What a difference a game can make

First topic message reminder :

Well the 6N has drawn to an end and Wales came out worthy winners with a very spirited and determined England close behind. It´s easy to forget after their disappointing RWC that England were last year´s winners and could have achieved that very rare thing in the 6N with a back to back win if the result had gone the other way against Wales.

It´s also easy to foget how different England´s season might have been if they had won that game in Ireland last year. Although they ran out tournament winners, there was a anti-climactic feeling that came out of that loss. It irks me when I hear people say it´s a dead rubber or the game is pointless.

When there´s very little separating sides, you have to approach every game as an opportunity to score valuable psychological points not only over your opposition but for your own confidence. Look at how Ireland admirably came back from their narrow loss against Wales. They improved as the tournament went on and broke their losing streak in Paris and overcame Scotland that had troubled them in the past. But now their season feels like a let down because of that big loss to England and the good work they had put in on their scrum in previous years went many steps backwards last weekend.

The same, however, could be said for the winning sides. Wales and England have every right to be satisfied with their 6N for different reasons. But that good feeling and confidence will count for very little if they don´t perform in Australia and SA respectively. Then there are the AI series at the end of the year where Wales and England will both face the ABs and England faces the big 3 in the SH. So whilst there should be a lot of confidence drawn from this 6N, that confidence should be reserved as things can change very quickly.

Ireland may well find that loss to England a source of inspiration but that is not the ideal form of preparation going into a three match series. Wales and England should approach their respective series with the intent of winning but they should be wary that the good work done so far this year can be largely undone in very little time if they´re not focused and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. For every game counts and if you think 1 victory is enough, then you´re entertaining the idea that losing is acceptable.

Why do we putt better for par than when we putt for birdy? Because the pressure not to lose is greater when we putt for par. That is the same attitude many Home Nations need when they face the SH. Saying a win is acceptable is not good enough. Take each game as it is and believe you can win each game. Because they are good enough to win. And once you lose one game, your mindset changes. Winning breeds confidence and confidence makes for a better performance. Just ask Scotland who were undeserving in many instances of the wooden spoon but also are so badly in need of that winning feeling.

Fair enough. But normally the fans' expectations exceed the players' or management's expectations. Maybe the post 2003 effect is having a realistic effect on fans like you both say. But then again neither do I think have England have plumbed to such depths as to be okay with losing to Wales.

Then again, I must admit Australia was the deserved 3N champs last year and that loss was made a lot more palatable by our RWC win. If we had lost that semi final, then most definitely my opinion of the 3N loss would be entirely different and I´d be kicking everyone and everything in sight!

Currently England have a new side, new coaches, a new manager, a new Board and a new CEO. I'd just like to fatten them up a bit before I kill them.

I can just imagine the sort of comment if I went around saying a loss in SA was unacceptable...

Hmm. Might almost be worth it...

I see on Biltong´s thread that most people are predicting a 2-1 series victory to SA. Realistic yes, but worryingly meek. Imagine you win the first test. How many would then change their predictions? Probably most.

So my point is one game at a time. If a loss comes, then deal with it then. But don´t anticipate a loss in advance. Focus on each coming game and try to win the game. That´s what I don't see.

chuckle. I'm one of the few predicting 2-1 to England. I reckon I'm being optimistic, but hey, why not? I like the look of this bunch and think they might just do it.

I do, however, reserve the right to descend into a nerve strewn mess in the days before any game and predict we'll be eaten by a kopje.

That´s the spirit mate.

Cowshot wrote:I do, however, reserve the right to descend into a nerve strewn mess in the days before any game and predict we'll be eaten by a kopje.

A Lion on the kopje is more like it.

A Lion on the kopje is more like it.

Would that be a kopje cat?

Cowshot wrote:

A Lion on the kopje is more like it.

Would that be a kopje cat?

Well it ain't a photocopier.

When the Saffers run out of props, they just knock a lump off the nearest kopje and hey presto! Os du Randt.

biltongbek wrote:

Cowshot wrote: I do, however, reserve the right to descend into a nerve strewn mess in the days before any game and predict we'll be eaten by a kopje

A Lion on the kopje is more like it.

With Englands hookers disapperaing like theyve met an Ipswich lorry driver, we could well end up seeing Lee Mears proving once again that even Lions can get humped by the beasts ou there.