So the mighty All Blacks have fallen and the world has continued to spin. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t like it when the All Blacks lose.
I must admit, however, that when it comes to losing I prefer it when we’ve played out of our skins, and that wasn’t the case on Saturday night. As cliche as it sounds, a loss provides opportunity for learning, and based on that performance there’s certainly a bit to work on. However, the expectation that some have of every game being a victory just isn’t realistic.
I feel flat tonight – it’s not the result I expected or wanted. I knew it would be a tough match; I did not subscribe to the ‘we’ll annihilate them’ brigade at all. Australia have been improving with every game, and if I’m being brutally honest, I can’t really say that about the All Blacks.
There’s been more handling errors in the RC than I care to remember. However, even with thinking that I admit I did expect us to win. Even during the last moments of the game I expected a last-minute try to be scored, as has been the case on a fair few occasions. But it wasn’t to be. We lost, Australia won, and good on them.
The pressure the All Blacks are under is no secret. Colin Meads once described an All Blacks defeat as “a national tragedy”, which was often followed by verbal abuse and, worse, scorn. Brian Williams likened the changing room to “a morgue” after a loss, saying that not only were there feelings of having let yourself and your family down but also feeling of letting “your country down”. Meads believed that the fear of letting your country down was even stronger than the fear of losing itself.
According to Conrad Smith, “The public expectation is tough to deal with”, and if you’re a member of one of the many New Zealand rugby social media groups, this will hardly be news. Smith conceded that the level of support is awesome “when things go well” and left it at that. There was no need to elaborate.
(Image: AP Photo/Mark Baker)
After the move to France in 2015 to play for Pau, Conrad Smith felt revitalised. “My wife, after wanting me to retire the whole time I was in New Zealand, doesn’t want me to stop now,” he said. The important thing for Smith is that he’s “home a lot more than [he] was in New Zealand”, which is how he now wants to live his life. He stressed the importance of finding a way “to take your mind off the game and to distance yourself from the pressure and scrutiny”, which he did through golf, diving, gardening and cooking.
I don’t think we should underestimate the toll travelling and playing rugby at the highest level has on a player. Smith played 94 tests over 12 seasons for the All Blacks. While I don’t know how much travelling that would have entailed, it’s obviously a lot. The only example I’ve been able to find is that of Wayne Smith who spent “170 to 200 days each year away from home, travelling locally and globally” in his role as assistant cCoach. So being involved with the All Blacks requires a lot of time away from home.
Beauden Barrett has also spoken of the very high expectations of the New Zealand public, which he feels is not a particularly bad thing per se. He believes “the end of the world” reaction to a loss is because the public are used to the All Blacks winning and it has therefore “become the norm”. And thanks to social media, a new norm has reared it’s ugly head. Bear with me…
I love post-match analysis. I like reading what other people made of the game and I like contributing. But what I don’t like is the way social media has provided a platform for ignorance – and arrogance, but that’s another blog!. I do not like the use of blanket statements – yes, I’m talking about generalisations here – rendering an entire nation down to one.
(Image: Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
First of all, generalisations make no sense. How can 4.5 million New Zealanders all be this or all be that? Secondly, again connected to the absence of sensibility, they’re absolutely impossible to substantiate. Tonight I have defended myself three times because by making a generalisation about Kiwis you’re actually insulting me, and my goodness I will defend myself!
Here’s an example of one: apparently Kiwis are “cry babies” for congratulating Australia and analyzing our team on our supporter groups. I just love the audacity of that one. Apparently we’re disgusting for questioning selections and when the bench was used. So it’s okay to comment on games we win, but not games we lose? It’s okay to discuss players strengths but not their weaknesses?
I find that a bizarre concept. I’m not talking about character assassinations here – which I think are completely unacceptable – I’m talking about analysis and critiquing the game. As a passionate rugby fan I think it’s my right to do so as long – as I do it respectfully of course.
The bottom line is the better team won at the weekend. End of story. Sure, we had guys missing, but that shouldn’t matter. The team needs to have a plan B and plan C. Do we remember the 2011 Rugby World Cup? Players aren’t indispensable – or, rather, players shouldn’t be indispensable. The second or third guy should be able to slot in with no hiccups. Of course pivotal players have an impact, but it’s not wise to be too dependent on certain players.
I get that we all have our favourites – mine is Beauden Barrett, my 80-year old aunty likes Kieran Reid and my sister likes Ben Smith – but we’re fully capable of dissecting their game without getting defensive, insulting or profane.
(Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
There’s been a lot said about selections and use of the bench. I have questions myself. Why was Mo’unga not on the bench? Why wasn’t Alb used? Why did TJ and Ardie come on so late? But my questions don’t diminish the trust I have in the selection panel and coaches to make the decisions.
Should a fan blindly follow and not ask questions? I think not. I have a brain and I fully intend to use it. Questioning does not make me any less of an All Blacks supporter – in fact I think the opposite; I think my curiosity makes me more of a fan. I also think joining in with others to discuss the game makes me what I like to call a ‘thinking fan’. The All Blacks are not a cult; we’re allowed to think for ourselves and have opinions.
The All Blacks lost, and we all survived. It was not the best day for New Zealand rugby, but it was certainly not the worst, and chances are it won’t be our only loss in the foreseeable future. But I have a sneaking suspicion it will make the guys hungrier on the end of year tour up north. And to me, that’s a good thing.
So it was not a good day for us, but it was a good day for Australian rugby, and after everything that’s been happening in Australia recently, they needed something to celebrate. What’s good for the Wallabies is good for southern hemisphere rugby, and what’s good for southern hemisphere rugby is ultimately good for us.
Kia kaha and tūtira mai ngā iwi. All Blacks forever.
cuw
Guest
u mean the better team :P
cuw
Guest
CN played very little miter 10 becoz he got head knocks early season. for the latter part he has been coming off the bench , but did play in the semi. Reiko was in centers and right wing - with under 20 , 7S and even Blues. its NZ that put him on left. all these guys who come with express pace tend to slow down soon. Sivi , Rocko , Jane , now Savea. its good to have alternate strings to ur bow. that is how Umanga survived. even Breydon Ennor was a center at u20 , tho now a wing. he can only come in as the pace goes :)
cuw
Guest
maybe u shud stop going to matches ... just saying :P
cuw
Guest
i like the new under 20 guy - Marino , he plays like an 8 rather than a 6 , which Ioane seems to be. NZ have lost a few very good 8s to Europe - like Nasi Manu , Fritz Lee , Victor Vito and latest Toa Halafihi . the match commentary said he is off to France at just 23 !!! but to me the next best 8 in NZ is Luke Whitelock. maybe the coaches know what he can do so not taking him on tour.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Pinetree, regarding Akira Ioane, yes I do see him as a future No 6 though he seems to be being groomed as a No 8 since Steven Luatua departed.
Hehehe
Bob Wire
Guest
Nah mate, you'll be right, great to have a win though!"
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Hey, hey, settle down Bob... NZ will go into recession if there is too many more of those victories... :))
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
some credit? .... the Wallabies were the best team at Suncorp ... it would have been an injustice if they got run down on Saturday night
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Damn... stop making sense will you biltongbek... :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
cuw, if Charlie Ngatai was not so prone to injury, I reckon, the No 12 debate would be a non event ... a bit like Richard Kahui I suppose. CN has not been chosen for the EOYT so one would think his ship has sailed. Bloody unfortunate. As for Reiko did not play a lot of games at centre that I recall .. I know Hansen originally looked at his as a potential OC but I think his value on the wing will make it difficult for the selectors to shift him in...
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Mate, I'm never 'prepared for a loss' but often not as confident as my outward personna , so to speak. I did sense the AB's were possibly a little vulnerable for the match at Suncorp and so it turned out. Then at 13-7, even with the handling errors I arrogantly felt it was 'only a matter of time' .... the game ebbed and flowed and slowly as the Wallabies persistent line speed and spot on defence basically put the game on level pegging when Folau's try just before half time had them trailing by the narrowest of margins ... It was a very good performance by the Wallabies, particularly in the 2nd half outplaying the AB's for a very deserved victory. Saturday's game was the fifth AB test I attended this year, to witness, 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw ... a live 50/50 ... that hasn't happened to me for a long time for me ... if ever that I recall for matches I had attended live. I attended all 3 Bledisloe games and the last 2 were crackers .. I had resigned to defeat in Dunedin after KB scored with just a few minutes to go and was already looking forward to 'the decider'. We all know what happened then. I thought the quality of the game in Dunedin, under the roof was superior to last weekends by both teams but a lot of that had to do with the weather and the roof, but I sensed then that the Wallabies were well on their way back... I think that game gave their long suffering fans some hope. Last weekend, the players crystallised that hope.. so "Welcome Back Aussies!" The Wallabies have some good players but the moment they stopped relying on just one or two, they became more competitive.
MH01
Guest
its the wins that are the problem. @taylorman, remember your posts after the RWC 2015? If there is something worse than a bad looser, and that is bad winner. Sorry mate, will not forget those rants in a hurry.
For me it is a simple equations, all things being equal every team has a "handicap". Example, All Blcks historically have been 7 points a test better than Springboks, I would imagine for Australia vs All Blacks a similar handicap applies. Now teams go through dips and highs, South Africa at the moment are in a dip. Australia are trying to get back on a high, I think NZ is bored, this means they weren't at peak performance this pas weekend. As far as things to work on, that in my viwe is a cliché, every team no matter how good or how bad always have things to work on, it is part and parcel of plying sport. It is like saying Federer has the best back hand in the business, he doesn't need to work on it, of course he always work on his bacj hand. Anyway, my point is, Assume Australia is 7 points below NZ as a standard (this standard over time is adjusted) when they lift themselves and NZ drop below their usual standard Australia can win. It is inevitable.
Mike from tari
Guest
I have to say that the All Blacks were not allowed to play out of their skin, the pressure the Wallabies put them under led to errors & put them off their game, give some credit to the Wallabies they stuck it to the All Blacks.
cuw
Guest
Lions in reality overachieved. of course aided by circumstances. NZ underachieved , they could have won despite circumstances. what people shud realize from this season is that skills are not a substitute for experience. come 2019 , the most experienced side will have the best chance of winning the cup.
Alex the jock
Guest
Not to worry the EOYT is about to happen and i am sure the team will be up for the challenge and take a clean sweep. All the best to the AB's from a Scottish saffa.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes thats true, I was prepared for a loss this time, there were enough signs from both sides to suggest it. I guess that makes our Lions loss worse than this. We wanted that one more as ultimately it decided the series. If I could pick which Id prefer to win, that one hands down. Just the way the season went.
Bob Wire
Guest
Terry I have been critical of Kurindrani in not getting past the first tackle and dying with the ball. I'll have another look at the tape. I know he made some good tackles.
cuw
Guest
u shud consider little Barrett and Goodhue as the long term centers. dont forget both of them played in centers at under 20 world cups. i think HAvili is the heir apparent to 15 jersey. he has already taken over from Dagg at crusaders. he shud take over from Smith for NZ. I think Crotty is the best defensive center in NZ and Ngatai is the best tactician - BUT - both have injuries and concussions over their heads. NZ in recent past have preferred the big-center , small center combination. that is where guys like SBW , Laumape , Moala fit in at 12. the thing is both ALB and Goodhue are also big guys - like 95kgs. so size is not going to be an issue. also dont forget Ioane was in centers before he was put on the wing. there is no reason he cannot come in again. i am waiting to see if any super team will get hold of Levi Aumua of Tasman - the commentary said he is 116kg !!! played like 2 -3 games and has been impressive in both attack and defence.