Rugby Union - Six Nations & Erc

Discussion in 'General Football & Other Sport' started by Sting, Mar 12, 2017.

  1. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

  2. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

  3. miked2006

    miked2006 Premiership Prediction League Proprietor

    And Jones now sacked. I wonder if Wales knew England were sacking Jones and responded quickly just in case.

    It'll be Borthwick, who feels a fine, albeit uninspiring, choice.
     
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  4. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

  5. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Ireland will surely win a Slam and also at the u20 level. Wales are in rebuild with the second coming of Gatland and will be looking at a wooden spoon given the level Italy are now at. Italy u20 are also performing well again so it's no flash in the pan the way they are going.

    The Rugby Europe Championship saw Poland and Germany added to create an eight team conference of two pools. Georgia as expected are cruising although Portugal are showing great strides. Holland are also on the up. Teams are still hampered by many of the French clubs failing to release players. Spain and Holland have suffered as a result. Germany's players in France like Christopher Hilsenbeck still refuse to play for the union after various disagreements and they are in a mess right now.

    Rugby Europe Championship 2023

    Not to forget David 'Dai* Duckham. The legendary England wing passed away in January. With his lines, stepping and speed he would have been one of the few players to get into a Lions backline that would have been dominated by the Welsh magicians of the day as he did on the famous 71 Lions tour to NZ where he ultimately replaced John Bevan (a name not well remembered as he should be having moved to League with Warrington in 1973). England were in a nadir at the time but Duckham stood out and was even christened by Welsh fans as Dai for his flair. He came through the club ranks at Coventry who along with Nottingham and Leicester were part of a very strong East Midlands rugby scene (professionalism put paid to the first two clubs).

    David Duckham obituary | England rugby union team | The Guardian

    Here's that great documentary on the 71 tour to NZ made in 2011. Sadly many of those featured have since passed on including the narrator Eddie Butler.

     
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  6. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Title decider today in Edinburgh. England were royally humped pardon the phrase at Twickenham. An enormous amount of work for Borthwick and his staff to do. Not a chance they will be competing for the World Cup this autumn. Meanwhile in Rome the wait for a home win carries on. How I do not know. Wales were awful again and it's only a combination of incredibly poor finishing (the absence of Capuozzo being noticeable) and incredibly bad refereeing that aided the win.

    I don't like to criticize the Aussie referee and the TMO but they were beyond bad. Blowing away an Italian advantage and not playing it out, not penalizing Welsh players offside at the line of the tackle and not even awarding a yellow card. In the u20 Ireland demolished Scotland while Italy beat Wales and France beat England. The level of talent in the Irish club/provinces means Ireland will be a powerhouse going forward. This is not a blip they are going through. From perennial plucky also rans producing the odd legend every few years it's turned into a conveyor belt.



    In Super Rugby which is in round 3 the Fijian Drua playing for once at home in Lautoka pulled off the result of the round beating the reigning champions Canterbury Crusaders 25-22. I quite like the prospects of the PI's this World Cup. Fiji in particular should do very well although losing Vern Cotter was a blow as the head coach. Meanwhile Ian Foster whatever happens in France will not be coaching the ABs after the World Cup. Scott Robertson current coach of the Crusaders will be taking over.

     
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  7. Irishorn

    Irishorn Gael Force

    On a more positive note than the drab 2nd half performance at the Vic, Ireland secured a grand slam six nations title when defeating a plucky challenge from England. Great scenes at Landsdown Road and fantastic to see Johnny Sexton lifting the trophy on the day he secured the record for the highest ever points scorer in six nations history in his last game in the competition.
     
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  8. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Congratulations to the Irish team. And given the performances at u20 level and clubs Ireland are here to stay and be a dominant force going forward. The World Cup is well within reach unless there is some sort of catastrophic injury crisis although there is that QF battle versus France in the offing. Sexton's heir apparent longer term has to be Sam Prendergast. Outstanding for the u20's.

    Italy messed up again at Murrayfield. A couple of glorious chances wasted. Garbisi at flyhalf was poor for once kicking out of hand. His kid brother at scrum half is the future. Shades of Dupont. And there's another kid scrummie at Montpellier. I just hope the new FIR president decides to reverse his decision on scrapping the national academy which has given this generation the extra skills training that has seen Italy become competitive.

    Scotland are going to continue to struggle with their player pool. It is noteworthy that they did field three Boks and a couple of Wobs in the side. Ireland also have their sprinkling which is a surprise given the junior talent pool and recently pinching Roman Salanoa from the US. Perhaps it has added some steel and sharpness. All of the major unions have done it which is a shame.
     
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  9. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Ireland also secured the u20 Grand Slam for the second consecutive year. Poor from Chessum junior at the end. Italy u20 thrashed Scotland u20. Guess Scotland will have to try and keep finding players via residency and parentage. Italy have several excellent prospects. Turrisi the lock, Mey at fullback, Sante at flyhalf and Odiase at flanker.



     
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  10. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    So two Welsh legends retire together. Great friends with each other and both Lions in every sense Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones. The word is Gatland was going to dispense with them anyway and not have them at the World Cup as he looks to build a new side over the next four years. Wales will find it difficult to qualify out of their pool given that the players Fiji look likely to pick are excelling at the moment.


    Leinster threw away a substantial first half lead to lose the European Cup final to Stade Rochelais who thus win back to back titles. Byrne's missed conversions proved crucial.


    Wasps who only a few seasons ago were competing with these sides face an uncertain future. Having failed to fulfil criteria required to play in the second tier they have been asked to start in the tenth tier. Could be the end for them. Financial issues have also arisen at London Irish. Not a great time in the English club scene.
     
  11. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Quite a comeback by the French in Leinsters own backyard.

    Sad about Wasps - the move to Coventry never really worked did it.

    Ironic given what the Sky Blues might be about to achieve (hopefully!)
     
  12. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Another victim of early onset dementia and probable CTE the giant AB Carl Hayman talks about his trials and tribulations:


    u20 World Cup and u20 Trophy start this week. The former in South Africa the latter in Kenya after a gap of almost five years. Stars of the future emerge here. Meanwhile Argentina are running NZ very close in the World Sevens series with yet another finals win this time in Vancouver over France. Marcos Moneta is an absolute star of sevens but will he ever transition to fifteens ? They thumped GB 50-0 in the French leg of the World Series. It's GB this year as the series decides who qualifies for the rugby union tournament in the Paris Olympics.

     
  13. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

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  14. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Georgia nilled Argentina 20-0 in the u20 cup. And there were more signs the up and comers are starting to close the gap. Italy u20 beat South Africa u20 and Fiji although they lost heavily to England yesterday ran Australia mighty close in their opening pool fixture.

     
  15. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

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  16. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    France demolished Ireland in the u20 final 50-12. The size and power of the French pack was unstoppable. Leading to some accusations that the sizes are not all created in the gym. The maul has become a deadly weapon in these u20 games. WR needs to have a look at it and make sure it does not become the go to tactic otherwise it will make the game boringly predictable.

    South Africa beat England to finish third while Japan lost to Italy in the relegation match. They thus move back to the Trophy. This u20 trophy commences in Kenya where Scotland are looking to bounce back but have stiff competition from Samoa. The other sides competing are Kenya, Zimbabwe, Spain, USA, Uruguay and Hong Kong. Given the state of HK I'd much prefer to see a team like Namibia, Canada, Romania given a chance. Zimbabwe are showing small signs of improvement while Uruguay are making great progress along with Spain. Kenya is still far stronger at sevens. The US well given many of the players have just picked up rugby at college are always at a disadvantage. But that is turning around in some small parts of the US. MLR is having an effect. Several more English coaches having moved there. Simon Cross for instance will be coaching Old Glory in MLR.

    Scotland have been dealt a blow before the RWC with Stuart Hogg announcing his retirement due to ongoing injuries. There was another sad death with the passing of former Bristol player Nick Koster at the very young age of 34. I hope it's not related to any medical diagnosis. And another fascinating video from Squidge focusing on Romania. Well worth watching.

    WR and the old young farts at the Six Nations would do well to watch it. Georgia are now in the same position where Romania once were in the early eighties. They were refused admittance despite their performances. We saw the delay with Italy and also Argentina. These old boy unions are so reluctant to shed their hands over the reins of power. It's a dead hand slowing development of the sport globally. Tier 2's still only get a painfully small number of Tests v Tier 1. They still get players pinched and the revenues from WR are still heavily in favour of the old boys network.

     
  17. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    NZ two wins from two in the RC. Argentina overcame Australia and should have done so with more ease. Question marks being already raised about Eddie Jones. Australia may lose Lenny Ikitau to a shoulder fracture and Argentina Matias Alemanno with a twisted knee. The RWC is not too far off.




    In the u20 Trophy Scotland beat Zimbabwe 64-33. Encouraging from Zimbabwe. Samoa struggled past Kenya surprisingly. In the other pool Spain demolished Hong Kong (again I don't understand why they are in the trophy compared to some of the nations mentioned before ie Romania, Portugal, Chile) while Uruguay just pipped the USA 33-31.

     
  18. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Not too long to go until the show begins in France. A lop sided draw means some of the big guns will not make it to the semifinals. In the u20 Trophy Scotland did not finish top. Uruguay deservedly won their pool tie 36-27 and went on to meet Spain in the final who triumphed 39-32 and are promoted to the top u20 division replaced by Japan.


    Injuries and suspensions are affecting some of the squads already selected. Tetaz Chaparro is the latest victim of an Achilles tendon tear for the Pumas. Aside the two suspended from England George Moala has been retained by Tonga despite a two match suspension.

    While the usual suspects will contest the final four spots I can see some 'upsets' this time around. The gap between the developing nations and the old unions is closing slowly but surely. Italy are growing as are Georgia although Romania's selections ie leaving out the likes of Mahu and Septar are puzzling means they will struggle. Portugual's young backs are incredibly exciting too. Uruguay have shown great improvement with exposure to more professional competition in the SLAR and inclusion in the Argentine domestic championship.

    All the PI's have benefitted from the eligibility rule changes. Especially Tonga and Samoa and on their day they can upset anyone. Fiji in particular will have high hopes of beating a Wales in disarray. Fiji's performance in Paris a 17-34 loss was rather harsh on them.

    Can Ireland carry the burden of expectation. They have the likes of the Boks who you can never write off with them and a Scotland who are showing great form. NZ's performances in the Championship mean they are clear contenders with France while in the other half of the draw the Pumas if they get past England could well make a deep run too with a squad that is deeper than ever before and with the return of Marcos Kremer from suspension.



    51 days of rugby at it's finest. ​
     
  19. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member


    A record win for the Boks over the ABs. All ultimately decided by Scot Barrett's stupidity. This could well be a factor at this forthcoming RWC. Who maintains their discipline could end up winning the thing as at the top level playing with fourteen indeed thirteen is a distinct disadvantage.

    The final set of warm up fixtures commences today with most featured on Amazon Prime starting with England versus Fiji at Twickenham.
     
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  20. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Do England have any fit players remaining or not banned?
     
  21. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    The squad is fine selection wise. Quality wise they may come a cropper. Most expect to beat Argentina but I think that's far from a foregone conclusion. However being on the easier side of the draw they could still well make the quarter finals but I don't think they can get past Ireland, Scotland, SA, NZ or France on current form. I'm looking as usual to see how the Tier 2 teams are developing. They've improved every World Cup despite all the obstacles put in their way and I'm hoping Italy, Georgia and Fiji can make that next step as Argentina have done which is all the better for rugby union in the long term.

    The more competitive teams the better. I do fear for Romania. Their selection has been poor and their results too. The next RWC in the USA might be better served with an additional four teams. Spain thoroughly merited an entry as do the USA for example. Russia too bar not the issues regarding Ukraine. In Europe the likes of Holland are making tremendous progress which shows what can be achieved with a union body that knows what it's doing and fingers crossed the likes of Fabian Holland sees sense and opts to play for them given he was sent to NZ for that purpose not to play for the ABs.

    I was hoping Theo Dan with Romanian parents but brought up here would turn out for Romania but that looks unlikely now. Shame. The Oaks need all the help they can get. I'm amazed for instance that Andrei Mahu ex-Moldova declared for Romania, plays for Perpignan and very well too was not picked by Apjok the coach of Romania. Mad.
     
  22. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    8-3 at half time amid pouring rain. Fiji handed the first try on a plate with a soft cover tackle and then unluckily had a try ruled out for a forward pass. Hopefully they can overcome the loss of Mawi to the bin and come back. They've looked the most impressive with ball in hand.
     
  23. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    [​IMG]
    Superb and deserved win for Fiji their very first against England. Fiji have benefitted from Super Rugby and the Drua. Better coaching, professional contracts, a pathway for talented kids to pass into the Fijian national team than take the money offered from Australia and NZ or indeed England. Infrastructure has improved too. Maybe this is the reason why the old unions have been scared of including the PI's in Tests and helping them.

    Fiji are more than capable of beating Wales and Australia. The scoreline against France was a lot closer than it looks. As for England they were fortunate the margin was not bigger. No tears shed here. Always on the side of those in rugby union who have been marginalized and treated with disrespect from the RFU, SARU, NZRFU and ARU. Indeed France is the only nation that has really done anything for the smaller unions. Biggest budget in the world. most players and still cannot do anything on the world stage. Not to mention pinching other countries players and taking nearly all the money from home Test's instead of sharing it with the poor unions.

    I still remember the times when the PI's lost players because they had to support families back home and declined WC call ups. Or Fiji and Romania begging for official jackets such were their finances. No help from the RFU of course. Superb day for those who love union.

    In other news Rhys Webb and Elton Jantjies have been provisionally banned for testing positive for HGH and clenbuterol.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2023
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  24. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Ireland may well have self doubt after an impressive Samoa performance. Sopoaga's kick at the end for a penalty touch and the lineout spared Ireland's blushes. Argentina swept aside Spain 62-3 although the Lions opted to field a very young side with very few caps with the regulars rested. France turned over Australia with ease in Paris and look to be favourites at home.






    Cian Healy has been ruled out of the Irish squad due to the calf injury he picked up in Bayonne.
     
  25. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Didn't we have all this in 2007? - even starting badly and then reached the final.

    Of course in France.

    Does seem to be down to the luck of the draw.

    Swear Ireland play New Zealand in the last 8 all the time!

    Not saying that will happen this time but we do seem to perk up a bit for the tournament.

    2015 apart.
     
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  26. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Usually Ireland end up playing against the Pumas. 3-1 to the Pumas is the record. England are leaking tries which is a concern. Sure they may get it right in the RWC but it's hard to do. Argentina themselves have not won many games recently but they have been playing the likes of NZ and South Africa and running them close. I'm hoping the smaller unions as it were cause some upsets and show the gap is closing even more and that this World League idea is an absolute farce.
     
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  27. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Yes be nice to have some competitive games outside the big clashes .

    I guess it really is work in process for England trying to find some sort of winning formula .
     
  28. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Stuart Lancaster must be laughing his head off if he was that sort of character. Off to coach Racing 92 after his success in Ireland. RFU is still full of incompetents as shown by their handling of the club scene and national side. Biggest resources anywhere worldwide and still making a **** up of it.

    Scott Barrett has been cleared for the opener against France for the ABs which will be a relief to them after his red card against the Boks. As to the developing unions they are all doing their best. The funding from World Rugby has helped no doubt, regional tournaments and coaching and referee clinics. But for the most part a lot of the work has been from within so all credit to them.

    In South America professional franchises have been set up in the Super League which means players can train for longer and be better coached. Argentina have helped tremendously sending coaches and players abroad. Numbers are growing quickly with progress in Brazil and Colombia noticeable. The club scene also remains healthy although amateur and moving it's base away from the affluent upper and middle classes. In Africa the situation is tougher. South Africa still does precious little really to help it's neighbours like Namibia and Zimbabwe and funding across the continent is sparse making the development harder. It's not that it cannot spread with Kenya having had success in sevens. Players of West African and North African heritage have played for France and indeed those born in France constitute most of those national sides like Morocco who have threatened to qualify for the RWC.

    Indigenously though in those areas it's not great still. Ditto in Asia. Outside of Japan and South Korea and Kazakhstan it's a very low standard. It's not about physiques as the players are there. It as a sport does not register. India and China for example. It's still restricted to a few areas like Kolkata and clubs and you cannot build a national programme. Japan needs to do more work on schools rugby as it still relies heavily on residency and naturalized players. The new professional league is all well and good but you need school or club rugby. College is too late really.

    In Oceania the states are too small to have an effective national side namely the Cook Islands for instance and any of the smaller archipelagos. However the three PI states of repute are making progress especially Fiji. Which is pleasing to say the least all three nations being constantly robbed by national sides over the globe of players.

    In North America both sides failed to qualify. Changes have been made in Canada which has gone backwards under it's previous incumbents. The coach has been sacked but it needs a look at growing junior numbers again which used to be so healthy in BC and Ontario but which have plunged. Also a route from college into rugby has closed for many. All this down to Rugby Canada's interference, it's constant messing about with structures, agendas, a heavy focus on women and sevens to the detriment of 15s and falling out with ex professionals and current players. Several highly talented players like Tyler Duguid for instance still refuse to play. It's sad to see.

    In the US professional rugby may also help Canada in the form of MLR. It's spectator numbers are still low but growing as is the club base with additional franchises planned. Remember union used to be the dominant sport not American football up to 1900 over there and there are still heartlands in New York and Utah for instance. However for most rugby starts at college which is not ideal. There has been success at sevens not translated into 15s. However with MLR indigenous players are now exposed to higher levels of coaching and fitness.That expertise will have an effect longer term not to mention naturalized players with a large number of Bok born players fleeing the situation in South Africa. However there needs to be more kids rugby away from places like Old Glory or Saints.

    In Europe signs are promising. Especially with Spain and Portugal and Holland. Growing player numbers and better coaching with a defined long term aim. France has helped a great deal by providing professional opportunities for juniors. Also to a lesser extent this applies to Belgium. Italy has been superb with a focus on juniors that has borne fruit. Only issue is the new FIR president seems to think this is not necessary and is reorganizing this. Idiot. Germany has gone backwards and other nations east like Poland where the game is liked and Czechia need to grow numbers. Romania needs more players and clubs and coaching despite having a professional league it's very much hand to mouth with some clubs existing then folding. Certainly clubs needs to be more firmly established in the older strongholds of Timisoara, Cluj and Constanta.

    When you see how few of the current squad are in France compared say to 2011/2015 it's concerning. But it's still a lot better than the nadir with a 103-0 loss at Twickenham many years ago. Russia is in limbo although player numbers were rising it too needs better infrastructure. And as for the rest of Europe it's still very much barely registering despite a third tier European competition. Although the mentality of nations and their adeptness at team sports like Croatia and Serbia is a place where the gospel needs to be taken to more.

    Overall the gap has closed since the first World Cup in 1987 as evidenced in winning margins, fitness, special players emerging like Santiago Arata of Uruguay but there have been disappointments. The loss of Zimbabwe and Canada as potential Tier Ones, the holding back of the PI's until now, and the old home union network doing it's best to strangle European rugby growing. So short sighted. For instance Scotland walked out of the u18 European Championships after finishing bottom a few years ago having been beaten by Georgia and Spain. Argentina have risen to be a power but no one else.

    Italy are perhaps on the cusp with a highly talented and well coached generation, Georgia too with their u20s coming through led by Niniashvili and Kakhoidze (their selections for the RWC are bizarre giving veterans the nod over players who have excelled in the Top 14 like Kuntelia as just one example) and Fiji. But no one else which is sad seeing as it's been 36 years. It isn't easy with union being so technical but the idiot old unions seem to want to keep it that way. They should realize with more competitive teams and matches they'll attract more sponsors akin to the FWC.
     
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  29. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Final rankings going into the World Cup.

    1 Ireland 91.82
    2 New Zealand 90.77
    3 South Africa 89.37
    4 France 89.22
    5 Scotland 84.01
    6 England 81.53
    7 Argentina 80.86
    8 Australia 79.87
    9 Fiji 78.70
    10 Wales 78.26
    11 Georgia 76.23
    12 Samoa 76.19
    13 Italy 74.63
    14 Japan 74.29
    15 Tonga 70.29
    16 Portugal 68.61
    17 Uruguay 66.63
    19 Romania 64.56
    21 Namibia 61.61
    22 Chile 60.49
     
  30. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Two sad losses in the world of rugby just before the World Cup. In Canada Bill Webb who founded the Toronto Arrows in MLR aged 59. He was an amateur who played for Wasps before moving into business and coaching in Canada and helping raise funds for Rugby Canada and many clubs in that part of the world.

    Wales will be mourning the loss of David Watkins who played both codes. Like many prominent Welsh players the son of a coal miner he was also attracted over to League by a large sum of money. Which earned him lots of enemies. A fabulous fly half at the time when Wales churned them out for fun he played for both codes in their combined sides and captained both the only ever player to do so. He played for Newport with distinction and Salford and Swinton in league and coached GB at league almost winning a World Cup.

    Obituary: Welsh rugby legend David Watkins - BBC Sport

    In the shambles of a country that is South Africa most will be unable to watch the RWC thanks to the SABC being held to ransom by rights owner Multichoice. Corporate greed ruining an experience that many should share. In South America Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and a Chile XV have been competing ( SA 4 Nations) and both Brazil and Paraguay will meet in a decider to see who tops this event. Rugby is also progressing well in Brazil and Paraguay thanks to the SLAR while Los Tucanes decision to pull out of SLAR has conversely had a detrimental effect to their sides progression.





     
  31. folkestone orn

    folkestone orn Squad Player

    This opening ceremony is weird, even by French standards
     
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  32. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    The hosts kick off with a win.

    Well deserved too .
     
  33. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    I am not a big rugby fan, but I have always wondered why drop goals are not attempted more often. It strikes me as a great way to score points, as proven by Ford yesterday.

    Does anyone know why they are not used very much?
     
  34. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    You need real dominance in the ruck and clear out and a kicker who is very skilled. If you have a dominant pack you will go for a pushover try anyway. There are also accusations it can lead to a boring spectacle and there was a time when the point awarded were to be reduced to two. It's frequency of use has dropped considerably as well. Defensive line speed has also contributed. Ironically the Pumas when they were developing as a side back in the late seventies used the drop goal via the great Hugo Porta to level the playing field against stronger sides.

    Anyway in top class rugby when you are a man up you are expected to win one hundred percent of the time. Yet the Pumas folded to a 27-10 loss. Appalling. One of the worst if not the worst display I have ever seen from the Pumas. They played well for 5 minutes at the start and at the end. In between a man up they lost all semblance of being a side. Isolated runs from forwards and backs, slipshod discipline. Perhaps they thought being a man up for 77 minutes guaranteed a win. They just imploded. It reminded me of the 1998 Football WC final where Brazil were there in body but not in mind ghosting around like zombies.

    Argentina should still make it but it means they will have to take an enormous collective kick up the backsides. Perhaps they need it to wake them up. Cheika missed a trick in not having Sanchez at flyhalf after Santiago Carreras's awful efforts. I said this might be a weakness and it was. Albornoz must be kicking his heels at home. The back three of Mateo Carreras, Boffelli and Mallia hardly had a touch which says everything. Awful. I turned off on the hour mark as you could see where the match was going. Bizarre, listless and completely inexplicable performance. This is a side that should have beaten South Africa in SA having beaten NZ in NZ and England at Twickenham.

    Namibia showed what potential they do have. They used to beat Italy and Ireland for instance but professionalism has not helped. That is what Coetzee is trying to address with a grassroots program. Inclusion once again in the second tier Currie Cup. Namibia were kicked out which shows what a help SA have been to their neighbours. The enormous distances in Namibia don't help either but it's good to see more black players in the side which shows the base of the sport is increasing there.

    Romania desperately need more juniors and coaches. Yes they were missing several players through odd selections and injury but still to lose like that with some really basic errors was sad to see. Hardly a spectacle. They need to have a professional side like Georgia with the Black Lions competing at a higher level.

    You can see the clear difference in physical preparation and stamina between those playing at a low grade professional level vis-a-vis those at a higher one.

    Georgia will be kicking themselves. At 21-8 after gifting Australia the early lead Niniashvili just had to pass inside at it would have been 21-15 and all to play for. They also butchered three other tries including one at the line. Dive for the line man. That way it's harder to have the ball knocked out of your hands. Australia are no great shakes. The scoreline flattered them.

    France remain clear favourites for me. Their bench strength overwhelmed NZ who were reasonably competitive for the first hour. World Rugby and idiot bodies that run the likes of the 6N or in South Africa need to consider how they can further improve fitness, coaching and grassroots numbers in the Tier 2's. The benefit of teams playing more Tests and in professional competition cannot be underestimated. Just look at Georgia and Fiji. Indeed Argentina although you would not have guessed it from last night's appalling performance.

    Hopefully the loss of Muntz for the game against Wales won't affect Fiji too much. Tela is the replacement. Hope he is on his A game as he blows hot and cold for the Drua. Japan should beat Portugal but it will be great to see the Wolves backline with several enormously talented young backs in action. Scotland versus South Africa. Bokland versus the Boks. Whoever wins this and it on form and paper is an even contest will sit more comfortably when they come to play Ireland.

    Some of the Tier 2's should also look to find players of heritage. A couple of Namibians like Brayden Ennor playing in NZ would make a difference, Oliver Jager also in NZ to play for Holland. I mean the Tier 1's poach all the time Ireland with Hansen, Aki and Gibson-Park, England with their PIs, Bokland too so if they can do it so can some of the Tier 2's.

    A bit harsh perhaps on Argentina and Georgia which are the only 2 sides that field players entirely born and trained within those nations.
     
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  35. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    It was bloody awful. Jacques Demy would be rolling around in his grave at that travesty of a musical. Maybe they will do better with Paris 2024.
     
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