So the 2013 Autumn Internationals in the northern hemisphere come to a end with a familar feel to them? With respect to Argentina and Fiji, its the results and performances against the Big 3 which count! The win lose ratio remains the same, as so many times in the past. The south just win! The north rely, most of the time as gallant losers, with the odd exception of England, who and I know this will grate the nerves of non English, actually do beat at least one of the 3 each year. Why is this? Why cant the great players of Wales, Ireland and to a lesser extent Scotland, who over the last few years beat South Africa, beat southern hemisphere teams on their own soil? We have seen both England and Ireland this autumn, take New Zealand to the wire but? It isnt luck that sees the All Blacks, whoever they play, win games in the last 5 minutes. Greater minds than me have tried to solve this mystery. Is it a act of God? or is it more like that they are trained to be frightened of defeat? Frightened? Well imagine being a All Black player in a losing side against Ireland, who have never beaten the Blacks or against Wales, who have gone over 40yrs since their last win. These New Zealand players would hang their head in shame, in a country which worships rugby and its players! With respect to Ireland and Wales, how many times over the years have the comments coming out of these countries after defeat against the 3, of being unlucky losers or so gallant in defeat? Gatland is trying to change this attitude but with the media preaching this rubbish, will the Welsh public start demanding, and rightly so with so many great players, that they must win? Yesterdays Welsh defeat to Aussie see once again platitudes going to the Welsh team in defeat, why? Look back, Wales where 10-0 up after 10 minutes. The next 50 minutes saw the Aussies dominate with Wales only scoring another 6 in this period whilst the Wallabies kept the scoreboard ticking over with wonderful ball skills. The last 15, Wales gave it a go! Gallant losers? Change the country but look at Ireland v All Blacks. Winning 17-0 at one stage but the story is the same, they lost. Honour in defeat? In both games the home countries played for approximately 1/3 of the game. Ireland and surely Wales have players who can compete with the south so is their mind set wrong? Arrogant England? When England play at home most expect them to win. Their players are no way better than some of the players from Ireland and Wales but England and its supporters expect! 2000 to 2003, England had players who expected to win! Some where world class but not all but what they had was an environment which made their minds hard and the will to win, meaning they wouldnt accept defeat even in the last minute. How do you get a group of players brought together for a few weeks to do more than die for their country. How do you get them to get on board with the thought of defeat not acceptable? For me, a big part is get rid, no matter how good, of players who think they know better than the head coach! If a coach as to spend too much time with a player, explaining his ideas, get rid! Spend the time with maybe less skillful players but who will work and stay focused for 100 minutes never mind 80. Evolution takes time but for the north to start beating the south consistently, ignoring England then the rugby public MUST DEMAND SUCCESS and put real pressure on the players. The players will stop then talking of gallant losers and know that if they lose! Yes lose! The corinthian attitude is no longer acceptable.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 06:57:41 +0000
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