The Truth About Dominating the Scrum – Owen Franks Unfiltered

Summary

In this episode of the Lessons from the Game podcast, Gurthro Steenkamp interviews rugby legend Owen Franks, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and All Blacks stalwart. They discuss Owen's journey through rugby, including the disappointment of missing the 2019 World Cup, the importance of resilience, and the influence of family and mentors. Owen shares insights on training, the mental aspects of the game, and the culture within the All Blacks that contributed to their success. He also reflects on his transition to coaching and the lessons learned from his playing career that he now imparts to young athletes.

Takeaways

• Owen Franks reflects on the disappointment of missing the 2019 Rugby World Cup, feeling relief after giving his all.
• He emphasizes the importance of staying level-headed through the highs and lows of a sports career.
• Owen's aggression on the field was fostered from a young age, encouraged by his father.
• The support of family is crucial in developing a young athlete's mindset and work ethic.
• Owen believes in the importance of resilience and problem-solving in both rugby and life.
• He highlights the significance of mentorship and seeking outside perspectives during challenging times.
• Owen discusses the evolution of training and the importance of adapting to the demands of the game.
• He stresses the need for intentional practice and mental preparation in scrummaging.
• The All Blacks' success was driven by a strong culture of discipline and self-belief.
• Owen finds fulfillment in coaching and helping young players develop their skills.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to High Performance Mindset

03:26 Dealing with Disappointment: Missing the 2019 World Cup

07:43 Lessons from the Game: Staying Level-Headed

10:40 The Origin of Aggression and Work Ethic

13:47 Influences and Support: The Role of Family

16:44 Creating the Right Environment for Young Athletes

20:10 The Path to Professional Rugby: Self-Belief and Hard Work

24:10 Training Evolution: Adapting to the Game

27:55 Intentional Practice: The Key to Improvement

30:32 Dominating the Scrum: Personal Responsibility and Mindset

32:48 The Intensity of the Scrum Battle

36:48 Maturing as a Prop: Early Debuts and Learning on the Job

39:18 Harnessing Aggression: The Fire Within

42:53 The Perfect Storm: Building a Winning Culture

45:12 Mental Resilience: Thriving Under Pressure

49:53 Navigating Setbacks: Lessons from Disappointments

54:52 The Modern Day Scrum Battle

57:25 Life After Rugby: Transitioning to Coaching

01:01:32 The Legacy of the Crusaders: A Culture of Excellence

01:06:49 Lessons from Rugby: Resilience in Life

If you're a rugby player, coach, or front-rower looking to improve your game and gain insights from one of the best, this episode is a must-watch! 🎙️🔥

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS for more rugby insights from top players & coaches!

📲 Follow us for more rugby content:

📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://thescrumdominatormindset.mykajabi.com/offers/JNLUYzpi

Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcast

Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Follow Ben on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/benpegna