The social media post which enraged England fans as they found a way to lose again under Steve Borthwick. Enough excuses, writes CHRIS FOY READ: Joe Marler should be commended for breaking down rugby's barriers Join Mail+ to read Chris Foy's World of Rugby every Monday, exclusive scoops in Rugby Confidential every Wednesday and the best in-depth reporting By Chris Foy Published: 02:00, 4 November 2024 | Updated: 02:00, 4 November 2024 e-mail View comments On the surface at least, there are now worrying signs of an excuse culture around the England team – and a desire to repackage defeat as just part and parcel of an eternal education. Having seen his team throw away a prime chance to beat the All Blacks , Steve Borthwick was quick to explain it away.
Then, after a game which was preceded by a social-media storm, there was another divisive post, this time from the official England Rugby account. It read: ‘Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn’ with a picture of the home team. There was no mention of losing, which is what the hosts had contrived to do.
Again. That seems to have been quietly erased from the sporting equation; it is either success or development. Losing is not a concept which fits into a PR-spun, commercial world where there’s always a journey and so rarely a day of reckoning.
A painful lesson is not the equal of a glorious victory. It’s not the plan or the target. Let’s have some honesty, please.
This is Test rugby. Results are supposedly the be-all.