Crocodile tears

Two of the nation’s most supported teams are enjoying stark contrasts at present.

No, I am not referring in any way to the furore engulfing the rugby team right now compared to the calmness and satisfaction the cricketers are experiencing.

My reference is to the current state of activity of both the camps. Whilst the rugger buggers are locked away in Durban honing their skills away from prying eyes, the Proteas (how I hate that name) are feet up, watching videos and getting away from it all after their arduous sojourn to the U.K. Recharging the batteries is a priority as their thoughts wander towards the challenges of a tour to Pakistan. I bet that a few are sucking on a good old brown vitamin tablet or two (commonly known as their sponsors brew) as they contemplate 5 weeks in a dry country.

Around the world at the moment, rugby teams hellbent on lifting the Webb Ellis trophy are also frenetic with their build-ups. I have it on good authority that the Australians have shuttled off to some remote part of northern Australia to involve themselves in a session of team building at a crocodile farm. Brings a whole new meaning to snap passes and snap decisions doesn’t it?

Now whilst I am not against these bonding gatherings I do at times query the locations and the ability of some decisionmakers to break away from the norm and basically fanaticize. Remember the cricketers training camp in the Drakensberg prior to the world cup. The jury is still out on that one.

The most bizarre team building I ever heard of revolved around an Australian Rules football team called the Adelaide Crows. Their franchise had just been awarded the honour of joining the premier league in Australia, called surprisingly the Australian Football League. The coach in his wisdom decided to take his troops off to a desolate area some 300 kms away from the relative hustle and bustle of Adelaide. Mental toughness and self-belief were two topics high on the agenda. The coach decided that a hypnotist was required. Following numerous sessions to strengthen these traits he unbelievably implemented a walking over hot coals exercise!!!!

The end result of this costly and stupid getaway was that come the opening game some six weeks later, 7 of his most instrumental players were unavailable due to third degree burns on the soles of their feet!!!!!!!

I can’t believe that I as an Australian have told you that story.