Post match

Win or lose, your Captain and Coach may be required for television interview within a few minutes of final whistle. In the absence of a team media manager, you may have to ensure these timings (outlined in the run sheet) are adhered to.

In the meantime, your technical zone will have to be cleared, especially if there is another match after yours. This is where your allocation of roles becomes critical. 

Players who have been selected for anti-doping will have been notified by chaperones as they come off the pitch. Educational Resources for anti-doping | World Rugby. Upon returning to the changing room, you should check if any players have already gone to the Doping Control Station or if there are chaperones in the change room. Remember chaperones must stay with their appointed players and cannot be ordered from the change room for any reason. It may take some time to process all players selected for anti-doping. Hydration should be provided to these players, and additional transport should be provided if the remainder of the team leaves before them. Late provision of meals at the hotel should be provided to players who have been delayed by the anti-doping process. 

There should be a post match snack provided in your changing room which should include some form of carbohydrate (sandwiches, wraps, pizza), fruit including bananas and some sweet items like jellies. The items provided should be pre agreed with hosts.

Remember to check in with match day medical staff if you have had a player treated/removed to a medical facility during the game. 

Your Coach, Captain and/or significant players may have to attend a press conference, usually within 30 minutes of final whistle. On departure, certain members of the team may have to pass through a mixed zone – an area where media can conduct one on one interviews. Ensure your squad knows the route and their obligations. 

Ensure you are clear on any commercial obligations your team may have post match. 

After match 

You may be invited to a post match dinner or alternatively, return to your hotel.  Either way your  team should have a significant meal regardless of the time of day. Your medical and conditioning staff will begin the process of physical recovery but remember mental recovery is just as important. Rest and sleep are important obviously, as is continued hydration. So to is contact with friends and family and some planned down time. 

If you have players in a medical facility, this may take some of your time. Ensuring they are well looked after, have adequate translation services and have some personal possessions sent to them (phone, charger, toiletries, night clothes, clean day clothes, shoes) are your immediate concerns. You may have to organise a replacement if the injured player can take no further part in the tournament or camp. The injured player will also need to be repatriated if there is no facility for them to remain with the team. Remaining players are a cost of the participating Union. 

You may also have to deal with some disciplinary issues, a hearing for a red card or a cited player. The Designated Disciplinary Official, tournament organisers or Disciplinary team from your Union, the Regional Association in which the tournament is being held, or World Rugby can provide support as you prepare for a hearing. Discipline | World Rugby provides a walk through the process. 

You will begin the process of preparing for the next match day almost immediately but remember to look after yourself as well! Have you had enough rest, food and time to connect with friends and family? 

Your management team, analysts and players will undertake a review of the last match in preparation for the next. You will be a vital part of that process as well as keeping the day-to-day management of the team in place. Enlist the help of your Liaison Officer to keep things running smoothly as you work your way through the tournament.  

Returning home

You should have a luggage truck for the return journey to the airport.  Leave plenty of time to get to the airport and check in as groups take significantly longer. Your equipment may also have to be shipped as oversized luggage or you may have to work with customs on checking the equipment you entered the country with.  Ensure your players have checked their rooms thoroughly and everyone’s passports are accounted for.