Rugby's a cruel game. We didn't play to our full potential and we've come within a point, so we just have to try to stay positive.

The glass is neither half empty nor half full, but quite simply at a point of maximum potential

It is a cruel game and it is very harsh on the players. To come in 3-1 down at half-time felt unfair and the penalty was a killer for us. It looked very soft. At 2-1 down, we were just one goal away from winning the tie and in with a real chance.

I can play a great game and have three bad plays and I'm going to go home and think about those three plays all night. Out of 70 plays, I'm going to think about three plays. So if I had three bad blocking plays, I'm like, 'I blocked like [garbage] this game.'

That was the key to the first game. The second game, we put the ball in play a lot better. Our kids responded well after the first game loss.

I play this game for the camaraderie, but most of all because I am able to hit people and get away with it. I like knowing that I can hit a man and it hurts him and I can get away with it. I can't do that on the streets. Football is a violent game, but it brings me peace. The field is my sanctuary.