Preparing for the Rugby World Cup semi finals

Its Tackleman back again - looking forward to the semi finals of Rugby World Cup 2015 and giving you an insight into how the teams will have been preparing for the last-four stage.

The Tournament has simply been great. It’s been a tremendous event and the quarter finals certainly lived up to their billing. The one thing reigning champions New Zealand will have to overcome is to not get too carried away following such a supreme performance against France.

It’s always best to go back to normal routines.

Focus on the routing
Their coaching staff will have been making sure the players focus on what they do each and every week - trying to keep the routines normal and the whole process similar to what they have done for each game so far. Experienced players know that you have to treat big games like any other game. Emotions will naturally surface and tension will rise inside some players more than others. It will be a question of keeping a lid on it as much as they can.

Similarly, the Argentineans can’t rely too much mentally on their victory in the quarter finals. It’s always best to go back to normal routines. You’ve got to work again to win your next game, both mentally and physically.

A little emotion goes a long way
Having said that, I can see the Argentineans relying on more of an emotional build-up than their opponents. It may serve them slightly better as they are the slight underdogs. But ultimately none of the teams will want to get too distracted, especially by the increased media attention. They will have focussed on the little things and kept routines consistent; recovering the body as best possible during the week, and thinking hard about individual roles within the team.

As in everything in sport, experience can help - both from the coaching staff, and the players who take the field. Teams who win Rugby World Cups have a high level of experienced players in their line-up. They understand what it takes to be consistent with their preparation and not get overawed by the circumstances they face pre and during the match.

Teams who have those players are very fortunate as they know what it takes to keep themselves level-headed going into a big game. The same goes for mental strength - you can’t underestimate the importance.

It’s been a long tournament already, and the team that’s mentally strongest will give themselves an extra chance of going on to win.

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