Lessons from New Zealand All Blacks legend Owen Franks

Mastery doesn’t happen overnight – a truth echoed by Owen Franks, the legendary New Zealand All Blacks player who built his career on technique, discipline and a relentless commitment to process. Franks’ perspective offers valuable lessons not only to athletes, but to anyone who strives for excellence, whether in business, the arts, or personal development.

In a recent interview, Franks emphasized the importance of resisting the temptation to rush the process, instead focusing on building a strong foundation through consistent practice and mastery of technique. “That foundation,” he explains, “is what sets you up for success.” His wisdom stems from many years of experience as a representative of one of the most successful sports teams in history, the New Zealand All Blacks, where discipline and attention to detail are paramount.

Franks emphasizes the need to “take the time to build your base.” In rugby, as in life, a strong foundation determines how effectively skills and techniques are applied in real-life situations. Franks’ technical approach on the field and in the gym, where precision of form outweighs brute strength, underscores this principle.

This concept is consistent with research in human performance and psychology. Anders Ericsson’s theory of deliberate practice states that mastery requires deliberate and deliberate practice over a long period of time. Athletes like Franks who invest in mastering the fundamentals outperform those who rely solely on natural talent or brute strength. The All Blacks’ training philosophy reflects this: small gains made by improving 1% of their game at a time lead to outstanding results.

As Franks noted, brute force without control rarely leads to success. “You see guys squatting 300 pounds, but it’s ugly,” he said, explaining how poor technique hurts performance on the field. Instead, Franks achieved his success through disciplined strength training, focusing on clean form and precision.

This approach is backed by sports science. Proper technique ensures efficient use of energy, reduces the risk of injury, and allows the body to adapt to stress more effectively. Whether it’s squatting in the gym or tackling on the rugby field, technical mastery provides the control needed to dominate under pressure.

Franks highlights how basic training leads to high-pressure situations. Meticulous attention to detail in the weight room—refining the mechanics of every movement—allows athletes to instinctively replicate those patterns on the field.

This principle, often called “movement transfer,” is the cornerstone of skill acquisition. The All Blacks place particular emphasis on technique during training to ensure it is automatic during matches. Their success as one of the most successful teams in sports history is no coincidence; it stems from the merging of individual excellence with collective purpose.

Franks’ philosophy isn’t just for rugby players. This is the blueprint for anyone who strives to achieve greatness. The process he advocates teaches resilience, patience, and the discipline to focus on long-term goals rather than short-term gratification.

1. Lay the foundation: Whether learning a new skill, starting a business, or improving your fitness, start by mastering the basics. Develop your knowledge and technique step by step.
2. Pay attention to technique: favor precision over speed over brute force. Improve your technique, whether it’s writing a report, giving a presentation, or doing squats in the gym.
3. Commitment to the process: Achieving excellence takes time. Resist the urge to cut corners or rush progress. Be patient and remain consistent.
4. Apply and Reflect: Put the skills you learn into practice and evaluate your effectiveness. Adjust and improve based on feedback.

Owen Franks’ career epitomizes the All Blacks’ culture of process. From the principles outlined in James Kerr’s Legacy, the team’s philosophy is clear: to achieve extraordinary results, focus on the small details and never stop improving.

As Franks reminds us, success is not about brute force or finishing. It’s about mastering the steps, walking the path, and making sure each step leads to a legacy of excellence. For the All Blacks and Owen Franks, this process is the foundation on which greatness is built.

This view from Owen Franks is evidence of why the New Zealand All Blacks have become a global symbol of high performance culture. Whether you’re an athlete, a professional, or someone seeking personal growth, the lessons are clear: commit to the process, master the details, and let the foundation you build lead you to success.

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