All Blacks 2026
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in All Blacks 2026:
Robert Van Rooyen circle jerk for ya
Crusaders circle jerk with Knowler there alongside him although Knowler was playing the (only) slightly more balanced role in the exchange.
Takeaways:
- Mo'unga was finally coming right after 50 tests when he took the Yen and ran.
- Everything was BB's fault.
- The assistant coaches are all good because they once made the Crusaders backline "hiss".
- Barrett is fine despite the fact he needs to play better and tidy up his discipline which has been shit all career.
- Razor doesn't have the cattle but also the team makes too many unforced errors and they'd threaten the Boks without those (so wait we do have the cattle?)
- The most important thing it the ABs are peaking in 2027 (fuck off, we're not a RWC only team).
They've done that with the ABs backline too in that they hiss while they're deflating.
You'd think these 2 fanboy 'journos' would have gotten the message that Super Rugby and Test Rigby are worlds apart by now.
Regular Show is wonderful, used to enjoy watching it with my boys.
But to address your point, Ardie Savea made quite a number of World Teams of the year so that should tell you all you need to know.
A great highlights reel player.
Has someone put together a highlights reel for him for 2025?
Has someone put together a lowlights reel of him walking on defence, refusing to hit rucks and being miles away from where he’s required? I’m only semi-joking here - it’d be interesting to see the reaction from fans who only watch highlights.
They'd just call it fake news
'He's allowed a break after carrying the team on his own for all these years'
I just don't get the Ardie hate that goes on in here. He was absolutely worn out at end of this year, but bet he be one first named in team going forward. Well he would be in my team, Hiw man problem year just gone was coaches running him into ground, and that started with Tana in super.
You also think James Parsons is a good analyst and claim to have seen much worse performing All Blacks teams.
Yep ! And your point is? Are you upset because I see things differently than you?
I also don't believe I have seen as much strength of test teams around world.Not upset at all. Just pointing out you seem to be well off the mark fairly often and are very accepting of mediocrity from the team. How exactly do you think it’s okay for an openside flanker to not bother hitting rucks? How is it okay for any player to walk on defence? How does that not place more burden on the other players? How is it okay for any player others look up to to and follow to phone it in the way Savea does?
Am I off the mark, or are you? You seem very confident you know a lot more about game than those who don't agree with you. You seemed to point out I enjoy Parson.s analilysis too? Hell I take notice of Mauss on here, I find he does work on analysing games, where as I watch them at park or on tv, and take my opinions from that. Which is ok, but very very limited.
Mate as I said it all opinions, I got mine, as I said I don't understand the hate. hey many paid pundits and coaches agree me with me obviously. Hey I not in the Will Jordan at 15 fanboi group either, but figure coaches work on having a plan for how he plays.
We had a poster/s (can't remember who) saying they couldn't see what the big deal was with Fabian Holland too. I haven't seen all this walking on defence etc, and it's actually not unusual for loosies (especially 7s) to not hit rucks, as they tend to go for steal, but often if they can't get it set up in defence, I think some loosies hit rucks because they think that's there job, but sometimes (as with Props, locks etc etc) you better to stay out of them, as Boks looked to do in Wellington at times.
Also by all means tell me where I said mediocrity is ok from All Blacks, or are you just making stuff up. I am one who argues against picking teams on what we need for WC, as I think we should try and win every game.I’ve decided to briefly respond to this by saying I’d like you to explain your options more and answer some of the questions being asked of you.
When did you see worse All Blacks teams than the 2025 lot and in which ways were they worse? I’m genuinely interested in this because I’m not old enough to remember anything earlier than the mid-90s and there are a few reasons I think the terrible 1998 run wasn’t as bad as 2025.
And what makes you say Savea performed well in 2025, other than being on the field a lot? I also find it strange you watched the Wellington loss and didn’t see the players walking around, basically not bothering.
As far as Parsons is concerned, he comes across as someone trying to come up with excuses for the All Blacks’ poor performances, scraping at the bottom of the barrel for random statistics because he’s worried about getting offside with his mates. It’s not so much that I think I know more than him. It’s that I don’t think he’s being honest.
I saw teams a number of times that I believe were pretty average, we had teams in (particurlarly late60s/early 70s, probably 90s also) that were at (like now) what I call swing points where we were perhaps struggling to produce a number pf good young players.Hell in about 94 we only won 2 out of 6 tests (and I was at one of those tests, and you could feel almost the struggle to operate, even with the likes of Jones, Zinzan etc)! Apart from perhaps 2006ish to 2017 where we were full of world class players, and among them all time greats we have at times struggled. I clearly remember early 2000s many pulling out hair and wondering how we could compete with supposedly no locks etc. Hell in 1998 we lost 5 tests, and was supposedly worst AB team ever etc.
As I said I have watched rugby a long time and while I not happy how we are going, I still say it's not worst I have seen, though I do think we will have to get a bit more used to it.
What makes me say Savea performed well this year, well hasn't been stella, and should of been rested late in year, and all I said I don't get the Ardie hate, he wasn't that bad ( I also believe he suffered from super carrying MP on his back)
On Parsons. I was at Wellington test, and was as pissed as most especially those at game, there wasn't a whole lot of walking . but to me an inexcusable mental switch off in last 15-20 minutes where most of the team seemed to struggle.
As for Parsons (like most proper pundits) he may come across to you as someone coming up for poor AB performances, and could be, could also be coming across as someone showing what they did wrong or just as importantly what other team did so well. One of reasons I enjoy his work he (and Hall) talk of what they work on in how detailed it is etc. It's a bloody complicated game at top level and the more I get it broken down the better for me. The fact teams even work on the best way to charge down box kicks from different 9s , haw big the play book that players have to learn with calls etc I get real interested when I hear any pundit who has actually played top level rugby. (to fsee this point, listen to some of those commentators that do NH club rugby, tsome are great)That a point I try to make, sometimes we will ( and have always been) get beaten by a team that is simply plays better. If we win is it only because other team plays poorly or we play well. It's all hos you chose to look at games.
I make no apologies for enjoying pundits, I a rugby nerd, am no more knowledgeable than anyone else, but love to hear from people who actually have played game at top level, as much (or maybe more) as reading and discussing the games with plebs like us.Mate just remembered, almost wish I could find the forums I read them in, beginning of 2025 there were also a number of people who assured us all that Richie McCaw was past it and should be dropped, and their opinions were valid then to, I just didn't quite understand them.
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Just looking at the results. And this may not be 100% accurate - I asked AI to do the maths for me.
1967
The All Blacks had 0 losses (5 matches played).
Average points differential in losses: N/A (no losses)1968
The All Blacks had 0 losses (5 matches played).
Average points differential in losses: N/A (no losses)1969
The All Blacks had 0 losses (2 matches played).
Average points differential in losses: N/A (no losses)1970
The All Blacks had 3 losses:- vs South Africa: -11
- vs South Africa: -11
- vs South Africa: -3
Average points differential in losses: -6.33
1971
The All Blacks had 2 losses:- vs British Isles: -6
- vs British Isles: -10
Average points differential in losses: -8.00
1972
The All Blacks had 0 losses (3 matches played).
Average points differential in losses: N/A (no losses)1973
The All Blacks had 2 losses:- vs France: -7
- vs England: -6
Average points differential in losses: -6.50
1994
The All Blacks had 3 losses:- vs France: -14
- vs France: -3
- vs Australia: -4
Average points differential in losses: -7.00
1998
The All Blacks had 5 losses:- vs Australia: -8
- vs South Africa: -10
- vs Australia: -4
- vs South Africa: -1
- vs Australia: -5
Average points differential in losses: -5.60
2025
The All Blacks had 3 losses:- vs Argentina: -6
- vs South Africa: -33
- vs England: -14
Average points differential in losses: -17.67
I can’t speak to the quality of the performances or the teams they lost to from other years but the losses in 1998 were to a very good South African team and the best Australia has ever put on the park. The All Blacks also would have won one of those games via a Jeff Wilson try if they’d had TMO at the time.
What we’ve seen in recent times is something else. Huge losses. The team appearing to give up entirely. Losses to teams the All Blacks never used to lose to. Losses from a position a win should have been all but guaranteed. The team appearing to go backwards. And scratchy performances in wins as well. It’s hard to believe things were worse than they are now and also hard to believe they’ll turn things around.
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Yep mate, and the loss against springboks this year were against a poor team? We also lost twice to Wallabies, who once again were a bloody good team those days, but we weren't real strong. Look I not saying everything rosey, have never said it, but all I saying things aren't as bad as some say, and I have seen other years where we looked average (that was one year). 1994 we lost 3 against (2 France, and 1 Wallabies) beat Boks twice and drew with them once. If winning 2, losing 3 and drawing 1 in season is as good as winning 10 losing 3, Hell in 2000 we lost 3 and won about 8 we fairly average then too . Thats under 30% winning record!! Much to my surprise this year is very close (or slightly above) the All Blacks historical success rate.
And no I not happy with it, but I repeat I have seen some bang average AB teams before this is average probably for abS, no where near what I would hope, but have to face facts, it not the worst record and I suspect we will get a few more because we lack enough WC players compared to other teams, and we have to learn again, that we not guaranteed winning. like we got used to 2005-16
I will say the 1995 WC final was probably the eye opener for me, I arrogantly thought we were unbeatable, we weren't and when I got up in morning the sun still came up, and from that day I realised that perhaps other nations were quite capable of beating ABs and didn't make it a poor AB team, sometimes other teams play bloody well (which I thought best ever Boks team did, Poms also (although I thought we well below where we could of been). It's not end of world mate, we doing ok (just ok) but we have done worse as I said.
When we accept that I reckon we enjoy the game more. As I said the only time I was real gutted this year was the final 20 at Sky. If you had asked me if I thought a 10-3 win ratio for this year was a pass before season, I would of said yes.
We all want 2014 every year, but by christ it would get boring! -
Not sure exactly what you asked AI, but I was around for all of these teams.
1967-70
All of these teams were good. Supremely confident we would win every game..
Some saffas consider the 1970 AB team as better than the 1974 BI Lions team that beat them 4 zip.
I was confident we could beat SA in SA for the first time. A total contrast to how I feel 26.
Surprised we lost, but probably should not have been. The boks were good and they had a bit of extra assistance, of course.1971
We were definitely on the slide a bit this year.
The third test in particular was a bit of a new experience as a youngster.
That game reminds me a bit of some of the losses in 25. Was goin "what the fuck happened!" We had nuthin.1972
Was ok, all wins, but the wins were like wins in 25, none were emphatic.1973
This was a bad year. Not for just onfield stuff. SA were meant to tour, but the govt came over the top and canned it.
Then we lost to an England team in their pre-season! (I think this was a hastily arranged subsitute game.)
Just about the worst AB loss ever!
The ABs also had a bit of an internal tour, which was complete BS, and no one was really interested.1994
94 was actually more of a concern to me than 98. Really starting to have my doubts about Laurie Mains. A bit like my thoughts about Razor now. What happened in 95 was an unexpected turn around. And the turnaround seems to have been driven by the players (Laurie getting some player buy-in). Maybe something like that could happen this year.?1998
The opposition was good; but we were ok. Could have won all the games. Thought we could turn this around easily.
Not the feeling I had in 25.2025
In 25 I thought when we ran into a good team playing well, we had no chance. Probably never had that feeling with an AB team before. -
@Dan54 So, what I’m interested from you, as someone who was paying attention at the time, is in other poor years, what were the performances like and what were the opposition like? Did the team give up during games? Could they not execute basic skills? Did they lose to teams they probably should have beaten? There’s a lot more to it than the number of wins and losses in a season.
And the 1995 team was unbeatable. It took half the side vomiting on the sideline for South Africa to barely win.
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
And the 1995 team was unbeatable.
France would say otherwise.
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@ShaquilleOatmeal
It seems people have forgotten just how bad 2022 was.- First home/series loss to Ireland
- First loss to Argentina (at home)
- Well beaten by Boks in the first game
- Saved by the ref calling time wasting against the Wallabies with time almost up.
- Close calls against Japan and Scotland
- Escaping with a draw v England
All of this coming off the back of the 2021 eoyt where we got smacked by ireland and france and had to sack multiple assistant coaches.
Also worth remembering this was all with multiple AB greats still in the team and a 10 who was a much better player than 2025 BB.
2025 was shit, but I would argue 2022 was rock bottom.
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 So, what I’m interested from you, as someone who was paying attention at the time, is in other poor years, what were the performances like and what were the opposition like? Did the team give up during games? Could they not execute basic skills? Did they lose to teams they probably should have beaten? There’s a lot more to it than the number of wins and losses in a season.
And the 1995 team was unbeatable. It took half the side vomiting on the sideline for South Africa to barely win.
Usually generally the performance was average, like this year. Not sure in those days we thought not so much as giving up as not getting going. I will admit I was youngers and it never crossed my mind that teams would give up. The opposition especially during the 80s I thought was poor, as I have said at other times, I watched Wales train in Levin during WC, and the skill level etc was ordinary, and Quinell actuall told the front row boys from Levin, a couple if first graders and a second grade hooker from club team in the Horowhenua to lay off in the scrumming, as they were getting done. And Wales were in the semi-finals of that WC. There were some pretty ordinary teams getting whipped by AB team toward end of 80s . AN AB team with a few bloody good players, but nothing exceptional really.
Did they lose to teams they should of beaten ? Hell yeah France in 93-4 we looked like we thought tackiling was optional at times are a couple that come to mind, and same against Wallabies early 80s, where it was a case of like Wellington this year, team turning off mentally (I thought). Mind you as I say, I tend to be (or used to especially) to believe we should aways win tests.
It's hard to compare between era etc, because much as I was a fan boi even back in those days and look back fondly, I seriously doubt whether many of them would compete with modern teams, just because game has changed etc so much. I do say the way teams behaved and treated each other in those days would never be tolerated in todays games. At times there was a pretty proud bully system in team, and players etc that didn't didn't toe line in anything should be careful at training etc. Justin Marshall was almost strangled on a bus trip for being a smart arse and sitting in back seat etc etc. Rumour has it some of the, one in particular the 90s coulld or should be real embarrassed how he used to act with younger team memebrs. I not only read that in a players book, but heard it from someone who was acting as a temporary member for the party while overseas. There were times when the team culture left a lot to be desired , and that included the boozing etc, which you just can't do these days.We got by with at times bloody good teams, at others we struggled through with teams that average with a couple of real good players in them. Now we struggle because a few other teams, like SA (the most a team we beat once this year), France and Ireland all of which would have more players in a World XV than us, possibly England too.
I wish like every supporter (of every sort) that my team played with 100% mentally and physically everytime they stepped on field, unfortunately the human and it doesn't happen that way. -
Perhaps ask A1 on winning number of games, which after all is the point of tests, if that's how you get your rugby knowledge mate.
I know it's old fashioned , but genuinely watching rugby has always been the way I have only ever really judged teams. And not just losses, but wins too, I have seen wins (including this year) that have looked pretty average , and losses that have been pretty good.Though I can understand that's how many get a lot their rugby (or a lot of sport) info, just ask A1, or/and watch highlights (then look at shortened stats) perhaps takes less time etc.
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@pukunui said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal
It seems people have forgotten just how bad 2022 was.- First home/series loss to Ireland
- First loss to Argentina (at home)
- Well beaten by Boks in the first game
- Saved by the ref calling time wasting against the Wallabies with time almost up.
- Close calls against Japan and Scotland
- Escaping with a draw v England
All of this coming off the back of the 2021 eoyt where we got smacked by ireland and france and had to sack multiple assistant coaches.
Also worth remembering this was all with multiple AB greats still in the team and a 10 who was a much better player than 2025 BB.
2025 was shit, but I would argue 2022 was rock bottom.
It was ordinary, saved by the Boks win in Joburg, but I think we showed signs that there was light at the end of the tunnel for 2023. There were a few hairy moments after thw Joburg test, but I felt at the time that it was to be expected with the coaching team changing mid season and we did also hammer Argentina and the Wallabies in the return fixtures that year. I felt like we were a more settled XV at the end of 2022 and the coaches knew what their best lineup was going into the 2023 RWC.
Can't say I feel the same optimism going into 2026 and they still seem unsure on their best XV.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Perhaps ask A1 on winning number of games, which after all is the point of tests, if that's how you get your rugby knowledge mate.
I know it's old fashioned , but genuinely watching rugby has always been the way I have only ever really judged teams. And not just losses, but wins too, I have seen wins (including this year) that have looked pretty average , and losses that have been pretty good.Though I can understand that's how many get a lot their rugby (or a lot of sport) info, just ask A1, or/and watch highlights (then look at shortened stats) perhaps takes less time etc.
I got AI to do a bit of maths because it was quicker than doing it myself. Nothing to do with my rugby knowledge. I’m just trying to find out how years I wasn’t around for were as bad or worse than in recent times. Doesn’t sound like they are unless you go by the simplistic wins/losses stat which can be found very easily. And as you point out, it’s the nature of the performances that matter. Those in 2025, with senior players flat out giving up, lack of basic skills, players avoiding their core duties, are the worst I’ve seen by a long way. I’m not hearing examples from the past that compare to what we saw last year.
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@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@pukunui said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal
It seems people have forgotten just how bad 2022 was.- First home/series loss to Ireland
- First loss to Argentina (at home)
- Well beaten by Boks in the first game
- Saved by the ref calling time wasting against the Wallabies with time almost up.
- Close calls against Japan and Scotland
- Escaping with a draw v England
All of this coming off the back of the 2021 eoyt where we got smacked by ireland and france and had to sack multiple assistant coaches.
Also worth remembering this was all with multiple AB greats still in the team and a 10 who was a much better player than 2025 BB.
2025 was shit, but I would argue 2022 was rock bottom.
It was ordinary, saved by the Boks win in Joburg, but I think we showed signs that there was light at the end of the tunnel for 2023. There were a few hairy moments after thw Joburg test, but I felt at the time that it was to be expected with the coaching team changing mid season and we did also hammer Argentina and the Wallabies in the return fixtures that year. I felt like we were a more settled XV at the end of 2022 and the coaches knew what their best lineup was going into the 2023 RWC.
Can't say I feel the same optimism going into 2026 and they still seem unsure on their best XV.
2022 certainly stands out, and is the right year to compare to for this last year. In 2022, the team was underperforming and the NZRU made changes to the coaching group that did dramatically improve the quality of play. The Twickenham result was a shocker in 2023, but we went a fluffybunny hair away from winning a WC - had we a proper kicking coach or had they let Dmac loose 5 minutes earlier, we win that game, even with the RC.
So, that raises the question, does this caoching group need the same realignment. I think yes, but also that we need to completely shake up everything about coaching development, application, and selection. There is rot in the NZRU and the silly procedures they use to get the result that they want which needs to be starched out as well.
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@pukunui said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal
It seems people have forgotten just how bad 2022 was.- First home/series loss to Ireland
- First loss to Argentina (at home)
- Well beaten by Boks in the first game
- Saved by the ref calling time wasting against the Wallabies with time almost up.
- Close calls against Japan and Scotland
- Escaping with a draw v England
All of this coming off the back of the 2021 eoyt where we got smacked by ireland and france and had to sack multiple assistant coaches.
Also worth remembering this was all with multiple AB greats still in the team and a 10 who was a much better player than 2025 BB.
2025 was shit, but I would argue 2022 was rock bottom.
Disagree, 2022 schedule was harder.
2022 we played No1 ranked peak Farrell-era Ireland 3 times for June series compared to playing France C x3 in 2025.
Wallabies' overall player profile featured a lot more experience in 2022 (before Eddie blew everything up...) than 2024-25, they were slightly better than 2024-25 - remember Wobs beat South Africa 25-17 in Adelaide in 2022 RC.
Under Foster in 2022, we beat South Africa 36-22 in one of the most comprehensive performances in years against a top 3 ranked nation.
Also note that if France had brought their A team, we probably would've been looking at 4 or 5 losses in 2025 instead of 3...
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2022 was a truly shitty year - particularly in the first half of the season - but post Ellis Park at least the trend was definitely upwards and the team was at least united..
This year? Worse for me - no upward trend, reports of player/coach trust issues from multiple sources- and no one seems to know who the real head coach actually is.
Let's hope the review sorts at least some of the mess out - otherwise things will get really messy i '26/7.
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As examples of teams that were not as good as 2025:
1991
Lost in Sydney
6-3 abomination win in Akl
Awful scrape through wins v Italy, USA, Canada in RWC
Loss in SF
Awful, Awful year1994
Loss to Frogs 2-0
Draw with Bokke
Gregan/Wilson1999
Awful QF v Scotties
Loss in SF
Loss in 3v4I think the current is better than all of those.
But I think we have the players to be better than we currently are.
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I'd say the early 2020's are consistently worse than the early 1970's.
There were not as many games played back in the 70's; so I can actually remember them all.
In the amateur days form was much more up and down, than it is now.
If you get on a run now (winning or losing) it seems to stick with a team more.There are a lot of corollaries between then and now; the 20's coming after the AB power decade of the 10's; and the 70's coming after the equally AB power decade of the 60's.
1970
Some people knock the 70 team a bit, mainly I think simply because they lost; but at the time this was considered the best AB team ever to tour SA. Nobody considered it a shit team, not like we think of the current one. In 70 we thought we were guna win; in 26 we think we are guna get smashed. Totally opposite mind set.1971
You could definitely see we were on the slide.
Lost the first test, which surprised everyone; but then came back in the 2nd test and absolutely smashed them.
So everyone is thinking all good, back to normal; and then came the 3rd test.
This was a bad loss (bit like SA at Wellington this year), and it became a bit of a life lesson for me. The ABs are not always going to be shit hot.
Played good in the 4th test, but the Brits managed to scramble the draw which gave them the series.
First AB series loss to the Lions, which shook the confidence a bit, especially after blitzing it all thru the 60s.1972
3 zipped the Aussies. The Aussies were very very bad. We didn't have to do anything special to beat them.
Then came 72-73 euro tour. A lot of people slag this team off too. But I thought they were ok. The Brits were actually quite good during the 70s, but we nearly did a grand slam, the Irish managing to snatch a draw right at the end of the final game, to stop us.
People still rave about the next big game, v the Barbarians, but to me the ABs were not taking this game serious at all, and just went out and threw the ball around. It was a great game to watch, and the Baabaas snagged the win.
The final game v France is a good example of what a say about the amateur era. This was right at the end of a very long tour, and I think the players just wanted to go home. We lost and I dont read anything particular into this game.1973
73 was one fucked up year.
Bok tour cancelled.
One test match, beaten by the poms. The poms had been beaten by virtually all PUs in the lead up.
The loss was stunning. Everyone thought this was guna be a walkover.
I think I recall Bob Lendrum had a shocker. Which was a bit unfortunate, because I thought he was quite a good player, never played for NZ again.1974
This was actually a good year.
For everyone who thinks the ABs were shit in the early 70s, this year does not fit that narrative.
Should have 3 zipped the Aussies in Aus, but one draw. The AB players apparently said some of the very very bad words to the Aussie ref (yes, home town refs in those days).
Then came the euro tour.
I was very apprehensive about this short tour. A bit like the coming tour to SA.
The Brits had just completed an unbeaten tour of SA and they were so fucking full of it.
Had Ireland Wales and the Baabaas (pretty much the 74 Lions team), in 8 days.
It was like the Brits were guna do a tag team on us.
But we very nearly did the trifecta.
Joey Karam had a bit of a shocker in the last game. I think he'd taken a bit of battering in the first two games, and made the mistake which let the Barbarians (Lions I mean) in to snatch a draw.1975
One test v Scotland in the water. Easy.1976
Regulation win v Ireland.
Then to SA. This was an ok team too I thought. Although not in the class of the 70 team.
This series should have been in NZ, but wasn't for political reasons. If it had been I think we would have won 3-1 instead of losing 3-1.So all in all, the early 70s was a bit of a downer, compared to the 60s, but not consistently down. There was some up as well. At the start of every game I was confident we were guna win, and it was a bit of a shock when ever we didn't.
Not like now. I thought our chances of beating the likes of England last year were very slim, and was not surprised at all when we didn't.
