The Art of Unlearning: Mike Blair’s Rugby Revolution in Japan
Rugby, like life, is as much about unlearning as it is about mastering new skills. This truth is vividly illustrated in the story of Mike Blair, the new All Blacks attack coach, who has spent the last three years dismantling the legacy of Sir Wayne Smith’s coaching philosophy at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers. What makes this particularly fascinating is that Blair isn’t just tweaking a system—he’s fundamentally reshaping how players think about the game.
Breaking the Box Kick Ban: A Philosophical Shift
One of the most striking revelations from Blair’s tenure is his battle to overturn Smith’s strict rule against box kicks by scrum-halves. Smith’s mantra, which essentially benched players who used this tactic, was a cornerstone of Kobe’s attacking identity. But Blair saw it as a limitation. Personally, I think this clash of philosophies highlights a broader tension in rugby: the balance between structure and spontaneity.
What many people don’t realize is that Smith’s approach was rooted in a specific context—a team with Dan Carter at the helm, where offloading and attacking kicks were the primary weapons. Blair, however, inherited a different squad, one that required a more nuanced strategy. His insistence on reintroducing the box kick wasn’t just about adding a tactic; it was about teaching players to adapt to unstructured defenses and exploit unpredictability.
If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just about rugby—it’s about leadership. Blair’s three-year struggle to change a deeply ingrained mindset underscores the difficulty of unlearning. It’s a reminder that progress often requires challenging the status quo, even when it’s championed by a legend like Smith.
The Japan Effect: A Crash Course in Adaptability
Blair’s move to Japan was a deliberate leap out of his comfort zone, and it paid off in ways he couldn’t have anticipated. Coming from Scotland, where defenses are predictable and robust, he found himself in a league where chaos reigns. Japanese defenses, he noted, were harder to crack because of their unpredictability—players would shoot out of line, others would sit back, making it nearly impossible to plan for.
This raises a deeper question: How do you coach in an environment where the rules of engagement are constantly shifting? Blair’s answer was to focus on fundamentals—basic skills, reading defenses, and adapting on the fly. From my perspective, this is where his true innovation lies. He didn’t try to impose a foreign system; he tailored his approach to the players and the league.
A detail that I find especially interesting is Blair’s observation that Japan is a better place to be an attack coach than a defense coach. This isn’t just a throwaway comment—it’s a profound insight into the nature of the game. In a league where defenses are erratic, the challenge isn’t to outmuscle the opposition but to outthink them.
The Broader Implications: Rugby’s Global Evolution
Blair’s experience in Japan is a microcosm of rugby’s global evolution. The sport is no longer dominated by a single style or philosophy. As coaches like Blair move across borders, they bring with them a cross-pollination of ideas that enrich the game.
What this really suggests is that the future of rugby lies in adaptability. Teams that can blend different philosophies—Smith’s structured attack, Blair’s focus on unpredictability—will have a competitive edge. But this also means that coaches must be willing to let go of their own mantras when they no longer serve the team.
Final Thoughts: The Courage to Change
As Blair steps into his new role with the All Blacks, his time in Japan will undoubtedly shape his approach. He’s not just bringing tactical knowledge; he’s bringing the courage to challenge established norms. In my opinion, this is what sets great coaches apart—the ability to unlearn, adapt, and innovate.
If there’s one takeaway from Blair’s journey, it’s this: In rugby, as in life, progress often begins with letting go. Whether it’s a box kick ban or a long-held belief, the willingness to rethink and reinvent is what drives success. And that, I believe, is the real mantra worth embracing.
