"Martin Johnson, England's World-Cup winning skipper, believes there is no huge mystery to being a great captain. If you haven't got a good team it doesn't matter how good a captain you are. To suggest that calm, sure-footed leadership is irrelevant in top-level sport, however, is another matter. Even the greatest sides need decisive, intelligent direction, regardless of who supplies it."
"The other imperative is to have everyone pulling in the same direction. Shared responsibility and collective ownership are everything, particularly in rugby where the all-for-one, one-for-all ethos is fundamental. Hence why the public on-field spat between Maro Itoje and his fly-half Fin Smith early in the second half of England's 23-18 defeat in Rome has raised eyebrows."
"It struck me that Maro thinks really well under pressure, stressed the head coach. He stays calm under pressure. Less so at the weekend. Itoje is not a habitual screamer; indeed, Steve Borthwick specifically cited his measured demeanour when he promoted the lock to the captaincy."
Martin Johnson, England's World Cup-winning captain, argues that great captaincy requires a good team foundation, but decisive leadership remains essential in top-level rugby. Shared responsibility and collective ownership are fundamental to success. During England's 23-18 loss to Italy, tensions surfaced when captain Maro Itoje sharply rebuked fly-half Fin Smith over a tactical decision near the Italian line. With England ahead 12-10 and having won a scrum penalty, disagreement arose about whether to kick for posts or pursue a corner lineout. Itoje's uncharacteristic outburst contradicted head coach Steve Borthwick's reasoning for promoting him, citing his measured demeanor under pressure. The incident highlighted the intense pressure of Test rugby and potential fractures in team unity.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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