The journey of Pat Lam

31 October 2016, 12:00AM

The 42 - One side of Pat Lamís office at the Sportsground in Galway is taken up by a large bookcase.

Names like John Wooden, Carol Dweck and Bill Walsh stand out on the spines of the hundreds of books. Lam enjoys reading about and discussing the art of coaching and psychology, not specifically limited to rugby.

On another wall, this one opposite the Connacht head coachís desk, is a whiteboard with various reminders and ideas scrawled across it, but thereís one permanent quote at the top that wonít ever be wiped away.

ìI have no business doing what I do if I listen to people who have no idea or experience about what I do.î

Lam got that one from Wayne Bennett, the legendary Brisbane Broncos boss who has been an influence on many coaches outside of rugby league.

Lam has mentioned this quote a number of times in his media dealings in recent years and you might think he recalls it in periods of doubt, but the truth is that the 48-years-old has developed genuine confidence in what he does.

Connachtís poor start to the season may have rattled people on the outside of the province, but Lam was calm. He understood that the blip was fleeting, that it would pass as Connachtís level of performance returned to its mean ñ which is now high-quality.

Read more http://www.the42.ie/pat-lam-auckland-pacific-islands-connacht-3048820-Oct2016/

31 October 2016, 12:00AM

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