As a player, leader and Captain I continue to learn from other players and leaders. I cant tell you how much respect I have for John Smit (Springboks Captain). Here is a guy that will give you everything he has and sometimes it's not enough, but He will always be the first person to raise his hand and take blame if it lays on his shoulders. 

I have played with some leaders/captains and it is "never there fault" never take ownership or blame for their mistakes, a squad really does catch on and the respect leaks away from that individual...

As we all know, nobody's perfect but it's how you react to the situation in hand. 

I just got more respect for Smit after him earning his 100th Cap he could have just talked about the huge milestone. but instead he went in depth of where he made a mistake that was very costly to the Team. 

Below is the article from the test match.

What a class act and what a leader! 

Smit: 'I missed that tackle' 

2010-08-21 22:16:36 

South African captain John Smit was left ruing a missed tackle which saw New Zealand grab a last-minute victory in their Tri-Nations encounter in Soweto on Saturday.

The All Blacks scored two tries in the final two minutes to snatch a 29-22 victory over the Springboks at Soccer City Saturday and clinch the Tri-Nations title.

Captain and flank Richie McCaw dived over in one corner and replacement back Israel Dagg in the other as the Springboks slumped to a fourth consecutive loss in the southern hemisphere championship - after looking like winning their first game for 78 minutes.

All South Africa had to show for a much improved performance after three heavy losses in New Zealand and Australia was a bonus point for finishing within seven points of the victors in the first Test staged in Soweto.

The Bok captain, Smit, became only the second Springbok after Percy Montgomery to make 100 appearances and received a standing ovation from the sell-out 88,791 crowd as he ran on to the pitch well ahead of his team.

However, the 32-year-old - who made his Test debut against Canada 10 years ago - cut a dejected, bloodied figure when it was all over, with the heartbreaking loss severely diluting any personal satisfaction from the milestone.

"It was terribly disappointing as I thought we had done enough to win," Smit said in his post-match reaction.

He admitted he missed the missed tackle which resulted in Dagg's try - the match-winning scored.

In his 100th Test for South Africa, Smit slipped off a tackle on Ma'a Nonu, allowing the New Zealand centre to burst clear and set-up the winning try in the final minute.

"I Really enjoyed the Test," Smit said, adding: "But in the last minute I missed a tackle and we lost the game ... it is nothing to be remembered by.

"At 22-all we wanted to get into a good field position so that Morné Steyn can have a go at a drop-goal, but we turned over possession, I missed a crucial tackle and it was game over.

"I can't think of anything worse than losing your 100th Test by missing a tackle at the death. I'll be disappointed for a very long time."

He also felt that some "silly mistakes" in their own half helped the All Blacks stay in touch, when the Boks could have wrapped up the game.

"We gave them too many three-pointers.

"We had the game for the winning and we let it go ourselves [let it slip through our fingers]."

Although there was some joy in having played his 100th Test against the All Blacks in Soweto, he felt that a win would have been "the cherry on top".

"I could have asked for anything more - 90,000 people to support us was an amazing thing," Smit said, adding: "The emotions running through me was spectacular.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers had plenty of praise for the new and returning faces to his much-changed team.

"We showed some heart out there," De Villiers said, adding: "We didn't lie down and give it away."

He also spoke of the bounce of the ball going against his team, two bad touch-kicks and some shoddy defence.

"Our defence, even though we didn't do too bad, in the end it cost us," he said of Smit's missed tackle.

"I counted seven times that the ball bounced and seven times it bounced back to the All Blacks," DE Villiers said.

"We never got the bounce of the ball once, so when it doesn't go your way t doesn't go your way."

He said in the first half they looked after their ball more carefully and put the All Blacks under pressure.

"In the second half we lost a bit of that directness we wanted and depended more on our kicking game and that didn't come off.

"Our decision making wasn't spot on today.

"We made a few bad decisions that brought them back into the game," he said.

He was full of praise for some of the younger players.

"The youngsters stepped up today and we can draw a lot of confidence from how they played," said De Villiers.

"If we dictate territory and possession.

"It's very painful, but we can take some heart from how we performed today. You need luck too, and today it went their way, as it did in the rest of the Tri-Nations.

"Winning becomes a habit, but so can losing and we're aware of that."

De Villiers congratulated the All Blacks for winning the Tri-Nations.

"Well done to the All Blacks - we saw last year what a great thing it is to win the Tri-Nations," he said.

"They deserved it this year and played entertaining rugby. It's a huge disappointment for us - the dressing room felt like a funeral afterwards."

http://rugbyrugby.com/news/story_21810221636.php

When moving Teams, Cities, States or Countries there are obviously going to be changes, Some good and Some bad. I like to think of myself as a positive person and will always find the positives out of things.

There is not much bigger change from San Diego to Johannesburg and then on to Tokyo. 

One thing I am going to have to get used to is Public Transportation. I have never taken it on a regular basis. In Tokyo I do not have a car so it's my bike, Taxi's, busses  and Trains. I have to get used to it cause so far not a big fan, and it's going to play a big role on how I get around. 

Here is an example why I am not a  big fan. I am away at preseason camp at the moment and we had to meet at the airport at 10:00a.m.  Instead of simply driving to the airport we had a taxi pick us up at 7:20 took us to the train station, took the train 6 stops then got on a bus that took us to the airport. So it was; home, taxi, train, bus, plane ,bus, hotel... Long travel day to say the least! 

Camp is going well, The main focus of this preseason camp is getting some games under our belts. We have a few warm up matches while here which will solidify the team and squad rankings. 

The food here is amazing for Lunch and Dinner!!! Breakfast not my cup of tea, not a big fan of the squid and sea urchins at 7:00a.m. might have to run to the store to get a couple boxes of cereal to keep me going (thanks for the idea xx)

Today I had a early morning Gym session then Japanese Lessons at 10:00  and the rest of the Day to myself. So I hopped on the Train and headed away from the city to check out Mt. Takao It is a must if you are in Tokyo. It only took about 20 minutes on the express train and there are a bunch of hiking trails. I opted to take the Tram up and the Ski lift down. There are hundreds of things to do at the Mountain; Hiking, site seeing, waterfalls,  beautiful Temples, restaurants  and much much more.  I was able to do only a few of the things in the 4 hours I was up  there, I look forward to returning to check off a few more things to do at the Mountain. 

Just wanted to Wish Everyone back home  a Happy 4th of July!

This is one of the Holidays I hate to miss. Beach, BBQ, Hot Weather! Hot other things on roller blades on the board walk. SoCal no place like it!

I found myself cooking hamburgers at home with my 2 American flags hung up listening to some Neil Diamond and Miley Cirus-   Got pretty tuned up so think I might take my act to the Karioki lounge up the street!

God Bless America!  

I see the release is out that I am leaving the Lions and leaving South Africa. I am sad to leave all the great friends I have made but I am also very excited for the new challenges that lie ahead.

I am in route to Japan now. Going to be some crazy times getting all settled in, Not too sure what to expect so should be interesting.

for full report click here -     http://www.eaglesxv.com/20100621270/articles/todd-clever-signs-in-japan

USA USA USA !!!  OLE, OLE OLE OLE, OLE, OLE!

I was lucky enough to go to Match 22 of the Soccer World Cup USA vs Slovenia at Ellis Park! 

I wasn't just lucky I was really really lucky, I received box tickets, and on top of that it was just me and my 3 guests in the whole Suite... It was so redick!

Had a few beers, had a nice dinner I shouted and cheered! The game ended a 2-2 draw. 

I was so impressed on the USA Support! I met so many awesome people from the States that came over to Support our country men! 

I hate to compare it, but I just hope and wish American Rugby can get on the same page as this. 

After a 34 hour travel day (San Jose ,Salt Lake City, Newark, Amsterdam, Joburg S.A.) I am on ground!  in Chilly South Africa!  Deffinitly worth the long travel, this place is buzzing for the World Cup. I am just getting ready to go the USA vs Slovenia game at Ellis park!  I have my USA Flag my face painted and ready to blow my new horn I just got. You gotta fight fire with fire~

I'll be sure to get some pics up asap! 

Go USA!

Well I am back on the road! Have a long travel day back to the  Republic of South Africa. I am taking a little different route cause all the flights are insanely packed for the Soccer World Cup. So I am Traveling via Amsterdam instead of the regular Atlanta.

Overall I had a great break in the States. Saw and spent good time with the family, caught up with lots of my friends. It was a good break away from the sport. as frustrated as it is not playing I am trying to enjoy the rest, but it is hard watching the Churchill Cup and some other Internationals it just makes me want to get out and play! But I am taking my time and doing the rehab to the fullest. should be back in 2 months. can't wait for that!!!

Just over a week has gone by from the surgery.

Everything was a success, Got it all fixed up.  Now its just the waiting game.

I started some basic movements and getting the range of motion back slowly but surely. Have my daily excercises that I am doing, It's frustraiting but it is getting better by the day.  

While i am away from action and rehab I Am trying to enjoy myself in Southern California. Here for a little bit then make my rounds visiting  more friends.