With the Rugby World Cup in full swing, Jack Tavernor, a Partner at Strutt & Parker, looks at the surprising similarities between a game of rugby and traditional rural estate management.

Like rugby, managing your rural estate isn’t just a single process; it’s a varying combination of teamwork, strategy, setting out goals and hitting targets. Just like all the best rugby teams, time spent in proper preparation is crucial.

In rugby, there needs to be a manager steering the team who is ably assisted by coaches, dedicated back-room staff and specialists brought in to make sure every eventuality is covered. But while these individuals all have their own roles, everyone works towards a pre-determined plan.

Strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities are assessed with every angle and movement predicted as far as possible.

Once the match has begun, the unpredictability kicks in and changes are made on the fly. The plan agreed at the outset might not be what is needed now as new threats blindside you while opportunities are missed as the opposition wing streaks forward because you’ve not adapted to the changing game.

Who are your best players?

Estate life is eerily similar to rugby. Land agents, like rugby players, need to be able to look at what’s in front of them while thinking on their feet. They need to be wary of the game around so they can change a game-plan for the good of the team.

The top tier rugby teams can multi-task in the best sense with props floating miss-passes to a hooker on the wing, or a centre doing the dirty work on the floor.

The best players don’t pigeon hole themselves into just one role and neither should estate managers. It’s a combined effort with everyone acting together, putting in the hard work and being ready at a moment’s notice to do any job required.

When an estate works together with owners, tenants, staff, contractors and professionals in a joint effort driving forward, comparisons might be drawn to the great rugby teams - The Lions of the 1974 undefeated tour, the Welsh in the 1970s or the current All Blacks?

With both elite rugby squads and a dedicated team of estate staff, solidarity and efficient communication is crucial. All players need to work together to make unstoppable progress up the park to the line.

Solid defence

To quote the great New Zealander Sean Fitzpatrick: “World Cups are won on solid defence”.

Defence in the world of estate and land management is the many systems and processes that are in place to back up the day-to-day hard work.

These vitally important systems might not be the headline act, but they are the foundations on which to build great performance.

Like any good foundation, they need to be solid, secure and unfailing.

Getting points on the board

Getting points on your way to a winning score can come about in many forms:

• Penalty kicks: the solid 3-pointers, such as a new letting or grant-aid opportunity. Put these together and you’ll give yourself a secure base on which to build.

• Tries: the successful culmination of a long-term team effort, pre-planned moves and a well thought-out strategy.

• Exciting break-away try: once-in-a-generation opportunities like solar farms, AD plants or development land.

• The conversions: a welcome bonus that can turn a good result into a great result – much like Single Farm Payment or Stewardship Payments on top of farming returns.
Plan for the game

The match schedule itself probably gives the best comparison to the life of an estate manager.

The days and weeks of preparation and enthusiasm are followed by sustained efforts throughout the year, with the occasional, well-earned half-time break giving a chance to reflect, take stock, revise the strategy and build enthusiasm again.

Reinvigorated, you get back on the pitch looking to end with the result your team has strived for.

There is but one stand-out difference - Strutt & Parker’s Managed Estates don’t need extra time.