JOHN MITCHELL, writing on the Vodacom Rugby Portal, says the All Blacks have learned to manage fear.

The way the three-time world champion All Blacks managed and executed their World Cup campaign should have any team that is serious about winning it sit up and take notice. While it’s apparent that New Zealand continue to lead the way in terms of the traditional elements of strategy, conditioning and diet, most crucially they have set a new benchmark in how they exploit the mental space.

Great sports teams such as the All Blacks understand that while superior tactics and execution are fundamental elements to the success of a game, the real secret lies in managing fear. Fear is both inevitable and unpredictable. It is rooted in perceived loss and a sense of lack of control.

Read the rest of Mitchell's column

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