Mar 18th, 2008 | RWC 2011, Test Rugby | 3 Comments
In the history of the Rugby World Cup (RWC), Russia has been mentioned only in whispers of the qualifying stages. With a recent, hard-fought win over Romania in the European Nations Cup (ENC or ‘Six Nations B’) and a world ranking of 16, Russia may finally have what it takes to squeeze past Romania and qualify for the first time for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Russia are now aligned to play Georgia in a show-down for European Nations Cup dominance. Georgia are likely heavy favorites, as they typically are at the RWC, but a strong showing by the Russians on the heels of 3 consecutive ENC wins could well make the 2011 RWC European qualifiers very interesting. Twelve of the 20 teams for the 2011 championship automatically qualified based on their performance at the 2007 RWC. Two and possibly 3 more European teams will qualify for the 2011 RWC.
Mar 10th, 2008 | Laws and Refereeing, Test Rugby | 4 Comments
While watching the Warratahs v Brumbies Super 14 match this weekend, the injured skipper Stirling Mortlock came on with water for the team while someone was being treated for an injury on the field.
I don’t know about you, but having a player with so much experience and so much access to the coaching staff smells a little funny to me.
One of the most important distinctions between rugby football and American football is the fact that to player decisions are made on the field. The players have to read conditions on the ground and react. In light of this, having Mortlock observe from afar and then come on with water just feels wrong.
Next thing you know, the coach will be the waterboy!
What do you think?
Mar 10th, 2008 | Test Rugby | 7 Comments
As I’ve noted in the past, bind-and-grind rugby is dying a slow death. But as England showed two weeks ago,success can still be had if your opponent does not respond in kind. So what happens when when two dinosaurs meet, i.e. England v Scotland?
You might assume that fighting to be the last of your kind would be motivational, but who wants to die alone at the bottom of the evolutionary ladder? I think England feels this deep down and simply could not bring it on game day to defeat Scotland.
The Scots on the other hand went into the match winless in the 2008 Six Nations Championship and were anxious to make something of this important home-game (as a win would buffer their chances of getting the wooden spoon).
So despite a match largely bereft of an creative rugby, two kickers waited for their chance to slot over penalties. Fans and pundits crooned, and the English media focused on petty player selections issues and papparazzi-style rumors about who would get axed for last match against Ireland at Twickenham on March 15. All this is meaningless tactics to sell newspapers of course. Until England gets a coach who is willing to evolve England’s style, simple personnel changes will do little to improve England’s record.
I say we make Welsh coach Warren Gatland train England for a month or so and see who the dinosaur truly is; is the players or the coach. Only then can then natural selection take its course.
Feb 25th, 2008 | Laws and Refereeing, Test Rugby | 14 Comments
For 65 minutes on Saturday, every English fan of rugby union watched with bated breath as two young, inexperienced French half-backs poked and prodded their countrymen to within 3 points of their opponents, the aging English juggernaut.
French scrum-half Morgan Parra and fly-half François Trinh-Duc, just 19 and 21 years of age with only 6 caps between them, showed courage and tenacity beyond their years. The young half-backs performed almost flawlessly with Parra testing the forwards at every opportunity around the break-downs/set pieces and Trinh-Duc slicing through the mid-field.
However, France could not convert these opportunities into enough points to take the lead. Although the midfield attack and defense in general were excellent, the wide French attack that has been so successful during this campaign for the likes of Cédric Heymans and Vincent Clerc sputtered frustratingly as the English slide defense grappled the players ‘ball-and-all’ into touch not less than four times. In addition to penalties, the typically reliable replacement fly-half David Skrela prevented a final French assault with a knock-on on the French 5 metre line with the scoreline in favor of England by just 6 points. → continue reading
Feb 25th, 2008 | Test Rugby | 2 Comments
In one of three exciting Six Nations matches this past weekend, Ireland with an impressive 5-try effort emerged victorious over Scotland. Ireland flashed memories of last year’s Six Nations further quelling any speculation that after their disappointing World Cup campaign that they were on a downturn. After narrowly defeating Italy in their opening match and staging a miraculous, near victory comeback against France in Paris, Ireland appear to have rediscovered their form from a year ago.
Ireland began the match on their heels as Scotland pounded the ball successfully downfield for the first 7 minutes of the match only to concede a penalty to Ireland after often hot-tempered Nathan Hines took a swing at Denis Leamy. While Ireland’s defense looked suspect at times often looking a little lax, their attacking lines were very effective and in some instances showed some glimpses of the renewed “French Flair” that we have seen from France’s Six Nations squad. Ireland played a very balanced match against Scotland continuing their surprising pack play and spinning it out wide to the backs, Ireland’s strength in recent years. Still, Ireland’s lineout struggled once again losing several lineouts and looking sloppy at times. Perhaps the return of feared lock Paul O’Connell will remedy Ireland’s lineout woes when they face off against undefeated Wales at Croke Park on March 8th. O’Connell received tremendous applause when he came onto the field for Mick O’Driscoll most certainly having an impact on Ireland and even further lifting their spirits and confidence with the return of their massive lock. → continue reading
