Rugby: Autumn Internationals

[Sidekick]

From an England perspective the autumn internationals will show if you have the depth to compete in the WC.

Seeing as Robinson can’t use the same players more than 3 times in the 4 games it’ll show if he’s got the 30 players talented enough to go for the ultimate prize next year.

The 6 nations will show whether they can actually play well enough as a team to pull it off.

Should be very interesting.

I’m just hoping that the AB’s do well against France on Saturday. We’ve got a nice experimental team with Smith & Macintyre playing centre and 2nd 5/8. Should be good to see what damage they can do together.

 

[OakwoodDM]

I hope you do well too. I may dislike your lot for being too good (albeit with a big, healthy chunk of respect and wish that we could play like that), but at least you're not the French...

 

[Sidekick]

HOLY CR@P.

What a weekend of games that was.

The Argies did in the English (Ronbinson has to go), the Irish upset the Saffa's and my boys the ABs absolutely destroyed France with a team that had 10 changes from teh previous week.

Wow, just wow.

 

[Zamtap]

...And the Welsh were good enough to beat the Pacific Islanders

Whats to look forward to?

Wales v Canada, 19:30 friday

England v S Africa, 14:30 Saturaday
France v New Zealand, 20:00 Saturaday
Italy v Argentina, 14:00 Saturaday
Scotland v Pacific Islanders, 14:30 Saturaday

Ireland v Austraila, 16:00 sunday

Times from the BBC website

 

[Dioltach]

I didn't see the England match, but I gather it was pretty horrific. And I definitely think that Argentina should be offered a place in a major competition: they deserve it.

I was impressed with Ireland's performance. If they can hang on to that winning mentality, they have enough talent and experience to beat anyone, I reckon. (My grandmother was Irish: can I please switch nationalities?)

But I think one of the big surprises this weekend was France. They've been considered serious contenders for the World Cup next year for some time now, and losing that heavily, even from the All Blacks, is shocking even by their mercurial standards.

 

[OakwoodDM]

I just don't understand. I mean, Robinson was there with Sir Clive when we prided ourselves on our discipline and won games with kicking. Now Argentina are having over twice as many kickable penalties as us, and we're losing games on kicking. Was he not around when defensive training was run? Did he just not pay attention? What is it?

On a lighter side, I was vaguely amused by the Sale guy complaining that Hodgson was brought off, and that he needs time to build confidence. He seems to be suggesting that England should put up with sub par performances and not make changes on the off chance that Charlie'll snap out of it...

Also, well done you Kiwis, showing France how real rugby's played. From the sounds of it, the only place this February they'll see that is vs Ireland (and possibly Wales).

All Southern Hemisphere last 4 next world cup anyone?

 

[Dioltach]

Based on Ireland's performance yesterday, and Australia's, I'd say that there's going to be at least one Northern hemisphere team in the semis. Totally professional display from the Irish, during the first half they showed what they could do, and in the second they just shut the Australians out completely. And there aren't that many teams that can do that. If they can sort out their scrum for the full 80, I'd expect to see them in the semi-finals or even the final next year.

The Wallabies evidently didn't want to be there after the first 10 minutes or so: totally lacklustre, very sloppy. They have enough individual talent, and they have another year to develop that typically Aussie ability to become almost invincible simply because they believe they are.

I didn't see the other matches, except highlights from the England and France games. I hope England can turn things around, but I doubt anything will happen until Andy Robinson leaves. If even Martin Johnson thinks he should go, then he's definitely outstayed his welcome. (Here's a thought: Johnno as head coach. He doesn't need any experience, he just needs to hint to the team what he'll do to them if they play like they have been for the last few years. That should provide some motivation!)

Strange that Bernard Laporte keeps recalling the "veteran" players, as the BBC website dubbed about half the French team. While the rest of the world is bringing through fresh faces (even England, after a long time), France seem to be going backward in terms of development and performance.

 

[Goblyns Hoard]

From what I've seen of the northern hemisphere so far the best chance we have of doing anything serious next year looks to be Ireland.

England are improving but so slowly I don't see us being a serious threat to any of the other big teams. Even Scotland look better than us at the moment. OK so we beat the boks but only thanks to some class tackling by Lewsey and some decent breaks of our own. But there was no organisation, no leadership and some of the worst attempts at clearing kicking I've seen in donkeys years. Goode was a definite improvement over Hodgson who is just too psychologically fragile to get my vote, but I'm not convinced that Goode can take on the likes of Carter or Giteau. I'd love to see Jonny back in the frame but there's just not enough time now for him.

The Boks themselves looked good and it was only bad luck (and De Villiers deciding to hog the ball) that stopped them from beating us. If they'd been able to field their first choice team I reckon it would have been very different.

Ireland-Australia I only caught the 2nd half and I must say that the Aussies aren't looking great at the moment, which is odd. Maybe they're just not gelling as a team yet - but if they do they should be very good. Ireland aren't quite matching the All Blacks at the moment but they seem to have a good bunch of players who can all play well together. Over the past four or five six nations they've consistently placed 2nd or 3rd which must be incredibly frustrating given that France, England and Wales have all bounced up and down and won Grand Slams during that time. I think 2007 could be there year, or at least should be if there's any justice in the world.

I haven't seen either of the France-New Zealand games, but given that France were considered the best team in the northern hemisphere and NZ spanked them in the first game I'm not sure what to think anymore. Other than at this rate the All Blacks could be playing the Maoris in the world cup final next year.

 

[Sidekick]

I didn't see England v the Saffa's but from what I hear it wasn't that promising. Now the danger here is that White has left some people behind (I think), if he has then well, this SA team isn't indicitive of their actual capability.

I've always felt sorry for SA coaches. They get to play in the Tri-nations against two oft he worlds most punishing teams (historically at least w Australia) and then thy have to come up to the home countries with a top class team and win or face the sack.

Thats a recipie for player burn out if ever I heard one (especially once you take super 14 into account).

Ireland - I've always liked Ireland they have class and play interesting attacking rugby. I'm pleased for them. I'm worried for Australia though. It's amasing what leaving Gregan behind can do.

France NZ: now I'm biased - I'll freely admit that, but we (the ABs) played boring, ordinary rugby. And we stil one by about 15 point against the team ranked 2nd in the world.

be afraid, be very afraid - there's a lot to improve on from that game (Nonu isn't a 12 and Conrad Smith should be in 13). but the Ref didn't help AT ALL.

He epitomised was what wrong with NH rugby. He blew his whistle every 5 seconds, never allowed the game to flow. Which stopped them playing interesting rugby.

Then there was his constant inability to see wonky line-out throws - 3 french line-outs went BEHIND the french line... Also forward passes went unhindered. You could see it in McCaw's face at the end of the game. He was ready to tell the ref exactly what he though of him, but only just managed to keep it under control.

Richie is used to refs pi55ing him off as his job is to work at the edges of the law as a loosie. But that ref was very, very, very poor.

As an aside - I think England winning that game has lost England any chance of retaining the World Cup. Robinson needs to go. He seems to be doing only jjst well enough to not get fired but nowhere near what they should be doing. He has to go if England want to be able to compete. plain & simple.

oh and Corry needs to go as captain. As does Grewcock - that guys a muppet and a Thug.

 

[Dark Seraph]

Kamate Kamate Ka Ora Ka Ora

Kamate Kamate Ka Ora Ka Ora

Tenei Te Tangata Puhuru Huru

Nana E Tiki Mai Whaka Whiti Te Ra

A Hupane A Hupane

A Hupane Kaupane Whiti Te Ra.


New Zealand ALL BLACKS shall destroy and dominate - AGAIN!

'nuff said!
DS.