Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock told children that having fun and connecting with teammates are the keys to improving, when he took part in an event Friday held ahead of Australia's test match with Japan.
"Did we have fun? No. 1, always have fun," said the Australian rugby union legend when taking part in a clinic at Yokohama Country and Athletic Club.
"Even the Australian team and professional teams, the big thing is, always have fun," said the 40-year-old, who led the Wallabies to the quarterfinals at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
"Rugby is about working hard and working for each other, don't get me wrong, it's a balancing act," Mortlock said. "I've played since I was four-and-a-half years old. I used to go to the park every day (as a child), and that's why I played it professionally, I enjoyed it."
Mortlock was joined in a practice drill with the children by former Japan and Australia players, including Toshiba Brave Lupus lock Hitoshi Ono, the most capped Brave Blossom with 98 tests to his name.
"Rugby is all about connection. The more we connect, the more we talk, the better we get," Mortlock told the children. "The Wallabies at training are very noisy."
Mortlock participated in the event -- which also included a game between the oldest side in Japan, the YC&AC, and the youngest, Hakuba Huskies -- a day before the Wallabies, ranked third in the world, take on the 11th-ranked Brave Blossoms.
That game will take place at Nissan Stadium, the venue of the Rugby World Cup final in 2019.
"What Japan rugby has accomplished in the last few years is a lot of improvements, in my view it's a great opportunity," said Mortlock. "Both teams have a lot to work for, the quality of rugby will be high as well, so playing before the World Cup is a good opportunity for stepping up."
Following games involving a school from Australia and some local rugby clubs, Wallabies' Tetera Faulkner, Jordan Uelese, Bernard Foley and Karmichael Hunt joined the event and gave a demonstration in how to tackle, kick and pass.
