I never tire of quoting Nelson Mandela, especially when he had so much to say about sport, and personified the most unifying moment ever experienced which brought a nation together. His concept of success was illuminating -‘I never fail. I either win or learn’. He also talked about the importance of resilience, the measure of how many times you rise after you fall as more important than outright success.

When we failed to win the World Cup in 1991, with Australia deserved winners, some threw their silver medal into the river, some still cannot watch the game back and that is all understood. However, we learnt, and came back from such a crushing disappointment to achieve an unpredecented back to back Grand Slam. Maro Itoje and others were visibly distressed with their silver medal in 2019 after they had been dismantled by South Africa following a sensational win over the All Blacks in the semifinal. A level of disappointment only they can articulate.

Make no mistake, it is brutal, painful and unbearable to lose a big final, I know only too well. Everything you and your team worked for has come to nothing…… if winning is everything. It is a fine line and you can do no more than give it your all as will your opponent and only one can succeed – Josh Kerr broke the 1500m world record in great style in the London Olympic Stadium, what a legend, on this same weekend that we saw both sides of a sporting coin. Ryan Fox, son of All Black Grant, played with nerveless belief and calm confidence to bring home the Open for himself, his family and for New Zealand.For all the winners, there is a long list of suffering runner ups. Learn and come back stronger.

Over a ten day period it felt that more than one Argentinian team was performing like a rugby side. In both semifinal and final, England and Spain were manhandled incessantly on and off the ball, and short of sending off the entire team, other than perhaps the goalkeeper and Lionel Messi, the referee had to make a call, or request an oval ball. It was enough against England but thankfully not against Spain in a forgettable final. Messi’s post-match tears were very real and he was also gracious enough to embrace his victors, unlike many of his team mates. Deep inside him was surely the knowledge that they had failed to put out the best version of themselves on a world stage, in fact the reverse. There will be much regret in the months to come.

In the proper rugby match, England will in fact take much from their narrow win over Argentina. They were irresistible for a period and showed their true capabilities. Feyi-Waboso, Smith and Freeman once again starred and effectively carried the match. Borthwick’s failure to develop depth will hurt the squad but this was a must win scenario due to RFU’s arbitrary silence on his future. Argentina’s second half rally together with England’s four yellow cards resulted in what should have been a penalty try for two high tackles and therefore a barely deserved draw. A five minute debate was a bad look for the game and completely unnecessary, leading to crazy emotions overspilling.

But this could now mark a turning point for England and simultaneously a low moment for a distraught Argentina, as well as Japan and Fiji, who will probably lose all their remaining matches away from ‘home’. This tournament structure is already questionable, benefiting the airlines, hotels and logistics companies but few others and certainly not the less well resourced nations.The limitations of the tournament will be outweighed by the inevitable top team playoffs, mitigating the other shortcomings. Better than meaningless touring some will say. Perhaps.

In the midst of a wonderfully endless sporting summer, we see everywhere the differing reactions and emotions to success and failure. There is flawed beauty everywhere, this is the nature of sport and always will be. Let us not overreact.