In the 1991 Rugby World Cup final, the decision was taken not to give a team talk, but to simply give Australian Assistant Coach Bob Templeton a poem to read in dressing room. This is the poem, written by Peter Fenton ... that’s all that was needed – it follows, the Wallabies went on to win the 1991 final.
“THE RUNNING GAME”
There is a spirit in the Wallabies
Mere words can not describe
As if they were descended
From a legendary tribe,
There is a kinship, a tradition
As in days so long since past
Of crusades, of knights in armour
Of men before the mast
There’s a thrill you can’t appreciate
A pride you cannot tell,
Lest you wear your nation’s jumper
And you wear it really well
When you mark before the forward rush
So doing turn the tide
When you make the vital tackle
And your line is open wide
When you go down on rolling ball
And dare the tramping feet
And you lift your aching body
And opposition meet
When you burst away from tacklers
And make the winning run
And you come back heart a thumping
And your team mates say well done
But it isn’t just the winning
Nor the scoring, nor the cheers
It’s friendships and memories
That last you through the years
It’s the camaraderie
That’s born of valour not fame
It’s the sheer exhilaration
When you play the running game