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The All Blacks – unlocking the secrets to success
In an online article about New Zealand’s All Blacks, author Rachel Kehoe explains how the team became the most famous rugby team in the world.
- Read the online article, then do the tasks below the text.
1
Rugby is a rough sport. Players have little to no protection as they fight to get the ball past the goal
2
line. A match involves two teams and takes 80 minutes.
3
The most successful rugby team in the world are the New Zealand All Blacks. They have won three
4
Rugby World Cups and have a win-rate of more than 75%, something no other team can say. But
5
how has a nation of just 5.2 million people become so successful?
6
New Zealand’s winning streak began in 1903 with its first game against Australia. They became
7
very successful, and in 1905, they were invited on a tour of Europe and North America.
8
It was during this tour that the All Blacks’ name first appeared. Although there are different opinions,
9
the widely accepted view is that the name comes from their uniform of black shorts and jersey with
10
a silver fern on the chest.
11
The athletes wearing this jersey are highly respected and admired. The Māori believe the jersey
12
represents the spirit of the team and call it taonga, a sacred object. It stands for a New Zealander’s
13
opportunity to become the best in the world.
14
The All Blacks begin each game with a hallowed tradition that sets them apart from most rugby
15
teams - the Haka, a Māori war dance. Former All Blacks' captain Richie McCaw explained,
16
“Everyone knows the Haka is a symbol of who we are and where we come from.”
17
Rugby schools focus on determination to make sure players develop a lifelong love of the sport.
18
From an early age, each player is taught to develop personal responsibility as well as physical strength.
19
When a player starts higher rugby schooling, mental preparation becomes more central. Rugby is a
20
game played in the mind, and players understand the importance of how to “keep a blue head”, in
21
other words, to keep calm so they can show their skills under pressure.
22
More than anything else, the All Blacks believe that no individual is greater than the team. All Blacks’
23
legend Danny Carter says, “No one in New Zealand likes a big-head. In the All Blacks environment,
24
there is no room for it, and if there are ever signs of it happening, your teammates will let you know.”
25
That’s why the players show humility in everything they do. After each match or training session
26
they clean up after themselves and pick up the trash together.
27
Being an All Black is about character. In trying to be better both on and off the field, the All Blacks
28
fulfil the expectation that “champions do extra.” They are role models for the entire nation and
29
because of that they have a common goal, which gives them an advantage on the field. Their motto,
30
“Better people make better All Blacks”, allows them to dominate the sport of rugby. It also shows
31
the importance of trying to be your best self.
Text stammt aus der Originalprüfung
- Tick the correct box and give one piece of evidence by quoting short passages from the text.
1.
A rugby game ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | lasts many hours. | |
| b) | can be dangerous. | |
| c) | ends when a player scores. |
2.
The All Blacks are the team that has ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | about five million followers. | |
| b) | never lost at an international tournament. | |
| c) | achieved more victories than all the others. |
3.
It was on an international trip that the team ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | became known as All Blacks. | |
| b) | changed the look of their original outfit. | |
| c) | had long discussions about their shirt colour. |
4.
To New Zealanders, the All Blacks’ shirt expresses ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | the history of rugby. | |
| b) | the players’ wealth. | |
| c) | the chance to reach their highest goals. |
5.
The goal of the ritual before the match is to ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | entertain the fans. | |
| b) | confuse the other team. | |
| c) | remind players of their background. |
6.
Training for young players concentrates on ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | fair play. | |
| b) | tricks and tactics. | |
| c) | individual progress. |
7.
Later, the most important part of rugby training is that players can ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | express their emotions. | |
| b) | play well in stressful situations. | |
| c) | focus on the other team’s moves. |
8.
The team’s attitude is that being ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | selfish is unacceptable. | |
| b) | tidy is the key to success. | |
| c) | talented is most important. |
9.
People think that players for the All Blacks must ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | have a strong opinion. | |
| b) | work more than others. | |
| c) | win several championships. |
10.
The team’s slogan is about ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | power. | |
| b) | teamwork. | |
| c) | personality. |
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1.
A rugby game ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | lasts many hours. | |
| b) | can be dangerous. | |
| c) | ends when a player scores. |
l. 1-2 "Rugby is a rough sport. Players have little to no protection as they fight to get the ball
past the goal line."
2.
The All Blacks are the team that has ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | about five million followers. | |
| b) | never lost at an international tournament. | |
| c) | achieved more victories than all the others. |
l. 3-4 "They have won three Rugby World Cups and have a win-rate of more than 75%,
something no other team can say."
3.
It was on an international trip that the team ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | became known as All Blacks. | |
| b) | changed the look of their original outfit. | |
| c) | had long discussions about their shirt colour. |
l.8 "It was during this tour that the All Blacks’ name first appeared."
4.
To New Zealanders, the All Blacks’ shirt expresses ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | the history of rugby. | |
| b) | the players’ wealth. | |
| c) | the chance to reach their highest goals. |
l. 12-13 "It stands for a New Zealander’s opportunity to become the best in the world."
5.
The goal of the ritual before the match is to ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | entertain the fans. | |
| b) | confuse the other team. | |
| c) | remind players of their background. |
l. 16 "Everyone knows the Haka is a symbol of who we are and where we come from."
6.
Training for young players concentrates on ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | fair play. | |
| b) | tricks and tactics. | |
| c) | individual progress. |
l.18 "From an early age, each player is taught to develop personal responsibility as well as
physical strength."
7.
Later, the most important part of rugby training is that players can ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | express their emotions. | |
| b) | play well in stressful situations. | |
| c) | focus on the other team’s moves. |
l. 19-21 "Rugby is a game played in the mind, and players understand the importance of how to
'keep a blue head', in other words, to keep calm so they can show their skills under pressure."
8.
The team’s attitude is that being ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | selfish is unacceptable. | |
| b) | tidy is the key to success. | |
| c) | talented is most important. |
l. 23-24 "No one in New Zealand likes a big-head. In the All Blacks environment,
there is no room for it."
9.
People think that players for the All Blacks must ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | have a strong opinion. | |
| b) | work more than others. | |
| c) | win several championships. |
l.27-28 "In trying to be better both on and off the field, the All Blacks fulfil the expectation
that 'champions do extra'."
10.
The team’s slogan is about ...
One piece of evidence from the text:
| a) | power. | |
| b) | teamwork. | |
| c) | personality. |
l. 29-30 "Their motto, 'Better people make better All Blacks', allows them to dominate
the sport of rugby."