TO COMBAT both Aaron Ramsey’s and Gareth Bale’s decisions to play for an Olympic GB Team in 2012 is like telling Sam Warburton and George North “You can’t play for the Lions”.
There are a number of differences between football and its wiser brother rugby. The obvious being the difference in the shape of ball, which any school child will learn quickly in the playground if given the chance.
But the more murky differences are the ones that explain why Wales’ IRB and FIFA world rankings are light-years apart.
Brush aside the fact that football – or soccer for any readers down under – is viewed globally by a larger audience and overwhelms over sports by the sheer numbers who play it.
Rugby has a unique concept when it comes to its international fixtures, one that football should follow suit.
The club-versus-country debate is ongoing. It would take some courage to reject an invitation to play for your nation so to concentrate wholly on ambitions at domestic level.
And where players do have a choice, the words of Jim Mallinder, Northampton Saints’ rugby director who has thrown his name into the hat of possible contenders for England's head coach role, have this week rung true: “Everyone should aspire to play at the top level.
For Ramsey and Bale, nothing could be more exact. Despite a difference in sporting backgrounds for a lot of Welsh talent, a sportsman should always be given the option to compete at their sport’s pinnacle, especially players of Ramsey's and Bale’s calibre.
In rugby, club fixtures are not postponed just because the league’s best players are on international duty. The fact is, football is so deep in its own pocket, it fears its fan-base will turn away on weekends its star names are not available.
While eyes are watching nations compete during the 2012 RBS 6 Nations, clubs and regions in the Aviva Premership, Pro 12 and Top 14 are forced to delve into their youth teams, to think about attrition and the future of the club’s potential.
It also makes for a closer battle in their respective leagues, giving lower clubs the chance to compete and billionaire owners in the football world more to think about when spending if they know their multi-million pound employees won’t be available for selection.
A chance to represent their country at Olympic level will strengthen bonds in football. If not, it will instead be left to rust.
Ramsey and Bale should have the blessing of their national coach Gary Speed, not a dressing down.
On the flipside, if rugby showed the same combativeness between its country and clubs as they do in football, I doubt the world would be blessed with half the talent that has come to its fore.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Work to do for underfiring All Blacks
A REPUTATION, for an hour at least, was lost in New Zealand today.
The All Blacks are through to the semi-final of a World Cup held in their own back yard but they will have to examine their future in the 2011 tournament closely - and fast.
Graham Henry’s men have been humbled by their flattering 33-10 victory over Argentina and by the Puma’s power, which came to fruition in Auckland this morning.
The ship is creaking it has to be said, and the challenge ahead in the shape of Australia - a semi-final reunion that goes back eight years - leaves the world compelled to see how the all conquering All Blacks will fair when tested for a full 80 minutes.
The end of the line for Dan Carter, New Zealand’s all-time record points-scorer who was injured in training last week, still looms in the consciousness.
There seems to be an eagerness in the New Zealand ranks to avoid falling into a lull of worry in the absence of their leading-light. It was noticeable today that the hangover is still lingering.
Colin Slade stepped in, but only for 20 minutes before he was withdrawn through injury. One was scary, but two out is petrifying.
A nation now holds its breath to see if third-stringer Aaron Cruden, the 22-year-old who instead now holds the weight of expection pressed down on his shoulders, can bring an end to 24 years of wait.
Argentina will be disappointed. No one expected them to compete with the might of the All Blacks but the fact is they have and proved further they should join, at last, a four-way tournament played below the north-south divide.
The Australian outfit are again strong contenders for the World Cup after misery in the Pool stages. Their defeat to Ireland hurt deeply but they deserved to lose that game.
Their win over South Africa, however, has shown the glimmers of a revival, and continues an age-old tradition: no side defending their crown has yet to do so successfully.
Like France, Australia are still breathing. That’s what counts. The Springboks, 1995 and 2007 World Champions, are out in contrast.
The battle of the openside flankers, Richie McCaw of New Zealand and David Pocock of Australia, will be an interesting contest in Auckland next Sunday.
As will the tussle between Sam Warburton of Wales and Thierry Dusautoir of France, both captains for their respected nations, but will deliver a very different kind of conflict.
Gamesmanship at ground level has continued to confuse officials, frustrating the flow of rugby in the latter stages of the tournament and has rendered it almost impossible to follow.
Pocock and McCaw, both scrappers themselves, have the vision to play tight and loose.
Warburton and Dusautoir have these facets too, but, on examination, the Welsh captain is far more courageous on the floor while his French counterpart plays more on the fringe; a link man to his team’s improving but still disjointed backline.
This will go in favour of Wales at least. The world will be hoping for a try-filled weekend to come and although that will most certainly be the case, the team to proceed to the final won't be the one with the guts in attack but the street-smarts in defence.
Ball retention is vital and containing the opposition is just as important at this stage.
Only Wales and Australia have been able to demonstrate this consistently, while New Zealand and France have been suceptible with ball.
If Wales continue to remain brazen at the breakdown, the red could well meet the the green and gold for the first time this year.
The All Blacks are through to the semi-final of a World Cup held in their own back yard but they will have to examine their future in the 2011 tournament closely - and fast.
Graham Henry’s men have been humbled by their flattering 33-10 victory over Argentina and by the Puma’s power, which came to fruition in Auckland this morning.
The ship is creaking it has to be said, and the challenge ahead in the shape of Australia - a semi-final reunion that goes back eight years - leaves the world compelled to see how the all conquering All Blacks will fair when tested for a full 80 minutes.
The end of the line for Dan Carter, New Zealand’s all-time record points-scorer who was injured in training last week, still looms in the consciousness.
There seems to be an eagerness in the New Zealand ranks to avoid falling into a lull of worry in the absence of their leading-light. It was noticeable today that the hangover is still lingering.
Colin Slade stepped in, but only for 20 minutes before he was withdrawn through injury. One was scary, but two out is petrifying.
A nation now holds its breath to see if third-stringer Aaron Cruden, the 22-year-old who instead now holds the weight of expection pressed down on his shoulders, can bring an end to 24 years of wait.
Argentina will be disappointed. No one expected them to compete with the might of the All Blacks but the fact is they have and proved further they should join, at last, a four-way tournament played below the north-south divide.
The Australian outfit are again strong contenders for the World Cup after misery in the Pool stages. Their defeat to Ireland hurt deeply but they deserved to lose that game.
Their win over South Africa, however, has shown the glimmers of a revival, and continues an age-old tradition: no side defending their crown has yet to do so successfully.
Like France, Australia are still breathing. That’s what counts. The Springboks, 1995 and 2007 World Champions, are out in contrast.
The battle of the openside flankers, Richie McCaw of New Zealand and David Pocock of Australia, will be an interesting contest in Auckland next Sunday.
As will the tussle between Sam Warburton of Wales and Thierry Dusautoir of France, both captains for their respected nations, but will deliver a very different kind of conflict.
Gamesmanship at ground level has continued to confuse officials, frustrating the flow of rugby in the latter stages of the tournament and has rendered it almost impossible to follow.
Pocock and McCaw, both scrappers themselves, have the vision to play tight and loose.
Warburton and Dusautoir have these facets too, but, on examination, the Welsh captain is far more courageous on the floor while his French counterpart plays more on the fringe; a link man to his team’s improving but still disjointed backline.
This will go in favour of Wales at least. The world will be hoping for a try-filled weekend to come and although that will most certainly be the case, the team to proceed to the final won't be the one with the guts in attack but the street-smarts in defence.
Ball retention is vital and containing the opposition is just as important at this stage.
Only Wales and Australia have been able to demonstrate this consistently, while New Zealand and France have been suceptible with ball.
If Wales continue to remain brazen at the breakdown, the red could well meet the the green and gold for the first time this year.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Wales won't fear whatever comes their way
WALES would be smiling whatever the result in Auckland today.
France’s win in the Anglo-Franco conquest at Eden Park will do nothing to derail Wales’ preparations for their first World Cup semi-final since 1987 – and nor should it.
Sam Warburton and his men showed they are not only credible tournament finalists in Wellington this morning, but have the appetite and rugby prowess to win the whole thing.
Now, when have we ever said that about a side under Warren Gatland’s rein?
Money was on Ireland – but only because they triumphed Tri-Nations champions Australia.
You wouldn’t have been blamed for placing your hard-earned cash on them but Wales were in no way underdogs.
They have stamped their authority on this year’s tournament, not once, but from its outset, and are well placed to face a team, yet to-be-decided, for the final back in Auckland on October 23.
Their 22-10 victory over the Irish was hard-fought. Sixteen tackles in the first 35 minutes from Luke Charteris alone set the bar, consolidating Wales’ destruction in defence, and crediting them in attack.
Tries came from Wales’ record try-scorer Shane Williams to open proceedings early on, and then from recovering Mike Phillips before Jonathan Davies to cap the win off.
Meanwhile, Ireland threw away possession too easily while Wales disrupted whatever chances their opponents could conjure. Three times Ireland met with Wales’ try line in the first forty but not to any prevail.
Ireland's forwards won the battle against the Aussies a month ago but Wales were warriors from the front of its pack to its back and couldn't be matched and sent Ireland packing back to Dublin, who know more was expected from them.
Elsewhere, England’s defeat at the hands of the fruitless French was confirmed the moment head coach Martin Johnson put pen to paper.
Analysis following England’s last-gasp points-scrap over Scotland last week should have made it black and white for him.
A team who can’t win set piece ball cannot play the wide rugby they practice on the training paddock and nor can it feed the half backs to direct it. England have the wing-power but not once were they released.
For starters, yes, Steve Thompson has years of experience ahead of his former Northampton Saints’ protégée, but there is no question Dylan Hartley is England's on-form hooker at present.
And Matt Stevens, who was given a chance to redeem himself for his dismal display seven-days earlier, failed, while England’s other muscle-men James Haskell and Courtney Lawes were left to stew on the sidelines.
The halfback combination should have been a no-brainer also.
Where there is faith in England’s golden boy Jonny Wilkinson, on the back of England's tribulations off the field and concerns of Mike Tindall’s fitness on it, Toby Flood has already proved his worth at standoff, but, unnaturally, had to settle for 12, a position he has never filled.
England hadn’t set the tournament alight but basic selection errors have cost them dearly.
France, however, have had room to grow from the moment they kicked their tournament off against Japan.
England, you felt, had reached their potential, and couldn’t replicate it.
Marc Lievroment, the French head coach under pressure from home-press to deliver following their defeat to tournament minnows Tonga last Saturday, seems to have gone some way in relieving it for the time being at least.
France, for all their downfalls and squabbles behind the scenes, have that extra gear and although it may not have come to surface yet in this tournament, World Cup rugby is not about form but also attrition, and if you’re in it, then you’re definitely still in it.
2011 started by giving England confidence but has offered road blocks England have been unable to hurdle at its height. There has been a lot of promise for England but that has been taken away.
Johnson is confident England’s best days are ahead of them, however, following their defeat to France.
The team’s loss to South Africa in Paris in 1999 only made the team stronger under Clive Woodward, but the question should be: is Martin Johnson, the player who led England to World domination in 2003, the right man for the job today?
England looked desperate and confused; a team which seemed to find itself in the RBS 6 Nations back in March and April but lost its identity somewhere along the way to New Zealand.
Wales, on the other hand, are doing all the right things - and all just in time.
The world’s super powers Australia, South Africa, and tournament hosts, the All Blacks, have it all to play for, but on Wales’ performance today, world status doesn’t come into it.
The favourites remain in rugby’s arsenal below the equator – an antipodeans-axis of first-class football. Whichever team you pick, they have all been at the top of world rugby somewhere along the long road of rugby heroics.
For Wales, this may be unchartered territory. But as a nation waits in wonder, they have certainly set the wheels in motion.
France’s win in the Anglo-Franco conquest at Eden Park will do nothing to derail Wales’ preparations for their first World Cup semi-final since 1987 – and nor should it.
Sam Warburton and his men showed they are not only credible tournament finalists in Wellington this morning, but have the appetite and rugby prowess to win the whole thing.
Now, when have we ever said that about a side under Warren Gatland’s rein?
Money was on Ireland – but only because they triumphed Tri-Nations champions Australia.
You wouldn’t have been blamed for placing your hard-earned cash on them but Wales were in no way underdogs.
They have stamped their authority on this year’s tournament, not once, but from its outset, and are well placed to face a team, yet to-be-decided, for the final back in Auckland on October 23.
Their 22-10 victory over the Irish was hard-fought. Sixteen tackles in the first 35 minutes from Luke Charteris alone set the bar, consolidating Wales’ destruction in defence, and crediting them in attack.
Tries came from Wales’ record try-scorer Shane Williams to open proceedings early on, and then from recovering Mike Phillips before Jonathan Davies to cap the win off.
Meanwhile, Ireland threw away possession too easily while Wales disrupted whatever chances their opponents could conjure. Three times Ireland met with Wales’ try line in the first forty but not to any prevail.
Ireland's forwards won the battle against the Aussies a month ago but Wales were warriors from the front of its pack to its back and couldn't be matched and sent Ireland packing back to Dublin, who know more was expected from them.
Elsewhere, England’s defeat at the hands of the fruitless French was confirmed the moment head coach Martin Johnson put pen to paper.
Analysis following England’s last-gasp points-scrap over Scotland last week should have made it black and white for him.
A team who can’t win set piece ball cannot play the wide rugby they practice on the training paddock and nor can it feed the half backs to direct it. England have the wing-power but not once were they released.
For starters, yes, Steve Thompson has years of experience ahead of his former Northampton Saints’ protégée, but there is no question Dylan Hartley is England's on-form hooker at present.
And Matt Stevens, who was given a chance to redeem himself for his dismal display seven-days earlier, failed, while England’s other muscle-men James Haskell and Courtney Lawes were left to stew on the sidelines.
The halfback combination should have been a no-brainer also.
Where there is faith in England’s golden boy Jonny Wilkinson, on the back of England's tribulations off the field and concerns of Mike Tindall’s fitness on it, Toby Flood has already proved his worth at standoff, but, unnaturally, had to settle for 12, a position he has never filled.
England hadn’t set the tournament alight but basic selection errors have cost them dearly.
France, however, have had room to grow from the moment they kicked their tournament off against Japan.
England, you felt, had reached their potential, and couldn’t replicate it.
Marc Lievroment, the French head coach under pressure from home-press to deliver following their defeat to tournament minnows Tonga last Saturday, seems to have gone some way in relieving it for the time being at least.
France, for all their downfalls and squabbles behind the scenes, have that extra gear and although it may not have come to surface yet in this tournament, World Cup rugby is not about form but also attrition, and if you’re in it, then you’re definitely still in it.
2011 started by giving England confidence but has offered road blocks England have been unable to hurdle at its height. There has been a lot of promise for England but that has been taken away.
Johnson is confident England’s best days are ahead of them, however, following their defeat to France.
The team’s loss to South Africa in Paris in 1999 only made the team stronger under Clive Woodward, but the question should be: is Martin Johnson, the player who led England to World domination in 2003, the right man for the job today?
England looked desperate and confused; a team which seemed to find itself in the RBS 6 Nations back in March and April but lost its identity somewhere along the way to New Zealand.
Wales, on the other hand, are doing all the right things - and all just in time.
The world’s super powers Australia, South Africa, and tournament hosts, the All Blacks, have it all to play for, but on Wales’ performance today, world status doesn’t come into it.
The favourites remain in rugby’s arsenal below the equator – an antipodeans-axis of first-class football. Whichever team you pick, they have all been at the top of world rugby somewhere along the long road of rugby heroics.
For Wales, this may be unchartered territory. But as a nation waits in wonder, they have certainly set the wheels in motion.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
"Hold on! Things just got interesting."
IT’S crazy to think that only two weeks ago I had Australia pegged as dark-horse favourites for World Cup glory...
...New Zealand the most likely to fall to pieces under the Kiwi strain...
....Wales to struggle in a Pool of Death...
...and the Springboks, Tri Nations flops, never to show signs of world champions form for at least another four years.
Since two weeks ago, everything has changed.
The pace of this year’s tournament has upped several notches. Teams we expect to win have done so with interest.
Scotland and Italy hold hope they could still reach the final eight and cause an upset.
New Zealand put in the best performance of the tournament by thumping the French, their World Cup nemeses from the north.
England continue to win but don’t look extraordinary.
All of a sudden, it feels like a World Cup.
Ireland’s win over the Aussies was the wake-up call.
Not for New Zealand or South Africa, however, who simply soldier on and dismantle anything in their paths.
It would be shameful to lose just to opt for a perceived easier route to the final.
They both could face the old enemy once again in place of Ireland, who they both would have expected to sweep aside with ease.
But instead they could be combined in a mini tournament of the three super-powers - a fight to the death to see who gets a chance for the ultimate prize.
If all goes to plan, we could be in for one hell of a final furlong.
But alarm bells were ringing above the hemisphere. The Irish win over Australia seems long ago now, but only because it has clicked the switch in the minds of their Six Nations comrades, who have only just realised they are now in a tournament they can surely win, and started to take matters seriously.
To their credit, Wales have stormed the tournament from its outset, albeit they may still be pondering whether their loss to South Africa in the opening round was so terrible after all.
Wales could still have beaten Australia if things were different and Ireland were on course to play South Africa in the quarter finals instead. But we live in a parallel universe.
As the tournament grows, you get the feeling it’s not necessary about who is best on paper, but who can survive the storm ahead and maybe, just maybe, have a crack at the jackpot.
It’s interesting to think that one game can change the whole mindset of a tournament.
Going into a test match with a southern hemisphere heavyweight is traditionally soul destroying. No one ever believes you are going to win.
Have Ireland proved us wrong? Has a shift really occurred? Or was it a one off?
Either way, doors have certainly opened. It’s cliché, but hindsight is a very special thing.
Things could still change again in the next 72 hours, but without it, everyone will feel a World Cup final is still in their grasp.
Get ready for a rocky ride in the next few weeks, because, unless I am wrong, there’s a feeling this tournament has only just begun.
...New Zealand the most likely to fall to pieces under the Kiwi strain...
....Wales to struggle in a Pool of Death...
...and the Springboks, Tri Nations flops, never to show signs of world champions form for at least another four years.
Since two weeks ago, everything has changed.
The pace of this year’s tournament has upped several notches. Teams we expect to win have done so with interest.
Scotland and Italy hold hope they could still reach the final eight and cause an upset.
New Zealand put in the best performance of the tournament by thumping the French, their World Cup nemeses from the north.
England continue to win but don’t look extraordinary.
All of a sudden, it feels like a World Cup.
Ireland’s win over the Aussies was the wake-up call.
Not for New Zealand or South Africa, however, who simply soldier on and dismantle anything in their paths.
It would be shameful to lose just to opt for a perceived easier route to the final.
They both could face the old enemy once again in place of Ireland, who they both would have expected to sweep aside with ease.
But instead they could be combined in a mini tournament of the three super-powers - a fight to the death to see who gets a chance for the ultimate prize.
If all goes to plan, we could be in for one hell of a final furlong.
But alarm bells were ringing above the hemisphere. The Irish win over Australia seems long ago now, but only because it has clicked the switch in the minds of their Six Nations comrades, who have only just realised they are now in a tournament they can surely win, and started to take matters seriously.
To their credit, Wales have stormed the tournament from its outset, albeit they may still be pondering whether their loss to South Africa in the opening round was so terrible after all.
Wales could still have beaten Australia if things were different and Ireland were on course to play South Africa in the quarter finals instead. But we live in a parallel universe.
As the tournament grows, you get the feeling it’s not necessary about who is best on paper, but who can survive the storm ahead and maybe, just maybe, have a crack at the jackpot.
It’s interesting to think that one game can change the whole mindset of a tournament.
Going into a test match with a southern hemisphere heavyweight is traditionally soul destroying. No one ever believes you are going to win.
Have Ireland proved us wrong? Has a shift really occurred? Or was it a one off?
Either way, doors have certainly opened. It’s cliché, but hindsight is a very special thing.
Things could still change again in the next 72 hours, but without it, everyone will feel a World Cup final is still in their grasp.
Get ready for a rocky ride in the next few weeks, because, unless I am wrong, there’s a feeling this tournament has only just begun.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Test-time for minnows will benefit rugby globally
DISTANCE between the world’s rugby elite and the rest is closing.
Sure, it wouldn’t be a World Cup without a few surprises in the stirring pot to make the tournament extra special – there always is.
But it’s clear the powers of rugby at international level are losing weight over the so-called minnows and the see-saw that measures the rugby dynamic is taking a noticeable shift in direction.
New Zealand, the 2011 tournament hosts and number one team in the order of world rugby, have always set the bar.
And, even if they haven’t lifted the Webb Ellis Cup since the tournament was founded and won by its predecessors 24 years ago, the All Blacks remain hot favourites to end, this year, almost a quarter century of hurt.
Something is changing however. That’s if the opening round of the 2011 RWC was anything to go by.
There has been, and is, a real battle of the classes in rugby but hopefully that has been unsettled.
If New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa are the kings of the rugby kingdom, England, France, Wales, and Ireland are certainly its princes.
But an uprising from the “lower-tiered” teams – the Romanians, the Japanese, the Americans, the Canadians – have all shown this hierarchy should be banished.
Argentina removed the shackles last time out, conquering France in the opening game of the 2007 RWC and going on to a semi-final tussle with impending champions South Africa.
And if they have shown ability to survive on the scraps and leftovers from their superiors’ table, like Argentina other hungrier nations should be given the time, the chances, and ultimately the respect to develop their rugby too, so to compete at the highest levels.
One test match is not enough in a World Cup year for a side like Argentina, and although they have been granted admission to a new Four Nations tournament in 2012, if they are really being taken seriously on the international stage, surely this would have come sooner.
They pushed England on Saturday in a test they probably should have won but lost by four.
England feared the power of the Pumas, including noticeably more of its squad’s piano shifters rather than piano players, leaving out some more delicate men, who are not big in nature but know how to win rugby games.
There are far too many to list them all.
Time spent realising their best 15 in five Six Nations tests was wasted in the squad’s World Cup warm ups with Wales, twice, and then Ireland.
Martin Johnson, who was finally taking chances on new blood, has regressed in his thinking and turned to the safety of selecting household names – a security list he has tucked in his back pocket for rainy days like Saturday.
Wales, on the other hand, have learnt from their 2007 heartache and left out a number of old heads who have served their country well in the past but can’t take it forward any further.
Inexperience was the only ingredient lacking in Wales’ stunning performance against South Africa on Sunday and they would have won if not for some cutting edge.
But the squad is vibrant and, more importantly, fit, both at the breakdown and with ball in hand. To beat the Springboks, the ball must be moved at some pace and Wales knew that as many of its own showed the same for the Lions in the summer of 2009.
There has been an interlude for the last eight years that has made that difficult to replicate. Nations, barring the best down under, have manufactured many brutes from a construction line of muscle-wielding ball-crashers without rugby brains; the intimidating to look at who lose everything intelligent.
Meanwhile the truly creative have been left ignored and worse still – forgotten.
New Zealand are the best in the business because they trust a depth and breadth of knowledge they have on the field.
They protect their youth and introduce it at the right times; not when they can fill jerseys, size 52” chest, and can break through brick walls, but only when they are ready, 100%.
Talent is nurtured with the ball first, the gym second.
For the most part, rugby took a step backwards when it lost this philosophy and decided to take science to extremes rugby shouldn’t need to know.
New Zealand win games because they have raw talent.
If this is adopted across the globe, more will benefit from their way of thinking.
Sure, it wouldn’t be a World Cup without a few surprises in the stirring pot to make the tournament extra special – there always is.
But it’s clear the powers of rugby at international level are losing weight over the so-called minnows and the see-saw that measures the rugby dynamic is taking a noticeable shift in direction.
New Zealand, the 2011 tournament hosts and number one team in the order of world rugby, have always set the bar.
And, even if they haven’t lifted the Webb Ellis Cup since the tournament was founded and won by its predecessors 24 years ago, the All Blacks remain hot favourites to end, this year, almost a quarter century of hurt.
Something is changing however. That’s if the opening round of the 2011 RWC was anything to go by.
There has been, and is, a real battle of the classes in rugby but hopefully that has been unsettled.
If New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa are the kings of the rugby kingdom, England, France, Wales, and Ireland are certainly its princes.
But an uprising from the “lower-tiered” teams – the Romanians, the Japanese, the Americans, the Canadians – have all shown this hierarchy should be banished.
Argentina removed the shackles last time out, conquering France in the opening game of the 2007 RWC and going on to a semi-final tussle with impending champions South Africa.
And if they have shown ability to survive on the scraps and leftovers from their superiors’ table, like Argentina other hungrier nations should be given the time, the chances, and ultimately the respect to develop their rugby too, so to compete at the highest levels.
One test match is not enough in a World Cup year for a side like Argentina, and although they have been granted admission to a new Four Nations tournament in 2012, if they are really being taken seriously on the international stage, surely this would have come sooner.
They pushed England on Saturday in a test they probably should have won but lost by four.
England feared the power of the Pumas, including noticeably more of its squad’s piano shifters rather than piano players, leaving out some more delicate men, who are not big in nature but know how to win rugby games.
There are far too many to list them all.
Time spent realising their best 15 in five Six Nations tests was wasted in the squad’s World Cup warm ups with Wales, twice, and then Ireland.
Martin Johnson, who was finally taking chances on new blood, has regressed in his thinking and turned to the safety of selecting household names – a security list he has tucked in his back pocket for rainy days like Saturday.
Wales, on the other hand, have learnt from their 2007 heartache and left out a number of old heads who have served their country well in the past but can’t take it forward any further.
Inexperience was the only ingredient lacking in Wales’ stunning performance against South Africa on Sunday and they would have won if not for some cutting edge.
But the squad is vibrant and, more importantly, fit, both at the breakdown and with ball in hand. To beat the Springboks, the ball must be moved at some pace and Wales knew that as many of its own showed the same for the Lions in the summer of 2009.
There has been an interlude for the last eight years that has made that difficult to replicate. Nations, barring the best down under, have manufactured many brutes from a construction line of muscle-wielding ball-crashers without rugby brains; the intimidating to look at who lose everything intelligent.
Meanwhile the truly creative have been left ignored and worse still – forgotten.
New Zealand are the best in the business because they trust a depth and breadth of knowledge they have on the field.
They protect their youth and introduce it at the right times; not when they can fill jerseys, size 52” chest, and can break through brick walls, but only when they are ready, 100%.
Talent is nurtured with the ball first, the gym second.
For the most part, rugby took a step backwards when it lost this philosophy and decided to take science to extremes rugby shouldn’t need to know.
New Zealand win games because they have raw talent.
If this is adopted across the globe, more will benefit from their way of thinking.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Youngs Slams down marker for England
RBS 6 Nations
Twickenham 12/02/11
England 59, Italy 13
YOUNG at heart and young in age – England’s on-form No 9 produced one of the more matured displays seen at Twickenham in recent years, and one of the best in Six Nations rugby.
It had “2003” ringing in the ears of English rugby fans everywhere on Saturday.
Those comments are usually saved for wishful thinkers, but this time they are not so speculative.
Never mind Chris Ashton's quadruple score, Toby Flood’s electrifying line-breaks, or even some backhand showboating from No 8 Nick Easter – none of these magical moments are possible without a captain at the helm to steer them.
For years, England have requested a scrum half who can dictate play. A scrum half who can produce fast ball from the ruck with eagle-eye precision.
And it seems they have found one with some added nous that even fully-seasoned and highly-capped heads have rarely shown.
England have upped the ante at the scrum and are at last playing flat on the gain line.
But the cohesion, speed and effortlessness shown against Italy on Saturday was born from the ingredients that define Ben Youngs, which unmistakenly make him one of the most exciting rugby players on the planet.
It’s early days yet, I hear you cry, but ask yourself this: when did England last play to Ben Youngs’ example?
Against Italy on Saturday, and in Cardiff eight days earlier, he was outstanding.
Pundits usually question a scrum half that likes to roam, but while 21-year-old Youngs not only produces fast, accurate, and punishing ball from the breakdown, he is also searching for weaknesses in his opponent’s armoury; the gaps that allow Toby Flood to make his breathtaking runs, and the chinks that are broken by England’s power men.
What more do you want from a No 9? Regardless of the the number of caps under his belt.
The philosophy used to be: put 50 points on Italy, they don’t deserve anything less.
The last time that happened was eight long seasons ago, and there were signs that the then captain Martin Johnson has re-instilled the same mentality in England’s game today as they put an extra nine on the Azzurri this weekend.
Flood was guided through the heart of the Italian defence after some scanning by his inside half, and Chris Ashton was unleashed seconds later for a dive under the post, minutes after kick off.
Ashton twisted and twirled over the line after an England build up manufactured by Youngs, then Mark Cueto broke a 19 test duck in off Flood’s inside.
Nick Easter confirmed Sergio Parisse isn’t the only flamboyant No 8 in the business with a silky backhand pass to set up interim-captain Mike Tindall.
Following the break, tries from James Haskell, Young’s replacement Danny Care, and only a couple more for cheeky Ashton, completed the rout.
Azzurri hooker Fabio Ongaro also touched down for Italy’s only try, grounding from the rolling maul.
England did lose turnover ball at times. For the most part, they played in pairs in midfield to guarantee quick ball, and they created angles of running that cut chunks out of the Italian guard.
Chris Ashton was named RBS 6 Nations man of the match, and the first man to score four tries in a Five/Six Nations test at Twickenham since 1914.
It is safe to say, England are on a ruthless high.
The Grand Slam is on – you won’t need reminding. But that will depend much on the form of our provider in the middle.
Ben Youngs continues in this vain, anything is possible for this England side in 2011.
Twickenham 12/02/11
England 59, Italy 13
YOUNG at heart and young in age – England’s on-form No 9 produced one of the more matured displays seen at Twickenham in recent years, and one of the best in Six Nations rugby.
It had “2003” ringing in the ears of English rugby fans everywhere on Saturday.
Those comments are usually saved for wishful thinkers, but this time they are not so speculative.
Never mind Chris Ashton's quadruple score, Toby Flood’s electrifying line-breaks, or even some backhand showboating from No 8 Nick Easter – none of these magical moments are possible without a captain at the helm to steer them.
For years, England have requested a scrum half who can dictate play. A scrum half who can produce fast ball from the ruck with eagle-eye precision.
And it seems they have found one with some added nous that even fully-seasoned and highly-capped heads have rarely shown.
England have upped the ante at the scrum and are at last playing flat on the gain line.
But the cohesion, speed and effortlessness shown against Italy on Saturday was born from the ingredients that define Ben Youngs, which unmistakenly make him one of the most exciting rugby players on the planet.
It’s early days yet, I hear you cry, but ask yourself this: when did England last play to Ben Youngs’ example?
Against Italy on Saturday, and in Cardiff eight days earlier, he was outstanding.
Pundits usually question a scrum half that likes to roam, but while 21-year-old Youngs not only produces fast, accurate, and punishing ball from the breakdown, he is also searching for weaknesses in his opponent’s armoury; the gaps that allow Toby Flood to make his breathtaking runs, and the chinks that are broken by England’s power men.
What more do you want from a No 9? Regardless of the the number of caps under his belt.
The philosophy used to be: put 50 points on Italy, they don’t deserve anything less.
The last time that happened was eight long seasons ago, and there were signs that the then captain Martin Johnson has re-instilled the same mentality in England’s game today as they put an extra nine on the Azzurri this weekend.
Flood was guided through the heart of the Italian defence after some scanning by his inside half, and Chris Ashton was unleashed seconds later for a dive under the post, minutes after kick off.
Ashton twisted and twirled over the line after an England build up manufactured by Youngs, then Mark Cueto broke a 19 test duck in off Flood’s inside.
Nick Easter confirmed Sergio Parisse isn’t the only flamboyant No 8 in the business with a silky backhand pass to set up interim-captain Mike Tindall.
Following the break, tries from James Haskell, Young’s replacement Danny Care, and only a couple more for cheeky Ashton, completed the rout.
Azzurri hooker Fabio Ongaro also touched down for Italy’s only try, grounding from the rolling maul.
England did lose turnover ball at times. For the most part, they played in pairs in midfield to guarantee quick ball, and they created angles of running that cut chunks out of the Italian guard.
Chris Ashton was named RBS 6 Nations man of the match, and the first man to score four tries in a Five/Six Nations test at Twickenham since 1914.
It is safe to say, England are on a ruthless high.
The Grand Slam is on – you won’t need reminding. But that will depend much on the form of our provider in the middle.
Ben Youngs continues in this vain, anything is possible for this England side in 2011.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
All Blacks defeat only a glitch for England
Autumn Internationals
Twickenham 06/11/10
England 16, New Zealand 26
BRUISED and battered by the bulldozing All Blacks, England’s rugby men won't reflect too long on yesterday's Test loss.
On face value, England were well beaten against New Zealand - bludgeoned on their own turf as the scorecard reads.
But yesterday’s clash with the world’s number one team doesn’t tell us much more than we already know about the All Blacks.
As always, they look like world beaters, but not as profoundly as we have come to expect.
As for England, never has an English team in recent years looked to run the ball from deep as many times as it did yesterday.
England are looking far more potent with the ball in hand, and New Zealand definitely knew about it.
Again, the Annual Autumn Assessment shows Twickenham is always a difficult venue on New Zealand’s tour calendar.
But it has been merely a blip on their radar in recent years that has never taken much undoing.
New Zealand haven’t lost at the home of English rugby since 2002, but they have never really had their work cut out to grind out a win.
This time round, things felt different.
The scoreboard looked similar at half time as New Zealand boasted a 17-3 lead.
But, if England had the patience and respect for the try line as their opponents did, they could have been going in at the break with their heads held high and not facing a two try deficit.
Hosea Gear and Kieran Read had put New Zealand in front early on, but a Dylan Hartley charge in the second half gave England the sniff of a comeback.
England had chances, but they again failed to capitalise on them.
As teams looking to compete for World Cup credentials next year, New Zealand look ready in all departments while England are still nurturing their starting 15.
That isn’t inspiring considering what’s to come in 12 months time in New Zealand, but looking back over the year just gone, England are maturing rapidly.
The All Blacks, on the other hand, aren't striving to stay in touch with the world's best. They want to show the world that nobody can touch them, and they want to shout it from the mountain tops.
But following New Zealand’s disappointment against Australia a week ago, England again exposed holes in the All Blacks guard.
A 26-16 victory over England at Twickenham is no easy feat, an All Black would say. But deep down they know they have left a lot to be desired.
And despite what the critics say, Martin Johnson’s campaign has turned a corner after yesterday's downfall.
For the first time in hours of international rugby at Twickenham, we saw some fire in the English belly; some appetite for the ball and a faster, more passionate England.
For years we’ve seen England stumble over the same pit falls.
Last year, England were self saboteurs against their Southern superiors, hiding behind false game plans and taking no strides, no risks, to outdo their opponents.
Yesterday, England ran the ball. Toby Flood played flat and to the point at fly-half.
Ben Youngs delivered the pill with accuracy and pace. And England’s scrum was out of this world.
There were no boos as England left the field after their beating.
No time to dwell. Only time to pick up the pieces, dust ourselves off, and get on with the wider plan starting next Saturday as the Wallabies rock up at Twickenham with confidence to burn.
They beat Wales 25-16 in Cardiff yesterday, a satifying victory after ending a 10-game losing streak against the All Blacks 26-24 in Hong Kong last week.
However, England are a different beast compared to years past.
Bring on the Green and Gold – we’ve beaten them before, and we will beat them again.
Twickenham 06/11/10
England 16, New Zealand 26
BRUISED and battered by the bulldozing All Blacks, England’s rugby men won't reflect too long on yesterday's Test loss.
On face value, England were well beaten against New Zealand - bludgeoned on their own turf as the scorecard reads.
But yesterday’s clash with the world’s number one team doesn’t tell us much more than we already know about the All Blacks.
As always, they look like world beaters, but not as profoundly as we have come to expect.
As for England, never has an English team in recent years looked to run the ball from deep as many times as it did yesterday.
England are looking far more potent with the ball in hand, and New Zealand definitely knew about it.
Again, the Annual Autumn Assessment shows Twickenham is always a difficult venue on New Zealand’s tour calendar.
But it has been merely a blip on their radar in recent years that has never taken much undoing.
New Zealand haven’t lost at the home of English rugby since 2002, but they have never really had their work cut out to grind out a win.
This time round, things felt different.
The scoreboard looked similar at half time as New Zealand boasted a 17-3 lead.
But, if England had the patience and respect for the try line as their opponents did, they could have been going in at the break with their heads held high and not facing a two try deficit.
Hosea Gear and Kieran Read had put New Zealand in front early on, but a Dylan Hartley charge in the second half gave England the sniff of a comeback.
England had chances, but they again failed to capitalise on them.
As teams looking to compete for World Cup credentials next year, New Zealand look ready in all departments while England are still nurturing their starting 15.
That isn’t inspiring considering what’s to come in 12 months time in New Zealand, but looking back over the year just gone, England are maturing rapidly.
The All Blacks, on the other hand, aren't striving to stay in touch with the world's best. They want to show the world that nobody can touch them, and they want to shout it from the mountain tops.
But following New Zealand’s disappointment against Australia a week ago, England again exposed holes in the All Blacks guard.
A 26-16 victory over England at Twickenham is no easy feat, an All Black would say. But deep down they know they have left a lot to be desired.
And despite what the critics say, Martin Johnson’s campaign has turned a corner after yesterday's downfall.
For the first time in hours of international rugby at Twickenham, we saw some fire in the English belly; some appetite for the ball and a faster, more passionate England.
For years we’ve seen England stumble over the same pit falls.
Last year, England were self saboteurs against their Southern superiors, hiding behind false game plans and taking no strides, no risks, to outdo their opponents.
Yesterday, England ran the ball. Toby Flood played flat and to the point at fly-half.
Ben Youngs delivered the pill with accuracy and pace. And England’s scrum was out of this world.
There were no boos as England left the field after their beating.
No time to dwell. Only time to pick up the pieces, dust ourselves off, and get on with the wider plan starting next Saturday as the Wallabies rock up at Twickenham with confidence to burn.
They beat Wales 25-16 in Cardiff yesterday, a satifying victory after ending a 10-game losing streak against the All Blacks 26-24 in Hong Kong last week.
However, England are a different beast compared to years past.
Bring on the Green and Gold – we’ve beaten them before, and we will beat them again.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Perfect send off for Moody
Guinness Premiership Final
Twickenham 29/05/10
Leicester Tigers 33, Saracens 27
THE life of a loose forward might not get any sweeter than the one led by Lewis Moody.
His last outing as a Leicester Tiger came and went in this year’s Guinness Premiership final, and he leaves behind the only side he has ever known with a seventh championship medal hung proudly around his neck.
And although England’s tour captain did not see out the full eighty at Twickenham on Saturday, he surrendered to the sidelines after 68 minutes with his fingers crossed that his teammates could hold on to their five point cushion over Saracens.
Craig Newby was unleashed in his place with the scores at 26 – 21 in Leicester's favour, as was Dan Hipkiss who was on for opening try-scorer Matt Smith.
For both club and country, Moody knows too well that nothing is for granted.
Saracens had not been in a final at Twickenham since Moody was still establishing himself as a young Tiger 12-years-ago.
But, while Moody, now 31, packs up for a move to Bath next season with another honour to his collection, the man whose boot he’d chased down in the final at Twickenham has now left the game for good.
Glen Jackson, also looking to go out with a bang, stepped up to slot home a gifted penalty moments after Moody took his seat, and rest assure another to put Saracens ahead by a point with only four minutes to go.
To say destiny would decide this final would have been stating the obvious.
Saracens took the lead twice early on through two Jackson penalties and then again with a try from captain Ernst Joubert – never one to amble over the try line like most eights, only to hit it hard and fast like a winger.
His try on 18 minutes countered Leicester’s opener moments earlier which was executed beautifully through the hands of Scott Hamilton and Anthony Allen to set up Smith.
And, while Jackson continued to exchange penalty kicks with Toby Flood, the Saracens lead was short lived when they allowed Leicester’s Ben Youngs to saunter in under the posts on 28 minutes.
Returning Steve Borthwick retired not long after the break.
But, when Toby Flood stroked another penalty through the uprights to make matters worse, Super Bok Joubert ran in over the whitewash once again on 49 minutes to put his side back in contention.
Jackson completed the comeback with time on Saracens’ side and a first championship in 12 years well and truely in their sights.
Flood kicked high from the restart while Moody, unable to do anything but watch, probably couldn’t bring himself to do even that.
His trademark chase from the kickoff was on ice at the time that it was so badly needed.
Only to visualise him plucking the ball from the air to set up Leicester’s final attack for a game saving try.
Moody or no Moody however, that’s exactly what happened.
Hamilton gathered as the ball was grounded, and without presence or mind, frantically switched it inside to substitute Dan Hipkiss who could only crash into a mêlée of bodies.
Whether it was poor tackling or pure determination, Hipkiss came out the other side unscathed and the 2010 Guinness Premiership title resting on his terms.
Saracens responded quickly. Mere seconds after Flood converted to give Leicester the lead, a penalty fell to Jackson in the Leicester half with 20 seconds still on the clock.
Leicester’s lineout bossed throughout, but the only chance left was to push for the corner with six points the deficit.
But in the same length of time it took for Leicester to bounce back from Jackson’s earlier effort, the game was over.
Geoff Parling leapt to steal the Saracens lineout one last time this season, and with it any hope for a final twist.
Parling padded down to Youngs - Youngs, a meter from touch, drove the ball back eighty seats into the stand.
Leicester retain their trophy. Mad dog Moody leaves Welford Road with the job complete.
Twickenham 29/05/10
Leicester Tigers 33, Saracens 27
THE life of a loose forward might not get any sweeter than the one led by Lewis Moody.
His last outing as a Leicester Tiger came and went in this year’s Guinness Premiership final, and he leaves behind the only side he has ever known with a seventh championship medal hung proudly around his neck.
And although England’s tour captain did not see out the full eighty at Twickenham on Saturday, he surrendered to the sidelines after 68 minutes with his fingers crossed that his teammates could hold on to their five point cushion over Saracens.
Craig Newby was unleashed in his place with the scores at 26 – 21 in Leicester's favour, as was Dan Hipkiss who was on for opening try-scorer Matt Smith.
For both club and country, Moody knows too well that nothing is for granted.
Saracens had not been in a final at Twickenham since Moody was still establishing himself as a young Tiger 12-years-ago.
But, while Moody, now 31, packs up for a move to Bath next season with another honour to his collection, the man whose boot he’d chased down in the final at Twickenham has now left the game for good.
Glen Jackson, also looking to go out with a bang, stepped up to slot home a gifted penalty moments after Moody took his seat, and rest assure another to put Saracens ahead by a point with only four minutes to go.
To say destiny would decide this final would have been stating the obvious.
Saracens took the lead twice early on through two Jackson penalties and then again with a try from captain Ernst Joubert – never one to amble over the try line like most eights, only to hit it hard and fast like a winger.
His try on 18 minutes countered Leicester’s opener moments earlier which was executed beautifully through the hands of Scott Hamilton and Anthony Allen to set up Smith.
And, while Jackson continued to exchange penalty kicks with Toby Flood, the Saracens lead was short lived when they allowed Leicester’s Ben Youngs to saunter in under the posts on 28 minutes.
Returning Steve Borthwick retired not long after the break.
But, when Toby Flood stroked another penalty through the uprights to make matters worse, Super Bok Joubert ran in over the whitewash once again on 49 minutes to put his side back in contention.
Jackson completed the comeback with time on Saracens’ side and a first championship in 12 years well and truely in their sights.
Flood kicked high from the restart while Moody, unable to do anything but watch, probably couldn’t bring himself to do even that.
His trademark chase from the kickoff was on ice at the time that it was so badly needed.
Only to visualise him plucking the ball from the air to set up Leicester’s final attack for a game saving try.
Moody or no Moody however, that’s exactly what happened.
Hamilton gathered as the ball was grounded, and without presence or mind, frantically switched it inside to substitute Dan Hipkiss who could only crash into a mêlée of bodies.
Whether it was poor tackling or pure determination, Hipkiss came out the other side unscathed and the 2010 Guinness Premiership title resting on his terms.
Saracens responded quickly. Mere seconds after Flood converted to give Leicester the lead, a penalty fell to Jackson in the Leicester half with 20 seconds still on the clock.
Leicester’s lineout bossed throughout, but the only chance left was to push for the corner with six points the deficit.
But in the same length of time it took for Leicester to bounce back from Jackson’s earlier effort, the game was over.
Geoff Parling leapt to steal the Saracens lineout one last time this season, and with it any hope for a final twist.
Parling padded down to Youngs - Youngs, a meter from touch, drove the ball back eighty seats into the stand.
Leicester retain their trophy. Mad dog Moody leaves Welford Road with the job complete.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Foden's chance to overturn France
HE could just be the je ne sais quoi of English rugby.
If Ben Foden does step out under the lights of the Stade de France on Saturday, it will come with a huge sigh of relief from many of his devoted fans.
His presence won’t save England’s Six Nations campaign by any stretch of the imagination, but if light is to emerge at the end of the World Cup tunnel, there might be hope still if Foden is to finally make his first public appearance as England's full time full back.
Mathew Tait was tipped to fill the position after his World Cup final display in Paris two-and-a-half-years ago, but like Foden, he has had to endure the cold shoulder before he could once again prove his metal.
Tait’s ambitions to make the full back vacancy his own fell short after his move to Sale, and since moving back to his favoured outside centre position, it seems he has finally hurdled a barrage of ill confidence from the England selection team.
Foden experienced the same self examination a year ago, going through a stint at scrum half for his club side Northampton.
That position ended up in the hands of Harlequin’s Danny Care, a decision which is also up for debate.
From experience, England players in alien positions have all come to dead ends. Ugo Monye’s tenure at full back wasn’t welcomed by all and nor did he welcome the chance he was given to run the ball from deep.
Jonny Wilkinson’s show at inside centre was also a onetime fad, and even Joe Worsley's spell at open-side 12-months ago was more tactical than revelatory.
Foden expressed a desire to shake up England’s back division after his teammates stumbled to a win in Italy four weeks ago.
Half-an-hour from the man at Murrayfield on Saturday more than made up for a tournament overrun by mediocre kicking displays.
Scotland held for a draw against their Calcutta rivals, but if Foden was to gain his first start from full back for England next week, he could bring a fresh dimension to their so far fruitless display.
France have since run riot against the Italians in a 46-20 trouncing over their neighbours at the Stade.
And a look at French ethics on Saturday, one thing is certain – England will have to be more creative if they are to overcome Paris.
They will be up against a backline insatiable when it comes to the try line.
Clement Poitrenaud – outright contender for the full back of the tournament – will need a harder, meatier opposition to contain his quick reaction running style.
Up the jumper tactics will not be enough against a French pack enriched with muscle and experience, while England require a man willing to remove their rigid game plan and play with the guts and desire to run the ball.
A player to throw out the rule book in the England training camp, and prepared to break the mould.
England have failed to nurture such a man in recent years. Ben Foden, however, has been knocking at the door for a long, long time.
If Ben Foden does step out under the lights of the Stade de France on Saturday, it will come with a huge sigh of relief from many of his devoted fans.
His presence won’t save England’s Six Nations campaign by any stretch of the imagination, but if light is to emerge at the end of the World Cup tunnel, there might be hope still if Foden is to finally make his first public appearance as England's full time full back.
Mathew Tait was tipped to fill the position after his World Cup final display in Paris two-and-a-half-years ago, but like Foden, he has had to endure the cold shoulder before he could once again prove his metal.
Tait’s ambitions to make the full back vacancy his own fell short after his move to Sale, and since moving back to his favoured outside centre position, it seems he has finally hurdled a barrage of ill confidence from the England selection team.
Foden experienced the same self examination a year ago, going through a stint at scrum half for his club side Northampton.
That position ended up in the hands of Harlequin’s Danny Care, a decision which is also up for debate.
From experience, England players in alien positions have all come to dead ends. Ugo Monye’s tenure at full back wasn’t welcomed by all and nor did he welcome the chance he was given to run the ball from deep.
Jonny Wilkinson’s show at inside centre was also a onetime fad, and even Joe Worsley's spell at open-side 12-months ago was more tactical than revelatory.
Foden expressed a desire to shake up England’s back division after his teammates stumbled to a win in Italy four weeks ago.
Half-an-hour from the man at Murrayfield on Saturday more than made up for a tournament overrun by mediocre kicking displays.
Scotland held for a draw against their Calcutta rivals, but if Foden was to gain his first start from full back for England next week, he could bring a fresh dimension to their so far fruitless display.
France have since run riot against the Italians in a 46-20 trouncing over their neighbours at the Stade.
And a look at French ethics on Saturday, one thing is certain – England will have to be more creative if they are to overcome Paris.
They will be up against a backline insatiable when it comes to the try line.
Clement Poitrenaud – outright contender for the full back of the tournament – will need a harder, meatier opposition to contain his quick reaction running style.
Up the jumper tactics will not be enough against a French pack enriched with muscle and experience, while England require a man willing to remove their rigid game plan and play with the guts and desire to run the ball.
A player to throw out the rule book in the England training camp, and prepared to break the mould.
England have failed to nurture such a man in recent years. Ben Foden, however, has been knocking at the door for a long, long time.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Black magic
IRB COACH of the year Declan Kidney may be the man holding his head aloft following an unbeaten Grand Slam year with Ireland, but New Zealand are still setting the standards on the international stage.
The All Blacks emerge the dominant force in world rugby once more, brushing aside the French at the Stade Vélodrome in Saturday’s 39-12 try-fest.
Stripped of their Tri-Nations title by World Champions South Africa this summer, the annual autumn assessment has concluded however that New Zealand are in better shape than some would’ve imagined.
Captain Crusader Richie McCaw was named player of the year despite Brian O’Driscoll being tipped for the award. The Irish talisman has led the green of the Irish and the blue of Leinster to the forefront of European rugby this year but McCaw is still considered the most influential rugby player on the planet.
Failing to impress at Twickenham but still able to find the resources to carve out a win, the All Blacks showed resilience as well as bluster in the antipodeans’ arsenal.
The game in Marseilles was proof McCaw’s men can still put on a show and with players such as Carl Hayman and Chris Jack set to return to the fray next season, New Zealand are well poised to steal the show again at their own dinner party in two years time.
New Zealand, hosting the 2011 world cup, have failed to emulate their tournament victory over France in '87. On present form, nevertheless, it seems the search for the holy grail of world rugby is back on track after the recent demolition of Les Bleus.
Zero tries in over six hours of rugby for an All Blacks opponent relays a lack of attacking prowess in the northern hemisphere.
England brought New Zealand down to their level at Twickenham with a boyish display, and a potent Welsh running game was eclipsed by the All Blacks with a counter-attack unstoppable on its day.
Ireland punted their way to a 15-10 victory over the Springboks – Leinster fly half Johnny Sexton with five penalty kicks to give the north something to shout about.
But, where the difference lies between the two hemispheres is in a ruthless clinical edge.
A change in laws at the breakdown favouring defending sides may be something the IRB will have to address, but if teams below the equator have adapted and are still producing tries, there must then be a board looking at the causes for our defensive and attacking frailties in the north.
Think of the many times we have heard Johnson and Gatland express their horror as their teams fail to execute whatever few chances come their way.
Ireland and Italy were the only sides to put tries past the big three in full internationals. Scottish and Irish wins over the Wallabies and the Boks, however, were all won with the boot.
Rob Andrew has said England have “progressed” over the past twelve months; a reflection based purely on score lines. But, you can debate this is not in place of a cold, reserved game plan. A lack of ambition has been introduced simply to make a painful reality that much more palatable.
More on breakdown dispute from Sky News: http://www.xfm.co.uk/uknews/sports/RFU-Rule-Change-Request-Denied
The All Blacks emerge the dominant force in world rugby once more, brushing aside the French at the Stade Vélodrome in Saturday’s 39-12 try-fest.
Stripped of their Tri-Nations title by World Champions South Africa this summer, the annual autumn assessment has concluded however that New Zealand are in better shape than some would’ve imagined.
Captain Crusader Richie McCaw was named player of the year despite Brian O’Driscoll being tipped for the award. The Irish talisman has led the green of the Irish and the blue of Leinster to the forefront of European rugby this year but McCaw is still considered the most influential rugby player on the planet.
Failing to impress at Twickenham but still able to find the resources to carve out a win, the All Blacks showed resilience as well as bluster in the antipodeans’ arsenal.
The game in Marseilles was proof McCaw’s men can still put on a show and with players such as Carl Hayman and Chris Jack set to return to the fray next season, New Zealand are well poised to steal the show again at their own dinner party in two years time.
New Zealand, hosting the 2011 world cup, have failed to emulate their tournament victory over France in '87. On present form, nevertheless, it seems the search for the holy grail of world rugby is back on track after the recent demolition of Les Bleus.
Zero tries in over six hours of rugby for an All Blacks opponent relays a lack of attacking prowess in the northern hemisphere.
England brought New Zealand down to their level at Twickenham with a boyish display, and a potent Welsh running game was eclipsed by the All Blacks with a counter-attack unstoppable on its day.
Ireland punted their way to a 15-10 victory over the Springboks – Leinster fly half Johnny Sexton with five penalty kicks to give the north something to shout about.
But, where the difference lies between the two hemispheres is in a ruthless clinical edge.
A change in laws at the breakdown favouring defending sides may be something the IRB will have to address, but if teams below the equator have adapted and are still producing tries, there must then be a board looking at the causes for our defensive and attacking frailties in the north.
Think of the many times we have heard Johnson and Gatland express their horror as their teams fail to execute whatever few chances come their way.
Ireland and Italy were the only sides to put tries past the big three in full internationals. Scottish and Irish wins over the Wallabies and the Boks, however, were all won with the boot.
Rob Andrew has said England have “progressed” over the past twelve months; a reflection based purely on score lines. But, you can debate this is not in place of a cold, reserved game plan. A lack of ambition has been introduced simply to make a painful reality that much more palatable.
More on breakdown dispute from Sky News: http://www.xfm.co.uk/uknews/sports/RFU-Rule-Change-Request-Denied
Friday, 6 November 2009
Tigers win Bokbuster
Welford Road - 06/11/09
Leicester Tigers 22, South Africa 17
WORLD Champions, Lions tamers, and Tri Nations winners of new, but South Africa were still overturned by a Tigers outfit missing their back row to international duty.
Admittedly under nourished themselves, the Springbok side did include the likes of Dannie Rossouw and Ruan Pienaar in their 22-17 loss against the England champions at Welford Road on Friday.
Pienaar broke the ice with a penalty early on and if Leicester weren’t already nervous at the prospect of facing the World Champs, a try soon after for the Springboks must’ve sent shivers down the Tigers’ defensive line.
Scott Hamilton will rue his poor judgement under a Pienaar high ball, South Africa then turned the rogue ball for Earl Rose to step up and deliver a sweet grubber kick through the Tiger home guard; Jongie Nokwe doing the honours over the whitewash 8 minutes in.
Leicester’s Ben Youngs then redeemed himself in front of goal after his poor opening effort, and as Leicester looked to gain territory with some good touch-finding from stand-in captain Aaron Mauger at ten, South Africa still never looked threatened.
They did lose their captain just before the quarter forcing a reshuffle in the front row, but expectations remained unchanged.
A break from Youngs was matched by the dancing counter of Rose after Tiger momentum was then stunted, but when Manu Tuilagi found himself in space on the left moments later, his step wide to draw the switch from winger Lucas Amorosino was readily received and jinked inside for a score under the posts from the scampering Argentine.
Youngs’ exuberance with the boot extended the Tigers lead on 32 minutes, and as the Leicester scrum began to rule over the number one side in the world, Youngs was handed the opportunity to topple another penalty from halfway.
Pienaar pulled three back just before the half but the Leicester scrum continued to dominate in the same vain following the break. Youngs finished his forwards effort with another strike, bisecting the posts to give the Tigers a healthy lead at 19-11 on 46 minutes.
A penalty to the corner from South Africa was nullified by the wily lineout jumping of Geoff Parling, but it was the forward effort in the loose that made most of the inroads for South Africa.
Sizable Ashley Johnson turned on the gas to make good ground from eight, although a Springbok pack – so strong on the floor the last time we saw them in the Lions Tour and Tri Nations competition – were drawn into a long kicking game as their hosts dominated at the breakdown.
George Chuter, relieved from international duty with England, was thrown in to conduct his side’s powerful scrum, and likewise Youngs kicked three more points.
A Pienaar show and go then moved Springboks closer to a much sought after try snuffed out by the impenetrable Welford Road outfit. Pienaar settled for three points after waters settled – sixteen minutes remained – eight points now the difference.
He then struck the uprights late on, then slotting the ball safely between them with a second attempt.
Leicester’s pack was then penalised for killing the play with seconds left. A try needed, Pienaar let rip for the corner; lineout was won and as the Spingboks inched their way closer to that objective, Leicester engulfed three more minutes of relentless pressure.
Patience fell, Johnson went wide failing to find his man, and Leicester relinquished the ball to their home stand faithful.
Leicester Tigers 22, South Africa 17
WORLD Champions, Lions tamers, and Tri Nations winners of new, but South Africa were still overturned by a Tigers outfit missing their back row to international duty.
Admittedly under nourished themselves, the Springbok side did include the likes of Dannie Rossouw and Ruan Pienaar in their 22-17 loss against the England champions at Welford Road on Friday.
Pienaar broke the ice with a penalty early on and if Leicester weren’t already nervous at the prospect of facing the World Champs, a try soon after for the Springboks must’ve sent shivers down the Tigers’ defensive line.
Scott Hamilton will rue his poor judgement under a Pienaar high ball, South Africa then turned the rogue ball for Earl Rose to step up and deliver a sweet grubber kick through the Tiger home guard; Jongie Nokwe doing the honours over the whitewash 8 minutes in.
Leicester’s Ben Youngs then redeemed himself in front of goal after his poor opening effort, and as Leicester looked to gain territory with some good touch-finding from stand-in captain Aaron Mauger at ten, South Africa still never looked threatened.
They did lose their captain just before the quarter forcing a reshuffle in the front row, but expectations remained unchanged.
A break from Youngs was matched by the dancing counter of Rose after Tiger momentum was then stunted, but when Manu Tuilagi found himself in space on the left moments later, his step wide to draw the switch from winger Lucas Amorosino was readily received and jinked inside for a score under the posts from the scampering Argentine.
Youngs’ exuberance with the boot extended the Tigers lead on 32 minutes, and as the Leicester scrum began to rule over the number one side in the world, Youngs was handed the opportunity to topple another penalty from halfway.
Pienaar pulled three back just before the half but the Leicester scrum continued to dominate in the same vain following the break. Youngs finished his forwards effort with another strike, bisecting the posts to give the Tigers a healthy lead at 19-11 on 46 minutes.
A penalty to the corner from South Africa was nullified by the wily lineout jumping of Geoff Parling, but it was the forward effort in the loose that made most of the inroads for South Africa.
Sizable Ashley Johnson turned on the gas to make good ground from eight, although a Springbok pack – so strong on the floor the last time we saw them in the Lions Tour and Tri Nations competition – were drawn into a long kicking game as their hosts dominated at the breakdown.
George Chuter, relieved from international duty with England, was thrown in to conduct his side’s powerful scrum, and likewise Youngs kicked three more points.
A Pienaar show and go then moved Springboks closer to a much sought after try snuffed out by the impenetrable Welford Road outfit. Pienaar settled for three points after waters settled – sixteen minutes remained – eight points now the difference.
He then struck the uprights late on, then slotting the ball safely between them with a second attempt.
Leicester’s pack was then penalised for killing the play with seconds left. A try needed, Pienaar let rip for the corner; lineout was won and as the Spingboks inched their way closer to that objective, Leicester engulfed three more minutes of relentless pressure.
Patience fell, Johnson went wide failing to find his man, and Leicester relinquished the ball to their home stand faithful.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Leeds back to basics for first win
Guinness Premiership
Adams Park 01/11/09
London Wasps 9, Leeds Carnegie 15
LEEDS Carnegie found their first win since their return to the Guinness Premiership Sunday as they produced a scrappy but fulfilling performance away to in form London Wasps.
Their last away win in the Premiership the Yorkshire men will remember was at The Rec back in November 2005. After a hard start for the new boys this season, Andy Key's pugilists took advantage on a wet day in which Wasps struggled to capitalise.
A Wasps side keeping numbers small at the breakdown in their Kingsholm killing-spree failed to acclimatise to a Leeds forward pack savvy to the opportunities presented to them on the floor. Poor set piece play and twelve turnovers conceded by Wasps at the half put Leeds 12-6 up in the first forty.
Leeds stamped their intentions with immediate effect as an early drive from their kickoff was turned into points. Leeds’ ten Ceiron Thomas split the posts from the awarded penalty to begin a half that saw him hit four three pointers.
Wasps’ lineout was broken on several occasions and, on its second, was won back but lost at the breakdown. A vulnerable defensive line looked set to be punished by Leeds if only the hands of Erik Lund were a little flatter off the ruck.
A Dave Walder penalty pulled his side back to level terms soon after on eighteen minutes. Leeds then recovered their three point advantage after quashing the opposing scrum only to lose it when penalised likewise at their put in.
Similar scenes again as Swanseaman Thomas turned two kicks in two into three in three, then to slot his forth after inside half Andy Gomarsall made territory with a dink over the top.
But where the World Cup winning scrum half is streetwise, Wasps’ Joe Simpson remains charismatic. A quick tap and go put Wasps in scoring contention only to be sterilised once again by a resolute Carnegie pack.
Into the second half, Adams Park thought David Lemi had pounced onto a first try although the ball never seemed to stick to the reaching hands of the Samoan speedster.
Wasps began to brave the conditions with the hand. Ball was narrowed right in attack with returning replacement Simon Shaw making the yards. Ball then spread wide but was floundered by the heads up defensive play of wing Richard Welding stepping up.
Time, now, for a Wasps’ rolling maul. Leeds were forced to give away the penalty after conceding twenty-yards to the Wasps’ surge, which Walder struck with similar venom.
Thomas’ fifth attempt did drift wide of the posts although the coming twenty-two drop out from Walder was brought back for the scrum after going dead 80 meters down field.
Space left, space right, Leeds chose the former route. Ball was played back inside and rewarded with another three points as play was illegally killed on Wasps' retreat.
Wasps welcomed Tom Varndell to the field in the final ten where problems were seemingly in the pack. A further lineout opportunity was lost as the ball swayed adrift; Wasps redeemed themselves at the scrum but handling errors in the midfield gave the opportunity for Leeds to counter.
Sackey and Lemi failed to keep the ball on their radars from the kick up field and were saved from embarrassment as Varndell returned to clear. Simpson broke the line once more from the scrum to present another platform for Wasps but the brimming build up was spilled over in midfield for Leeds to catch a breath.
The spectacular Leeds scrum began to wane under pressure, but pressure was duly neutralised at the hands of Ward with another poor lineout for the home side. Leeds held on for their first win of the season, a momentous 15-9 victory for the side at the Wasps nest – another first incidentally – in a less than inspiring display from Tom Hanks’ men.
Adams Park 01/11/09
London Wasps 9, Leeds Carnegie 15
LEEDS Carnegie found their first win since their return to the Guinness Premiership Sunday as they produced a scrappy but fulfilling performance away to in form London Wasps.
Their last away win in the Premiership the Yorkshire men will remember was at The Rec back in November 2005. After a hard start for the new boys this season, Andy Key's pugilists took advantage on a wet day in which Wasps struggled to capitalise.
A Wasps side keeping numbers small at the breakdown in their Kingsholm killing-spree failed to acclimatise to a Leeds forward pack savvy to the opportunities presented to them on the floor. Poor set piece play and twelve turnovers conceded by Wasps at the half put Leeds 12-6 up in the first forty.
Leeds stamped their intentions with immediate effect as an early drive from their kickoff was turned into points. Leeds’ ten Ceiron Thomas split the posts from the awarded penalty to begin a half that saw him hit four three pointers.
Wasps’ lineout was broken on several occasions and, on its second, was won back but lost at the breakdown. A vulnerable defensive line looked set to be punished by Leeds if only the hands of Erik Lund were a little flatter off the ruck.
A Dave Walder penalty pulled his side back to level terms soon after on eighteen minutes. Leeds then recovered their three point advantage after quashing the opposing scrum only to lose it when penalised likewise at their put in.
Similar scenes again as Swanseaman Thomas turned two kicks in two into three in three, then to slot his forth after inside half Andy Gomarsall made territory with a dink over the top.
But where the World Cup winning scrum half is streetwise, Wasps’ Joe Simpson remains charismatic. A quick tap and go put Wasps in scoring contention only to be sterilised once again by a resolute Carnegie pack.
Into the second half, Adams Park thought David Lemi had pounced onto a first try although the ball never seemed to stick to the reaching hands of the Samoan speedster.
Wasps began to brave the conditions with the hand. Ball was narrowed right in attack with returning replacement Simon Shaw making the yards. Ball then spread wide but was floundered by the heads up defensive play of wing Richard Welding stepping up.
Time, now, for a Wasps’ rolling maul. Leeds were forced to give away the penalty after conceding twenty-yards to the Wasps’ surge, which Walder struck with similar venom.
Thomas’ fifth attempt did drift wide of the posts although the coming twenty-two drop out from Walder was brought back for the scrum after going dead 80 meters down field.
Space left, space right, Leeds chose the former route. Ball was played back inside and rewarded with another three points as play was illegally killed on Wasps' retreat.
Wasps welcomed Tom Varndell to the field in the final ten where problems were seemingly in the pack. A further lineout opportunity was lost as the ball swayed adrift; Wasps redeemed themselves at the scrum but handling errors in the midfield gave the opportunity for Leeds to counter.
Sackey and Lemi failed to keep the ball on their radars from the kick up field and were saved from embarrassment as Varndell returned to clear. Simpson broke the line once more from the scrum to present another platform for Wasps but the brimming build up was spilled over in midfield for Leeds to catch a breath.
The spectacular Leeds scrum began to wane under pressure, but pressure was duly neutralised at the hands of Ward with another poor lineout for the home side. Leeds held on for their first win of the season, a momentous 15-9 victory for the side at the Wasps nest – another first incidentally – in a less than inspiring display from Tom Hanks’ men.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Geraghty one step ahead
Heineken Cup – Pool 1 Round 1
Franklin’s Gardens – 10/10/09
Northampton Saints 31, Munster 27
ALMOST a decade since Northampton beat Munster to lift the illustrious Heineken Cup trophy, the club's faithful were reminded of days past as their side defeated the Irish province in this season’s opening round.
A win with a difference you might say as new look captain Dylan Hartley stands at the forefront of Northampton’s ambitions this season. Paul Grayson was the man to kick his side to European glory at the turn of the century and Munster have twice gone on to win the tournament since the loss at Twickenham.
This time, however, it was a new face from London who pulled his side through a dramatic 31 – 27 win in front of a watchful Martin Johnson.
An early penalty opportunity was fluffed by visiting ten Ronan O’Gara while former Exile and man of the match Shane Geraghty took advantage with his turn in front of goal.
Munster found it difficult to undo a resilient Saints defence for the first quarter, felt, none more so, by South African Jean De Villiers on the wrong end of a ferocious tackle from James Downey.
In attack, controlled, thoughtful play from Geraghty encouraged support on and off the field. As the home stands bulged with excitement and anticipation, their side pushed forward from all angles.
A vortex at the centre of a Northampton forward-front, Geraghty finalised a powerful Soane Tong’ulha surge with a delicate chip over the top, which was fumbled on Munster's retreat, fumbled again, and pounced on by a waiting Chris Ashton for the first score of the night on seventeen minutes.
A Munster response was overdue, however, and came in unexpected fashion as fullback Paul Warwick hit a massive drop goal on the touch line 40 meters from goal.
With Munster out of the blocks, O’Gara’s precision kicking was turned into territorial advantage. Saints’ defensive lineout was put to the test and Munster’s play maker was allowed to integrate space on the overlap. Wing Keith Earls used up the yards presented and opened up the chasing Saints defence with similar ease as he kicked his former Lions colleague David Wallace in over the whitewash in the twenty-fifth minute.
A share of penalties then saw ten minutes of to and fro between O’Gara and Geraghty. As it seemed Geraghty was going to slot over the final points of the half, a moment of inspiration broke the mould and changed the game’s outlook forever. A quick tap and go stunned a Munster side regrouping under the posts and produced a score even Geraghty himself may not have foreseen just before the half.
His grace and magic continued in the second forty. A move that started with the ten was switched inside, then moved right through the hands of Foden, and after finding its way back infield, the sea of Munster red was parted for Geraghty to fizz through and offload to Chris Ashton who snuck over the whitewash for a second time only five minutes in.
By the sixty-second minute O’Gara had propped up six more points on the Munster scorecard and a Munster try from the reintroduced rolling maul then brought them back. Tomas O’Leary peeled off the maul to split a topsy defensive line with twelve minutes remaining and O’Gara converted to cut the deficit to a point.
Northampton, like for most of the match, again rediscovered their presence. Persistent pressure overwhelmed a mature and experienced Munster pack shaken at the scrum. A penalty was then awarded for its collapse. Geraghty converted with familiar comfort.
With four points the seperation, Munster now needed a try as the clock hit red. A penalty was given meters from the Northampton line in favour of the visitors and with the losing bonus point already won, Captain O’Connell had no choice but to go for the win. The score failed to succumb to a rampant Munster forward effort and Northampton stood firm to head Pool One in a continuation of good home form.
Franklin’s Gardens – 10/10/09
Northampton Saints 31, Munster 27
ALMOST a decade since Northampton beat Munster to lift the illustrious Heineken Cup trophy, the club's faithful were reminded of days past as their side defeated the Irish province in this season’s opening round.
A win with a difference you might say as new look captain Dylan Hartley stands at the forefront of Northampton’s ambitions this season. Paul Grayson was the man to kick his side to European glory at the turn of the century and Munster have twice gone on to win the tournament since the loss at Twickenham.
This time, however, it was a new face from London who pulled his side through a dramatic 31 – 27 win in front of a watchful Martin Johnson.
An early penalty opportunity was fluffed by visiting ten Ronan O’Gara while former Exile and man of the match Shane Geraghty took advantage with his turn in front of goal.
Munster found it difficult to undo a resilient Saints defence for the first quarter, felt, none more so, by South African Jean De Villiers on the wrong end of a ferocious tackle from James Downey.
In attack, controlled, thoughtful play from Geraghty encouraged support on and off the field. As the home stands bulged with excitement and anticipation, their side pushed forward from all angles.
A vortex at the centre of a Northampton forward-front, Geraghty finalised a powerful Soane Tong’ulha surge with a delicate chip over the top, which was fumbled on Munster's retreat, fumbled again, and pounced on by a waiting Chris Ashton for the first score of the night on seventeen minutes.
A Munster response was overdue, however, and came in unexpected fashion as fullback Paul Warwick hit a massive drop goal on the touch line 40 meters from goal.
With Munster out of the blocks, O’Gara’s precision kicking was turned into territorial advantage. Saints’ defensive lineout was put to the test and Munster’s play maker was allowed to integrate space on the overlap. Wing Keith Earls used up the yards presented and opened up the chasing Saints defence with similar ease as he kicked his former Lions colleague David Wallace in over the whitewash in the twenty-fifth minute.
A share of penalties then saw ten minutes of to and fro between O’Gara and Geraghty. As it seemed Geraghty was going to slot over the final points of the half, a moment of inspiration broke the mould and changed the game’s outlook forever. A quick tap and go stunned a Munster side regrouping under the posts and produced a score even Geraghty himself may not have foreseen just before the half.
His grace and magic continued in the second forty. A move that started with the ten was switched inside, then moved right through the hands of Foden, and after finding its way back infield, the sea of Munster red was parted for Geraghty to fizz through and offload to Chris Ashton who snuck over the whitewash for a second time only five minutes in.
By the sixty-second minute O’Gara had propped up six more points on the Munster scorecard and a Munster try from the reintroduced rolling maul then brought them back. Tomas O’Leary peeled off the maul to split a topsy defensive line with twelve minutes remaining and O’Gara converted to cut the deficit to a point.
Northampton, like for most of the match, again rediscovered their presence. Persistent pressure overwhelmed a mature and experienced Munster pack shaken at the scrum. A penalty was then awarded for its collapse. Geraghty converted with familiar comfort.
With four points the seperation, Munster now needed a try as the clock hit red. A penalty was given meters from the Northampton line in favour of the visitors and with the losing bonus point already won, Captain O’Connell had no choice but to go for the win. The score failed to succumb to a rampant Munster forward effort and Northampton stood firm to head Pool One in a continuation of good home form.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
A point on the road is a preferred bonus for Warriors
WELFORD Road - home of England’s champions and an intimidating prospect for any who dare pay a visit. With wins in the Tigers' past sixteen home encounters, it would seem an understandably tall order for any side looking for points at Leicester’s new look stadia.
Worcester Warriors did however gain their second bonus point of the season at the champions on Saturday but did so surrendering to a third loss out of three on the road.
Mike Ruddock’s men remain sixth in the Premiership splitting the league table after the season’s fifth round, but fall five points behind their weekend’s opponents Leicester who lie just above in fifth.
Astoundingly, it was Worcester who found themselves ahead within the final quarter of their match against the Tigers as fly-half Willie Walker scored on 62 minutes.
And if not for the consistent boot of his opposing number Jeremy Staunton, the Warriors may have been looking at a remarkable away win over their current mid table rivals. Worcester saw out the final minutes to settle for the losing bonus point – replacement Johnny Arr the man to kick Warrior possession into the stands prompting the final whistle.
Sunday saw fellow West Country side Gloucester return victorious from Headingly in their game away to new boys Leeds, and, although their win propels them up the table, the losing bonus point awarded to Worcester still separates the two sides.
Is this clever use of the bonus point system or is Worcester’s glass seemingly half empty this term? After avoiding the drop last season it would appear that the club’s first priority is to still be playing top flight rugby this time next year. Should this be the case, however, if the side are to build on their so far good home form at Sixways?
It would be believed that a side preferring the losing bonus point over a possible away win have had a huge loss of ambition. Welford Road is a formidable fortress to all who make the trip, admittedly, but will remain that way in the foreseeable future if its visitors fail to front up.
The bonus point was instilled to encourage more tries and closer encounters, so, where a team have victory in their sights, it seems irresponsible not to go for the win, even if your opponent is notorious for rampaging over teams.
Leicester’s slow start has seen them yet to ignite their unyielding form of last season, but while the club is momentarily flagging, sides still remain content not to take their game to the Welford Road outfit. The bonus point aims to keep teams ambitious home and away. Unfortunately, if it is abused, the game’s competitive edge may well be taken away altogether.
Worcester Warriors did however gain their second bonus point of the season at the champions on Saturday but did so surrendering to a third loss out of three on the road.
Mike Ruddock’s men remain sixth in the Premiership splitting the league table after the season’s fifth round, but fall five points behind their weekend’s opponents Leicester who lie just above in fifth.
Astoundingly, it was Worcester who found themselves ahead within the final quarter of their match against the Tigers as fly-half Willie Walker scored on 62 minutes.
And if not for the consistent boot of his opposing number Jeremy Staunton, the Warriors may have been looking at a remarkable away win over their current mid table rivals. Worcester saw out the final minutes to settle for the losing bonus point – replacement Johnny Arr the man to kick Warrior possession into the stands prompting the final whistle.
Sunday saw fellow West Country side Gloucester return victorious from Headingly in their game away to new boys Leeds, and, although their win propels them up the table, the losing bonus point awarded to Worcester still separates the two sides.
Is this clever use of the bonus point system or is Worcester’s glass seemingly half empty this term? After avoiding the drop last season it would appear that the club’s first priority is to still be playing top flight rugby this time next year. Should this be the case, however, if the side are to build on their so far good home form at Sixways?
It would be believed that a side preferring the losing bonus point over a possible away win have had a huge loss of ambition. Welford Road is a formidable fortress to all who make the trip, admittedly, but will remain that way in the foreseeable future if its visitors fail to front up.
The bonus point was instilled to encourage more tries and closer encounters, so, where a team have victory in their sights, it seems irresponsible not to go for the win, even if your opponent is notorious for rampaging over teams.
Leicester’s slow start has seen them yet to ignite their unyielding form of last season, but while the club is momentarily flagging, sides still remain content not to take their game to the Welford Road outfit. The bonus point aims to keep teams ambitious home and away. Unfortunately, if it is abused, the game’s competitive edge may well be taken away altogether.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Enough said about 'bloody' rugby.
IT'S finally back but this time sporting a different look.
A bad aftertaste has spilled over into the new Guinness Premiership season leaving pundits and, more often than not, the press, all with something to say before a ball has even been kicked.
The ‘bloodgate scandal’ at Harlequins, allegations over drug taking at Bath, and not forgetting the eye gouging incident in the Lions tour of South Africa will have rugby licking its wounds for some time to come.
An overwhelming fear is that the professional era will now see many more do whatever it takes to win, even to the point of putting club, country and the game itself in disrepute.
The fine line between gamesmanship and the noble sportsman is being pushed to its limits and the latter will regrettably suffer as a consequence.
And fans alike have grumbled a few words of disgust, most recently on the Twickenham terraces in the season’s London double header – an event prided on a history of morality where bloodshed was contained only to the field and plaudits looked on only in admiration from the stands.
Although most may have had their giggle over the summer events at The Stoop – which resulted in the resignation of Dean Richards at its helm last month – sparse words have still crept into the banter between clans, as those sporting a Harlequin on their chest at Twickenham were immediately branded ‘cheats’ by fellow rugby supporters.
Nowhere in the game is this acceptable, on or off the field of play.
The press has been filled with scrutiny and shame over the ‘bloodgate’ fiasco, but, unless fans are motivated to familiarise themselves with their football counterparts, the politics behind the doors of the RFU shouldn’t overshadow rugby as a symbol of selflessness and sportsmanship which it has promoted for many years before now.
Instead of writing what was witnessed on the day, headlines have revealed the ‘real’ bloodshed inflicted on Wasps’ Joe Simpson, and how Quins’ perpetrator George Robson was subsequently shown red by referee Dean Richards (no relation), undoubtedly the same claret found in a blood capsule concealed in Tom Williams’ sock several months before.
No story of Varndell’s double score or the battle of the flyhalfs, new and old, to steal the games for both Wasps and Saracens.
Saracens’ Glen Jackson continued where he left off last season with an impeccable man of the match display, highlighting the mistakes of a nervy Irish debutant in Ryan Lamb who, in contradictory fashion, missed the target on more than the odd occasion.
Danny Cipriani will want to prove his worth in the hope that he will be returning to Twickenham this autumn, and started well against a wobbly Nick Evans lacking the composure of boot he produced in his last Twickenham outing for Quins.
The rolling maul once again graced the Premiership stage, a strategy missed in last season’s experimental law variations. Fourteen man Quins suffered a penalty try awarded for the collapsing of the Wasps maul meters before an inevitable score to seal the game.
Tries from Ugo Monye and wing Gonzalo Camacho kept a surprising lead for Quins but two debut tries from Wasps’ Tom Varndell in the first half and 11 points from Mark Van Gisbergen overall was enough to restore the club to winning ways 26 points to 15.
Saracens held on for an 18-14 win over London Irish, which began a day that saw two of last season’s playoff sides toppled at the first hurdle.
Rugby is back, still as entertaining as ever, but shouldn’t be stained by its demographic. What it isn’t is the ‘bloodbath’ some will want to believe.
Unfortunately for those true to the sport, this view may take some time to amend.
A bad aftertaste has spilled over into the new Guinness Premiership season leaving pundits and, more often than not, the press, all with something to say before a ball has even been kicked.
The ‘bloodgate scandal’ at Harlequins, allegations over drug taking at Bath, and not forgetting the eye gouging incident in the Lions tour of South Africa will have rugby licking its wounds for some time to come.
An overwhelming fear is that the professional era will now see many more do whatever it takes to win, even to the point of putting club, country and the game itself in disrepute.
The fine line between gamesmanship and the noble sportsman is being pushed to its limits and the latter will regrettably suffer as a consequence.
And fans alike have grumbled a few words of disgust, most recently on the Twickenham terraces in the season’s London double header – an event prided on a history of morality where bloodshed was contained only to the field and plaudits looked on only in admiration from the stands.
Although most may have had their giggle over the summer events at The Stoop – which resulted in the resignation of Dean Richards at its helm last month – sparse words have still crept into the banter between clans, as those sporting a Harlequin on their chest at Twickenham were immediately branded ‘cheats’ by fellow rugby supporters.
Nowhere in the game is this acceptable, on or off the field of play.
The press has been filled with scrutiny and shame over the ‘bloodgate’ fiasco, but, unless fans are motivated to familiarise themselves with their football counterparts, the politics behind the doors of the RFU shouldn’t overshadow rugby as a symbol of selflessness and sportsmanship which it has promoted for many years before now.
Instead of writing what was witnessed on the day, headlines have revealed the ‘real’ bloodshed inflicted on Wasps’ Joe Simpson, and how Quins’ perpetrator George Robson was subsequently shown red by referee Dean Richards (no relation), undoubtedly the same claret found in a blood capsule concealed in Tom Williams’ sock several months before.
No story of Varndell’s double score or the battle of the flyhalfs, new and old, to steal the games for both Wasps and Saracens.
Saracens’ Glen Jackson continued where he left off last season with an impeccable man of the match display, highlighting the mistakes of a nervy Irish debutant in Ryan Lamb who, in contradictory fashion, missed the target on more than the odd occasion.
Danny Cipriani will want to prove his worth in the hope that he will be returning to Twickenham this autumn, and started well against a wobbly Nick Evans lacking the composure of boot he produced in his last Twickenham outing for Quins.
The rolling maul once again graced the Premiership stage, a strategy missed in last season’s experimental law variations. Fourteen man Quins suffered a penalty try awarded for the collapsing of the Wasps maul meters before an inevitable score to seal the game.
Tries from Ugo Monye and wing Gonzalo Camacho kept a surprising lead for Quins but two debut tries from Wasps’ Tom Varndell in the first half and 11 points from Mark Van Gisbergen overall was enough to restore the club to winning ways 26 points to 15.
Saracens held on for an 18-14 win over London Irish, which began a day that saw two of last season’s playoff sides toppled at the first hurdle.
Rugby is back, still as entertaining as ever, but shouldn’t be stained by its demographic. What it isn’t is the ‘bloodbath’ some will want to believe.
Unfortunately for those true to the sport, this view may take some time to amend.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Mourning the boot of Steyn
Lions Tour 2009 - 27/06/09
South Africa 28, British & Irish Lions 25
A month on tour seems a long time, but this week coming may feel like an eternity. The dreams of a Lions series revival are over, giving insult to injuries left, right and centre in a touring camp ripped apart over a weekend. Adam Jones out. Gethin Jenkins out. Brian O’Driscoll out. The list goes on.
The life of the tour has dissipated with everything else. Elation in contrast for the Boks, albeit a few hiccups with bans to Bakkies Botha at lock and Schalke Burger at blindside denting preparations for the Tri-Nations competition. But, what may be deemed brutal disregard for their opponents health, may be the one thing that beat the Lions overall.
Only an eight-week ban for Burger after the eye-gouging incident on Luke Fitzgerald, the Lions are in uproar that it is not longer. You cannot console with someone who has blatantly attempted to blind an opponent, but if we were to look at it as brutality that comes on the field of play, you would have to say the Boks had the edge all along.
A lack of talent on the Lions bench and Drico and co. flying into everything at one hundred miles an hour to do some damage themselves, it turned out in hindsight that the only damage caused was self inflicted.
The Lions played with the right game plan, the right mentality, and were far better in front of goal than our good friend Piennar. But in a frantic, high-tempered test, the best moments were from the skill of Jones’ back hand pass, Kearney’s elegance taking every high ball under the sun, and the powerful scrummaging of our all-welsh front row.
Instead, patches of over zealous tackling turned what were fantastic moments to watch in the game, into unnecessary set backs in the long haul. Injuries killed the Lions and the boot of Steyn buried them.
South Africa 28, British & Irish Lions 25
A month on tour seems a long time, but this week coming may feel like an eternity. The dreams of a Lions series revival are over, giving insult to injuries left, right and centre in a touring camp ripped apart over a weekend. Adam Jones out. Gethin Jenkins out. Brian O’Driscoll out. The list goes on.
The life of the tour has dissipated with everything else. Elation in contrast for the Boks, albeit a few hiccups with bans to Bakkies Botha at lock and Schalke Burger at blindside denting preparations for the Tri-Nations competition. But, what may be deemed brutal disregard for their opponents health, may be the one thing that beat the Lions overall.
Only an eight-week ban for Burger after the eye-gouging incident on Luke Fitzgerald, the Lions are in uproar that it is not longer. You cannot console with someone who has blatantly attempted to blind an opponent, but if we were to look at it as brutality that comes on the field of play, you would have to say the Boks had the edge all along.
A lack of talent on the Lions bench and Drico and co. flying into everything at one hundred miles an hour to do some damage themselves, it turned out in hindsight that the only damage caused was self inflicted.
The Lions played with the right game plan, the right mentality, and were far better in front of goal than our good friend Piennar. But in a frantic, high-tempered test, the best moments were from the skill of Jones’ back hand pass, Kearney’s elegance taking every high ball under the sun, and the powerful scrummaging of our all-welsh front row.
Instead, patches of over zealous tackling turned what were fantastic moments to watch in the game, into unnecessary set backs in the long haul. Injuries killed the Lions and the boot of Steyn buried them.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Cometh the man, cometh the Lions
Lions Tour 2009 - 16/06/09
Southern Kings 8, British & Irish Lions 20
The head scratching begins as the spaces to the right of a Lions test positions numbered one to twenty-two will be carefully inked. The selection process that’s been eagerly awaited and severely scrutinised over the previous months will be finally made, but before that can happen Ian McGeechan and his coaching team will be looking at a sleepless night ahead of them.
Put the kettle on as this may be a long one. The team put up against the bruising Southern Kings Tuesday may shed some light on the selection thoughts McGeechan is swaying towards. With some names possibly being rested in anticipation of Saturday’s test in Durban, it is not however the case that players picked for the mid-week team are not still in contention.
Yes, two players already picked may feature on rows five and thirteen – with Captain Paul O’Connell and grand slam winning captain Brian O’Driscoll marking their territory not only in the last few weeks, but in the season before the tour’s flight south of the equator.
However, the inbetweeners are not yet set in stone. Everyone from management staff down to the opinionated pub-goers will want to state their claims, and players that were involved in Port Elizabeth will be seeking a quick turnaround in hope of a test position this Saturday.
I’ve never been one to jump on the bandwagon, knowing full well opinions are only left to debate and will have no input on final test selection. An individual’s satisfaction placing himself in the same acclaim as Geech the Almighty is good for massaging the ego. But, shouldn’t it be easier to leave the job to the professionals and kick back and watch events unfold stress free?
That’s not what a Lions tour is about however. The excitement of the fan as well as the team selector is what makes the tour so worthwhile. So why not? Let’s have bash and produce something more substantial. What’s there to lose? Only the light awakening that you’re not quite the rugby manager you initially thought. But let’s forget about that.
Where to start? Front row? Let’s politely leave that aside for the moment, as too the back row with the absence of injured Springbok Schalk Burger shaking things up.
Alun Wyn Jones at lock is a favourite alongside O’Connell which will hopefully make him a likely starter. Half backs should be kept simple but creative. Michael Phillips is strong and unyielding as a scrum half decision maker, and Stephen Jones is unreserved with his positive running style.
Jamie Roberts sits between Jones and O’Driscoll looking to find the gap with his rampaging charges, which would normally narrow play in favour of a strong Springbok pack, but is instead aided by the supporting O’Driscoll, who is handed the space he loves and that Roberts always seems to serve.
Ugo Monye keeps on scoring on the left and right, as does the team’s X-factor in the shape of Tommy Bowe who has been the most deceptive for pace and power thus far. An Anglo-Irish wing combination will need a Welsh influence at full-back. Enter Lee Byrne and a new type of running style, hitting the line hard and deep, instead of following the sidesteps of Wales and Lions great JPR Williams.
Now, the back row is the one that may leave Geech and co. at sixs and sevens. But one that shouldn’t be resolved by playing good players out of position. Look at the game plan. Keep away from the breakdown as much as possible. Lions have struggled in this area thus far, so preparing a back row with strong runners in Jamie Heaslip and David Wallace combined with the illusive running of Tom Croft, the Lions can look to play a wider game plan keeping the ball in hand rather than its, so far, vulnerable situation on the floor.
Lee Mears is guaranteed a test spot with his precision line-out throwing, as too I feel has Gethin Jenkins with his composure to roam the field with a low penalty count. Tighthead is now a big question mark though. Euan Murray would be my man at three, but whether his injury sustained in the Southern Kings contest is long-lasting, it is hard to say who would replace him.
Shuffle Jenkins across and place Shez in at the loose? Or make a straight swap with controversial favourite Phil Vickery in the tight? If crutches-bound Murray is unfit, I would be more inclined to play Adam Jones as the strong man at the defending breakdown than settle for a predominantly English front row.
The balance of the bench will be vital too. Ross Ford and Phil Vickery as front row replacements bring strength and composure. Andrew Sheridan falls short by mere millimetres since his powerful but narrow style of play shouldn’t be the direction of the Lions. Martyn Williams and Nathan Hines make versatile second and third rowers with good ball handling.
Harry Ellis links the forwards and the backs purely on a lack of competition for the bench. Rob Kearney is another versatile addition to the back three. And here’s hoping James Hook is fit as his kicking abilities make him a perfect impact player at either ten or twelve if required.
British and Irish Lions: 15 Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales), 14 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), 13 Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland), 12 Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England), 10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), 9 Michael Phillips (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland), 7 David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), 6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), 4 Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland), 3 Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), 2 Lee Mears (Bath/England), 1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales).
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), 17 Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), 18 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 19 Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), 20 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England), 21 James Hook (Ospreys/Wales), 22 Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland).
Southern Kings 8, British & Irish Lions 20
The head scratching begins as the spaces to the right of a Lions test positions numbered one to twenty-two will be carefully inked. The selection process that’s been eagerly awaited and severely scrutinised over the previous months will be finally made, but before that can happen Ian McGeechan and his coaching team will be looking at a sleepless night ahead of them.
Put the kettle on as this may be a long one. The team put up against the bruising Southern Kings Tuesday may shed some light on the selection thoughts McGeechan is swaying towards. With some names possibly being rested in anticipation of Saturday’s test in Durban, it is not however the case that players picked for the mid-week team are not still in contention.
Yes, two players already picked may feature on rows five and thirteen – with Captain Paul O’Connell and grand slam winning captain Brian O’Driscoll marking their territory not only in the last few weeks, but in the season before the tour’s flight south of the equator.
However, the inbetweeners are not yet set in stone. Everyone from management staff down to the opinionated pub-goers will want to state their claims, and players that were involved in Port Elizabeth will be seeking a quick turnaround in hope of a test position this Saturday.
I’ve never been one to jump on the bandwagon, knowing full well opinions are only left to debate and will have no input on final test selection. An individual’s satisfaction placing himself in the same acclaim as Geech the Almighty is good for massaging the ego. But, shouldn’t it be easier to leave the job to the professionals and kick back and watch events unfold stress free?
That’s not what a Lions tour is about however. The excitement of the fan as well as the team selector is what makes the tour so worthwhile. So why not? Let’s have bash and produce something more substantial. What’s there to lose? Only the light awakening that you’re not quite the rugby manager you initially thought. But let’s forget about that.
Where to start? Front row? Let’s politely leave that aside for the moment, as too the back row with the absence of injured Springbok Schalk Burger shaking things up.
Alun Wyn Jones at lock is a favourite alongside O’Connell which will hopefully make him a likely starter. Half backs should be kept simple but creative. Michael Phillips is strong and unyielding as a scrum half decision maker, and Stephen Jones is unreserved with his positive running style.
Jamie Roberts sits between Jones and O’Driscoll looking to find the gap with his rampaging charges, which would normally narrow play in favour of a strong Springbok pack, but is instead aided by the supporting O’Driscoll, who is handed the space he loves and that Roberts always seems to serve.
Ugo Monye keeps on scoring on the left and right, as does the team’s X-factor in the shape of Tommy Bowe who has been the most deceptive for pace and power thus far. An Anglo-Irish wing combination will need a Welsh influence at full-back. Enter Lee Byrne and a new type of running style, hitting the line hard and deep, instead of following the sidesteps of Wales and Lions great JPR Williams.
Now, the back row is the one that may leave Geech and co. at sixs and sevens. But one that shouldn’t be resolved by playing good players out of position. Look at the game plan. Keep away from the breakdown as much as possible. Lions have struggled in this area thus far, so preparing a back row with strong runners in Jamie Heaslip and David Wallace combined with the illusive running of Tom Croft, the Lions can look to play a wider game plan keeping the ball in hand rather than its, so far, vulnerable situation on the floor.
Lee Mears is guaranteed a test spot with his precision line-out throwing, as too I feel has Gethin Jenkins with his composure to roam the field with a low penalty count. Tighthead is now a big question mark though. Euan Murray would be my man at three, but whether his injury sustained in the Southern Kings contest is long-lasting, it is hard to say who would replace him.
Shuffle Jenkins across and place Shez in at the loose? Or make a straight swap with controversial favourite Phil Vickery in the tight? If crutches-bound Murray is unfit, I would be more inclined to play Adam Jones as the strong man at the defending breakdown than settle for a predominantly English front row.
The balance of the bench will be vital too. Ross Ford and Phil Vickery as front row replacements bring strength and composure. Andrew Sheridan falls short by mere millimetres since his powerful but narrow style of play shouldn’t be the direction of the Lions. Martyn Williams and Nathan Hines make versatile second and third rowers with good ball handling.
Harry Ellis links the forwards and the backs purely on a lack of competition for the bench. Rob Kearney is another versatile addition to the back three. And here’s hoping James Hook is fit as his kicking abilities make him a perfect impact player at either ten or twelve if required.
British and Irish Lions: 15 Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales), 14 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), 13 Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland), 12 Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England), 10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), 9 Michael Phillips (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland), 7 David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), 6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), 4 Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland), 3 Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), 2 Lee Mears (Bath/England), 1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales).
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), 17 Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), 18 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), 19 Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), 20 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England), 21 James Hook (Ospreys/Wales), 22 Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland).
Thursday, 11 June 2009
The show does go on
Lions Tour 2009 - 10/06/09
Natal Sharks 3, British and Irish Lions 39
When Ian McGeechan invests in a Lions tour there’s one guarantee he knows without having to read the small print. Possessing more Lions experience than any one man could wish to attain, the Lion King is only too familiar with team setback whilst on tour.
With blood and sweat always comes tears and heartbreak. Players’ tours will end in a heartbeat but who and when will always be a lottery.
Unfortunately, this has been a week that saw two such instances. Leigh Halfpenny comes and goes with a recurring thigh strain, and Stephen Ferris, probably the most despondent to leave, departs with long-term damage to a knee ligament after already making good ground in search of a test place.
Two tries in two made the Irishman a real contender for the number six shirt come test week, but his departure now only makes things easier in Geech’s selection as Tom Croft becomes a dead cert starter on June 20th.
Wales captain Ryan Jones replaces Ferris on the return flight to South Africa, giving himself the opportunity to join those he has both fought and led in the four years since he last pulled on the Lions jersey.
The show must go on as the old showman saying goes. And putting recent upsets aside, a win over Natal Sharks in Durban proves the Lions are in no mood to look back on injuries in any shape or form – only to go forward with a view to kill.
A team’s success is bigger than any one, or even two men, and whilst we, the couch potatoes, reflect on the what ifs, the team as a whole will be looking at the what nows.
A second half display in front of the watching Natal Springboks will rightly steal the headlines. Roberts has rumbled his way onto the test team-sheet, as has I feel Lee Mears, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne.
Brian O’Driscoll is a man no one would dare leave out and although he won’t be wearing the status of tour captain this term, O’Connell will surely be looking to his waltzing midfield wizard to spark the guys into action for the big week ahead.
Loosehead prop is still an ordeal as either the scrummaging power of Sheridan or the all round energy of Jenkins will have to outweigh the other. Alun Wyn Jones is proving quite the nuisance at lock with more and more game time, and the back row may well stay the way it stands with a Wallace-Heislip-Croft combo proving the stronger so far.
Stand-off is still undecided as Rog did himself no favours in Durban, continually letting his boot override his normally good awareness with the hand. Stephen Jones has undeniably ticked some of the requirements for a test place, and with a fine performance against the Golden Lions a week ago, he’ll be hoping to get another chance to shine in this Saturday’s clash with Western Province.
Shane Williams, however, is proving everyone right as he shows again that he is a mere shadow of the man he was six months ago. Tommy Bowe plus either Ugo Monye or Luke Fitzgerald seems on testimony a far safer bet for a wing partnership.
Early days and McGeechan is still giving nothing away. Two more games will give either one more chance to impress, or will simply cement the players who have already made the punch, in a chance to hopefully repeat history.
We may already have our own ideas of who McGeechan should resort to, but these will have no influence whatsoever in the time between now and the first test back in Durban. A week is already proven to be a long time in the life of a Lion.
Natal Sharks 3, British and Irish Lions 39
When Ian McGeechan invests in a Lions tour there’s one guarantee he knows without having to read the small print. Possessing more Lions experience than any one man could wish to attain, the Lion King is only too familiar with team setback whilst on tour.
With blood and sweat always comes tears and heartbreak. Players’ tours will end in a heartbeat but who and when will always be a lottery.
Unfortunately, this has been a week that saw two such instances. Leigh Halfpenny comes and goes with a recurring thigh strain, and Stephen Ferris, probably the most despondent to leave, departs with long-term damage to a knee ligament after already making good ground in search of a test place.
Two tries in two made the Irishman a real contender for the number six shirt come test week, but his departure now only makes things easier in Geech’s selection as Tom Croft becomes a dead cert starter on June 20th.
Wales captain Ryan Jones replaces Ferris on the return flight to South Africa, giving himself the opportunity to join those he has both fought and led in the four years since he last pulled on the Lions jersey.
The show must go on as the old showman saying goes. And putting recent upsets aside, a win over Natal Sharks in Durban proves the Lions are in no mood to look back on injuries in any shape or form – only to go forward with a view to kill.
A team’s success is bigger than any one, or even two men, and whilst we, the couch potatoes, reflect on the what ifs, the team as a whole will be looking at the what nows.
A second half display in front of the watching Natal Springboks will rightly steal the headlines. Roberts has rumbled his way onto the test team-sheet, as has I feel Lee Mears, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne.
Brian O’Driscoll is a man no one would dare leave out and although he won’t be wearing the status of tour captain this term, O’Connell will surely be looking to his waltzing midfield wizard to spark the guys into action for the big week ahead.
Loosehead prop is still an ordeal as either the scrummaging power of Sheridan or the all round energy of Jenkins will have to outweigh the other. Alun Wyn Jones is proving quite the nuisance at lock with more and more game time, and the back row may well stay the way it stands with a Wallace-Heislip-Croft combo proving the stronger so far.
Stand-off is still undecided as Rog did himself no favours in Durban, continually letting his boot override his normally good awareness with the hand. Stephen Jones has undeniably ticked some of the requirements for a test place, and with a fine performance against the Golden Lions a week ago, he’ll be hoping to get another chance to shine in this Saturday’s clash with Western Province.
Shane Williams, however, is proving everyone right as he shows again that he is a mere shadow of the man he was six months ago. Tommy Bowe plus either Ugo Monye or Luke Fitzgerald seems on testimony a far safer bet for a wing partnership.
Early days and McGeechan is still giving nothing away. Two more games will give either one more chance to impress, or will simply cement the players who have already made the punch, in a chance to hopefully repeat history.
We may already have our own ideas of who McGeechan should resort to, but these will have no influence whatsoever in the time between now and the first test back in Durban. A week is already proven to be a long time in the life of a Lion.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Lions slow out of the blocks
Lions Tour 2009 - 30/05/09
Royals XV 25, British and Irish Lions 35
How does the song go? In the jungle... the mighty jungle... the lion sleeps tonight. The Lions of course cannot be found in the jungle, but in the high altitude of Rustenburg they most certainly need a wake-up call. On a day the Lions returned to action in South Africa for the first time in twelve years, a Royal’s XV almost spoiled the visitor’s welcome party as the Lions for the most part lacked the spirit that normally comes with wearing the prestigious red jersey.
A victory nonetheless in the tour’s opener, the Lions will take at least some positives out of the game as many made their Lions debuts getting some early tour jitters out of their systems.
Keith Earls, not recognised on the international scene but still a tricky customer for Munster week in week out, did finally find his usual illusive feet in a match where his hands seemed just as slippery. Dropped high balls on the calmest of South African days proves even the best of Britain and Ireland can let the nerves of big-stage rugby get to them.
Lee Byrne, the Lion of the match by a long way, came through the game as the only man to leave a mark on the tour thus far. Solid under the high ball, composed under pressure, and producing a game turning try to boot, it seems you would rather be an Osprey than a Lion if you are wishing to make an impression this summer.
Tommy Bowe and replacement Alun Wyn Jones the other Ospreys to make the score-sheet, and a last minute score from Munster fly half Ronan O’Gara finished off a 37-25 victory that begins his Lions 2009 tally with 22 points.
It is easy to criticise and let your high expectations get in the way of a level-headed reality. A slow start admittedly but in retrospect a win will do to kick start the tour. O’Connell summed up the game well as an amalgamation of individual mistakes, and in continuing the clever but clichéd journalistic analogies, The Lions must hunt in a pack if they are to kill off a Springbok.
The back-row were non-existent for the best part of eighty minutes, Blair was irritably slow in feeding Rog the ball, and O’Connell, although over criticised by one Stuart Barnes, I feel needs to broaden his shoulders, stick out his chest and lead with his hands at his side rather than on his head.
In summary, a first victory for McGeechan’s 2009 Lions, yes, but far from the finished article if we are truly honest.
Royals XV 25, British and Irish Lions 35
How does the song go? In the jungle... the mighty jungle... the lion sleeps tonight. The Lions of course cannot be found in the jungle, but in the high altitude of Rustenburg they most certainly need a wake-up call. On a day the Lions returned to action in South Africa for the first time in twelve years, a Royal’s XV almost spoiled the visitor’s welcome party as the Lions for the most part lacked the spirit that normally comes with wearing the prestigious red jersey.
A victory nonetheless in the tour’s opener, the Lions will take at least some positives out of the game as many made their Lions debuts getting some early tour jitters out of their systems.
Keith Earls, not recognised on the international scene but still a tricky customer for Munster week in week out, did finally find his usual illusive feet in a match where his hands seemed just as slippery. Dropped high balls on the calmest of South African days proves even the best of Britain and Ireland can let the nerves of big-stage rugby get to them.
Lee Byrne, the Lion of the match by a long way, came through the game as the only man to leave a mark on the tour thus far. Solid under the high ball, composed under pressure, and producing a game turning try to boot, it seems you would rather be an Osprey than a Lion if you are wishing to make an impression this summer.
Tommy Bowe and replacement Alun Wyn Jones the other Ospreys to make the score-sheet, and a last minute score from Munster fly half Ronan O’Gara finished off a 37-25 victory that begins his Lions 2009 tally with 22 points.
It is easy to criticise and let your high expectations get in the way of a level-headed reality. A slow start admittedly but in retrospect a win will do to kick start the tour. O’Connell summed up the game well as an amalgamation of individual mistakes, and in continuing the clever but clichéd journalistic analogies, The Lions must hunt in a pack if they are to kill off a Springbok.
The back-row were non-existent for the best part of eighty minutes, Blair was irritably slow in feeding Rog the ball, and O’Connell, although over criticised by one Stuart Barnes, I feel needs to broaden his shoulders, stick out his chest and lead with his hands at his side rather than on his head.
In summary, a first victory for McGeechan’s 2009 Lions, yes, but far from the finished article if we are truly honest.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Falcons breed new life as regulars make farewells
AFTER a season of imbalance the Newcastle Falcons team will be freshening-up in the coming months, as new exciting imports eye up their fortunes here in the North-East, while others venture away in search of new challenges elsewhere.
The biggest of all speculation however has to be the whereabouts of Jonny Wilkinson next season, with a move to French side Toulon well and truly on the cards.
Tom May is one definitely making the trip across the channel, ending his tenure with the club in the position injury struck Wilko used to entertain the Geordie faithful.
Captain Dowson signs the deal that sees him become a Northampton Saint next season. Andy Buist will be at London Irish while Geoff Parling becomes a Tiger, and Russell Winter calls it a day announcing his retirement to a proud career which saw the former South African A captain join the Falcons back in 2006.
Amid the departures of those named and the possibility of a few others to follow, Steve Bates hasn’t resigned to leaving the side short in numbers next term.
Samoan captain Fellipo Levi joins Tongan flanker Josh Afu at the Falcons for the next two years, strengthening the back-row with an abundance of experience and a massive physical presence.
“I’ve always admired the Premiership,” Levi said. “My eyes have been opened to European rugby with my time at the Ospreys, a level I believe the Newcastle Falcons can achieve hopefully in the next year or two.”
James Hudson reciprocates the move of Buist, joining the Falcons from London Irish as Steve Bates seeks to build power up front as well as strength in depth ahead of next season.
“We believe the players we have signed have a big future at the club,” Falcons’ Rugby Director announced. “We’ve lost a great servant in Phil Dowson but at the same time have acquired an international captain with great experience.
“However, we’re not changing the team wholesale. We’ve had a good season just gone, especially in the games away to Wasps and here to Bath. These games stand out I feel since our performances prove we are capable in competing with teams at that level.”
After the indecent start to the season, the Falcons came into the new year with an improved confidence, winning seven out of their last eleven, which include victories over the league’s top two finishers Leicester and Harlequins, and a win at Franklin’s Gardens to end Northampton’s two-year unbeaten streak at home.
The returning Carl Hayman was inspirational too, finding some of the form he played with as an All Black. But the biggest story would definitely have to be of make-shift fly-half Tom May, proving he has the composure of boot as well as the sleight of hand in the season’s final months.
After admitting to a few tears before his last outing at Kingston Park, May wishes the team all the best and expresses his desire to possibly play again for the club sometime in his rugby future.
“Newcastle has been a fantastic club to me and I’ve had an unforgettable experience growing up with the guys here.
“Hopefully the wife and I can make the most of a few years abroad and maybe make a return one day. I’ve been married into the Geordie race so I would love to come back.”
Another season has come and gone and players’ futures are again in the balance.
But with fresh-blood in the Kingston Park side, a revolutionised Falcons team can breathe renewed success come September; in a new Guinness Premiership season that is never far away.
The biggest of all speculation however has to be the whereabouts of Jonny Wilkinson next season, with a move to French side Toulon well and truly on the cards.
Tom May is one definitely making the trip across the channel, ending his tenure with the club in the position injury struck Wilko used to entertain the Geordie faithful.
Captain Dowson signs the deal that sees him become a Northampton Saint next season. Andy Buist will be at London Irish while Geoff Parling becomes a Tiger, and Russell Winter calls it a day announcing his retirement to a proud career which saw the former South African A captain join the Falcons back in 2006.
Amid the departures of those named and the possibility of a few others to follow, Steve Bates hasn’t resigned to leaving the side short in numbers next term.
Samoan captain Fellipo Levi joins Tongan flanker Josh Afu at the Falcons for the next two years, strengthening the back-row with an abundance of experience and a massive physical presence.
“I’ve always admired the Premiership,” Levi said. “My eyes have been opened to European rugby with my time at the Ospreys, a level I believe the Newcastle Falcons can achieve hopefully in the next year or two.”
James Hudson reciprocates the move of Buist, joining the Falcons from London Irish as Steve Bates seeks to build power up front as well as strength in depth ahead of next season.
“We believe the players we have signed have a big future at the club,” Falcons’ Rugby Director announced. “We’ve lost a great servant in Phil Dowson but at the same time have acquired an international captain with great experience.
“However, we’re not changing the team wholesale. We’ve had a good season just gone, especially in the games away to Wasps and here to Bath. These games stand out I feel since our performances prove we are capable in competing with teams at that level.”
After the indecent start to the season, the Falcons came into the new year with an improved confidence, winning seven out of their last eleven, which include victories over the league’s top two finishers Leicester and Harlequins, and a win at Franklin’s Gardens to end Northampton’s two-year unbeaten streak at home.
The returning Carl Hayman was inspirational too, finding some of the form he played with as an All Black. But the biggest story would definitely have to be of make-shift fly-half Tom May, proving he has the composure of boot as well as the sleight of hand in the season’s final months.
After admitting to a few tears before his last outing at Kingston Park, May wishes the team all the best and expresses his desire to possibly play again for the club sometime in his rugby future.
“Newcastle has been a fantastic club to me and I’ve had an unforgettable experience growing up with the guys here.
“Hopefully the wife and I can make the most of a few years abroad and maybe make a return one day. I’ve been married into the Geordie race so I would love to come back.”
Another season has come and gone and players’ futures are again in the balance.
But with fresh-blood in the Kingston Park side, a revolutionised Falcons team can breathe renewed success come September; in a new Guinness Premiership season that is never far away.
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