losing. “I hate to lose more than I love to win,” said US tennis star Jimmy Connors. And from Vince Lombardi: “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.”
Or as Richie McCaw said: “The big thing that really drove me was not
