Russell Bell PHOTO/FILE
IF YOU were with us when we watched the Rugby World Cup final four years ago, you probably would have thought I didn't enjoy the experience. And you'd be right.
I found the whole experience in 2011 to be too intense. I'm not sure why this was the case but, I guess, it had something to do with the whole picture of the All Blacks shedding the "choker" label and the order of the rugby universe being restored. That is, the best team over four years should carry the title of world champion - not a team who can perform well "on the day".
Equity and fairness are a core aspect of my makeup.
This time, however, there is a different feeling in the air. Monkey well and truly off our backs, there is an element of relaxed Russell as I watch the matches unfold. Although when two of our players were in the sin bin against a fired-up Argentina, I did get the jitters.
However, I have been getting much more interested in the clashes involving teams other than the All Blacks. I was disappointed to miss Japan beating the Springboks - and what a triumph over the odds that was - but it was with a fair amount of expectation that I sat down on Sunday to watch England play Wales.
You have to hand it to the English - they do everything in their power to position themselves as the team everyone else wants to lose.
They are the Manchester United of world rugby - their "Hakarena" attempt to mock and depower the All Blacks haka the latest display of an arrogance which belies their status in the game. If it was meant to be funny, it failed " kind of like their team did on Sunday morning.
The Welsh gave us a lesson on how to succeed under duress. With their injury toll growing by the minute, they pulled off an inspiring win. They talk a lot in sport about succeeding in the face of adversity " albeit the adversity that sports teams face is different to that experienced in life and business (that is, it generally ends when the final whistle blows). The sports analogy can be more accurately translated as you see strategies change and resources applied in different ways to get the result required.
I have argued change is now a "constant" and you need to be prepared for when conditions move (positively or negatively) and then shape your organisation to best negotiate what develops. For Wales it was injuries and playing on England's home ground that presented unique challenges.
Seeing someone achieve something significant provides us with inspiration and assuredness that such achievement is possible. This is especially the case where you see adversity being overcome.
And, to close, a shout out to the Four Square on Anzac Parade and their outstanding level of service (I got sent out for eggs at halftime). Checking that none of my eggs were broken was a nice touch. Thank you, I will be back.
-Russell Bell's Zenith Strategic Solutions is a specialist Wanganui business advice and consultancy practice - if you want more information on how they can help your business call Russell or Stephanie on (06) 347 9997.