Rugby: Being an AB a job for life

Once an All Black, always an All Black, says Sir Brian Lochore. Photo / Getty Images

The lifespan of a professional rugby player is short but the life of an All Black is enduring. In fact, Sir Brian Lochore, the former All Blacks captain, World Cup winning coach and manager, says it's a job for life.

During his long association with the All Blacks, Lochore often spoke of the history and tradition of what the black jersey meant.

"One of the first things people should be reminded of [when they are first selected] is that, 'hey, you're an All Black'," Lochore said. "You can't just say, 'tonight I'm not going to be an All Black. I just want to be Joe Blow and I'm going to the pub to get tanked and someone is going to annoy me and I'm going to deal with it'. If you look at history, that's where most have gone wrong. We emphasised all the way along that you are an All Black 24/7, and probably are for life.

"It has its advantages and disadvantages. It will open doors but, if you go through the door and stuff up, it's a disadvantage because everyone in New Zealand will know about it, even if you are a retired All Black."

Lochore always had simple, yet strong ground rules.

"I used to say, 'you can do anything you like as long as you don't annoy anyone or break anything'," he said.

It was also about dealing with any issues swiftly and effectively.

"We are not squeaky clean but I think we have a better record than most. I don't know of many South African teams who have gone off the centre line, either.

"It goes back to senior players and management being on the same page and everyone knowing what the rules are. We had strong values and strong rules. Management always worked with senior players. They earned the respect of management and vice versa. They are vital because management are not always where the players are.

"We had fun on tour but it had to be behind closed doors. It's more difficult for players today because, if they go out, there are guyswho are tanked upwho are more abusive, less respectful and probably jealous of players who are making a lot of money and start taunting them. That's really difficult for players but they have to get to the point where they say, 'I am an All Black 24/7, I have to walk the other way'.

"It's much easier making those decisions when you are winning. No doubt about it. A lot of people want to be All Blacks, and that helps as well. The best people make the best All Blacks. It's a saying I've always believed in and I didn't meet very many disappointing people."