Ronan O'Gara has definitely taken a different coaching route than many would have expected. While most stay in familiar surroundings in order to learn the trade, the Munster man was not afraid to go to pastures new.
Starting off in Paris with Racing 92, his journey has now brought him to Crusaders in New Zealand. Working under coach Scott “Razor” Robertson, he was part of the staff as the team that led the team to Super Rugby glory this year.
As one of the relatively few Northern Hemisphere coaches to ply his trade in the world's number one rugby nation, he is in a unique position to see what exactly drives New Zealand to become the force that they are.
Speaking to The Guardian, he says that the mystique surrounding the All Blacks can be sometimes overblown.
They prepare very well and they keep it simple. They know their roles and they care about each other as well. You know they’ll perform, it’s whether the home nations can.
Even coaches who coached me overestimated them. That filters down into the players’ heads so it became difficult to beat them. I don’t think the natural talent in New Zealand is better than some of the talent we have on this side of the world. Defensively in Europe we are more advanced than they are, most definitely.
While they certainly do things in their own way in New Zealand, O'Gara says 'there is no big secret' as to how they continue to produce top class players.
He puts it down to a combination of three things: hard work, humility, and inch-perfect execution.
The best of it has just been experiencing it up close, with your own two eyes. You only get the full vibe of what makes a place tick by doing it that way.
I can only speak for the Crusaders but it is impressive, their desire to get better, day in, day out.
The former Ireland out-half has committed to the Crusaders for another year, but his future after that period is uncertain. He has coached at two massive clubs, and he seems destined to land a big job at some stage.
When asked if he could see himself coaching Munster or Ireland, it is obvious from his answer that O'Gara holds that ambition.
Of course I would. Absolutely. You’ve got to be ambitious. But it’s good to get out and see the world first. Then, if you want to go back, I think it’ll hit you hard and you’ll want to do it.
There’s also a skill in saying ‘no’. Some people take jobs just because they’re been offered them or because they think they’re ready.
