To INFINITE and BEYOND…
SPORT as the paradygm of Health in Action to keep us Focused, Strong, and Growing. At bf© You’ll find plenty of Advice, Information, useful Tips to keep fit and compete well + lot of etceteras!
MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO…
And yes, ancient Greek people had it clear: if the body is healthy, mind usually joins (perhaps we can/should invert the order) as the totality we are needs both pillars fit. Would you like to be the best possible yourself? To discover your mind+body’s peaks?
Let’s keep linked here to share marvelous moments for healthy Life.
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 🏉
‘THE ICING ON THE CAKE’ FROM THE ISLAND RUGBY …SINCE 1888
Rugby is about ancient traditions and honor, among other things, and ‘the LIONS’ stand out as one covering both sides: for being eligible to be part of this legendary squad, a player has to be English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh …and to play in outstanding way before the selection 😊
As it clearly states in their heraldic-like crest, the adventure begun in 1888 and since then, a tour is made by the South every 4 years in order to face the big giants (Australian Wallabies, New Zealand All Blacks and South African Springboks -only one of them in each tour) in what represents the highest honor to everybody: the Lions’ players feel to touch the peak in their ‘careers’ (more even than to be capped for their respective countries), and for the southern superpowers is all of a historic achievement and honor to beat the mythic red-shirt team.
Easy to imagine some of the most outstanding British & Irish cracks of all times having been Lions, as e.g. Gareth Edwards, Gavin Hastings, Jonny Wilkinson or Brian O’Driscoll (just to mention one per nation).
About the uniform colors, on one hand we can easily guess the red choice for the shirt is to make a relevant difference respect to the gold yellow, black and dark green of the usual contenders. At the same time we find Wales represented there, while the English white is in the shorts, being the socks Irish green at the top + Scottish dark blue the rest (to the tiptoe).
About peaks in the Lions’ history, the win over the All Blacks in 1971, the only one against the Kiwis until now, and the undefeated, impeccable series of 22 matches in South Africa (1974) with 21 victories and one draw, having the press calling them ‘the invincible team’.
All in all, what is really special inside a B&I Lions team is the strange fact of huge camaraderie between 4 nationalities that usually treat each other the hardest of ways in the ‘6 Nations’ (e.g.). Kind of a ‘4 mosqueteers’ spirit? 😊
Australia 2025 and New Zealand 2029 are in the horizon, surely adding more historic pages to the myth.
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
SAME OLD …’BOK STORY 🏉
RUGBY WORLD ANALYSIS POST-FRANCE 2023: ABOUT ‘THE USUAL SUSPECTS’ 😊
To the point: the apparent paradigm shift went up in smoke, giving way to the more ‘classic’ portrait of the state of rugby.
The emerging and threatening powers of the North, Ireland (number one in the ranking at the beginning of the World Cup) and France (local, and with a historic super-team) gave up the soft seats in the Final to the ‘old rugby’, from the South, of course: South Africa and New Zealand.
It’s true: a Springboks-All Blacks is the dream match. The essence of rugby. The best of the best…who’s complaining?
Only that lovers of variety and novelty were very excited about the previous campaigns of the French and Irish to think that there would be a ‘second power in the North’ to win the Webb-Ellis (world cup) after that unforgettable England in 2003.
Dupont (French and current-rugby-world’s idol) or Sexton (Irish trump card of victory in the final arc of his career) wanted to succeed Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson in the Olympus of leaders of world champion European nations.
Pieter-Steph du Toit was instead the most admired player of the finally proud champions ‘Boks, and Mark Telea stood out alongside Ardie Savea in the runners-up ‘Blacks.
Regarding the historical ranking of world champions: South Africa 4, New Zealand 3, Australia 2, England 1.
Something relevant in addition?
The brilliant general performance of Fiji, which has established itself (in its own right) in the ‘Top 10’ of current world rugby ranking, or the confirmation of ‘Los Pumas’ (Argentina) as close contenders to rub shoulders with the greatest: quarterfinals in France 2023 as in England and Wales 2015, bronze medal in 2007, a championship that the South Africans had also won.
Special mention deserved for Marcos Kremer, ‘Puma’ who established himself in this World Cup as the greatest tackler in the history of the tournament, with 92 tackles. WoW.
The South, always…or almost: England won bronze in this recent championship, after leaving the islands almost booed by their own public because of a very disappointing preparation.
Double victory over Argentina allowed them to finish first in their qualifying group and achieve 3rd place in the general ranking. Pretty good to have started the World Cup as ‘sure losers’.
Thus: South African Springboks, New Zealand All Blacks and England made from the ‘classic photo’ of great powers, the final result of ‘France 2023’.
True that it is missing a fallen superstar there: the Australian Wallabies. They will have to change their performance a lot if they want to stand out in THEIR own, next World Cup (Australia 2027).
Italy, for its part, had to ‘dance with the ugliest’ by far, as it fell to the group of France and New Zealand, no less. They did what they could in that context, brilliantly on many occasions. We wish Italians a good future with their new emerging stars, like Ange Capuozzo, who is already close to the level of the best.
Last note for a small personal disappointment about the level of teams like Japan, from which I expected something more.
The real ‘losers’, France and Ireland, were on the verge of achieving the biggest prize.
Next time will be. Will it really? In any case, it will be with the permission of the usual greats, the ‘usual suspects’, who apparently refuse to come down from Olympus 😊
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
The WORLD is 🏉VAL
‘FRANCE 2023’ RUGBY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS!
As a ‘starter’: France vs All Blacks … and we can imagine how the rest will be until the toast of the World Champions: just as explosive and fascinating.
An unprecedented ‘air of equality’ will also season the future of the tournament: Fiji beating England as a visitor in the previous matches, or Italy destroying the emerging Japanese power along with other results worthy of surprise, they predict a good show.
France, the Springboks, Ireland or the All Blacks would seem like the natural candidates this year, although ‘big’ ones such as the Pumas, the Wallabies or Scotland are ready to strike.
From my unconditional fan corner, I wish a great tournament to the most humble teams (Uruguay, Namibia, Tonga, Chile…) and to Fiji that they dare to continue beating super-powers 👍
Great ‘France 2023‘ for everyone!
B (Sr)
‘SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN’
TRIBUTE TO OLD BALLS AND RUGBY BROTHERS & FRIENDS IN ETERNITY…
Rugby has been a field of life growth for me, so I feel so thankful and full of will to compensate at least a bit of all its contributions. Difficult despite the best intentions.
The highest growth came always from the great humans that made great this sport, of course.
Like the oldest balls of my collection (photo), some of which still able to be repaired, some others needing ‘retirement’, many brothers-in-rugby left unforgettable legacies inside and outside the pitch, and now watch us from up there.
After Ciro Bolo, Jonah Lomu, Joost van der Westhuizen and others whose disappearances hitted me as both rugbiers and honorable humans, to know (so late!) about Jorge Capitanelli (‘Capi’) having passed away short time after sending some of his typical jokes to me, is devastating.
Learnt much more than ball handling skills from him. Respect, dignity, true friendship, authenticity, braveness to defend our ideals and the less favored ones from abuse …humanity. Long eternal life to you, dear Friend, in a Heaven that I always imagine full of oval clouds.
Now with the ‘France 2023’ World Cup coming soon, always good to pay tribute to all great ones having given their lives in ‘rugby’ way: with sacrifice, humility and a high sense of honor.
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
‘RESPECT’
PUBLISHED & UNPUBLISHED RUGBY STORIES…
Oxford Dictionary definition: [uncountable, singular] respect (for somebody/something) a strong feeling of approval of somebody/something because of their good qualities or achievements.
Indeed, ‘Respect’ is my favorite word in every language: we can completely disagree with somebody’s opinion and keep looking for common understanding …from respect.
‘Rugby World’ is, b.t.w., one of my favorite magazines, for obvious reasons. His former editor-in-chief, Paul Morgan, was in charge when the photo issue (Jan 2004, World Cup Souvenir Edition) was published, many years ago.
Besides counting on my high appreciation (because of liking my rugby comic strips and illustrations 😊) he obviously shares with me the high consideration to this concept: Respect.
In rugby, even the intimidating side of a marvelous ‘haka’ (war dance usually performed by the All Blacks before their matches) is about respect to the opponent: ‘I want to intimidate you because I respect you’ …otherwise, ‘I’d simply destroy you while laughing and singing from my insulting superiority’. Does it make sense?
English captain Martin ‘Johno’ Johnson and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson are sharing that cover while looking to the camera from same message: Respect. They won the 2003 Rugby World Cup edition (only Northern nation to get the most wanted crown) from respect to every other Team including big candidates like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa (Southern giants) …and gaining to England the respect of the whole rugby world after their feat.
Besides them, many other famous rugby stars have always showed the highest respect and dignity that sport and life deserve: late Jonah Lomu among the greatest ones, even if the list is fortunately long.
‘RUGBY IS SURPRISINGLY ONE OF THE SPORTS WHERE PLAYERS SHOW MOST RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER’ (Samuel Sanders, distinguished American classical pianist)
Also Ciro Bolo, former editor-in-chief of ‘Nuestro Deporte Rugby’, was a worshiper of respect for everything, sports included. He sent me once the ‘incunabulum’ issue # 1 of his publication, in white and sepia, leaving me stunned. Respect and admiration to him for eternity.
Deep ‘Thanks’ also for all the Rugby publications and websites, blogs, forums, etc., who collaborate to keep alive the flame of this sport and its wonderful values.
And as ‘the show must go on’, let’s hope more ambassadors of respect will be blessing every field in the coming times. For the ones having gone, for the ones remembering them, for the ones that begin the long and rugged road with an oval one in hands.
RESPECT to the ball, to the fellows and the opponent, to the spirit of rugby.
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
‘LOS PUMAS’ AGAIN, & TWICE!
NEW RESOUNDING TRIUMPH AGAINST THE MIGHTY ‘ALL BLACKS’ IN THEIR OWN SOIL
The seven-a-side National Rugby Team of Argentina, better known as ‘Los Pumas’, has won the International Hamilton Championship against the local ‘All Blacks’ (New Zealand National Rugby Team), beating them again in their own soil and repeating recent victory in this prestigious round of international rugby tournaments. Congrats to the Champions!
Indeed, this so competitive team where outstanding player Marcos Moneta did his usual ‘magics’, faced the ‘Blacks bravely from the beginning, and could revert an initial 0-12 against to end by beating 14-12 in a brilliant second part of the game.
Gastón Revol and Rodrigo Isgró were also important for the ‘Pumas’ throughout the whole tournament and in the final match.
Solid team, great generation of players called to give more happiness to the Argentinian oval ball fans.
God Bless Rugby,
B (Sr)
BREATH: AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC RELIEF
BEST WAY TO RECOVER BOTH OXYGEN AND ENERGY DURING HARD TRAINING SESSIONS
Learnt some of these easy, short exercises during my first times in a competitive rugby team, that long ago to forget the name of the physical coach that taught us from the beginning how to breath ‘a lot’ is possible, thus recovering faster and easier from hard activity.
In fact, is one of the things that have turned out as more useful to my physical development and care during hard activity times, and until now.
Let’s see three cases (standing, on all fours, sitting) in which we fulfill our lungs and belly with pure air that comes in our help after intense phases of cardio-exercise:
VERTICAL BREATH:
It can be practiced while walking or simply standing up, and alternatively doing this:
- Stretching both arms joined by the hands, upwards, while we breath in (opening mouth e.g.), thus sending the flow of air/ oxygen towards the abdominal cavity.
- Bringing both hands together touching the forehead with the palms facing out while sending the elbows back on inhalation, mainly by the nostrils (slightly inclining the trunk back too), thus bringing incoming air/oxygen towards the lungs.
We can repeat this double-exercise three to five times, or the number of times we feel the need to do so. Its effects are quick and so noticeable.
HORIZONTAL BREATH:
It can be practiced while doing horizontal push-ups (if we do too many 😊) or any other type of exigent exercise in horizontal (on all fours) position.
Supported on the palms of the hands (with arms extended) and on the lower legs (from knee to toe):
- Leaning forward we fill the abdominal cavity with air/ oxygen.
- Leaning back we do the same with the lungs.
Again, three to five repetitions would work, or the ones we are needing until feeling recovered either to finish the training session or to go forward towards the next challenge.
SEATED BREATHING:
It can be practiced with a usual exercise chair or bench, where we are practicing physical activity that requires it, simply in the natural sitting position, also with a double alternative set of movements and in sequence:
- We lean forward, resting the palms of our hands on our knees, thus filling the abdominal cavity with air/oxygen.
- Leaning backwards with both hands joined above the head and sending the elbows back, we do the same with the lungs.
The usual three to five repetitions, or as needed, are still sufficient.
Our muscles will appreciate the ‘extra dose’ of oxygen incorporated through any of the previous options, which they consume to produce energy until exhausted… at which point the anaerobic metabolism will continue with the same task, generating lactic acid though, with the risk of exhaustion and cramps, so:
LET’S BREATHE AGAIN! 😀
Hope you find this as useful as I did, having taken lot of advantage from both ways of inhaling precious air/ oxygen after hard exigences.
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
A SWIMMING BEAST VISITED ME 🏊🥇😊
JOHN MORGAN, 15 OLIMPIC MEDALS, 2 CURRENT WORLD RECORDS, 1 IMPRESSIVE HUMAN BEING
Some eternities ago 😊, during our teen age, we were sharing the same swimming pool even if for slightly different sports: I was by that time a humble water-polo goalkeeper while he was already a rising star that would shock the sport world shortly afterwards.
I remember even more the warm way his family was integrating me as another member, thus officially becoming John’s ‘brother’, and enjoying lot of stories that taught me + helped me grow from the human side. The sport one was quite another thing: I could just witness his impressive capacity to win and beat records in as natural way as I was breathing or tying my shoelaces.
Among his impressive capacities even outside the swimming pool: open-waters marathon competitor, having covered + 35 km in bit more than 8 hours 😱
Curiously, after decades of friendship, I keep more impressed yet by his great humility and human depth than his impressive track record in sports.
In fact I’m convinced that he confirms through his human behavior the main values in sport: loyalty, friendliness, permanent well intention to help and give support to fellows, altruism, great capacity to move forward despite huge difficulties to reach main goals, sacrifice, will, sense of honor.
During his visit to Barcelona, together with his wife Carmit, both were going to swim everyday in the marvelous Barceloneta pools near their hotel. Swimming as a form of life, as the main moto + motivation. An authentic champion that ‘lives’ his sport to the limit. An example.
So thankful for the privilege of this visit, I’m looking forward to the next time, wishing for it to happen a.s.a.p. 🤞
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
‘BARBARIANS’
LEAVING LEGENDS OF RUGBY MAGICS
What a honor, to be invited for wearing the ‘Baa-Baas’ t-shirt at least once in a rugby player’s life: this will surely mean that person has outstanding skills + an impeccable behavior in the pitch.
As an analogy for rugby neophytes, the Barbarians could be considered as ‘the Globetrotters of the oval ball’ 😊 …and lot of curious sides accompany their existence from the beginning (1890). For instance, is the only team where the players use different socks, each one with the color of their respective union or national team. Multicolor diversity!
Of course the so typical black & white is always a ‘must’ for the shirt, as well as only-black for the shorts. The socks, again, have been as varied as the 30 nationalities represented by their players until now.
In addition to cultivating the honor of sport in general, as evidenced by the ‘filter’ of good behavior as well as exceptional skills in order to be invited, it is tradition to always invite at least one player with no international experience to each match, what shows openness and will of offering opportunities to the less prominent ones as well.
On the Barbarians competitive side, let’s say they begun more than a century ago by playing against British and Irish local teams (Cardiff RFC, Leicester Tigers, Newport RFC, Swansea RFC, etc.), and now have grown up an impressive ‘aura’ of super-team by consistently, frequently beating world cup owners and other powerful national teams as e.g. the ‘All Blacks’ (New Zealand), the ‘Springboks’ (South Africa), the ‘Wallabies’ (Australia), and all of the Northern Hemisphere giants.
Memorable rugby moments are still in the fans’ retinas, like Gareth Edwards’ try against the ‘All Blacks’ in 1973 (‘the’ try), typical of the free-flowing Barbarians’ style, or the outstanding victory (22-5) over world-champions South Africa in 2007: a true demolition from the black’n white side with brilliant performances from myths like Jason Robinson (England) or Matt Giteau (Australia) among others. Pure magics.
Hope this humble tribute proves useful to know them a bit more (or just to know them 😊) and from my side, be sure I’ll keep track on enjoying every ‘Baa-Baas’ match against the best ones.
Keeping you posted! God Bless Rugby,
B (Sr)
INVICTVS: ‘PUMA’ PRIDE x 7
ARGENTINA’S BRILLIANT RUGBY SEVEN-A-SIDE CHAMPIONSHIP/ VANCOUVER 2022
The t-shirt I wear in the image evoques a historic podium from ‘Los Pumas’ (Argentina Rugby national team) at France 2007 Rugby World Cup.
‘7’ is, again, the involved number in the current brilliant success of the oval ball sport in light-blue and white. Only South-American super-power, the seven-a-side version (seven players in the pitch instead of fifteen, as it was in France) is leaving clear to the rest of competitive nations that the flame is intact there, and seems to want more 😊
For the recent Vancouver edition, Argentina won the final match against other sevens’ usual power: Fidji (29-10), being in addition the ‘puma’ Marcos Moneta top-scorer of the tournament with 50 points.
Previously, ‘los Pumas’ were facing France (12-12), Scotland (24-5), Ireland (26-19), England (40-17), and Australian ‘Wallabies’ (24-12) in an invictus path towards the brilliant final.
We’ll keep informing about the oval ball relevant news, every time they happen …God bless Rugby!
‘Til the Next one,
B (Sr)
COCKY WINNERS 🙂
‘6 NATIONS’ 2022 CHAMPIONS HAVE WON IT ALL
France’s proud victory over England in the last tournament match meant the 10th ‘Grand Chelem’ (full win overall performance) for the Bleus.
With an impressive XV and Antoine Dupont (scrum-half) considered as the best player in the world, the French team has been solid alongside this whole ’22 edition, already looking forward to their home-based next Rugby World Cup 2023, full of well-justified confidence.
Here, the complete info: Results & Table…
ROUND 5/ Sat, March 19th:
France 25 v England 13; Ireland 26 v Scotland 05; Wales 21 v Italy 22.
ROUND 4/ Fri, March 11 th – Sat, March 12 th:
Wales 09 v France 13; England 15 v Ireland 32; Italy 22 v Scotland 33.
ROUND 3/ Fri, February 26 th – Sat, February 27 th:
Scotland 17 v France 36; England 23 v Wales 19; Ireland 57 v Italy 06.
ROUND 2/ Fri, February 12 th – Sat, February 13 th:
Wales 20 v Scotland 17; France 30 v Ireland 24; Italy 0 v England 33.
ROUND 1/ Fri, February 5 th – Sat, February 6 th:
Ireland 29 v Wales 07; Scotland 20 v England 17; France 37 v Italy 10.
POSITIONS:
- FRANCE (25p); 2. IRELAND (21p); 3. ENGLAND (10p); 4. SCOTLAND (10p); 5. WALES (7p); 6. ITALY (4p).
Another unforgettable moment, mainly for Italians 😊, was the long-awaited away victory as visitors of Wales, the first in such condition for the squadra, which comes after +30 consecutive losses. Complimenti, Italia!
Among the resting special moments, a red card in the minute-1 of the match England-Ireland, for the English player Ewels, that obviously conditioned the resting 79’ (loud Irish victory) …a French referee b.t.w. (hehe).
Our respectful recognition, now, for the righteous Champions…
TOUTES NOS FÉLICITATIONS, COURAGEUX GAGNANTS ! 🏈🐔🏆
‘Til the Next one,
B (Sr)
GREEN POWER
IRELAND’S XV STORM IN TWICKENHAM (‘6 NATIONS’ REPORT)
Already past the meridian of the competition, France leads with ‘4 out of 4’ after their triumph in the visit to Wales.
Ireland, taking advantage of the red card in the first minute to Charlie Ewels (England), takes a resounding victory and second place shortly after the end of this 6 Nations edition.
(Positions’ table + match statistics, in the attached image)
‘In time for St Patrick’s day’ according to my friend Aisling, so let’s celebrate this fantastic performance hoping for more and better for the rest of the contest.
God bless Rugby.
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
6 NATIONS: THE BIG SHOW STARTS!
THE OLDEST OVAL-BALL TOURNAMENT IS BACK TO THE FRAY …LET’S ENJOY!
Preceded only by the sailing America’s Cup and very few others, the 6 NATIONS Rugby Tournament is ‘almost’ the oldest international competition.
It is rightfully so in the world of the oval ball, having begun in 1883 as a domestic tournament for the British 4 Nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland), evolving throughout its history to the current format (6 NATIONS) since 2000, in which Italy was included together with the previous 5 selections, France being the first ‘added’ to the original format, in 1910.
Among its curiosities to highlight, there was a ‘five-way tie’ in 1973, with all participants honored as winners after 2 wins and 2 losses each. Beyond that, England leads the current record with 29 titles, closely followed by Wales (28).
In addition, ‘internal trophies’ are played within the mother-competition, such as the Grand Slam (which rewards the team that wins all the matches in an edition), the Triple Crown (for the British nation that beats the others), and the pitting against pairs of competitors such as the Calcutta Cup (England-Scotland), Garibaldi Cup (France-Italy), Millennium Trophy (England-Ireland), Centenary Quaich (Ireland-Scotland), Auld Alliance (France-Scotland), and to highlight the dubious honor of the Wooden Spoon, which ‘rewards’ the last of each Tournament and lately belongs to Italy almost exclusively, with Scotland and Wales being the other historical ‘winners’.
We renew our annual joy for the celebration of our second-favourite-tournament 😊 and, for that matter, we will point preferences towards gallant Scotland, who have just exhibited themselves against giants from the south such as (no less) the Wallabies, two-time world champions. We will also cross our fingers so that our beloved Italy gives up the Spoon to any other contender.
Let’s keep the party going! God Bless Rugby.
‘Til the Next one,
B (Sr)
’16 NATIONS’
A RUGBY NORTH-SOUTH CLASH FOR HISTORY
The Autumn Nations Series this year has been a true turning point. With the sole imperative of facing a nation from the north to one from the south in each game, this massive visit by the southern giants to Europe has left unforgettable moments.
I really enjoyed like a child to see the ‘6 Nations’ involved with the ‘Rugby Championship’ (or 4 Nations) and 6 other top-performing national teams in the same tournament. Thought I was really dreaming!
From organization terms, it was the Northern Hemisphere hosting the Southern Hemisphere, with every game counting towards World Rugby’s ranking system (nice incentive!).
‘Hosts’ representing the North were England, Scotland, France, Wales, Italy, Ireland, and the United States, as well as South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Tonga, Uruguay, Fiji, Georgia and Japan acted as ‘visitors’. Each team played from 2 to 4 matches.
Outstanding peaks (great games) were p. ex. Scotland’s great triumph over the Wallabies (Australia) or England’s over the Springboks (South Africa), and to highlight the two resounding defeats of the All Blacks (New Zealand) against France and Ireland.
Here some comments on our favorite matches:
ENGLAND (27) vs SOUTH AFRICA (26)
Tight victory for the XV of the Rose, to celebrate their 150 years of rugby (17-12 by ending the first half). Many English tries against more penalties for the Springboks, who frustrated the Rose in the last World Cup. Exciting end of game with many changes in the score until the final English penalty short before the final whistle.
SCOTLAND (15) vs AUSTRALIA (13)
Another hard-fought victory in a so closed match that allowed Scotland to beat the Wallabies for the third time in a row, in the same season (what happened last in far 1982). Entertaining, changing game that Australia led for a while and where the dark blue men spirit + conviction proved decisive in the end.
FRANCE (37) vs NEW ZEALAND (25)
A true All Blacks nightmare when they’re ‘on’, the France XV overplayed New Zealand from the beginning, with a succession of tries made of both power and talent (to highlight, fly-half Émile Ntamack) that the ‘Blacks’ turned back in the second half, even without getting close enough in the score to worry ‘les Bleus’, clear winners in the end.
An overall 15-5 (victories-defeats) to the North is a score that invites to reflect on Southern typical supremacy. Still?
I guess next Rugby World Cup (2023) hosted by France will prove a solid reply on this. By the moment, what a magnificent idea has the ‘Autumn Series’ been. God bless Rugby.
‘Til the Next one!
B (Sr)
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: HAPPY ENDING
WITH ‘4 NATIONS’ AGAIN INVOLVED, A TOURNAMENT TO REMEMBER 🙂
Well, the All Blacks winning is the usual story. Anyway: CONGRATS to the so-solid Champions.
What else happened? A lot: the Wallabies signing a honorable 2nd position after beating twice the World Champions (South Africa)…
…the Springboks themselves beating New Zealand in the last breath (31-29) in the most exciting match this year…
…and the Pumas resoundingly losing the sense of growth evidenced in the previous tournament (with a victory over the ‘Blacks and a double draw against Australia).
In the end: New Zealand 25p, Australia 18p, South Africa 15p, Argentina 0p …and we’re already missing the next one!
God Bless Rugby,
B (Sr)
‘4 NATIONS’ AGAIN 🙂
THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP WELCOMES BACK CURRENT WORLD CHAMPIONS (I)
The best rugby tournament in our humble opinion, the 2021 edition will count again on the mighty South African ‘Springboks’ (current world champions) after a 2020 that prevented them to take part due to pandemic impediments in their country.
Their opener against the Argentinian ‘Los Pumas’ will be a so expected match, as the Pumas have beaten New Zealand (‘All Blacks’) last year, as well as tied twice with Australia (the ‘Wallabies’) thus showing their evident growth in power and skills since 2012, the beginning of their story in this tournament.
What to say about the ‘other 2’? Well, simply that the men in black have won almost every edition in the 4-teams format until today, except for 2015 (Australia winning) and 2019 (South Africa lifting the trophy).
The ‘Wallabies’, at their time, are wanting to recover former sensations, from when they were used to win a lot, in consistent way, like e.g. the world cup editions of 1991 and 1999, clearly beating the Northern hemisphere giants (England and France, in this order) to plant Australia flag at the peak.
Our beloved Agostina (alma·matter of bf© Fitness, Nutrition, Health & Sport) and I have both so high expectations on what this year’s RUGBY CHAMPS’ will offer.
Toasting on a fantastic spectacle, full of unforgettable rugby moments!
‘Til the Next one,
Agostina & B (Sr)
TRIBUTE
THE ‘ALL BLACKS’ & THEIR MYSTIC POWER
Jonah Lomu, John Kirwan, Ritchie McCaw, Dan Carter, Zinzan Brooke …who else? Very few people can be highlighted individually from the mighty ‘All Blacks’ (New Zealand national Rugby team) in their whole history. Why? Simple: they’ve always been a TEAM.
Of course part of the difficulty in choosing individuals is that, generally, the whole team is made of true cracks. Accepted. Even though, the TEAM-spirit and this special ‘aura’ of altogether-invincibility around is what has added the most glorious pages to this sport.
What means: 3 world cups (1987, 2011, 2015) that could have been surely more only by these little type of details that sometimes are called ‘luck’. Better this way: they have always based their success on hard work + outstanding skills & strategy.
Well known outside rugby in the whole sports universe, their sole mention inspires respect (my favorite word) by evoking concepts like: power, honesty, sacrifice, unity, conviction, resiliency, achievement, triumph.
As if all this was not enough, they own the HAKA: tribal dance of war performed before every test-match (international ones, between national teams) to ask their ancestors for the blessing energy and power to win. In the Maori tradition (from legend) it’s about the god Sun, one of his wives and a son. In rugby, is mainly a usual way to remember rivals what comes to them short after 😊
THANKS ‘Blacks (let’s remember this is a Tribute) for everything given from rugby and outside of it to the whole mankind, especially the sport one.
Thanks for Tana Umaga stopping a key movement in the middle of a test-match just to get interested in a Wales player suddenly felt down seconds before (this IS sport spirit, and more) …thanks for the ‘beast’ Lomu leaving England stunned with 3 tries in just minutes during his debut …thanks for him (again), this time refusing any privilege in the waiting list to be intervened in his liver, remembering he was just ‘another New Zealander’ …thanks for Carlos Spencer’ magics, for the clashes against the ‘Wallabies’ (some of them ranked among the best ones in rugby history) or the ‘Springboks’, always a ‘train crash’…
…thanks for recently accepted a defeat at home against the ‘Pumas’ and humbly paid tribute to them (and Maradona, passed away) the next match.
Thanks for the ‘aura’, the inspiration, the sensation that when arriving to the limit we can anyway do more, until victory. Thanks for remembering that the TEAM is what counts, and that we are expected always to give our best because the fellows rely on this. Because this is the only way to achieve the greatest, the highest.
Long life to the ALL BLACKS.
‘Til the Next one!
B Sr
WHY RUGBY?
JUST IN CASE YOUR CHILD IS CHOOSING SP🙂RT
Unforgettable childhood: this phase where lot of roots are planted to feed life afterwards for long. What values to transmit to our children? What education to offer to them? What games are the most convenient? What extracurricular activities will build them better? …What SPORT?
INCLUSION
To begin, everybody can practice Rugby, regardless of their physical conformation. Thin and tall? You can play rugby! Fat and heavy? You can play rugby! Short and shy? You can come and play rugby with us!
In a stage of human development when many children are often even cruel to their peers for various reasons including physical ones, rugby is a school of acceptance and inclusion, where every newcomer will contribute with what (and how) they are.
COMPREHENSIVE GROWTH
Physical one through consistent exercise together with fellows, learning to train in order to achieve the best. A lot of well-employed energies to go on developing the own body through guided effort and achievable, progressive milestones.
Mental one through education to take responsibilities while proving useful to the fellows in order to build a team. Strength and resiliency in order to achieve main goals, first the ludic ones, then competitive ones, always enjoying sport in common with fellows that share same will of beating the next challenge.
Social one through camaraderie that makes fellows become true friends so frequently, all together educated in the need of integrating self in the common reality of a true Team that needs everybody ready for the game and offering the best in support of the rest until the end.
Spiritual one through the many values learned there, among them: generosity in the effort and sacrifice to get the common goals, honor and best intentions in the respect to rivals and to rules thought to make from this sport an example of correction and fairness.
Psychological one from a true school for life that relies on respectful approach to fellows and rivals, with final celebration of friendship to overcome eventual intense moments alongside the game (‘third time’ e.g. is a fantastic habit in rugby, consisting on both teams sharing drinks and food and camaraderie after a match).
PROJECTION…
As in any school, the experiences and values incorporated usually accompany the child in their adult life and are projected beneficially to attitudes and way of facing the reality of the subsequent stages of maturation.
A hard setback will hurt a little less and will be overcome faster … a challenge will be better achieved as a team … healthy competition will take them further on their path to becoming the ‘best possible themselves’.
What else? Well, your wise decision Mums & Dads of sending your dear children to Rugby!
And, please, take into account that with ‘inclusive’ we refer to how happy girls become by playing rugby, as well as boys. A sport for all children. A sport for all humans 😊
‘Til the Next one…
B Sr
MIND
THE MOST IMPORTANT ‘MUSCLE’
Welcome to this new Health/Sport section where, together with Agostina (usual bf© Trainer in communication and a wise one in health-care + fitness) we’ll touch sides of the thing that can prove useful to every human, especially fitness fans and sport people.
Mighty Tim Gallwey, modern ‘father’ of Coaching, wrote in the 70,s the initiatory book ‘The Inner Game’, where he exposed the hidden mental/psychologic side of the sport he practiced at high level (tennis), showing how the whole concentration on physics and circumstances like the pitch or weather were necessary and …incomplete.
‘Inner’ for deep, subtly and surreptitiously hosted limiting beliefs, insecurities, fears …the ‘dark’ barriers he was experiencing before every match where to discover that in life, like in sport, the usual worst enemy against achievements is our own self.
I also remember a good friend of mine, a mother + business team-leader + amateur marathoner (a really good one) telling me once that she was running the first part of a long race with the legs, but then the mind was always taking control. So it is at practically every level, like in business, where a highly skilled team will only be productive if from the right mind-set and (closely linked to this) motivation.
So, whenever we aim towards any type of goal or challenge, prior to getting physically prepared, perhaps could play a key role to prepare our mind for the leading task. My former WingWave© master and creator of the method Cora Besser coaches usually highly competitive sport teams in order to remove their mental and psychological barriers as good part of the way towards necessary concretion of their potential. Best path towards highest success.
Nowadays this seems to be obvious in many places. Even though all of us know that we could do more for our mind, as well as lot of sport practitioners around us that fail to achieve the maximum because of too much focus on (only) the physical aspects.
I’m out of any sport frame except for veteran competitions (obvious age reasons) even if still enjoying to suffer 😊 I better explain myself: like to push my energies and ability to withstand pressure, pain and demands in preparation to my very limit (and beyond when I can). As a kind of ‘philosophy’, the habit of going for higher challenges than the real ones helped me always to do my best whenever the ‘moment of the truth’ is there.
My childhood experience with karate-do was shaped by sensei Shoei Miyazato (and his son Masatoshi), who taught me how to imagine a piece of wood that we want to split, located a few centimeters beyond where it really is. Thus, when the edge of the hand reaches the table, it seems that he had an ‘overdose’ of energy directed to a further limit.
I have always applied this to multiple aspects of sport and my life in general.
If I wanted to jump a meter and a half high in athletics, then I would be getting prepared for 1.60 m (eg) and so on …like when in rugby we were pushed to exhaustion in search of the physical limits, even if almost-always a fresh beer was waiting there to compensate (as we know how necessary is sometimes also a bit of pleasure to relieve us of the long, arduous task!).
To go forward with inspiring referents, more than once we’ve enjoyed together with professional people in companies (or students in universities) a memorable class from Viktor Frankl explaining how when we aim higher than a point is more probable to achieve this point. Another approach to the same principle.
Now, how do we summarize the possibilities of highest success in what we do or want? Tim Gallwey’s formula is clear to this respect: P = p – i or ‘performance is equal to potential less interferences’.
He speaks about the positive and negative sides that usually build us in reality: potential as a field where to find the best of ourselves that needs concretion, like e.g. our intelligence, talents, energy, beliefs and convictions, values, will of growth, etc.; interferences as insecurity, limiting beliefs, fears, exaggerated doubts, perception/judgement biases, prejudices, etc.
Lot of work to be done there has to do with our most important ‘muscle’: our mind.
‘Mindset’ as the secret for winning at every level. Please remember the myriad of sport people that everybody knows were gifted with impressive talent and potential without achieving a minimum part of what it was supposed to them.
Or, on the other hand, the many stories of not-that-gifted people overcoming all of their limitations with huge effort boosted by mind-control and wild will of victory.
Meditation, reflection, mind-setting, study + psychological preparation, etc., are some (from many) possible healthy ways to prepare for the maximum goals.
Wish you’ll find the best ones for you …and for your mind 😊
‘Til the Next one!
B Sr
