No, not every year. I suspect you'll find it's only in years where we've consistently conceded lots of tries in the last 15 minutes of games that it felt prescient to discuss it.

All the things you mention are mental decisions. Even pushing your body to physical exhaustion needs the mental strength to do it.

The mental side comes into any human activity TT, even getting out of bed means going through a decision making process, imo it's just that it can be over emphasised in sport, though it clearly has importance and it is often used as an excuse.

As bewaresheep said it's both, plus possibly they were more skilful and maybe had a bit more luck, better bounce of the ball and all that. In the macho world of pro sport I guess it's easier to say '[iour mental side wasn't quite right[/i' rather than admit you were outplayed. I suppose admitting you were outplayed might affect your mental attitude..............

In my heart I agree with you, but my head says not.