Nothing is constant in sport, or indeed in life itself. The only thing that you can guarantee is change. That reality was reinforced to the Qantas Wallabies in Auckland last weekend during our Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand.
Was I perturbed by the magnitude of our defeat at Eden Park last Saturday night, coming so quickly as it did after the emotional high of our 34-19 win in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test?
Not really.
You can get too wrapped up in scores sometimes, whether they are in your favour or against. They only reflect one moment in time – everything can change in an instant, as was illustrated by the changing fortunes of the Wallabies and the All Blacks over the last week!
Obviously it was disappointing to lose, and it is always doubly disappointing when you lose without playing to your capabilities, but that is the nature of competition.
It all comes down to what happens on the night: nothing that has gone before really matters.
Our side didn’t rest on its laurels after beating the All Blacks in Sydney the week before.
The players were excited about the challenge of trying to become the first Australian team in 22 years to win in Auckland, and our preparations in the lead-up to the game generally went well.
So what went wrong?
Firstly, we didn’t handle the physical intensity that the All Blacks brought to the game as well as we’d have liked.
Perhaps it was the fact that we were playing our third Test match in as many weeks, which is difficult, although not insurmountable.
Maybe some of the players relaxed just a little bit, failing to appreciate that the All Blacks would come at them even more strongly in light of their set-back in the first game.
If so; and only each individual would really know the answer to how the circumstances impacted on their performance, I know, as a group, we will have learned much from the experience.
It’s the nature of the beast that you learn the most in times of adversity, both about the dynamics of the group, and the individuals within it, in terms of how they handle times of stress.
The key is to respond well, by taking on the lessons from what went wrong, and parking the rest.
To dwell too much is to waste energy on a negative experience.
That will only be counterproductive to the future.
The crux of the match at Eden Park was the contest in the contact zone around the breakdown. There, the All Blacks generally won the battle and physically imposed themselves, as we had on them the week before at ANZ Stadium.
Getting on the front-foot there allowed New Zealand to dictate much of the game through the tactical nous of Dan Carter.
We then compounded the problem with some of our decision making under pressure.
We were hesitant at times, and forced into taking poor options, which in turn increased the pressure that we were under.
As a consequence, we were unable to build any consistent pressure through continuity of possession or field position, and you simply can’t get away with that against the best teams.
They will capitalise, and the All Blacks did.
As far as our progress as a team goes, the Auckland experience was a setback, but it need not be any more than that.
I would like to think the reverse won’t impact too greatly on the confidence that has been built up within the group, but that is something we’ll really only be able to judge retrospectively.
Certainly the players were all looking forward to a break from camp back with their families.
To that end, the nine-day window away from the team that we are all currently enjoying couldn’t have come at a better time.
As the players recharge their batteries, they will be able to reflect on an opening six Tests that have generally gone well.
We have developed significantly as a group, both in terms of the tightness of the unit, but also with regards to the players’ general understanding, of each other, and of the playing method that we are trying to develop.
Encouragingly that showed through, even under duress in Auckland, where the players showed that they were still prepared to try things… and still prepared to back themselves and play.
It didn’t always come off, but the approach said a lot about their positive attitude.
Those qualities and habits should stand them in good stead as we further build the team and develop our game.
What the opening five matches of the Tri-Nations have shown is how tough, and tight, this year’s competition is.
All three nations have had their setbacks.
It is how they each respond to these which will define them.
That’s the challenge that lies ahead for the Men of Gold.
It is one I am confident the team is up for, as we assemble next Wednesday ahead of one of the greatest quests that exists in world rugby: the challenge of winning Test matches on South African soil.
Australiahasn’t won in South Africa since 2000.
While that record has no real relevance in terms of how the two Test matches that lie ahead might unfold on the pitch, it does highlight the special opportunity we have in front of us as we head to the Republic.
Touring is one of the great experiences attached to the international game.
South Africa, as a true Rugby country, is a great place to visit and will provide a great experience.
===
This article was reproduced from Robbie Dean’s column at www.rugby.com.au.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
There are those who will forever play the man - and not the ball - where TJ Perenara is concerned. The All Blacks and…
I well remember the day a New Zealand Rugby staffer put their hands on me. It seems I’d made them angry.The Wellington Sevens was…
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have described the players' union call for the board to step down while governance reforms are carried out as a…
I am a rugby fan hanging on by a thread to a game I have followed for over 50 years. It brought immense joy,…
Waratahs' Will Harrison says he has an itch to play for the Wallabies now he's back from a 92-week rehabilitation from multiple knee injuries.…
