The biggest problem is people's expectations, we have lost 3 tests against England, the 5 NZ Super 15 teams were all significantly better than any of the Australian teams, the AB's are the number one team in the world by a significant margin. They are bigger, better, faster, more skilled, more confident and the gap is bigger than its been for many years.
Most of the errors by Australia were caused by the incredible pressure, skill level and intensity of the AB's.
Changing players or coaches or strategies or anything else wont close that gap, we need to lower our expectations and understand the reasons for the gap between Australia and NZ - and that starts with the cultural differences and builds through schoolboy rugby into club rugby, provincial rugby and onwards.
I remember saying that any of the NZ Super teams would be a good chance of beating the Wallabies during the finals - any one of them would probably have scored more points tonite against the AB's - thats how big the gulf is.
I had no doubt the AB's would win, would have bet on it if the odds were worth it, i did have a lazy $100 on team A winning both halves, based on the expecatation that the AB's would very likely do so - and the odds were a very attractive 9-1. At least I will enjoy spending that on some quality booze to drown my sorrows!
Despite the pain of watching our national side in such dire straights, it is a pleasure to watch such a complete display by an amazing side. Congratulations to the AB's and commiserations to the Wobblies.
I just hope the public can manage their expectations and understand that we are simply not in the same class and likely wont be for many years if ever.
