If the World Cup is the Holy Grail then surely all would be forgiven if Robbie Dean’s men manage to win it next year. It’s not that they have done that badly, but they haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire in the past couple of seasons.
They haven’t won the Tri Nations or held the Bledisloe Cup during Dean’s time at the helm and they are just holding out France for number 3 position on the IRB world rankings at the moment.
His win/loss ratio isn’t much to write home about either but to his credit the Wallabies are capable of beating any team in the world on their night.
Obviously, supporters would prefer to pick up a few titles and the odd trophy along the way but has it become acceptable for a coach to redeem himself by simply winning a World Cup?
Has it got to the stage where all teams are building towards the World Cup and are prepared to sacrifice a few games in order to win it or is it a case of ‘if we happen to win the Cup then it’s a bonus?’
Which way around is it?
Perhaps it’s a bit of both and getting the balance right is half the battle.
Just curious to know what the mindset is and how each country approaches it. What do the supporters think? Are they willing to take a few losses if it means winning the World Cup? Perhaps the expectations are different for each country?
The All Blacks, for example, place great pressure on themselves to win every game regardless. Supporters would love to win the World Cup but at the same time are happy that they are ranked number 1 in the world and have the highest winning percentage of any country.
In contrast, South Africa’s trophy cabinet is full but still ranked number 2 while also having a lower winning percentage.
For argument’s sake, the All Blacks are winning the intangible battle and South Africa the tangible at the moment, proving that one does not necessarily equate to the other. If you prefer tangible then South Africa is leading the way but if you prefer intangible then The All Blacks are.
In some ways it comes down to personal preference and each supporter will scramble to find any piece of evidence to support their argument but the question remains, does winning the World Cup override all this?
nicksa
Guest
Tutu Its obviously a nice trophy to have but realistically speaking its not very important. To me world cup, tri nations and no 1 ranking is important.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
As go the Wannabes says, I can forgive a few losses to bring home a trophy of substance ie World Cup, Bledisloe or Tri Nations....in that order.
Hoy
Roar Guru
How can the All Blacks ever not be favourites going into a World Cup with their winning record? Again, aside from the problem they have of not actually winning one since 1987?
Tutu
Guest
Yes you have lots of trophies but have already lost one, the Sevens world series. Or does that not count now that SA doesn't have it does it become irrelevant?
Tutu
Guest
The All Blacks were not heavy favourites to win the last four world cups at all. 2007 definitely, 2003 it was England, 1999 believe it was Australia and SA who were favourites.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Thanks kovana. Yep the game I saw parts of had two good young teams going at each other. England just looked more polished. Having said that the Argies just kept on coming back time & time again. The home Argi crowd were tops. Always willing on their boys. So if I managed to see one game on Fox where are the others? It's a mystery.
kovana
Guest
Dont know sorry.. Heard England beat Argentina in front of 15'000! Argentinian fans.. Amazing really.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Sorry this is off topic. Can you help please? Does anyone know if the under 20's World Championship is to be televised on FTA or Fox? I've checked the programs & can't see a thing. However I am almost positive that I watched some of the Puma v England just the other day. Maybe it was a replay or something from a former c'ship? I was also looking for info on the Baa Baa's v England from Perth for this evening and have found that it's to be streamed via the internet on Foxpsport.com.au. Mmm that's disappointing. I'd have loved to have watched the match on the big screen. Oh well lap top it is then.
johno
Guest
They can beat any team on their night... well that and if the AB's and Springboks are having an off night.
nicksa
Guest
As a springbok supporter, i like the fact that we have all the trophies but the one thing that bothers me is that we have a winning percentage against every nation except the all blacks!! If the springboks 1 day do achieve a world cup plus a winning percentage against every nation then ill be pretty happy :)
Brian
Guest
Be honest - capable of beating any team on the night......I am a Wallaby fan and eventhough the ABs are not nearly as good as they were in years past, we still dont beat them often if at all. This is the year to step up otherwise any RWC success will be a fluke like the Final of RWC03.
Nathan
Roar Pro
Should have read 'to his credit the Wallabies are STILL capable of beating any team in the world on their night.' Implying that, among other things, they still have that in their favour.
Go_the_Wannabe's
Guest
I for one will forgive Deans his experiments and youth system if he brings home the RWC. Thats the big one and one that everyone remembers. The Kiwis want to win everything and that is their stumbling block. Confucius says - man who chases 2 rabbits seldom catches either!
Chris
Guest
"to his credit the Wallabies are capable of beating any team in the world on their night." - TO DEANS CREDIT? There hasn't been a time since the 80s when the Wallabies were not capable of beating any side in the world "on their night". That Deans has maintained this is not anything special but par for the course. The Wallabies team we have at the moment is the most rubbish since 1997. This "rebuilding phase" is utter rubbish. Rebuilding is what every crap side calls it - Cronulla have been "rebuilding" since bloody 1967. We have great depth in a few positions and no depth in many positions. Deans has led the Wallabies to a loss to Scotland, has led them to their biggest loss in history and has lead them to 7 losses from 8 games against NZ. With the exception of the scrum the side has gone backwards in every way since 2007.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I would probably prefer to win as many games as we play and win the WC on the way through. I don't believe in the building towards the WC that goes on 4 years out. I can't excuse poor performances with "building" towards something 3 or 4 years away. I think what I prefer is a little unrealistic, but if I had the record of being the All Blacks, it would be OK not to have the world cup. Having said that, the fact they have lost so many, when they are heavy favourites to win the last 4 or so, would weigh heavy on my mind.
Nathan
Roar Pro
I appreciate there is a difference between test and Super 14 level but wasn't the same thing said about the Reds before this season?
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Dingo wants to win everything - every time he 'plays'. Whether it is squash or coaching. All he can do is work with the squad he has and it is up to them to stand up - remember the 'pride in the guernsey' comment from a few years ago, he could not believe what this side was (in)capable of producing, he was embarassed by those players.