Rugby - Six Nations, S14, Lions, Can't Wait

[Havak]

It would be good to see them challenging again. And I can hardly believe I am saying that.

Australia whupped the Baa-baas, proving little more than everyone wants to beat England but exhibition matches against the Wallabies are just a pay day? Maybe?

It gave the coomentators all sorts of headaches as Lions played Lions. From my POV the interplay for the B&I versions was a big plus. They look like a team.

Beyond that my main observation is why any country that has Jamie Roberts would ever select Henson in that position.

Gatland said Croft had a superb game wed - then criticised him for having played too loose (too far from ther pill) in his last few club outings. perhaps a bit unfair. He did what we knew he would - give them superb line out options and make a pain of himself around the breakdown. haskell wears the England 6 shirt later today - a chance to resurrect some form.

[finbar]

I'm not going to get to see England-Argies, unfortunately. Sky Italy didn't show the Baa-Baas this morning either.

I suppose the best that can be said about today's Lions outing is that at least it wasn't the A team. The Cheetahs are better than the (Bok) Lions of midweek, but not considerably so. That they were able to turn over so much ball must give McGeechan the heebies. The Boks would have destroyed them today. Yet again, only Lee Byrne showed any class. Shane has turned into a solo affair, Halfpenny was unsighted. Earls, while he held onto the ball, still looks like a boy in a man's world, and Fitzgerald got lost somewhere along the way. The probable explanation is that James Hook isn't a quality #10. Not an ounce of strategy in his handsome head. I'm also not sure how the Irish locks hope to compete against the Boks at lineout time after today's effort. Though I suppose a decent hooker who can find his target would help.

[LDiCesare]

Looking at the French championship final. Lots of dirty play from Perpignan's front row... I honestly can't understand why Rougerie is still selected for France. He plays center and defends badly. As a winger, all other wingers on the pitch tonight (Sid, Baby, Candelon, not counting Nalaga who's not French) are better... and his club lost again. They're probably cursed. It's the third final in a row they lose, and the 10th final of the club, all of them lost.
Anyway, the French selection will look like a real France team, contrary to last and previous years when only players who weren't in the semifinals/finals were selected.

[finbar]

Fark! I forgot to watch the French final. I had access to a live stream and forgot all about it.

I managed to catch the last 15 minutes of England-Argies via a live stream. Post the glories of the World Cup, the Argies are pretty much a one man team. And he's very very very good. These days, the Argies are sort of a better Italy, with Hernandez the Argies' version of Parise. I only saw Armitage's flukey try so I have no idea how England played for the bulk of the match. Though it was interesting to see Banahan very nearly caught out down the touch line late in the match in exactly the manner I highlighted the other day. Better teams than the Argies will expose him.

Can anyone tell me why, with about ten minutes to go, with a very comfortable lead, did Borthwick instruct Goode to kick for goal? He missed the kick anyway, but why not take the opportunity to work something? To practise, if you will. That, to me, sums up Borthwick as a skipper and English rugby in general at the moment.

Oh, and just as well the Netherlands doesn't have a rugby team.

[flipside]

Oh, and just as well the Netherlands doesn't have a rugby team.

Likewise Sri Lanka and W.Indies.

The Aussie plot to knock out England by loaning the ski-instructor Nannes has back-fired.

Still ,I am sure two weeks in Leicester between matches will be good for them.

Havak can drill them in the finer points of the "pick and maul" bat-pad appeal and how 2 pints of ale whilst watching a game is more of a drinks break than a disciplinary offence.

That, M.Johnson, and R.Ponting, will probably will probably be enough for the test-series against an England team that with the exception of Bopara, Pietersen and Anderson is average at best in terms of quality.

Bribe Warney with unlimited text-messages to play, and it would be a forgone conclusion.

[finbar]

Jeez, the Lions are making hard work of things. That was a Sharks A (possibly even B) team and the Lions outfit wasn't very far from what the Test team will probably be.

The Welsh lock alongside POC was poor so I don't know whose turn it is next to partner the skipper. Shane was again ordinary, shown up by the young Irish winger. Shane is obviously being picked on reputation alone in the hope that he finds some form. Phillips has probably played himself into the #9 jersey, O'Gara was always going to be the #10, and the centres pick themselves. What a different outfit it is with BOD in place. The real skipper of the team. I recall the idiot journo Stephen Jones arguing vehemently that Shanklin should be picked in front of BOD. Dolt. Mears will obviously start at hooker, but the props either side of him will be a raffle. Neither stood out last night against, du Plessis aside, a very young front row. Croft was quiet except in support and a couple of lineout steals, the #7 was okay, the #8 was strong. Though the Bok back row will be ten times the challenge that was faced last night.

So they're in need of one winger, two props, a lock and a settled back row.

[Havak]

I'm not a grace road regular but having only two pints whilst there would be a fineable offence I think.

However understrength they were (and any team in the world would miss McCaw and Carter) france's win was remarkable and worthy of praise. And at Dunedin to boot. Well done France.

To borrow a phrase from my learned Italo-antipodean friend there is no great strength in depth in NZ rugby right now. Are they starting to worry about their 'home banker' world cup I wonder? France always beat them at the RWCs after all.

Oh yes I'm enjoying it all right! Especially the BBC report that named Ali Williams third amongst the missing big names.

To be fair Finbar that Sharks C team should have shipped fifty points in the first half alone. A little more concentration from Phillips in particular and it could have been a three figure win. The hugeOsprey scrummy needs to learn to lift his head both ways and take the best option rather than stick rigidly to gameplan.

I really hope holding back the Bok players misfires on their eccentric coach. It devalues a Lions tour when countries do this.

Actually Stephen Jones is the Sky teams pick at 10. controlling his games better than ROG apparently.

The test team is picking itself largely. With Ferris gone and Jones bizarrely packed off toute suite Croft has the 6 shirt. Williams or Wallace at openside, And Heaslip in pole for 8 I think?

Roberts, BOD and Byrne are total no brainers – from Bowe, Monye and (if fit ) Halfpenny on the wing.

I think he will possibly go for crufter Shaw at lock – remember the side must include all four nations by tradition so Hines the Scoaussie might get it. I think Murray at prop is a fair bet. Jenkins the other one. Phillips a shoe in at the moment. As is Mears (!)

Bench could be rather English – suspect Flutey and Vickery/Sheridan and possibly Ellis (second to Phillips so far). Ford I think will be here too. Fitzgerald (versatile) and ROG possibles. But back row forward cover stumps me a bit.

Will be interesting for sure!

[finbar]

It was a very good French win. Disciplined, mighty defence. They might not have been able to turn over a full-strength ABs outfit at so many breakdowns but that's not the point. Credit to the ABs, though, for the fightback. I'm still - after all this time - to be convinced that Stephen Donald is up to it at Test level.

The Wallabies did what they had to do against Italy. They could and should have done more. The French will be a different kettle of frogs' legs altogether.

I also think McGeechan will pick Shaw alongside POC. He's skilful enough but his experience and muscle will tip the scales. The back row is going to be the problem. It always was going to be.

[Havak]

Well count out Powell - a one trick pony with no B game. He caused his fellow forwards a lot of problems today.

Kearney did nothing to worry Byrne. And Shane not leaving the bench seals his Test fate I think.

A narrow escape for the Lions.

[Havak]

DP

[finbar]

You were right both times. Powell was exposed during the autumn Tests. I have no idea why he was selected for the tour. Just underlines the dearth of back row talent amongst the Home Nations. Kearney is a very good full back, Byrne has a serious touch of class. Ugo's madcap defence was seriously exposed a couple of times and if Bowe doesn't start in the Tests there's something very wrong. I wasn't vastly impressed by the Welsh #10.

The overwhelming feeling I have watching every Lions outing is that, a few occasions aside, they're playing like they've only just met. There's no rhythm, no coordination, no strategy. Hard when you're playing twice a week and rotating players, but it has to fall into place sooner or later.

I hope, too, that the Fruit Loop Bok coach hasn't erred by resting his Bok players. They will be fresh, but could also be rusty.

[Havak]

Cripes a DP by me. I'm getting sloppy.

England lost narrowly in Argentina, no real surprise. A nice little fightback may have given Jonno some positives. He didn't use the bench. At all!

Bowe will start unless injury intervenes. Kearney's slim chances are seemingly done for by a minor injury.

The Saxons play USA tonight. I am certainly getting my rugby fix at the moment.

Now then who is this new Australian teenager who excelled against Italy?

[LDiCesare]

Shame I missed the first hour of France's win. Had to go to the doctor. But then if I hadn't had to, I'd be in Biarritz playing rugby. Still, I got to see (sort of) the last 20 minutes, with the ABs coming back and Medard's try giving the French those much-needed points.
New Zealand definitely misses some players. France also misses a few ones (I think it was Dupuy's first selection for instance, Harinordoquy, Nallet are both hurt, and Perpignan players were mostly left to rest). I expect Mas to start next week, but I don't know what the coaches will decide. Who knows what the French coaches may decide? They're more unpredictable than the French team has ever been.

[finbar]

I thought one of the best things about the French effort was the discipline. They stuck to a game plan designed for the occasion. No French silliness.

The 18 year old Wallaby - um, sensation - is James O'Connor. Gifted two of his three tries on debut by teammates, but his third one was very well taken. Think I mentioned him a while ago. He was on the last NH tour for experience. Very seriously talented, freakishly so for his age. Equally freakish is his maturity for his age. Can play anywhere from 11 to 15. Very quick, great hands, great balance, can step off either foot, good boot, and strong defence. As one of the commentators observed, he plays well above his weight, which isn't substantial. Matt Giteau has been a mentor at the Western Farce which isn't a bad thing. I suspect he will probably follow Giteau to the Brumbies. If he stays fit and his head doesn't swell too much, he could be anything.

Maybe I was wrong about the Argies. Or maybe England are more crap than I thought. Probably both.

[Havak]

Definitely both. Probably?

I'm really enjoying the Churchill Cup. Especially Georgia - old school rugby (all heart and not much art).