Breakfast with the All Black captain

9/6/2009

About 60 Old Boys and their connections – a number of them Foundation members – enjoyed the opportunity to see All Black captain Richie McCaw (1994-1998, Head Boy 1998) at this morning’s Otago Secondary School Sports’ Association Leaders’ breakfast in Dunedin.

Richie McCaw speaking at this morning's breakfast.

Photo supplied by seenindunedin.co.nz

Richie gave a fascinating insight into the All Black leading model and with 21 of Otago’s 23 high schools represented, the young (and not so young) in attendance took away some valuable advice.

The All Blacks work on the principles of ‘front up each time by setting and demanding standards of the highest order, strive for consistency and look to create an environment where they play well each week’. As Richie noted, that doesn’t always eventuate but the intention is there.

His own mantra is to lead by example and despite the weight of expectation thrust upon a national sporting captain, he looks to enjoy the journey to each Saturday and never loses sight of the fun of sport. Richie also passed on a piece of wisdom given to him several years ago when he made his way into the All Blacks – be yourself rather than try to be someone else, because that spot is already taken.

Richie won’t be playing in this Saturday night’s test against the French at Carisbrook, due to injury, but will be involved in the buildup in a mentoring role.

After his address and a question and answer session, Richie was presented with a City of Dunedin scarf by Mayor Peter Chin (1954-58) before posing for photographs with each of the school groups and a large number of individuals. He then spent time at Otago Boys’ where he attended the sporting blues assembly.