It became known as ‘The Black Book’, and was for All Blacks’ eyes only, on pain of excommunication, almost. For a time it became the team bible and its collected wisdom, in the form of aphorisms, still informs the culture. ° No one is bigger than the team. ° Leave the jersey in a better place. ° Live for the jersey. Die for the jersey. ° It’s not enough to be a good. It’s about being great. ° Leave it all out on the field. ° It’s not the jersey. It’s the man in the jersey. ° Once an All Black, always an All Black. ° Work harder than an ex-All Black. ° In the belly – not the back.
...more
