Not playing contributes to player burn-out

It's the funniest thing but not playing has been found to be a major contributing factor to player burn-out.

Here we all were bemoaning the ever-expanding playing schedule, convinced it was responsible for draining elite players of their passion and turning their limbs into the bruised flesh found only on over-handled fruit.

But sports psychologist Scott Cresswell has completed a three-year study on the issue for the New Zealand Rugby Union and it turns out that while over-exposure to the rugby environment is a factor in burn-out, missing out on selection each week is just as damaging.

Those on the periphery of Super 12 and NPC squads get the privilege of knocking themselves senseless every week only to win a seat in the stand next to Joe Punter. Mind you, they only get that seat after they've completed arguably the toughest workout of the week with the team trainer. The players call it the 'shit session' on account that it's all guts and no glory.

"The research found that non-involvement was a burn-out factor for some players," says Cresswell. "They train hard all week behind closed doors and then don't get that release in playing each week. Many players feel they are not contributing and are not valued members of the team. It also fosters feelings of uncertainty about their contract and worries about financial security. The coaches, too, find this one of the harder issues - managing the non-selection.

"Squad rotation could help with non-involvement but in the Super 12 there is no margin for error. Lose three games and a place in the semifinals could be gone. Coaches are understandably reluctant to rest key personnel."

Conversely, the research found the number of games in a season was not necessarily a factor in burn-out. The constant exposure to the rugby environment through training, team meetings and travel, as well as the emotional upheaval in changing teams during the course of the season were, however, both cited as significant factors.

"Some players said the hardest thing was being part of a team that was functioning really smoothly, where the training was about fine tuning, and then joining a new team where they had to start again.

" I guess if you compare New Zealand with say England, the guys over there play in one team but in a number of concurrent competitions. Our guys play in separate blocks for different teams and it's that change which they find hard."

It's the overexposure to all things rugby that is much more of a worry. On the strength of the research, All Black coach Graham Henry has made it a priority to diversify the interests of his players and broaden their horizons.

Henry's actions have resulted in burn-out becoming recognised as a legitimate phenomenon. Some administrators would argue it has always been treated seriously. The players would disagree.

New Zealand Rugby Players' Association chief executive Rob Nichol is confident that definitive action is being taken at all levels to help players ward off the threat of physical and mental exhaustion.

"We've had nutrition and fitness - this is the next big issue to be dealt with. We've talked about the dangers of burn-out for years so it was great when Graham (Henry) started talking publicly about it."

Lack of play has worried these guys

Nathan Mauger (Crusaders/ now Gloucester)
Orene Ai'i (Blues/ now without contract)
Andrew Mehrtens (Crusaders)
Tom Willis (Highlanders/ now Chiefs)
Rico Gear (Blues/ now Crusaders)
Mose Tuiali'i (Blues/ now Crusaders)
Byron Kelleher (Highlanders/ now Chiefs)


- HERALD ON SUNDAY