He unveiled his philosophy on the evening of qualifying from La Rochelle to Gloucester in the 16th round of the European Cup. On BT Sport’s microphone, Ronan O’Gara spoke about “Keep Ball Alive” and was inspired by his experience as an assistant in New Zealand. “In the Northern Hemisphere, we focus a lot,” the Irish coach explained. But when you go to the Crusades, it’s the ‘KBA’. You speed up the game by keeping the ball active and aiming for it. Free spaces. “

This method, theorized by the French teacher Renനെ Deplace forty years ago, is not revolutionary. But the brilliant comments from Anglo-Saxon rugby and the rise of social networks soon fell on the former opener of the XV du Trophy (128 selections, the most capped player in the world), praising his “open mind”. . Because he is one of the most popular coaches at the moment. His ideas come to light.

His suitcase weighs more

After two seasons in Christchurch, Ogara moved to the Isle of Rey in the summer of 2019. Previously, he was the kicking and defensive coach of Racing 92. Him, a kid from Cork and a scorer for Monster, and his longtime team, waited until the end of his career in 2013 to learn about long-distance travel. At each stage his suitcase is heavier: the French champion (2016) and two Super Rugby titles (2018, 2019). Why, in La Rochelle, the virgin of a trophy? “Stop Limiting”: The points he scored against his players in the European Cup hammer (1,365) and the number of matches played (110).

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Currently, his team is in second place in the top 14, and is playing its first Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster, losing its star Jonathan Sexton.
Ball Alive does not explain everything about the success of yellow and black. New Zealand Sports Director Jono Gibbs says next season will be a success, and Ogara has, above all, brought harmony with the group and toughness in the field. In fact, La Rochelle has the best defense in the top 14.

When it comes to human relationships, these fans of horses and horse racing make them brilliant. Through simple operations. Saying hello to each other at the beginning of each meeting, for example, lost the habit of describing former All Blacks Victor Vito. Bryce Doolin XI of France, who recently disappeared from the international circuit, explains the role played by “ROG” in its rebirth.

Coffee and Microbiology

In a column in The Independent, the former third line, Alan Quinlan, describes the burden of education he received from the last of his five children, the Godfather, the mother, a high school teacher, Joan, a microbiology professor, and Fergal. In its success. “Homework has always been important at home […], He wrote. ROG will come home from school, drop the bag and have a snack.

O’Gara, a well-graduated student, passed the final coaching exam in December after a long process that began eight years ago at the French Rugby Federation (FFR) headquarters in Marcos.

“The trick was to take a Sabbath with my good teachers and drink coffee, you know, to speed things up,” O’Gara said in one of his posts for the Irish Examiner. This does not make me a better coach, but at least wearing red headbands in the top 14 allows me to ride around for years. “Consider it even in a European final on May 22 in Twickenham.