Good teams don't play badly and win tough matches - let's look at the myth

Even the best teams don't play well all the time. They play well most of the time, they make their own luck, they, collectively, have a better understanding of the sport than other teams

Often we hear of teams who recently have proven they are usually dominant, that they win even if they are playing poorly.

This appears to be a level of achievement we wish to aspire to. It is commonly regarded that it is better than winning convincingly because of the added nonchalant factor.

I really believe that us fans really kid ourselves with this type of excuse for when our team has too many injuries, retirees, mystery selections, a smaller lower ranked nation raised their game, poor coaching, bad refereeing decisions permanently going against us etc etc etc...!


What are your thoughts on this.

Does winning while playing badly really exist?

Do smaller nations really step up a level only against top ten rated nations?

Do we really have strength in depth and a great system of club rugby building plenty of competitive players developing into being top internationals ready for the RWC every four years if we are not competitive when we have a few injuries.?

France haven't played particularly well all tournament but we are playing them Saturday

Yes good teams can play badly and win if they are much better than the opposition.

Also what would you define as playing well?

Would you call winning ugly playing badly?

Let's hear your thoughts.

Is winning ugly good?

If you are the weaker side on the day but luckily win does it mean you are a good team playing badly but still winning??

i think the point is is that- teams can win playing badly , and teams can just win playing the best they can physically and mentaly on that day- the problem is is that we dont know which one is which bat the time- better to just use the old- your only as good as your last performance !

the better teams win more , and the better teams win more important games. thats what we need to worry about, nothing else really, dont get to caught up in how you win, just if you do or not. A classic usual excuse from many home nations on these boards(or perhaps the old 606 boards) . YES BUT WE DIDNT LOOSE AS MUCH AS YOU DID AGAINST THAT SH TEAM so we are better- lol