Reading the ten things Julius Caesar could have taught today’s business the quote “Six inches of point beats two feet of blade” struck me as I talk of rugby this week. Just as much as business can lean form Caesar: rugby too could.

The Roman legions conquered most of the world using javelins and the standard issue short-sword called a Gladius. Contrary to what you may have seen in the movies, the Gladius was a stabbing weapon, not a hacking/slicing weapon. Compared to long swords and battle axes wielded by barbarian hordes, the Gladius seemed a child’s weapon: Short and dagger-like, not particularly good at slicing. Yet its six inches of stabbing point beat its longer, scarier counterparts in battle because the Roman legions were trained to use it properly.

What the Roman legions knew is that waving wildly with long, heavy weapons forces you to commit too much to each attack. Swinging a heavy weapon opens up your guard just long enough for a legionnaire to thrust his Gladius from behind a wall of shields. Not to mention the energy efficiency of a quick thrust vs. a wide swing. Legions used less energy in battle than their ill-trained counterparts, which allowed them to fight longer, thus giving them the ability to win against odds.

Rugby is a fluid sport and you have to control the play and tempo. (Pic by Amila Prabodha)

Sometimes, the difference between effectiveness and failure lies in how expertly a tool is used. Bigger and better doesn’t guarantee success. Fluency and expertise in the use of very specific tools can turn an apparent disadvantage into a win. A well trained operator with a simple tool can be much more effective than a less well trained operator with an expensive, more impressive tool. Never take training, focus and discipline for granted.

The surprise was in Kandy as Trinity went down to St. Peter’s. Last week St. Peter’s struggled against the Joes and were lucky to get away. Against the Joes without the Captain they appeared to drift and seemed lost till!!! This week they did show what is important is the handling of the armory they possessed with or without the skipper; the bigger muscular scarier Trinity side appeared a little worn out and possibly shocked to react to the thrust of the Petes. What seemed to be a child army did push the weapons to perfection as the acting skipper led them to victory.

St. Joseph’s tasted defeat at the hands of St. Peter’s by their own errors often unforced and not being able to hold on to the advantage they had . It was a similar performance last week where they had a lead against Vidyartha but could not hold on to taste victory.

As stated in some reports St. Joseph’s possibly is heaviest set of forwards in the schools. So has Trinity College. Are the weapons being used effectively or are they not using the energy effectively. I have not seen an issue of fitness in both teams as some have stated on blog sites. What I would think is that it is committing physically sometimes with uncontrolled energy that forces you not to be there when it matters. The point is to use mental skills in using the power you have but retain it till the game ends. Rugby is a fluid sport and you have to control the play and tempo. You are leading comfortably and you got to maintain and taste the win .

To swing momentum to gain the physiological advantage is important. A deep kick will force the opposition to make a mistake under pressure or kick. Either way you have the ball and the opportunity. Why run in your own half and commit yourself away from the team and your team mates who have been waving the bulk find it harder to get there. Royal did this well in their game against Science as they slowed play and frustrated the free running Science team.

What you can learn for Caesar is not to take training focus and discipline for granted. Discipline is a key to winning. That includes the plan and play the laws and playing accordingly. Fatigue brings in frustration and players are seen being offside at break downs and falling over and dishing dangerous tackles. It is all a result of the shortcuts you take when you should be controlling the play and tempo to take a breather. The governing body for rugby is very strong on making the game safe. The law is clear and the interpretation is expected to be forceful.

The law on high tackle reads “A player must not tackle (or try to tackle) an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. A tackle around the opponent’s neck or head is dangerous play”. It is the fact and not intention and there is no excuse in saying the player came low as we hear very often. Talking of indiscipline the control of the bench is getting important. With 10 substitutes and three officials if you get more it is virtually a mob. I say a mob is because that is where the indiscipline starts as intruders start arguing when asked to leave.

It was most unfortunate that the Trinity-St. Peter’s match had to be stopped following disruption by supporters who alone are not to be blamed. The player on the bench as I was told hit a Trinity player who went into this substitute in the momentum of play. The substitutes are to be on the bench and the coaches and other officials have to be in the technical zone. An issue often breached and has to be taken seriously before something untoward happens. Another incident from the bench was in the Vidyartha and St Josephs match where a trainer came in and picked up the ball that was travelling. If by this you prevented a quick throw and the end result was critical the outcome would have been conflict.

What does rugby need? - Big and Heavy bulging muscles or an Athlete who could activate a plan.

Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB