Are the All Blacks still happy when they win?

My man it's the way in which the mighty AB's are playing the game to get the wins. I/we Kiwis here in Brisbane can't get enough let's push out and play 1 hour halves.....love it

I think like most people that have commented, winning ugly and loosing are both as bad as each other. They both leave you with a hollow feeling knowing the team didn't put in a performance we all know they are capable of. However I don't think "entertainment" is the correct word either, we are not watching a movie. AB supporters have matured over the last 10 years I think. We don't fear loosing so much as we want to see them live up to where we know they can play. High tempo, highly accurate rugby with forwards dominating up front and backs cutting the opposition to ribbons. And if that happens its highly entertaining as a by-product and more than likely a winning performance. The old add-age of process over result.

Ironically, SARU also seems to me to be the biggest enemy of the Springbok legacy. You could say we have proven to be our own worst enemies. Hope I still shall though.

Yeah still pretty happy. While it would be nice to be tested a bit more at times, it is better for rugby if other teams step up.

Its a strange question? Wouldn't you rather lose sometimes .. hm? When we list our best we list them because they ARE the best. They aren't up there due to being mediocre, blow hot and cold or are sometimes pretty good, they are up there because they are, or were consistently excellent and the cream of the crop almost all of the time. Do we remember Muhammad Ali because he was a 50/50 fighter, Phelps because he won one swim really well but lost the other 5, Bolt because he's OK if its not overcast on comp day or Pele because they won a couple good games. NO! We know those names because they were the very best and always strived to be so. So no, we dont hope the AB's will lose. What we hope for is their competition will lift their own game to compete at their level.

OK Jonty - you've asked if the ABs are still happy when they win?? I'm going to suggest they are only because their mantra is "continuous improvement," to achieve success. However. can I ask this back at you....will SARU remain with Sanzaar or will they leave to greener grass, up north?? For me personally, this is an important query from my viewpoint. Last week in Bled 2, the supposed viewing figures were released at an astonishing 1million NZ viewers, had watched the match on pay-per-view. Some time back in a previous article that addressed my query, I responded by suggesting that NZRU should withdraw from Sanzaar and go it alone to promote, its own rugby competitions. Today, I read an article in the NZHerald by Gregor Paul suggesting a very risky opportunity for NZRU to pursue a similar pathway and rather than rely upon the current pay-per-view scenarios of SkyTV (NZ), Foxtel (Aust) and the Sth African TV promoters, then NZRU should pursue the streaming TV capability reliant upon viewing numbers and paying for what you want rather than, what you get. It is risky and solely reliant upon popularity and success in terms of sporting teams. However, the numerical values that are being suggested on an annual income stream, vary between $400M-$800M-$1B depending on three factors being a) viewing numbers b) popularity c) continued success in the future Assuming the viewing numbers rotate between 0.5M-1M viewers, the article considers what may happen if the streaming view price varies between $20-$40 per view per test. If the AB play 14-16 tests per year, then the income numbers are considerably greater then the current Sanzaar contracts per country. If those viewing numbers are just in NZ, then one can only imagine what could be the numbers if the streaming ability is also shared overseas to separate rugby nations such as SA, AU, UK, Euro, Pacific Islands, Japan, China and the rest of the Asian nations pursuing rugby, as an Olympic sport. An important discussion point for NZRU is how they are able to negotiate AB test match income, played outside of NZ.....but I'm sure, someone will find a way because at the moment, those nations outside of NZ are the ones, who are wanting to play the ABs. IMO, NZRU should take on the risk and havago while their team is having such a successful run....as most pundits suggest, successful runs don't last very long but what the heck - nothing ventured, nothing gained is what I'd say.....

Great comments.

Zakaia The building going on and the trickle of new players coming in does keep it fresh--you are right. It's a game within a game within a game sort of thing.What we watch as AB fans isn't necessarily what fans of other teams watch.

Crackle, Probably the best game in the last 8 years that I have seen, maybe longer.It had everything.....the context of TRC win being up for grabs--the importance of the bonus points...lead changing hands multiple times and the sheer quality of the rugby played. The 'Boks haven't touched those lofty (intended!) heights since.

I love a good battle like last springbok game would rather win by a point than by forty

I never get tired of watching Canty or the Cru or the ABs win, never will. The best games I have ever seen in my time of watching hav'nt always been my teams winning, but I remember them because they were fantastic games.

Happy when we win but it gets a wee bit boring when its a foregone conclusion.Im hoping the English and the Irish can give us a good couple of games in november. My second favourite team apart from the allblacks is the springboks i certainly hope that they can overcome politics and play as well as they did in the past.

True, and why on earth would thousands turn up to see Winx run? I mean the clues even in the name. Win...x number of times. Theyre still waiting to declare the variable.

I quite enjoyed the first half of the last two WB vs AB games for that reason. Two evenly matched teams that went at it. I enjoyed the 2nd halfs a lot less I must confess.

I hope they lose at least once before the world cup as if they enter it unbeaten for 18 months then they will be lulled into a false sense of entitlement -- and we have all seen where that will end.

Great stuff Johnny. The All Blacks are must-watch TV for me. And when they bring it and fires on all cylinders, they are a joy to watch. If some lucky opponents happen to bring their A-game while playing the Kiwis; great news. We got ourselves a proper Test match. I remember when your "boy" Guardiola coached Barcelona. I never got bored watching them in their prime. When they destroyed Man U in the CL final at Wembley many of my friends thought it was a boring watch hence the clear gulf in skills, execution, and determination. Me? I was in complete awe. To see a team perform at their peak at the biggest stage is very special.

you've pretty much summed it up for me there. On Sky Sports in the UK Michael Lynagh asked the same questions on Saturday and compared it with the Steve Waugh captained test team suggesting 3 day victories got boring for fans. The difference here is, unlike a 3 day grind in to inevitability, we get to watch a harmonious and cohesive wave of skill showcased over an 80 minute period. When they win ugly (like 2016/17) it's not as enjoyable but those are the usually the games where the opposition has really stepped up and put the pressure on. Those are the close games that give you the thrill of the competition. I will never tire of the AB's winning it's too good to watch.

Winning is a habit n it is very addictive, so it is hard to kick the habit , so I don't even try , because it feel so bloody good ....sorry what was the question again ? Oh yes, I am very happy !

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well said and very insightful.