Test arena is far beyond a ‘friendly’ affair

Let’s be blunt: do you deserve to win when you fail to score in the entire second half and manage only three points in the last 60 minutes?

Has a country ever got so worked up about a friendly? It’s one of the great quirks and distinctions of rugby; virtually every international game matters.

In soccer, a November international might be a friendly. In rugby, as Richie McCaw pointed out, they’re called tests for a reason. There is no escape from intensity or scrutiny.