On Saturday night, my wife and I went to the movies. I mention it, not only because it was a momentous and rare occasion, but because it reminded me again of the importance and success which the Australian character brings to many endeavours.
The movie was βThe Kings Speechβ. The storyline recounts the successful treatment, by an Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, played by the outstanding Australian actor, Geoffrey Rush, of the terrible stammer which restricted the speech of the Duke of York. During the treatment the Duke of York became King George VI, following the abdication of his older brother.
The wartime addresses of the new king became a vital component of the wonderful British resistance both βat home and abroadβ, and Lionel was present and guided the king through all of these occasions. The king subsequently recognised Lionelβs efforts by inducting him as a Commander of the Victorian Order, which βrewards personal service to the sovereignβ and is the personal gift of the monarch.
As a proud and staunch Aussie, I was much moved by Lionelβs attitude to the duke and subsequently to the king. I like to think that, in general, Australians treat people as they find them β recognising and respecting their position, but relating solely to the person. I am reminded of another occasion, from some years back, when an old rugby mate brought a visiting British friend to the rugby at Ballymore in Brisbane. Introducing his visitor, my mate said, βIβd like you to meet an old rugby friend of mine who is visiting from Wales β Lord Parry.β βGβdayβ, came the response, βPleased tβ meet ya, Lloyd!β
Lionel insisted that he be addressed as βLionelβ and that he address the duke as βBertieβ. He wanted his patient to trust him as a friend; he believed that it was vital to the success of his treatment. Despite many rows and βsplit-upsβ, the treatment was ultimately successful. Lionel recognised the true character of the king β courage, determination, responsibility β and the king recognised the genuineness and viability of Lionelβs methods.
On the way home, I said to my wife that Lionelβs character was my observation of the βtrue Aussie characterβ and that I thought that that character is at the core of our success as a people and as a nation. We are, I understand, the worldβs No.1 sporting nation β measured on a population basis. We respect all people, taking them at face value, and although we respect their position and their achievements, we pay no homage to their ranks.
βAll men are borne equalβ, we believe, βand all things are possible, for all men. What you do with your life is up to you, and, we are your friends and weβll help you!β Most importantly though, βYouβve got to have a go! Succeed or fail, youβve got to give it your best shot.β βAve a go!β was what Lionel did, and he kept on βhaving a goβ until he succeeded. Importantly, he insisted β although without actually saying so β that the king βhad a goβ also.
This, I believe, has always been the foundation stone of Australiaβs sporting success; I sure that itβs been the same in other areas of our endeavours also. This brings me to our rugby. The Wallabies are starting to play well β not before time, did I hear you say? The success has coincided with the emergence of a number of talented young players, players who have been allowed to develop without fear of failure. There is, after all, in our society, no failure, save the absence of βhaving a goβ.
Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper and Will Genia are examples of this. They respect their opponents, but they want to ask the question, βIf I give it my best shot, will I be good enough?β They do not fear the answer, because itβs only the βanswerβ that they are seeking. There is no hesitancy, just excitement β and determination! Almost invariably, they are βgood enoughβ. Indeed, Will Greenwood, writing in the English press, has chosen the three of them in his World XV for 2010. Cooper ahead of New Zealandβs Dan Carter? Beale ahead of Mils Muliaina or Ben Foden? Genia ahead of Youngs or Ellis? He went on to explain that all three were βdifferentβ; they are not out of a mould; they have that instinctive edge to their game, which is difficult to defend. They play without fear of failure.
Over the years, Iβve had the opportunities for βmanyβ rugby chats and many have been with All Blacks, both current and past. Invariably, each has expressed the view that βthey play with a passion born of βfear of failureββ. None wants to be a part of a team which loses! Australians, from my experience, have quite the opposite motivation. We play to see if weβre good enough, indeed, perhaps to see if youβre good enough. βWeβre going to give it our best shot. Letβs see if youβre good enough!β This is, by necessity, supported by countless hours of preparation β the same for all countries β but it is, for us, an essential ingredient and one which sets us apart. Our record speaks for itself.
So, with the Wallabies, weβve assembled a squad which is capable of greatness β mind you, we wouldnβt want a lot of injuries. We have the talent and the innate national character. All we need is that the βcountless hours of preparationβ are, in fact, perfect preparation.
Practice doesnβt make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.
Over to you, Robbie!