Wales wary as France build for World Cup
- 26 Feb 07, 05:11 PM
So that鈥檚 it then. Why don鈥檛 we just cut out the middle-man and tell France they can keep their Grand Slam for another season?
With the greatest of respect to England and Scotland, it鈥檚 all over, isn鈥檛 it?
was the latest a Six Nations match had ever kicked off, so by the time we were ordering our coffees and crepes it was well into Sunday morning.
Around our dinner table in the late-night brasserie there was consensus. France fought off a stirring early challenge from Wales but then won with depressing ease 鈥 rather like a boxer holding off a plucky opponent at arm鈥檚 length.
And while Ireland looked impressive enough on the TV sets dotted around the media room at the , England were awful and I still can鈥檛 help feeling France (and just maybe a resurgent South Africa) are the only ones who might cope with New Zealand when the World Cup kitchen鈥檚 at its hottest in September and October.
Ireland have yet to convince me they won鈥檛 implode again when the moment really matters.
The word that struck dread into the hearts of the Welsh contingent around our table as we batted on through the late-night meal was "Rome".
Italy will be licking their lips at the prospect of back-to-back championship wins for the first time ever, and will hardly be intimidated by the arrival of Wales at the in a fortnight.
What Wales seemed to miss more than anything on Saturday evening was a thundering ball-carrier who could drive hard and straight at the French defence.
It鈥檚 easy to overlook how the brilliance of 2005 was based on mighty surges and then deft off-loads to supporting players. How Wales ache for the likes of Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins to get motoring.
Martyn Williams, Alix Popham and Alun Wyn-Jones all worked tirelessly in their various departments again. It was a blow to lose Mark Jones to another injury.
Shane Williams and Tom Shanklin 鈥 understandably 鈥 seemed to struggle with the pace of a Test match after time away.
And while Lee Byrne beavered away from full-back, with his suspension served, there might be a temptation to bring .
, Wales hinted at great things.
For the second time in two years they stunned France with a quick one-two. This, though, is a different French team with a much tougher veneer. Resilient, full of self-belief and much less prone to inglorious stumbles.
There鈥檚 a method about them these days that鈥檚 less stylish but so much more substantial.
When was the last time you saw them with an unassailable lead, kick a penalty rather than go for glory in the dying minutes? A pragmatic French team is one to fear.
Bernard Laporte is building a formidable squad. Ibanez is a composed, purposeful leader. And with Thion and especially Nallet outstanding in the second row, will there be room for Fabien Pelous when he鈥檚 fit again?
Behind the pack, Mignoni and Skrela look the business, rarely over-elaborating and always giving the flyers outside ample time to operate.
Only England and Scotland can stop them going into their World Cup as Grand Slammers now. Even the most rosy-eyed Englishman would think that entirely unlikely.
For Wales, another fortnight of serious head-scratching and soul-searching. Their new team psychologist might be in for a busy couple of days.
Wales 27-18 England
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I do agree with your world order for the world cup, NZ, france and SA but Ireland are definitely waiting in the wings ready to cause an upset if it could even be called that. All its takes is a win against France in the group stages to leave NZ and France paired up for the quarters, so one of them has gotta go! Its all if's and but's I know...definitely not unimaginable though is it? And if that were the case surely Ireland would be on for the semi's only to play either australia or SA, both of whome got well and truely beaten in the Autumn to the hands of a fully firing Ireland. Good blog though
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Dont be too quick to write Scotland off - they have performed well against France in the last 2 tournaments and although they were woeful on saturday i think they will cause france problems as Wales did
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HI,
Being a French guy in Ireland with an Irish girlfriend i might be biaised a bit on the Irish potential but i really believe they are up there with France and SA. They have a fantastic team and to me the main gap between France and Ireland is on the bench where France seems to have more quality. Yes our forwards seem to be more powerful 9 espacially the front 3) but the irish backs have an edge on the french one, i would have love for BOD and d'arcy to be french !
About England i m not that sure we will beat them at Twickenham. Backlash is what i see and as Laporte is changing the team again we can't be certain on which French team is gonna show up, on the other hand all the new player coming in are basically playing for a place in the world cup squad. I obviously would want to see the french win but i am worried of the english pride. The scots in the other hand should not be a threat as the french team really want to beat them because of last year.
I don't think the grand slam was an objective for us this season, if we get it awesome but those 6 nations were much more a lab for testing players. The admitted goal however was to beat ireland and to make sure they do not arrive at the world cup with the grand slam and a victory over france. We were lucky to win the game i admit and even more lucky that bod was not there. but then i tend to think that if ireland had to lose a game at croke park they would have rather lose against the french than against the english !
I believe Italy Wales is a tough call, i think Italy is very much in a virtious circle and they will be very very hard to play in Rome. The welsh will have to take the ball away of the italian forwards as much as possible and play fast flowing rugby. Getting stuck in the forwards will mean the same kind of game than italy vs England/scotland; but i believe wales will win, too important for them not to arrive at the world cup with the wooden spoon.
Great 6 nations overall with some good surprise and great games.
Nico
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Ireland have yet to convince you that they won鈥檛 implode, if any 2 teams has the conditions to implode it鈥檚 France, who not only have this ability on tap but have the added pressure of an expectant home audience who at the best of times are more of a hindrance than a help and New Zealand who, lets face it, are perennial World cup bottlers.
Ireland on the other hand will go into the tournament as decent place outsiders with a very very tight squad, most of whom will be well-rested and ready for action, and also harbouring the memory of blowing it against France. You never know the final 120 seconds in Dublin a fortnight ago could be a very important two minutes in the history of Irish sport.
Will Ireland win the world cup? Probably not, but I wouldn鈥檛 have the mortgage on them not doing it.
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"Ireland have yet to convince me they won鈥檛 implode again when the moment really matters."
It really mattered last Saturday. Was Irelands biggest game, well, ever and they sure did not implode.
The result against france was hardly an implosion either. Pipped by 3 points at the end
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thanks for your depressing account of the Ireland V England game, think there was more to the Irish performance than England simply being "awful". Don't think England were left get the upperhand in any facet of play and were totally outpowered and out manouevered by a more powerful and committed team.
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If Ireland were to top the group in France their path to the final would be by no means the most difficult. A quarter final against Scotland or Italy, and a semi against South Africa, England or Wales (sorry Taffs but there鈥檚 no question, the Wallabies will walk that group).
However having said that It would be a difficult group to top and considering the strength of the Pumas its really is any two from three for the top two positions.
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Strettle.....
should be playing at outside centre, with farrell at inside, and robinson and lewsy on the wings, with morgan at full back. this gives our midfield (1) dual kicking options, (2) good handling and (3) pace.
strettle hasn't been playing for long and could easily adapt.
thoughts?
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Nick Mullins comments are very balanced.But, I think a couple or three points need elaborating;
1. The English structure is self destructive.It deprives the coach of necessary prep time, over works the players and has far too many foreign players to allow enough competition for places in the team.
2.Wales's coach and captain seem in denial.Shades of Andy Robinson,in stubborn selections.The bias against Henson is proving counter productive.Misplaced loyalty to Stephen Jones who cannot inspire his troops cannot go on much longer.
3.Ireland appear to be a different team with O' Driscoll playing.Without him they are good ,but not world beaters.With him I am sure they would have beaten France,and could on their day beat New Zealand.
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Great blog mate! I have to agree that the French are on course for the Grand Slam, but with regards to the World Cup I think Ireland have a great chance if they keep up their current form. I wish I could say the same for Wales to be honest. I'm normally very optimistic but I can't see us going past the quarter finals really - there's no directness in the play and the training methods seems to be a bit blinkered.
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who ever said dont write scotland off in terms of the WC needs an eye test. they are the most boring talentless team who have ever played the game. Patterson wouldn't get in any other team yet he is your hero- ?????????????????
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Hi Nick,
The most sensible bit of writing I've heard for a while - I think that Ireland did have the beating of a weak England team, especially up front, but there was a lot of good on the Irish side that caused that, rather than just poor England play.
Your comments about the WC are suitably objective. I've said on other blogs and I'll say it again that Ireland should not judge their position in World rugby using the Autumn match against SA as one of its benchmarks - that was almost entirely a second-string SA side. SA were also the only side to beat NZ last year, and manage to do so fairly regularly, even though NZ dominate the statistics. I don't get the feeling though that Ireland know how to beat NZ - they will only have one chance in the WC if they get that far and it will probably end in tears, as they will be at the bottom of the learning curve against those fellows from NZ - a bad place to be!
I think France stand the best chance of overcoming NZ, followed by SA, then the Aussies and Ireland. However, France vs Ireland vs Aus vs SA, in any order you choose, represent 50/50 games in my opinion. Given recent track records (make-up of teams taken into account), that's a fairly objective look at the run-in to the WC!
cheers
Mike
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World cup final; 2007
New Zealand v France/Ireland
The rest will just be making up numbers, someone in British press stated 'A firing on all cylinders England is the only team to give the Kiwi's a run for their money.
What are these blokes on???? you cannot be serious
Why France and Ireland? because they have the strongest squads and everyone knows the world cup is won by the team with the strongest bench.
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I don't agree that England were "awful" (except that last dreadful pass which gifted Ireland an extra 7 points - that WAS pretty awful).
I don't think you can point to any of the England players and say: "He played badly."
The difference between the sides was that Ireland were a cohesive team who've played together 3 or 4 dozen times, apart from having "units' throughout the team who also play together for their respective provinces, whereas England looked like what they were - a bunch of guys having only their third game together.
Pessimism is usually my default position as regards England's chances in any game - a standpoint born out of long years of recurring disappointment - but I think Rory Underwood is right that we're maybe overdoing the doom and gloom a bit. If we stick with the nucleus of this current side, by the time the Autumn comes around they'll be a tough team to beat. No chance of actually winning the WC, but it'll take a darn good side to beat them.
I wouldn't mind placing a small wager that they'll do at least as well as Ireland.
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I totally hear you on Scotland, always dull, Dewey and Patterson's boot (and annoying kicking-style) are their only saving grace.
Really would prefer not to read the endless articles from the Welsh and Scottish, whinging about if they had this or that, or if only he was fit.
Supporting England, I know we鈥檝e done a lot of this in the past; however there鈥檚 not much whinging from us at the moment simply because there are no other players we could bring in, unless you took five years, a load of injuries and retirement back from several players.
I believe England鈥檚 problems are in their back-row 鈥 it is unbelievable that the entire Irish back-row can beat ours to the breakdown on our own possession! Where鈥檚 a little, quick, BALL WINNING No 7 that we had in Neal Back????!!!! Instead we have a slow, thick, zero-nous, blundering set of 6鈥檚 & 8鈥檚. These are competing against the likes of Wallace, Easterby, Williams, Popham, Betzen and even Burgamasco in the 6 Nations 鈥 we will suffer in the world cup when you add McCaw and Smith, the list goes on.
Corry 鈥 word of advice, 鈥渟top tackling/wrapping up the players when in the air in the line-out, it鈥檚 stupid, blatant and losing us the game. Oh and find some pace too and spread the word to your other back-row colleagues鈥
England 鈥 sort out your back-row (particularly No.7) and your centres too and we might be going somewhere (providing JW & JR stay fit!)
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Joe... england probably will do as well as ireland.
Ireland however have france and argentina in their group, who do england have?
If ireland come second in their group (something that might even happen to england) then we have to play the AB;s.
If england do as well as ireland that will be the reason why not because of ability.
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HOWD...you are English and you say Paterson has an annoying kicking style ? What is with the golden child and his arms extended as if in prayer before every kick ? :)
I'm saying that tongue in cheek, as I think Wilkinson is a fantastic player and a credit to English rugby. He NEVER complains or whinges, nor does he glory in the misfortune of other teams.
As a Scot, I would say that Scotland has very little chance against France in Paris, but don't forget how comprehensively we beat France last year (as someone has already pointed out).
If you feel that you want to be negative about a country, any country and their Rugby team, then at least make some constructive points, don't just say they are "always dull" (winning isn't a beauty contest) and that their kicker has an "annoying kicking-style", such comments add nothing to the discussion.
As to England, sure they'd look a lot better with nippy back rows and creative centers, but has anyone considered that they picked the players they chose against Ireland from a defensive viewpoint ? They has to consider first stopping Ireland, as opposed to taking the game to them. Tindall ain't creative, but he can tackle !
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NZ will not bottle,
Their previous under achievements have been as a result of a lack of depth to their play. In 95 and 99 they were undone by an over reliance on Jonah Lomu which was exploited by SA and France respectively. in 2003 their weaknesses up front were exposed by an Australian outfit that would not let them play.
Henry has sorted this and I have yet to see a side as complete in 3 seasons.
Ireland last Saturday came very, very close but I do not believe that they (or any team) has the fitness levels to sustain that kind of intensity outside of the adrenaline zone of Croke Park. (expect a comparatively flat performance this weekend, they must be knackered.)
The team that beats NZ,if anyone can do it, will do it playing a negative, forward orientated defensive game disrupting the NZ half-backs, and stopping the backs from getting the ball, meanwhile slotting points of their own whenever they are on offer.
I think that only 2 teams have that capacity, SA but they have some kicking frailties. Or England if they pick that sort of a side. England's problem is that that sort of a side will get beaten by everyone else.
I think that WC might as well get an early discount for engraving.
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Good blog Nick, couldn't agree with you more on the outcome of the six nations, the chances of England or Scotland stopping the French are slim.
However with regard to the world cup there seems to be a foregone conclusion that the All Blacks already have the Webb Ellis Cup perched on the NZRFU mantle piece. History tells are very different story and has a nasty habit of repeating itself. As far back as I can remember they have been the tournament favourite with the exception of 2003 were they were joint favourites with England. Let us not forget the World Cup final of 1995, the semi final of both 1999 and 2003. They may have two teams from positions 6 to 15 albeit take away there first choice props and second rows of Woodcock, Hayman, Williams and Jacks and they have no lineout or scrum. Their second choice props and second rows are not even in the same league as these guys, and as everybody knows, at test level if you can't win first phase ball the chance of winning the game are non existent.
The Irish team have hit their stride on time for the world cup, and they have a reputation of causing upsets, losing by a point to Australia in 2003 is case in point. The team they have today is far better than that of 2003. Saying that I do believe that the French are the ones to watch, they have a habit of turning their game on when it matters and they thrive when playing on home soil or going into matches as underdogs. 20 points down in the semis of the 1999 WC, and to swear in a rugby blog remember the football world cup of 1998. They have the brute force to match the ABs up front and the skills to compete with them in the backs.
All that said I can't wait for the world cup even as an Englishman, good luck to the Irish, lets keep the Cup at this end of the globe.
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HOWD...you are English and you say Paterson has an annoying kicking style ? What is with the golden child and his arms extended as if in prayer before every kick ? :)
I'm saying that tongue in cheek, as I think Wilkinson is a fantastic player and a credit to English rugby. He NEVER complains or whinges, nor does he glory in the misfortune of other teams.
As a Scot, I would say that Scotland has very little chance against France in Paris, but don't forget how comprehensively we beat France last year (as someone has already pointed out).
If you feel that you want to be negative about a country, any country and their Rugby team, then at least make some constructive points, don't just say they are "always dull" (winning isn't a beauty contest) and that their kicker has an "annoying kicking-style", such comments add nothing to the discussion.
As to England, sure they'd look a lot better with nippy back rows and creative centers, but has anyone considered that they picked the players they chose against Ireland from a defensive viewpoint ? They has to consider first stopping Ireland, as opposed to taking the game to them. Tindall ain't creative, but he can tackle !
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Number 11, if Scotland are the worst team ever to play the game, where do you rank Wales as they were thrashed at Murrayfield, surely by your reasoning, Scotland are only the second worse team to play the game and Wales should be granted that honour.
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Number 11, if Scotland are the worst team ever to play the game, where do you rank Wales as they were thrashed at Murrayfield, surely by your reasoning, Scotland are only the second worse team to play the game and Wales should be granted that honour.
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Interesting idea but far to modern for the "old Farts" at the RFU.
Saturdays game was very interesting in as much as England played like this was only their 3rd game together.They also played like they only had a few days/training sessions together. Ireland however played like a team that has spent weeks training on the Algarve. They also played like they have been together for years(4 I believe).
Until the RFU take their heads out of their ar**s England will always look like amateurs in a professional game. Englands world cup winning team were together for about 4 years during that period they went through a learning period they won games and also lost some important ones also. Ireland are at that stage now it will be interesting to see if they can do it in the WC.
Although England had their butts spanked I believe this is all part of the painful learning process. Their next game against France at home will be a real test of their resolve and mental strength.
Central contracts for elite players, 10 teams in the GP, a restriction on the amount of foreign players and no GP fixtures during the 6N. All the club fans who keep wingeing need to wake up and smell the coffee.The national team isnt there for the clubs the clubs are there for the national team.The France game will be a defining moment in the development of this new England team.
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I find it interesting that a French team that played at home and got hammered against NZ are considered to have a much better chance than Ireland who narrowly lost to France, whilst playing far below their high standards
I really don't think there will be any surprises as NZ are simply irresistable but i do believe Ireland have the potential to cause them a few problems
Personally don't agree with jim that England are one of the only sides that could cause NZ any problems unless they seriously get their act together soon.
If NZ play at their best then no-one will live with them i guarantee you but if they do slip up then i think France, Ireland, SA n the Aussies all have a chance of beating them if they play well enough...perhaps france have the greatest opportunity to impose themselves, put the pressure on NZ and possibly make them slip up as the crowd at the WC are likely to be very lively...still even at that if Ireland were to top their group then a France - Ireland final isn't beyond the realms of possibility is it?!
I however don't think NZ will be beaten, chances are they will storm the WC and would imagine the winner of the Ireland-France group will be runners up
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I said before the ireland france game that whoever won would do the grand slam this year, i still haven't been proven wrong.
I also said wales looked like picking up the wooden spoon because italy might just get an upset in the rest of the championship.
i haven't been proven wrong their either.
ireland don't have a chance of winning the world cup outside the dreams of the irish.
france will if some one else can remove the all blacks for them like australia did for england in the last one.
Otherwise the cups off back to new zealand.
that's my prediction.
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Grand Slam for France looks highy likely, they are also the only team who look a threat to NZ in the WC. All the home teams are there only to make up the numbers, none have any cahnce of going all the way, Ireland have the best chance of making some impression but are no cert to make the quarter finals, you couldn't make up a team from the other three who would make the semi final.
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As good as the Irish team is at the moment, I don't agree that they have as strong a bench as other teams. If BOD gets injured, Ireland looked much more shapeless, and if BOD and POC are out, as happened two autumns ago, Ireland would look terrible, to be honest. The bench is no match for a class centre, and I personally would still take a NZ centre pairing over the Irish ones, as they're faster, fitter, stronger and have better ball skills (sorry if you're irish but you've never beaten them, for this reason). The French bench is also comprehensively better, as the SAs, and by then the aussies will have a full-strength team back, and it probably won't be played in a downpour, which (no offence) is Ireland's favourite type of weather-they're very good at the percentage game, which is how they beat england. The forwards are not as good as people make out-they were beaten up front by france with a first choice pack, so NZ would have a field day. They're outsiders for the semis, I'd say, because they have to beat France in France in the pool stages to avoid NZ in the 1/4s, which they haven''t achieved for quite a while, and won't have 80,000 fervent irish supporters cheering them on. NZ (barring a miracle, or a meeting with SA) will be in the final, so ireland HAVE to beat france to make it any further than the 1/4s. They're a team with a shout, but its more a whisper than something that you can hear. NZ v France in the final, Ireland out in the 1/4s to NZ. Wales haven't got a hope I'm afraid (felt more keenly because I'm welsh), and england will make the 1/4s but no further.
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This one is for you Nick.
Take your head out of your ass.
Now have a look around to see whats really going on in the world of Rugby.
Then get another job, because you have no idea what your taking about.
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Dave #24 you misunderstand me,
I do not believe that England will beat NZ, I just said that they are one of the only countries with the talent at their disposal to play the sort of game that could.
All of NZ's losses and close calls in last 2 seasons have come from slowed ball and Number 9 having opposition pack in his face all day.
If England were to adopt that style they might scrape a result against NZ, they would just get beaten by any of the other top 8 sides.
This is NZ's WC, end of, I'm afraid.
For all the Irish comments out there though. "reputation for causing upsets" and "only just lost to France" are not usually comments reserved for teams with World Championship credentials.
Let's not forget that in Autumn 2003. England "only just lost to France". Unfortunately that was England's second string against the French first team in Marseille. England destroyed them when the roles were reversed a week later.
If Ireland want to change my opinion, they must repeat Saturday's perfomance every game to WC, home and away, and keep their first team in tact. I just don't believe that they can do it.
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James is full of poo and I really like the smell of Tim's Pizza
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whoever says patterson won't get into any other team obviously fails to notice that statistically he is currently the best kicker in the norhtern hemisphere.
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to goergegraham
Wales are in a period of transition at the moment but on their day are able to compete with any team in the world except NZ. As you saw on saturday with France. The fact that scotland beat wales shows what a shocking display they put in and that everyone can have a bad day(why NZ have won wc recently). Wales have a lot more talent as woodward picked loads of welsh players in the last lions tour. How many scottish??????
Do you not agree that in gerneral most of the scottish players wouldnt get in any other 6 nations team
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to goergegraham
Wales are in a period of transition at the moment but on their day are able to compete with any team in the world except NZ. As you saw on saturday with France. The fact that scotland beat wales shows what a shocking display they put in and that everyone can have a bad day(why NZ have won wc recently). Wales have a lot more talent as woodward picked loads of welsh players in the last lions tour. How many scottish??????
Do you not agree that in gerneral most of the scottish players wouldnt get in any other 6 nations team
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Ireland are up there for one reason Paul O Connell, why, this is why.
Paul O Connell can assemble the entire contents of an IKEA store
without instructions or an alan key.
When Paul O Connell was a child, he made his mother finish his
vegetables.
Every mathematical inequality officially ends with " Paul O Connell once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the
next half-hour torturing himself until he gave up the location of the
keys.When Paul stares into the sun, the sun flinches.
If it tastes like chicken, looks like chicken, and feels like chicken,
but Paul O Connell says its beef. Then it's beef.
James Bond has a license to kill. Paul O Connell don't need any
licenses. Paul O Connell' calender goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd, no
one fools Paul O Connell.
1.6 billion Chinese are angry with Paul O Connell. Sounds like a fair
fight. Paul O Connell played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won. Paul O Connell once won a game of Connect 4 in 3 moves.
You can lead a horse to water. Paul O Connell can make him drink.
Paul O Connell once ate an entire bottle of sleeping pills. They made
him blink. When you open a can of whoop-ass, Paul O Connell jumps out.
Simon Says should be renamed to Paul O Connell Says because if Paul O
Connell says something then you better do it.
Killing Paul O Connell doesn't make him dead. It just makes him angry.
Paul O Connell does the Sunday New York Times Crossword Puzzle in ink.
When Google can't find something, it asks Paul O Connell for help.
There is the right way, the wrong way, and the Paul O Connell way. It's
basically the right way but faster and more deaths.
When Paul O Connell watches a pot, it boils immediately.
Paul O Connell once killed a group of Samurai Warriors with only a ball
point pen. This lead to the phrase "The pen is mightier than the sword." Paul O Connell has been to Mars. Thats why theres no life on Mars. When the boogie man goes to sleep, he checks his closet for Paul O
Connell. Even people with amnesia remember Paul O' Connell
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I would like to complain in the strongest fashion about georgegraham's comment (above)re Ireland's chances in the RWC. George outrageously stated as follows: "Ireland do not have a chnace of winning the world cup outside of the dreams of the Irish" I even clicked on the "complain option" but there wasn't an appropriate choice provided such as "George is right, damn his eyes!".
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TomCayman, felt I should respond as you wrote twice to me.
You made a good point about kicking style, JW certainly looks like he's squatting on the crapper whilst pumping and chopping, but there is something annoying about Patterson's kicking technique to me - it just doesn't look quite right and I guess the main annoyance is that it just seems to go over each time.
Apologies too for saying that Scotland are always dull, it's just an opinion and probably stems from the fact that it always seems to be raining in Murrayfield and you always kill the ball. I'd write more if I could be bothered, but I can't.
One key point I need to mention and highlight to you regarding your last paragraph, a huge aspect to rugby is ball retention, this reduces the necessity to defend. You'll notice that I talked about the poor English back-row and the lack of an out-and-out No. 7 who will get to the breakdown early and win OUR BALL on the floor.
It's all well and good picking a defensive side but if you can't retain possession how are you going to win a game. You talk about "[England] have to consider first stopping Ireland...." the first and/or best way to do this is starve them of possession by retaining your own!!!!
Unlike Farrell's isolated run, whereby he was met by the full Irish back-row before a single English player got there - Big ol' Hayesy probably beat the English back-row there! If JW had called it correctly, the English 7 should be there first for an inside centre crash ball - no excuses! No chance of that on Saturday. You must praise the great Irish back-row though.
Also, I don't think England picked a defensive side - they picked their ONLY side, we have no depth (or cohesion) unlike the Kiwi's, the Saffers, the French and the Irish and hence why those four will do well in Sept/Oct
Oh just wanted to add, well done captain carrot - you should rename yourself Mystic Meg and definitely receive a medal
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TomCayman, felt I should respond as you wrote twice to me.
You made a good point about kicking style, JW certainly looks like he's squatting on the crapper whilst pumping and chopping, but there is something annoying about Patterson's kicking technique to me - it just doesn't look quite right and I guess the main annoyance is that it just seems to go over each time.
Apologies too for saying that Scotland are always dull, it's just an opinion and probably stems from the fact that it always seems to be raining in Murrayfield and you always kill the ball. I'd write more if I could be bothered, but I can't.
One key point I need to mention and highlight to you regarding your last paragraph, a huge aspect to rugby is ball retention, this reduces the necessity to defend. You'll notice that I talked about the poor English back-row and the lack of an out-and-out No. 7 who will get to the breakdown early and win OUR BALL on the floor.
It's all well and good picking a defensive side but if you can't retain possession how are you going to win a game. You talk about "[England] have to consider first stopping Ireland...." the first and/or best way to do this is starve them of possession by retaining your own!!!!
Unlike Farrell's isolated run, whereby he was met by the full Irish back-row before a single English player got there - Big ol' Hayesy probably beat the English back-row there! If JW had called it correctly, the English 7 should be there first for an inside centre crash ball - no excuses! No chance of that on Saturday. You must praise the great Irish back-row though.
Also, I don't think England picked a defensive side - they picked their ONLY side, we have no depth (or cohesion) unlike the Kiwi's, the Saffers, the French and the Irish and hence why those four will do well in Sept/Oct
Oh just wanted to add, well done captain carrot - you should rename yourself Mystic Meg and definitely receive a medal
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France will win the World Cup. They have stronger forwards in the set piece than the All Blacks and their backs are of the usual high standard. Their defence, discipline and physicality combined with French flair will see them through. Not to mention home advantage and the fact that the Kiwis will not handle the pressure. The autumn internationals mean nothing.
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TomCayman, felt I should respond as you wrote twice to me.
You made a good point about kicking style, JW certainly looks like he's squatting on the crapper whilst pumping and chopping, but there is something annoying about Patterson's kicking technique to me - it just doesn't look quite right and I guess the main annoyance is that it just seems to go over each time.
Apologies too for saying that Scotland are always dull, it's just an opinion and probably stems from the fact that it always seems to be raining in Murrayfield and you always kill the ball. I'd write more if I could be bothered, but I can't.
One key point I need to mention and highlight to you regarding your last paragraph, a huge aspect to rugby is ball retention, this reduces the necessity to defend. You'll notice that I talked about the poor English back-row and the lack of an out-and-out No. 7 who will get to the breakdown early and win OUR BALL on the floor.
It's all well and good picking a defensive side but if you can't retain possession how are you going to win a game. You talk about "[England] have to consider first stopping Ireland...." the first and/or best way to do this is starve them of possession by retaining your own!!!!
Unlike Farrell's isolated run, whereby he was met by the full Irish back-row before a single English player got there - Big ol' Hayesy probably beat the English back-row there! If JW had called it correctly, the English 7 should be there first for an inside centre crash ball - no excuses! No chance of that on Saturday. You must praise the great Irish back-row though.
Also, I don't think England picked a defensive side - they picked their ONLY side, we have no depth (or cohesion) unlike the Kiwi's, the Saffers, the French and the Irish and hence why those four will do well in Sept/Oct
Oh just wanted to add, well done captain carrot - you should rename yourself Mystic Meg and definitely receive a medal
(probably just sent this three times - sommit wrong with the server)
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World Cup chances are for the 6N countries, in my opinion, as follows...
England - out in the quarters to Oz, or if the win that then NZ in the semis.
Ireland - chances not as good as made out. I don't think they'll win their group (France *and* Argentina in it) and will then go out in quarters to NZ
Wales - out to SA in the quarters
Scotland - if we make it past our group/Italy :S then we'll get beaten by France in the quarters. To go further would require lots of luck and upsets elsewhere.
France - as good as ever, into the semis for a show down with South Africa
Italy - need to beat us (Scotland), if they do they'll go out in the quarters to France
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As a Welshman married to an Irish girl and living in Scotland you may think I am just a little bit influenced in my opinions, but I'll try and be objective as possible.
First, I'm glad that England played Jonnie Wilkinson on Saturday and got thumped the way they did. They tried to play the same way as they did in the last WC, just like the tactics used by the last Lions under Sir Clive, and still haven't realised the world of rugby has moved on from 2003. Scotland try to play the same game, and the Scotland - England game was the result - an extremely dire and boring spectacle. Pick any 5 minutes of the Wales - Ireland game and you got more real spectacle and rugby than the entire England - Scotland game, and the same could be said for Wales - Scotland. Scotland therefore run a very poor second to England in my opinion.
So far as Wales are concerned, my home nation, they have the talent, to play outstanding rugby, just totally lack the consistancy needed and it will be a long time before they are serious contenders for any WC homours.
The only serious contenders from the northern hemisphere are therefore Ireland and France, and they both have the spirit to get to the last few places in the WC with only France having a serious chance against the big three from down south. Ireland without O'Driscoll against France never looked serious in the middle of the field, and it would seem that there is no real depth in the nations reserves, so my money would have to be on France, but not for the WC, they simply don't have the beating of the southerners.
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The defining moment for the WC will be the 6N NGLAND vs FRANCE matchup in Twickenham. For france, beating the English at Twickenham will put the group on a different orbit, such is the belief they'll draw from it. In many ways Twickenham has contributed to the French rugby identity. Leaders in the group attest to how important Twickenham is and winning there (be it England or NZ) is not an end in itself but a start. For the French beating NZ/Aus/SA is a massive sporting achievement. But a victory at Twickenham means so much more. If France win in 2 weeks they'll be in the WC final.
If England win they'll reach the semis. If they lose it will be the definite end of a cycle that never really started.
That matchup at Twickenham is the 2nd most important match of the year. NZ vs France is the 1st.
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To no 37 Hugh Mundell.
Sorry you are wrong. I watch 3-4 games every weekend on TV and go to matches here in France, there is nothing like the NZ ferocious aggressive defense as well as awesome attacking skills with 3+ players on the left and right everytime there is a break, nothing like that in France-pedestrian to say the least. The average age of NZ is 23 years, France more like 27+, NZ have years to improve.
I would actually like ANYONE but NZ to win the World Cup, but I regret I cannot see that happening-bar a spearing of all their players in the dressing room.
Bon Courage to all the other countries.
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wow...what a truly memorable day for Irish sport...as a kiwi having lived in the Uk for 8 yrs and having cheered their win 3 yrs ago, I can honestly say that (some refs decisions aside) Ireland played with such passion, guts, and speed that only the AB's could match....here's a thought: what if Ireland and the AB's met in the final...30-30 pts share, and then both Richie and Brian walked up to the dias EACH holding a handle of Rugby's trophy...what an amazing day of sport that would be.....as at this point..they look like they both deserve it (espcially after BOD's injury in the Lions tour)...hows that for sportsmanship soccer....;-))
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I said i thought you were wrong in thinking England have the type of game which could cause NZ problems and you've just repeated that again so i'm not sure i did misunderstand you at all!
With BA as coach England have a very different game to the type of game you claim would be best suited to beating NZ...BA is very keen on installing a fluency in his backs playing the ball (which they look good at when given the chance) and the forwards certainly didn't slow any Ireland ball down on Saturday, where as Ireland play with very much a forwards based defensive platform trying to disrupt the oppositions backs as much as possible (how many times did you see Ellis or JW get quick ball on Saturday?), but obviously if you have backs like D'Arcy and O'Driscoll you are going to use them when you have the ball!
So by the argument you've created surely Ireland along with France (and possibly Argentina by tht logic) would be the two teams that would cause NZ problems! That part of what you said makes no sense and suggests that you don't actually watch the game. England these days don't have the same quality in the pack to play that forward defensive game quick to slow opposition ball and they don't have guys with the brains in knowing what to get away with and how to get away with it (as Grewcock shows every game!) where as Ireland are very clever at the breakdown...
You also completely contradict yourself by saying comments like Ireland 'just losing to France' are not that of a WC winning side as you then go on to say England 'only just lost to France' prior to 03! I am fully aware tht was Eng's 2nd string but that doesn't change the fact England still lose to France...Ireland were missing the man that makes them tick and played well below their usual standards (almost like a 2nd string). Had they had BOD and individually put in the type of performances they displayed on Saturday i have no doubt it would have been a significantly different result...If Ireland have BOD injured in the WC as well then their chances will be very slim just as England's would have been significantly reduced without JW in 03
That being said i completely agree with your point that unless Ireland perform like they did on Saturday every game then people will always doubt their credentials and rightly so. That doesn't take away the fact however that Ireland have shown they have the ability to cause any team problems on their day
As far as Jim J goes that inspired comment made fantastic reading and i would like to thank you for lighting up my day! POC is a legend!
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The ABs won't bottle and never have...
If you look at the stats for the WC
NZ won the first by a mile - noboday was close, 1991 was Australia's turn - they were magic and Campese was a joy to watch. 1995 the ABs absolutely thrashed England in what must be one of the greatest games of all time, Zinzan's drop goal perfect 45 - 29 score but again the final belonged to Sth Africa. 1999 we lost in the semis to France 43 - 31 still a high scoring game but it was not our year. If anyone bottled that year it was France in the final and England were demolished by Sth Africa in the quarters.
2003 - Australia beat NZ in the semis but again they were the better side on the day and if it wasn't for jonny's foot it would be Australia who won the WC again.
This time it's ours - I can see it, the ABs can see it and so can everyone.
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Interesting and laughable some of the comments that have appeared on this site today.I have just had a look at the IRB site which lists the so called current Male Senior playing numbers and way out ahead is England with 147,944 followed by France with 80,938.With NZ only having 27,745 and us lowly Scots only having 8,951 surely we should just give the Cup to England and France to fight over.
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Yes, NZ has only won the cup once. In 1991 the team was old and just weren't up to it. 1995 they were beaten by a more committed team on the day (excluding the food poisoning and the fact it went to extra time). 1999 and 2003 showed how having 15 good players rather than a team with good backup players is a recipe for disaster. Both these teams also suffered from arrogance that they thought the cup was their god give right.
So if as some of you say NZ are chokers then where is the justification that France is going to win it. How disappointing have they been in every World Cup? Playing one great game (semis 1987 and 1999) per tournament is not going to have you holding up the trophy.
Saying all that, yes i think NZ will do it but once it gets to the quarters it's one off games and the losing team doesn't necessarily make them chokers...it may be that the winning team was too good!
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To say Ireland are no match for France is crazy. Remember that the player the french are terrified of wasnt playing (when they beat us by 3 points with 30 seconds remaining), and he loves to play against them, also the nerves got to them that day. France werent very great in the Autum either!
I think in the world cup when the roles are turned and the pressure will be on French they will be beaten by a better team, allez les verdes!
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Two points: losing closely to France was not an 'implosion', Nick.
No.27 -the idea that ireland relish/need wet weather to win has had its day. Had it been dry at Croke Park on saturday evening I think the victory margin could have been another 10-15 points
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Dude, are you French? I am. And I can tell you beating the All Blacks for us is the best achievment of all. The All Blacks are the only team considered as legendary. The Sprinboks and Welsh in the 70s are also remembered. Twickenham is all about "le Crunch". Good old rivary, nothing more, nothing less. I reckon we may have the team to beat the Blacks... on a good day, and a day at home for such a special event should be a good day, hopefully. However, even the hardcore French fan will not be able to tell, and that's why it is so exciting. I just hope all the teams will turn up at their best. It has to be said New Zealand clearly puts all the chances on their side. Unfortunately, England and France are clubs oriented rather than country which makes things a bit more complicated. It is up to us to change the calendar. Less games, better quality would be good. I would love to see less Top 14 games or re-organise the Heineken Cup and integrate Argentina into a new 7 Nations. Fresh blood, pace, power and even a certain flair, those Argentinians sure know how to play rugby nowadays.
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Please, just remember that the french side you see in this 6N tournament play without Michalak, Pelous, Traille, Castaignede, Fritz,Elissalde.
French team at WC will be a different team, very unpredictable, when everbybody will now by heart how Ireland is playing.
Only AB and France have a real bench. Ireland without BOD, POC or ROG is not the same.
PS: last autumn test were joke as the TOP 14 was very difficult and so the Heineken cup. And june test in NZ will be joke too, as France will send a U21 team in order to go to NZ in 2011 to win the WC at the Eden Park.
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Whilst I agree with your comments regarding the World Cup I cannot agree with regard to the Grand Slam - plus as far as I know France won the championship last year on Points Difference there was no Grandslam unless - I was watching a different 6 Nations to the rest of the world. England if they work hard can present a formidable challenge to the French and if they work at the lineouts and scrums they can find the attacking form that helped them win against Scotland albeit France will be a very different game and playing like we played against Scotland will not get us a victory but it will help - if we can control and dominate and both the line outs and the scrums then there are possibilities of several tries coming our way - especially if we can offload to the wingers and get the numbers out there - every time England looked like they were going somewhere with the ball Ireland were there in force to defend and when Ireland were going for a try generally they had 4- 8 players all lined up ready to take the ball as rugby should be played - Jonny did well but perhaps he should consider the longer penalties as try opportunities rather than points on the board - greatest respect to the man 50m is a long way to judge the right kick and whilst he has done it before and can do it again sometimes it is better to go for touch and take the line out (although admittedly against Ireland it would never have worked) BA should perhaps better communicate to his side - I am unsure as to the rules regarding TIME OUT but if a coach is able to call time out as I believe they do in American Football then perhaps he should use that to communicate to his team when things are going wrong. I dont know I am more concerned with the rules of the game rather than the technicalities of coach involvement but its something to consider if its at all possible. Bottom Line is England need to improve in all areas of the game cos France will do as Ireland did if they dont. So Come on lads show the world why you are World Champions!!! (Just on the offchance that any of the players actually care what the media say about them and check this website)
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ah ireland for the world cup celtic romanticism national fever "shoulder to shoulder " For the last thirty years i have followed irish rugby from the madcap win a game ,rampage around the ground like headlesss chickens ,start a fight and then hopefully we will have more points than them to the awful ninties apart from a few memorable wins against the english to the new millenium were we started by actually beating the french in france!and progressed to being recognised as a good side ,this year the cock croweth ,the autumn internationals were unbelievable the first half against the aussies the best ever ,the team itself from front to back .
1 front row - punching above its weight ,england should have destroyed them .
2 second row - best in world rugby at the moment .
3 back row - perfect balance of power ,skill and experience plus plenty on the bench (best ,gleeson etc)
4 half backs - good when going forward .
5 three quarters - name me a better line go on
6 full back - spoiled for choicee
it might not be enough but just to be mentioned in the the same breath as the likes of nz ,sa , france as genuine contenders does ones heart good ,england will always be there as will the welsh who will raise there game no doubt ,as for the scots always good in france ,has anyone mentioned argentina ?
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post 34
please tell me more about paul o connell.
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What concerned me last Saturday was the comprehensive nature of the Irish victory. England were badly beaten in almost every department. Especially worrying was the inability to win ball at the breakdown, which along with the disapointing performance at scrum and linout meant that England played the game under heavy pressure for most of the match. The only period of relief was 10 mins in the second half when a comeback of sorts was attempted, only to be nipped in the bud by a rare JW penalty miss combined with the excellent O'gara not missing another of his own penalty kicks. Those calling for the head of Farrell need to study the match video. There are more important things to put right up front, and without success in this area England cannot hope to compete, no matter how good their backs are. As for beating the top sides like France, SA, Ireland and NZ well once they can get the ball all things might be possible. I do think that with a fit O'driscoll Ireland could go all the way. They have so many great players now in the right positions, it might be their turn, but the All Blacks have been so awesome, who would bet against them?
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As a Scot from an irish family who lives in New Zealand, believe me when I say its between the All Blacks and the Pumas for the WC.
The ab's are awesome, but there is almost too much pressure on them at home, kiwis feel that if they dont return from France with the trophy NZ will descend into hell. They totally destroyed france twice in the autumn tests. However i was at the first nz-irish test and the boys in green should have had them, but i dont think ireland can sustain that kind of performance through the whole tournament.
The Argies have beaten france in their last 5 matches or so and very nearly beat a strong AB side in july, not to mention hammering the english. It would be a great in your face gesture to the IRB for the pumas to win the WC despite being excluded from 6 and tri nations tourneys.
wales, england, SA, wallabies not ready for this WC.
As for the Scots, we should send only a team of 3 to the world cup, Paterson, Sean Lamont and Dewey. the rest- get a job!
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Has anyone looked at the draw for the world cup.
First game, France V Argentina. Take argentina to win. Ireland have a relatively easy lead in facing namibia and then georgia. Ireland then face France and finally argentina. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Ireland will beat France making the ireland argentina game the fight for first and second.
With france out at group stage the team that harnesses the french support would be a formidable team and capable of beating anyone.
If ireland were to win group D then it could be a simple enough (on paper) run through to the semi final. From then on its anyones guess.
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No 32, yes Woodward did pick lots of Welsh players for the Lions, the Lions got anihilated, so your point is? To say Wales can compete with anyone outside NZ is fantasy, i'm afraid you are vastly over-rating your team and players, I'd think most teams would be happy to have Jason White, Ally Hogg, Simon Taylor Scott Murray, Mike Blair, Chris Patterson, Sean Lamont and Rob Dewey, with the exception of Wales who obviously form their position at tyhe bottom of the table, are superior in every position. You are in much the same position as we are at the moment, which is trying to build a team, and whatever way you wish to dress it up, you got thumped at Murrayfield by a team which you regard as useless,so i would i would suggest that the evidence of that game shows that while Scotland may be poor,they are not as poor as Wales.
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Sorry folks but can't believe what I'm reading. Granted, Argentina are a good side who have improved greatly over the past few years but they won't make it to the final of the WC. I doubt they will even get to the quarter finals.
SA, Australia, NZ, France & Ireland will be the strongest contenders. The South Hem teams always pick their game up for the WC & are extremely tough to beat. Anyone writing them off would be foolish.
Just because the Argies had a decent (not great) Autumn series, does not mean they will go on to challenge in the WC.
NZ will win the WC if they don't choke. I think they will be playing France in the final as the French will be in their own country with massive support. Laporte has also been smart over this 6 nations, rotating his squad in order to find the best group of players to take into the WC.
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hey, just like to say that wales are not being their usual self, we are not playing the running game like we used to, we are not running onto the ball and just catching it at a stand still. Come on, we will struggle against the kicking game against wales and if we get put on the back foot, we will lose against the italians....england will be tough but if we attack their lose centres we can create space and work the ball how we used to..lets hope wales will not go home with the wooden spoon..
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phy3crw - Alex was suggesting people shouldn't be so quick to write Scotland off for the French game, not the World Cup. Scotland outplayed France to win at Murrayfield last year, and were desperately unlucky not to win in Paris the year before...during Matt Williams' terrible reign. Scotland can therefore not be completely dismissed against France this year, regardless of the gulf in form and class.
As for the World Cup, Ireland are the only Celtic nation with a realistic shout of doing anything notable, and I hope they do. Scotland have shown they are too young and naive, and lack a cutting edge, whilst Wales were totally dominated by Scotland two weeks ago -no side that gets totally dominated by the current Scotland team can regard themselves as serious challengers for the World Cup.
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Lets keep some perspective on the "brilliance" of Wales in Paris in 2005:
With a bit of luck France could very easily have put many more points past them in the first half of that game; in the closing minutes of the game many referees would have awarded a penalty try to France as the Welsh front row cracked under sustained french pressure on their own line. History has been rewritten to some extent.
Of course Wales played well and France got rattled. Jones and M.Williams had great games...but all the same it was a win against the run of play.
And this year it could have been far , far worse for Wales had they not had some very sympathetic refereeing in the scrum- the French destroyed them at several set scrums, and Wales should have been penalised- would have been by many a ref. In the loose France outmuscled the welsh pack for 65 minutes of the game.
France rarely got out of third gear and crossed the gain line at will. Wales were frantic, scored threee very decent tries and did virtually nothing else all game. Credit for taking their chances but they don't win close to enough posession.
Ireland for the World Cup? Unlikely . i think Argentina could beat them in the same way France did this year. Win it up front- and the Irish front row are far from world class- and then kick them to death. And Ireland minus BOD look like half the side, whereas the French have immense depth in their squad. You need more than a handful of world class players to win a world cup. And of course if Ireland come up against a southern hemisphere ref then their forwards ability to slow opposition ball down illegally will be negated. I would bet on Ireland continuing their poor world cup form.
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Have to agree that i cant't believe the Puma's will make that much of a splash, they are likely, although not certain to lose to Ireland, that should be a good clash.I know NZ have under-performed in previous tournaments,but they are so far in front of any opposition it's almost frightening. If you took NZ out of the WC, what a tournament it would be with a plenty of teams who could beat each other on the day, but i'm afraid it's no contest,NZ first, the rest nowhere.
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Barring an injury crisis or that they forget to come at the right time NZ look unstoppable at the moment, and if they do win the world cup I do not believe it would be a bad thing(and no I'm not a kiwi),they play by far the most attractive rugby at the present time.I hope the northern hemisphere sides can learn from their style of play, and desist entering into the wars of attrition,northern hemisphere games all too easily seem to become.Less grunt and more guile has to be the way ahead if sides such as Wales wish to mount serious challenges to southern hemisphere sides in future world cups.
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look be honest does anyone really think that NZ will not win the world cup!!!
My team (England) have not a chance in hell of regaining it.
Ireland, SA and France are good sides but nothing compared to this present NZ team.
as 4 AUS, wales, scotland, italy etc will be a good party with plenty of all day drinking sessions watching the games but nothing else.
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Curious this idea that France 'implodes' - maybe in the past although imploding suggests a lack of confidence and its always seemed to me that they have to much of the stuff! I believe the French weakness lies in not concentrating throughout the game, thinking they've won it before they actually have and so letting the opposition back in for a charge at them. Laporte even suggested that a poor 6N might help France focus more for the world cup! Doesn't look like his wish will be fulfilled but on the bright side to much confidence is probably easier to manage than a fragility. His selection of Skrela looks like a further acknowledgement of this to me - wanting a calm controlling presence in the half-backs. The bonus is that if things do go wrong for France they have the personnel on the bench to change their style & course of the game. They might implode (for whatever reason) but the ABs will remember they can explode too.
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Don't forget that France and Ireland will face Argentina, and I'm sure that the Pumas will win at least one of both games
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"Why don鈥檛 we just cut out the middle-man and tell France they can keep their Grand Slam for another season?"
I'll tell you why - because they didn't win it last season, they lost in Scotland! The last team to win a Grand Slam was Wales, please don't take that away from us, it's all we've got now!!
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post 57 seanbean
So 18-25, one try by Argentina and two by England is a hammering is it?
This over-compensating due to an inferiority complex is getting really tedious.
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To no. 43
I don't agree that age is a problem for France, rather it an avantage. Players like Ibanez and Dominici are over 30 and they are playing the rugby of their lives. They also bring a wealth of experience that will be crucial in the key stages. England won in 2003 with a simarly aged squad, and I think this French side are very much alike in terms of their style of rugby. Their game is structured around a strong set piece (excellent scrummage, line out and driving maul), and a destructive defence and explosive counter-attacking. Once they re-instate Yachvilli they will have a reliable goal kicker. Skrella looks like a more than adequate fly half in Michalak's absence.
NZ remind me of Brazil in the football WC. They are the most flamboyant team, that everyone talks about, and the best to watch, but ultimately fail. It is often the forwards and a solid defence, rather than attacking skills that wins the WC. I think the All Blacks can be beaten up front. Their line out is not great and when a side physically matches up to them, they are far from invincible. If they meet in the final, France will win.
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I am not a rosy eyed englishman but i think that at twickenham we have a very good chance of beating france. i have never seen ireland play as well as they did on saturday and england were bowled over by them but even so if it hadnt been for grewcock's stupidity and that final intercept try the game may have been more competitive. not that i am taking away from a great irish performace.
not convinced it needs that much to get england to being a very good team again. to write them off against the french seems foolish and even the world cup seems to be a mistake. if they could kick the ridiculous habit of having so many injuries in a few one off games anything can happen
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Post 55: japanman
Check out www.uafc.co.uk and follow links.
Also Irish Rugby.i.e and follow provincial.
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Interesting argument about the world cup but New zealand will not choke so no point really discussing the other contenders and it doesnt really matter but if there was a team it would be Ireland to upset the Kiwi's army of fans. Yes Ireland do bottle in the big games but in both games last summer they should have beaten the all blacks and if it wasnt for madness in the final 10-15mins of both games they would have down so and now are by far a better team but for me that still wont be enough.
Also on the state of welsh rugby am i the only one who is not panicking?!yes we have 3 loses but the scotland game was a one off and in both games with ireland and france we could have won so dont worry as our backs will be too much for the italians in rome and the england team will burn under the heat of the welsh dragon in cardiff as they did in ireland so a better end than to last year in this years six nations for a biased welsh fan maybe but an New Zealand world cup win is what it will be.
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God. All these clairvoyants who, with the intensity of dusty academics, declare that this WILL happen, and that WON'T happen.
For instance, is there a single individual on the planet - anywhere - who put money on the prediction that Australia would lose FIVE ODI'S ON THE TROT?
No further questions yer honour...but while we're at it, I've received the following official news:
NZ have a history of choking.
Ireland may well have peaked too soon.
French rugby players are, after all, French..
So it's blindingly obvious.
England to win back to back World Titles. Against SA in the final.
And who out there would bet 50k against that?
NOBODY.
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That's like saying who would bet 1 MEEELLIIIIIOOON dollars against Romania and Japan being in the World Cup Final in 2031!
Mind you if I had 50k to burn I'd take your bet
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Re: 75
I can see the ABs with the cup this year....now close your eyes...yes you can see it too can't you..you know you can..:) We all can.
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Forget all these "what ifs" and "should have". Sport is not about opinion, it's about facts, however painful. The Irish were beaten by the French in Croke Park (mostly because the divine Paul O'Connell was outclassed by the French forwards). Period. That makes the French a better team. Period. That said, it's almost impossible to deduct coming results from past games, unless the gap between the teams is so wide. The Irish might upset the French in the RWC, (although I seriously doubt it) but we all know the Scots won't beat the AB.
To Jim J post 34.
Loved your piece. Honest. Let's have more!
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re post 70 - guy
why would i feel inferior to you?! You are one of these paranoid english that wont stop moaning like the unpopular kid at school!
Lets be honest - England suck! They managed to beat Scotland due to the fact that Scotland is the worst 1st tier rugby nation in the world right now(and also with a non-try in there).They were a one man band in that game, made to look useless by the irish, and are going to get onqulue by the french!
And lets not forget, who started England's so dismal losing streak last year?
yes scotland are hardly the best, but inferior, i dont think so. Away 'n biel yer heid ya radge!
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To all those who think England have a chance at the WC......
They will struggle to get thru the Group stage - on current form Samoa will beat them! And for all their huffing and puffing, Ireland could well be out after 4 games as well - they won't beat France and will struggle against Argentina for sure! So we could be left with just Wales and Scotland to go thru to the quarters - what a joke! Frankly, judging by the current level of rugby displayed in the 6N, only France, and perhaps Ireland, would stand any chance against any of the Super 14 teams.
The game has moved on chaps - no time to catch up before September! You can be sure NZ will put up an extremely strong defence in 2011!
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Why move Strettle to centre? He's a wing and a good one. What England would seem to need at this stage is a settled side rather than continuous experimenting. If it doesn't work then maybe what we have to face up to is that England are not as good as the other top nations.
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ESPECIALLY FOR FOR POSTS 55 & 78
I CAN GIV YA LOADSA REASONS Y MUNSTER WILL RETAIN THE H'CUP THIS YEAR:
Someone tried to tackle David Wallace once but then found out you
can't tackle David Wallace.
The popular videogame "Doom" is based loosely around the time Satan
borrowed two bucks from Denis Leamy and forgot to pay him back
You are what you eat. That is why Paul O'Connells diet consists
entirely of bricks, steel, and the tears of small children
The eternal conundrum "what happens when an unstoppable force meets an
immovable object" was finally solved when David Wallace punched
himself in the face
Denis Leamy sold his soul to the devil for his ability to never feel
pain and unparalleled strength. Shortly after the transaction was
finalised, Leamy bounced the devil before dumping him on his ass and
taking his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay
mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker
every second Wednesday of the month.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself... The only thing fear
has to fear is Paul O' Connell
Similar to a Russian Nesting Doll, if you were to break David wallace
open you would find another David Wallace inside, only smaller and
angrier.
An Englishman once tried to throw a ball over Denis Leamy's
head......This has gone down as the biggest mistake in rugby history
When the Incredible Hulk gets angry he transforms into Paul O'Connell
Superman owns a pair of David Wallace pyjamas.
Denis Leamy once had a near death experience鈥eedless to say death now
refuses to come near him.
On Moh's hardness scale, diamond is a 10. Paul O'Connell is an 11.
David Wallace wears a cup not to protect himself, but to protect the
players on the other team.
We all know the magic word is please. As in the sentence, "Please
don't kill me." Too bad Denis Leamy doesn't believe in magic
The world record for most simultanaeous female orgasms was set when
Paul O' Connell took off his top in Paris
David Wallace is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are
trademarked names for his left and right shoulders
Denis Leamy is Bruce Wayne
Paul O'Connell appeared in the "Mortal Kombat II" video game, but was
removed by Beta Testers because every button caused him to run the
length of the screen and bust his opponent earning him a " Flawless
Victory". When asked about this "glitch," O'Connell replied, "That's
no glitch."
As a child David Wallace used to hunt alligators in the Shannon. I
know what you are thinking: "There are no alligators in the Shannon".
Yeah...Now!
Denis Leamy hates playing 'Rock Paper Scissors' because he doesn't
believe anything could beat rock. He always chooses rock, and when
someone throws paper, he says,"I win." If someone is foolish enough to
dispute this, he takes his clenched fist and punches them in the face,
then says, "I thought your paper would protect you."
Human females have two X chromosomes. Males have an X and a Y. Paul
O'Connell has three Ys and a P. He's more man than you'll ever be.
Denis Leamy Paul O' Connel and David Wallace once went to Wembley to
see England v Ireland in a soccer match. They stood in the middle of
the English crowd in their Irish jerseys. This has gone down in
history as the only time a whole stadium sang the away teams national
anthem and a minute silence was held for the home teams'.
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Ref: Post no 78
That Ireland were beaten by France in Croke Park is an indisputable fact. To conclude from that that France are the better team and will therefore probably win in the same fixture in the RWC is more questionable. Ireland were without Brian O'Driscoll and Peter Stringer against France. BOD in particular was a huge loss.
There are plenty of examples of teams losing at home against one opponent and then beating them away from home in the next fixture. You only have to look at Ireland losing 43-3 to England in 2003, then beating them in Twickinham the following year (a comforting thought for all you England fans about Ireland in Twickinham next year!).
Even with BOD and Stringer not present, there were only 3 points in it. Paul O'Connell did have a relatively quiet game but the Irish forwards as a unit performed pretty well, particuarly in the second half. Ireland essentially lost because they failed, stupidly, to deal with the restart when four points up with two minutes to go.
It was a bloody painful lesson and will probably lose us the championship. I hope and pray that it is a lesson well learnt. It can't be reversed but it can be learnt from.
A lot can happen before the RWC, players can be injured (although I'd accept we don't have the same strength in depth so we are more vulnerable in this regard), teams could get complacent.
I think France do have a slight edge on paper, if both teams are at full strength (France were without Pelous) but games aren't won on paper! If we play like we did against England against France in the RWC, we could well beat them. After all, we have good motivation, making amends for the Croke Park loss. The French match will probably define Ireland's RWC (it will also define France's!) although Argentina are also a major threat. But I for one haven't lost hope of a good run to at least the semi-finals!
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HOWD. Scotland are dull!! we might be off the boil at the moment but to call us dull is hillarious coming from an England fan. The English rugby team made a name for itself by playing just that, Dull 10 man rugby and with Rob Andrew involved can't really see it getting too much more exciting!!
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