Coaching Culture with Ben Herring

What if the best culture in your team is hiding in plain sight—in the way players clean a table, put plates away, or stick around for a coffee that really means connection? We sit down with Nathan Gray—Wallaby, defense specialist, and now director of rugby—to map the behaviors that make standards visible and repeatable under pressure.

Nathan pulls back the curtain on selection and reveals the trait he hunts that tape often misses: intent. He explains why toughness is both physical and mental, and how to coach it without crossing into chaos. We dive deep into defense culture, separating system errors from individual misses, and explore how clarity turns aggression into smart decision-making. His mantra—think clearly, act aggressively—comes to life through drills that pair collisions with immediate second actions, training the red head to blue head switch that wins big moments and avoids cheap penalties.

We also talk about the coaching journey: moving between micro and macro lenses, writing down the big picture to remove emotion, and leaning on assistants who live in the details. Nathan shares the story behind the Safe D Tracker, the simple tool that makes tracking lines visible so players arrive safe, tackle better, and build confidence. From rewarding the low tackler who creates turnovers to reframing roles without damaging trust, this conversation is packed with practical coaching cues, culture signals, and performance insights. Along the way, we champion growth outside rugby—study, family, other sports—as a secret edge that makes better players and better people.

If you value culture you can see, defense that players love, and coaching that treats the person as well as the player, you’ll find plenty to use this week. Subscribe, share with a coach who cares about clarity, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway so we can keep raising the standard together.

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