Population size not a hindrance to a country’s sporting prowess

I refer to the commentary “Change of ways led to All Blacks’ triumph” (Nov 4). If Singapore sport, especially team sport, is paying attention, there is a lesson to be learnt here.

New Zealand, with a population of just over 4.5 million people, swept to a third Rugby World Cup — one for the record books as the first team to do so, and also twice in a row.

It is a bit like Jamaica (2.7 million people) dominating the sprints in athletics. So why not Singapore? What is required for sure is that indomitable spirit all these athletes embrace.

Not only did the All Blacks win in style, their team effort was second to none. They have struck fear in many an opponent even before the start of the game. Their ancestral war cry, the haka, certainly helps.

Combining the dance and challenge of the Maori people can be intimidating, but when embodied in a warrior spirit on the field, it becomes an awe-inducing, fiery display of one of the greatest team efforts, especially in the face of adversity.

Then comes the game itself, with their flowing, calculated strategy. But it is the technical prowess and discipline built into them over the years that has ensured they have now stamped their power and mastery on the sport. Throw in the sportsmanlike conduct, while playing in that fast, efficient way they normally do, and the crowds lap it up, as the capacity crowd of over 80,000 at Twickenham did.

Having coaches who have come through the ranks and the system has not hurt either. This is something Singapore sport should endeavour to emulate. Bringing in a technical expert or two from overseas to oversee a sport may help for now, but the onus must eventually lie with locals to see the sport ascend. Singaporeans must step up to make this happen.

Winning a World Cup or title may be too much at first, but winning a regional or Asian tournament would be a start. Then, perhaps, qualifying for the football World Cup, as did Trinidad and Tobago (1.3 million people), may not be a pipe dream; or doing as Japan did by beating South Africa in rugby may not be that far-fetched.

There is a long road ahead. But is population size a criterion for success in sport? I doubt it. Quality rather than quantity matters, and determines whether we have what it takes to reach the summit.