In rugby sevens games, Scott Curry goes to his “place of zen”.
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“When the ball’s in play, you’re in a single headspace. You ignore any distractions; you can’t hear anything else. Sometimes you get to the end of a game and you don’t really know what has happened,” he says.
The former New Zealand Sevens captain, who’s rebounded back from a serious shoulder injury, believes the power of the mind is an undervalued facet of the game.
It takes experience to find this headspace, and often Curry – who’s been in the New Zealand Sevens since 2010 – simply has to take a deep breath before he runs out on the pitch to get in the zone.
“Doing something really well, like a magic pass or a tackle gets you into the headspace. Enjoyment makes things a lot easier, and I love it.”
All of the New Zealand Sevens pour a lot of effort into achieving that mental strength, working with mental strength coaches to help them get there.
Each player has a different mind-set in which to perform at their best. While some need hyping up, Curry must be calm. While he also needs aggression, it must be controlled aggression.
“Knowing yourself is very important. I’ll go back over games where I’ve played well and analyse what my mental state was at the time,” he says.
Curry responds to high-pressure situations, and the Rio Olympic Games will provide that cauldron of intensity. It’s why, he says, he plays the game.
Remaining “process focused” is also key. “You don’t worry about the outcome, just what you have to do. Everyone knows where they need to be and where – they all have a job. As long as you do your job, then there is nothing to worry about. It takes the emotion out of it,” Curry says.
The strong team culture within the All Blacks Sevens also plays a major part in their success. The players spend a lot of time together, and although there will always be differences of opinion and different personalities – “You know that when you step out onto that pitch, the man next to you has your back.
“There’s a trust that the guy next to you is going to do his best. Anyone who doesn’t buy into the team culture doesn’t really last long – even if they have all of the talent in the world.”
Curry’s passion for rugby began as a kid growing up in Reporoa in a family of four boys. While studying at Massey University and playing for the Manawatu under 20 rugby side, he was spotted by legendary coach Gordon Tietjens who encouraged him to take up sevens.
He thrives on the space sevens gives players to express themselves, and the fitness challenge it provides. “Everything you do is under a microscope – the smallest error can have a huge effect. You’re a lot more exposed out there,” he says.
Representing New Zealand is not something Curry takes lightly. He’s proud of to wear the black jersey and the silver fern.
“We spend a lot of time away, so coming home is always special. It’s pretty special to have the support of your country. It’s a massive privilege.”