The benefit of big game belief

Even in the face of mighty pressure, the unit always feels in control of their destiny. They finally have to prove they have that big game mentality by hammering Wales.

SOME teams have what’s known as a ‘big game mentality’. They have the ability to turn up and perform at the highest level, on the most important days. These are the teams who step on to the pitch, knowing that they will be leaving 80 minutes later holding a trophy, having suppressed the efforts and ambition of the opposition.

This mental strength doesn’t just appear in a side. It is usually something that evolves, the individuals and the group learning from experiences, both bitter and sweet. In 2000 Munster faced Northampton in the Heineken Cup final. Earlier that year we had a meeting in a UL lecture hall where our goals for the year were set. Fitness coach, Dave Mahedy, who was chairing the meeting, asked for input from the players, realistic ambitions for the year. It was the usual stuff: ‘Win our home games’; ‘Beat Ulster in Ravenhill’; ‘Attempt yet again to win a game in France’. Suddenly Keith Wood called out, ‘Win the Heineken Cup’. Everybody laughed. It was incredible. We were the self-appointed no-hopers of the tournament.

Despite our initial lack of self-belief we found ourselves in that now infamous decider. We had played some sublime rugby and had our fair share of luck on the way. Now we were one step away from history and the pressure was mounting. Every newspaper and radio was talking about the game. We were hugely hyped up and hoped it would be our day. The night before the game there was a squad meeting. We all had to say our piece about what winning would mean to us. It was a hugely emotional gathering. Some players were too choked up to speak. The whole thing was a mistake. We were mentally and physically drained afterwards and never recovered in time for kick-off. One man central to the meeting was Declan Kidney. He recognised the error and vowed he wouldn’t repeat this mistake.

In 2006 Munster had yet again reached a Heineken Cup final and were tagged as favourites. We had learned from the previous two finals. There was no extra hype. This game was approached as every other had been throughout the campaign. We had huge self-belief, a factor that was absent in our 2002 final against Leicester. We were also focused on the process of winning the ultimate prize. Emotion could not be allowed to rule our heads. Declan Kidney maintained a very low-key atmosphere around our training camp. He told us to enjoy the week building up to the game but to think about what we would be doing the following week. He would ask each individual about something in their personal life and then remind them what we were doing was just rugby; it wasn’t life or death. He recognised the squad didn’t need any extra incentives or tear-jerker meetings. We just needed to go about our job in a professional manner. The extra shot of emotion would occur naturally when we walked out in front of 70,000 Munster supporters.

Today, Kidney has led another group of players to within snatching distance of historic achievement. He returns to the Millennium Stadium, this time hoping to achieve the ultimate Six Nations accolade: the Grand Slam. He has already transformed an unhappy band of individuals into a cohesive, purposeful unit. They have won matches they could easily have lost in prior years. In the England game at Croke Park, Ireland underlined a development of that winning mentality. They have shown an ability to strangle games that look to be in the balance. Ronan O’Gara spoke candidly following the Scottish match, saying that even though they were trailing at several stages in the game, he never felt for a second Ireland would lose, showing how far the team has come in its mental toughness. Even in the face of mighty pressure, the unit always feels in control of their destiny.

The players have suffered the lows over the last few seasons. They meekly bowed out of the last World Cup and have come tantalisingly close to Grand Slams on several occasions. These experiences will stand them when they step on to the pitch today. They will use every negative memory to their advantage. Each player must focus on the process required to produce a win and detach themselves from the hype. Kidney has instilled confidence in his side by telling them how good they are and he wants the players to reciprocate by believing in themselves and proving their greatness on the field.

They finally have to prove they have that big game mentality by hammering Wales.