Smug self deception

 The World Rugby Cup has seen seen some remarkable last minute victories such as Japan's tremendous effort against South Africa, and the supremacy of the All Blacks and to a lesser extent  the Irish, admittedly against weaker opponents. The most important game so far was the struggle between England and Wales which Wales deserved to win. From a points-scoring point of view the penalties taken by Dan Bigger and Owen Farrell dictated the match and given the accuracy of Dan Bigger and the referees ruthless chastisement in certain phases of the play one would have thought the English forwards would have been prepared to concede the hit and nullify the penalty but no they kept committing the same infringement and conceding three points. Given the Welsh injuries, men in red shirts being carted off the field as if on a battle field, the team were marvellous in defence and seemed as the game progressed they were able to find that extra bit of energy to keep the English at bay. 


A touch of madness in the final minute when England went for the glory, like the Japanese had done and tried for a push-over try from the line-out instead of letting the trusty boot of Farrell square the match with a penalty kick. These are the moments which people will look back and say "that's what done it".

To beat Australia is a difficult task. Not impossible and in some ways I always think when certain teams are drawn against each other in the pre-match draw and are deemed the kiss of death,  I think anyone who is competing at this level, with the amount of coaching and preparation available to England then to compete to be world champions you have to be able to defeat whoever you are asked to play. I'm sure New Zealand don't mind which group they play in, they expect to win every game.
One of the main disadvantages we seem particularly guilty of, is seeming smug. "Showing excessive pride in ourselves".  It's a characteristic which is as much manufactured by our media as by the team. The team have to feel confident, that given the breaks they can win, that they have the technical expertise and skills within the players to create the opportunity to score try's. The confidence of the All Blacks is on a different level since invariably they contrive the scores through 15 men knowing their role perfectly and collectively they apply continuous pressure in all aspects of the game. With this intensity it's inevitable they will score.
England have some outstanding players. Mike Brown has shown himself to be brilliant in his attacking flair and his courage in collecting the high ball. Owen Farrell for his kicking and his commitment and energy to get into the action and distribute the ball and make the play amongst his team-mates. Courtney Lawes for his opportunistic attack, a difficult man to bring down when up to speed. These are the stars who stick out but there are many who are good at the position they play in but not outstanding and its this lack of a special cohesion throughout the side which is missing. Particularly when things go against the Lancaster plan, they don't seem to have the collective whit to change their game-plan for something else.
All the great teams have it. The old South African sides had enough individual skill and commitment to change their play and create what ever was required for a win. The Australian side was similarly gifted with great running skills and self belief that kept the opposition on their toes for the full 80 minutes.
Our media, the writers and the pundits who pontificate on how the game should be played always talk up England's chances and the hype places a false expectation amongst the fans.
We do it in our soccer, with a team who are at best, a second tier nation, they continue to raise expectations and over inflate our chances.
Perhaps it's a necessary national trait, to feel proud and to be the best. 

It's an important psychological asset, self belief but so is the realisation that your ability to win rests on a measure of luck which the best teams (players) seem to create for themselves.