Whether or not you are happy with a draw in sport all depends on your expectations before the match I suppose. IF there is no expectation of a victory then one team will see the draw as a win and the other as a loss. When two teams are relatively close though, it can be deflating for both sets of supporters and the teams. While you obviously did well enough not to lose, you got so close and did not win. You could not seal the deal .
With both sets of fans feeling slightly bitter, this no win impasse more often than not also affect the confidence of both teams. You were so close and you could not finish, did you lack big match temperament? Can you handle pressure?
Champion teams it is said win when they should lose, and they know how to close out games. Besides the obvious need for talent and hard work, confidence and experience are key ingredients. This is why you cannot just add a lot of talented players together and make them champions. Why even just working really hard and making plans are good enough. You need to give them confidence. And confidence needs to be earned through experience.
The South African rugby public is unforgiving. We want to always win. Even a draw against one of the world's best sides is bemoaned by our public. But to put it in context, you have to look at a decade of poor coaching eroding player and public confidence. You have a new coach, new captain and many players playing their first season. That spells inexperience. Time will tell, but you can only EARN experience through playing and through adverse situations.
As a fan I am in it for the long term. All I want to know is our coach playing with a plan for the long term too. Or is the pressure going to be to much? Time will tell but I am sure to be there to see.
Expectations must be realistic and for this you need to look at the context. It is everything.
