Some things, such as the inter-personal dynamics of a rugby squad at the World Cup, are complex. People are now trying to attribute simple explanations to their side's exits, such as who played badly, what decision turned it and why the wrong players were in the side.

Arrogance has had a good mention but it’s a bit too simple for me. In reality, the broader picture needs to be considered. Notwithstanding that, there are also simple truths out there. Robert Paperamborde’s idea of attacking rugby was forcing the opposition scrum back six inches. It’s that six inches that closes down, or creates seconds of time and yards of space for others on the team and then the magic can happen.

Another simple truth is that no halfback (scrum-half) likes the sight of his front row’s rear ends reversing towards him, it spoils his game -- ask George Gregan. One simple truth is surely that no amount of ‘prior proper preparation and planning prevents.... ' (a regularly recited mantra) guarantees the ability to control the proceedings on the big day, as the All Blacks found out against France.

'Another simple truth is that no halfback likes the sight of his front row’s rear ends reversing towards him, it spoils his game'


Therefore, an extra 50 million NZD spent next time round might improve their chances by one per cent, or it might not even do that much.

No amount of money can insure you against an off day. No price can be placed on the spirit of a seasoned team that pick up their game against you to play inspired rugby. It’s too complex too counter, or maybe it’s very simple. This applies at interviews, at court cases, even when taking someone on date. You should prepare as best you can but keep an open mind until the "fat lady sings".

Metaphorically, Fiji have been advancing six inches at a time, generally forward. In October 1985, they played Ireland at Lansdowne Road. This was before the Guinness East Stand (it has gone now) and the era of Waisele Serevi (is he still playing?)
 
We were as confident as – say – South Africa were last weekend. Eighty minutes later they had charmed the Irish crowd and were trailing 16-15. That’s how it ended, and the world was a different place.

The Irish were shocked and two days later, on the way to school, I saw that the scoreboard had not changed -- it, too, seemed frozen in a state of shock. Many of the Fiji team were in tears after that game. Grown men cried. Two years ago they went down 11-8 to Wales in Cardiff after their share of near misses. I’m glad that they have finally beaten a major force. It took 22 years and more than six inches. They have been adding six inches at a time until this year, when they finally arrived.

I’m sure that some Fijians in the All Blacks' changing room were in tears last Saturday, too. There’s some justice in that. Perhaps, then, the first thing the winners should remember is their fortune, including near misses, while the losers should remember that you can’t play good teams and win all the time -- but that your day will come. Simple as that. Then perhaps grown men would not cry.

The NZ Under-18 side at the recent Under-19 World Cup were described by one writer as '‘not resembling any group of 18-year-olds I’ve ever seen’'  -- a reference to their precocious physical development. These young men will be fast-tracked into club, provincial and franchise sides, and then the AB's Isaia Toeava played for the All Blacks at 19, Jonah Lomu at 18 (yes, Jonny Wilkinson also played for England at 18 but he was a waif then). For NZ players, once within the fold of professional rugby, most aspects of daily life seem to be externally managed to a degree.

There will be few interviews, exams, court cases or showdowns of any kind outside rugby for these players(I wonder if the NZRFU runs a dating service for them too). This is where Cardiff last Saturday makes sense. The maturity and wisdom that is a prerequisite for capitalising on ability seemed to derive largely from Tana Umaga in his day. This guy had lived. More recently it was Aaron Mauger.  George Gregan had been kept on for that reason, (which went first, his pass or his hair?) and now Brian O’Driscoll does it for Ireland. Ironically, Wilkinson has it already. In fact, Wilkinson always had it and will always have it.

For New Zealand, pride has come before destruction and I offer a simple truth to them. They did not choke. Ireland did not choke either. Australia did not choke. They got their selection wrong, were out-thought and outplayed as a result of this and when their heads dropped the matadors struck. Maturity was absent in the All Blacks' performance. Simple as that, but the answer to it is complex as so much needs to change.

Chris Rea has a very simple song called ‘Reasons’. I recommend you Kiwis listen to it, just don’t cry.

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