STUART LANCASTER is an agreeably ordinary man doing an extraordinary job. He may not yet have won any trophy of note, but after the sorry events of the last World Cup his stewardship of the national team is already a triumph.
No amount of fame, not even the adulation that would doubtless follow a World Cup victory at Twickenham next year, could ever subvert the Cumbrian farmer’s lad who became a Yorkshire PE teacher and then rose through the ranks to the very summit.
‘Labor Omnia Vincit’ (Labour Conquers All) is the motto of Kettlethorpe High School, Wakefield, where he taught for nine years to 2001. It could equally apply to Lancaster in rugby, whether with Leeds, England Saxons or now England.
“Those who know me know I haven’t changed at all,†he said. “When I go home to Leeds and spend time with family and friends I like to think I am exactly the same person and that they would agree I am.
“I don’t think I’ve changed as a coach either. But I’ve developed, gained an understanding of international rugby and its pressures, the dynamics of coaching against different teams, the psychology of each nation we play.
“One of the areas I know I didn’t have covered when I applied was I hadn’t coached against a South African team or an Australian team or a New Zealand teams. I certainly feel I’ve covered those bases now.â€
More than that, in his two years Lancaster’s teams have defeated the All Blacks and the Wallabies as well as drawing with the Springboks in Johannesburg. The only team they have yet to beat is Wales, who have twice cost his England the Six Nations title.
It starts again next Saturday at Stade de France, will continue with a three-Test series in New Zealand in June, and after one more Six Nations will culminate in the home World Cup of 2015.
After that, perhaps passers-by rather than only TV cameramen will begin to spot his face in a crowd.
“I’m not stopped in the street as much as you might think and I certainly don’t crave it,†said Lancaster. “It’s increased a bit but I wouldn’t say it’s an intrusion by any stretch of the imagination. In fact I enjoy the conversation with people.
Article source: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/thomas-regional-rugby-is-dying-29948211.html
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