It is a worrying thought: that there may be a scrutineer at the gates to that big stadium in the sky, asking awkward questions about time management and so on.
It will be hard to justify spending a total of, say, 17 years and six months of your allotted time on earth by throwing, kicking, hitting and catching a variety of balls. Or watching others do the throwing, kicking, hitting and catching.
It could be argued that people should use their time more constructively.
Those who spent, say, almost R50 000 during their lifetime to attend sports events, had better start drawing up a list of excuses in case the scrutineer wants to know if the money could have been used in more appropriate ways.
Yet there is something to be said for playing and watching sport. One can learn valuable lessons if you take notice while playing and watching.
A few years ago we were watching a rugby team called the All Blacks train for a test match. It was a routine practice, but an intense one.
The coach insisted on the forwards arriving at rucks in scrum formation: 3-4-1. Come to think of it, it must have been a little longer than a few years ago, because rucking was still legal.
The coach, nicknamed Ivan the Terrible, wanted the first three forwards, usually the loosies, to link up in front-row formation several metres from the breakdown point, grabbing each other by the jersey.
The next four had to do the same, only a metre or so behind the leading trio, followed by the last one, usually a prop forward. Then, just before reaching the ball, they’d all join up in one solid unit, travelling at full speed.
They could have demolished downtown buildings that way. They flattened everything in sight, especially Englishmen, leaving the ball behind them for the scrumhalf to dispatch.
It was a memorable sight; the All Black rucking in unison. They did it so well that no one got injured and the backs had wonderful ball to work with.
Two things come out of this. One is that rugby’s lawmakers have robbed the game, and the All Blacks, of a thing of beauty by banning real rucking. They should be tried in The Hague for that.
The other is that much can be achieved when a number of people act as one. By setting one goal and joining forces, an almost unstoppable force can be created.
It is extremely hard to achieve but when coaches and captains and all their players unite and work together it is something motivational speakers use as examples.
Strangely, such a solid structure is easy to demolish. One accomplished politician can do it in one speech.
Fortunately there are not many accomplished ones around; even fewer whose opinions on sports matters have any substance.
For other interesting columns by this author, click here.
