What can turn a season round for you?

Last night, as I watched Atletico take apart their northern rivals I couldn't help but hark back to the start of their season where, under a different coach, things looked dire and hopeless. But their success in the UEFA cup and incredibly their mathematical hopes of still making the Champions mean that their season has been resurrected. But probably reaching only the final and making it into Europe would not be considered a success.

So if you are unhappy with your national side's performance in rugby and you feel they have sold themselves short what can turn round your season for you. Let me give you some scenarios.

Firstly, the glum and equally cheery Irish posters. Many of you are not happy with Kidney and the defeat to England was probably made worse by the fact that it was the last game. But imagine you win the first game in NZ or, God forbid, the entire series. Would all be forgiven and statues in Kidney´s name would be erected in every Irish village square?

Wales supporters, well for you it´s the reverse sorry. Grand Slam is very difficult to improve on so let´s say you lose 3 - 0 in Australia. Does that undo all the sweet success of the Grand Slam for you? But let´s say a win against the ABs in November. Then does that undo the disappointment of Australia and the year can be labelled an absolute daffodil of a success.

England supporters, something similar. You lose 3 - 0 in SA but then win 3 out of the 4 Autumn Internationals (Fiji, Australia and SA). A successful year?

Scotland supporters. You win 2 out of 3 on your South Pacific tour including a famous victory in Australia? Does it undo the hurt of the thrashing with the wooden spoon?

SA supporters. You win all your games against Australia, win the 4N and Bryce Lawrence is made to step down from refereeing? A turn around for you?

Australia, you win 3 - 0 against Wales but then lose all your games in the 4N except against Argentina?

And NZ, ... no I won't even go there. Every loss is considered like a death in the family. But needless to say if we don't live up to the title of World Champions, not even that breaking of that monkey´s back will take away the bitter taste of defeat.

Feel free to make up your own scenarios. Just interested how quickly the feeling of loss or victory can be taken away.

What would turn Ireland around... I still think that Kidney can still be good for Ireland if he chooses to pick players on form and is daring with his tactics. The fact that D'Arcy was continually selected over the in form Paddy Wallace is still a matter of frustration for me.

In short, dare to change, dare to pick on form and dare to believe that the team can play attacking rugby. A win in NZ would only cover the gaps if Kidney still selects the same players

For Wales we need to keep on winning. We need to win the Series in Australia. I know all of us fans would be happy just to get a sole test win such is our poor antipodean record, but a series win is what would move us up in the Worlds estimation and reflect an upward curve in this squads ability.

A 3-0 defeat in Oz would put Wales back to where we were pre six nations, inconsistent, unable to beat the Bazzers, unable to win in the SH.

A win over the Kiwis in the AIs would go a long way to rebuilding confidence should we lose all three in Oz this summer.

But the aim will be to keep on winning, home and away.

John Afoa and Stefan Terblanche!

Not just result dependent- did we come close to SA? Were selection questions answered? How did our youngsters fare?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Not just result dependent- did we come close to SA? Were selection questions answered? How did our youngsters fare?

There are plenty of areas where England could see positives as well as in the obvious results, in players found, management selecting, combinations improving, team performance improving.

Definitely more relevant for England than the other Home Nations, due to their recent new management and reinvention running through the team.