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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It could be argued that people should use their time more constructively.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019d all join up in one solid unit, travelling at full speed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Two things come out of this. One is that rugby\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Strangely, such a solid structure is easy to demolish. One accomplished politician can do it in one speech.<\/p>\n
Fortunately there are not many accomplished ones around; even fewer whose opinions on sports matters have any substance.<\/p>\n