During a quick timeout in a match, the most wonderful Nigel Owens took a moment to “have a word” with the two team captains (All Blacks vs Wallabies, 26 August 2017):

“As far as I’m concerned you’ve all been excellent but I’m starting to get a little bit of niggle and chat now off the ball which doesn’t really need to happen does it?  So before we start the scrum can we both have a word with both the teams and let’s get on and play the rugby and leave everything else there.  Thank you.”

No shouting, no aggression … just pure, clean assertion delivered respectively and authoritatively.  A masterclass in leadership and how to have a difficult conversation.

Nigel Owens really is marvellous.