The dimly-lit Edinburgh pub was filled with silent Kiwis this morning as we watched the All Blacks lose in dramatic fashion to a romping England.
Despite the myth, folklore, and expectation surrounding the All Blacks’ quest for a third consecutive Rugby World Cup victory, the better team won today’s semi-final.
England were ferocious. The All Blacks, a shadow of their usual selves.
Thus marked the end of 12 years without a World Cup loss for the All Blacks. The end of dominance.
I’ve written quite a few posts (here, here, and here) about the All Blacks in recent weeks, and have been reading much about their psychology from the excellent book, Legacy, by James Kerr. Understandably, I had great expectations for a win today.
However, seeing their defeat helped me realise that no matter the preparation, the planning, the dedication, the mindfulness, the focus, the belief, or the courage; sometimes you get outplayed.
And that’s okay. That’s sport, and that’s life.
One match, mistake, or failure, doesn’t define you; even if it does hurt a bit.