The conclusion last week of the 2010 RBS Six Nations was nothing short of a damp squib. A championship that had been billed by many to be among the best for the generation, turned into six weeks of scrappy, and disappointing rugby action and badly highlighted the Northern Hemisphere’s weaknesses. With a 2011 Rugby World Cup a mere eighteen months away in New Zealand, it looks very unrealistic on any of our sides challenging the world superpowers from the All Blacks, South Africa, the out-of-form Australians and even Argentina.
Top of the class were undoubtedly the French. For once, Les Bleus played as a team unit throughout, got the results they needed and as a result, another Six Nations Grand Slam, their first since 2006. However, it was more professional and cagey, than the flamboyant, bullish style that we all know that France can play. In Paris last Saturday, the nerves got the better of them and had England shown more discipline, they may well have lost their chance of the Grand Slam. However, I don’t see this French side having the capability to challenge for the top honours in the world game. There is definitely a puzzle missing in this jigsaw.
Defending champions Ireland struggled to live up to their potential and it showed. Apart from an excellent win against Wales, the Irish laboured to wins at Twickenham and against Italy, but they were outfought and outplayed against France in Paris, and Scotland ended their Croke Park fairytale on a very sour note. For the Irish, their big-game players did not turn up and perform, similar to their shocking 2007 Rugby World Cup performance. It was a tournament to forget for them, despite finishing as distant runners-up.
Once again, England underachieved and failed when it came to the crunch. Finishing third in this championship is now a norm and if we start celebrating it, something is wrong. Turgid against Ireland at home, followed by a shocker at Murrayfield, Martin Johnson is still relying too heavily on the players that bought back the Webb Ellis Trophy seven years ago. True, young talent is coming through to replace the old guard, but they need more experience and time to shine and that is running out. Johnson’s naivety with some of his tactical decisions highlighted that he still has a way to go to become a top international coach. We need to stick by him and not make any rash decisions, but England is running out of excuses for failing to deliver. Winning something big in 2011 is imperative for this side.
Wales look a pale shadow from the side that stormed to Grand Slam victory two years ago. Gifting England victory in the Twickenham opener summed up their campaign from start to finish. It lacked quality and very error-prone. However, they did produce one of the greatest fightbacks in the code’s history to record a famous win over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on matchday two. Also, their spirit to not accept defeat against France should be highlighted as a success. The never-give-up attitude and determination means Wales are still a force to be reckoned with. Costly errors are denying this side from getting anywhere successful.
Scotland was the surprise of the championship and deserved more than they got. They lost control of a winnable match in Cardiff and really should have taken advantage to beat a limp England at Murrayfield. However, Andy Robinson is injecting belief and pride into the players that hasn’t been there for a long time. For them to win last week at Croke Park was well-deserved, because not only did it lift them off the bottom of the table, but it would have been unjustified as well. Despite a 5th placed finish, the Scots can hold their heads up high on a decent, solid campaign.
Lastly, the Italians propped up the table again, but they are steady improvers. They pushed England all the way in Rome, beat Scotland fair and square and outscored France in the second half in Paris. If there was a prize for belief and competitive instinct, Italy would win the Grand Slam. Their passion and commitment makes up fully for the distinct lack of quality.
Most games turned into tedious, tense affairs, rather than the free-flowing, attacking rugby we’ve seen in recent championships. Let’s hope 2011 is slightly better. Congratulations to France on achieving the Grand Slam, but for all six teams competing, there is significant room for improvement and with the World Cup approaching fast, the clock is ticking away….
Me again, please don't delete this comment/blog though, it shows your complete lack of professionalism. So what, someone criticised your work, take it on the chin and bounce back with better work, don't just sweep it under the carpet and pretend it never happened.
ReplyDeleteIn this case I only want to take you up on one thing, ok now i've thought about it two things, but one of them is only very small.
1. In most cases, Martin Johnson does need to start getting rid of the 'old guard' i.e. borthwick and regretably Wilkinson but in the case of say Tindall and Cueto, i'd say they were england's two best players and should definitely be kept. Granted had we seen more of ashton + foden they probably would've been even better, but anyway yeh those two should stay, agree with you on everything else to do with england.
2. I'm gonna have to disagree quite a lot with this statement
"it looks very unrealistic on any of our sides challenging the world superpowers from the All Blacks, South Africa, the out-of-form Australians and even Argentina."
True there is a lot of time until the next world cup but I think last year's autumn internationals showed that the northern hemisphere is very capable of standing up to the south. France beat, nay humbled south africa comfortably and this was coming off the back of the latter winning the tri-nations. If the last world cup is anything to go by then you dont need to be the best team, by any stretch, to make the final i.e. england. Also, scotland actually beat australia! True we will have to wait again until this years autumn internationals to see how we match up, also i'm aware New Zealand having home advantage might mean they wont choke this time, or maybe it just puts more pressure on them. Time will tell. My point is, stop writing the northern hemisphere off for no reason, again you're basing your views on very little. To me the french were masterful, comfortably the best pack in the world right now and backs who on their day can be devestating, complete team unit. Australia are still trying to refind their feet after 2003, New Zealand only seem to play well between world cups and south africa are still resting on their 2007 laurels.
So there we go, i've disagreed with you, what you gonna do? Delete it, no don't do that again, please write back to me and tell me what you think of my analysis. What have you got to lose?
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Its a good valid point, it is true that in last year's autumn internationals, there wasn't too much difference, especially with Australia's lack of form (shown by losing to Scotland.) However, I do feel that the Northern Hemisphere was in a far better state in 2007. Three years on, progress has been static and with the tournament on Southern Hemisphere soil, I feel everyone from the Northern side will need to improve to produce a realistic world-beating challenge.
ReplyDeleteAt times, France have looked stunning, but on many other occasions, they have been caught totally asleep or fail to deliver. Whenever I've seen them, I haven't really been impressed, perhaps they will prove me wrong this time next October. I think we will know more of form and quality this time next year.
Historically though home advantage has not been too much of a booster though, only 2/6 have been one at home. south africa were the last team to win on home soil and that was under dubious circumstance/inspirational period of history.
ReplyDeleteI imagine what'll happen will be this: New Zealand will be the best team coming into it, destroy the group stage, then lose to scotland in the quarter-final.
France will crack under pressure (again) against england in the semis
South africa will play well throughout, then an inspirational aussie come back in the other semi will send them out.
England will make the final again, but no one really knows how, will then lose to australia, whereupon everyone will proclaim them the best team throughout the past 4 years.
These are very interesting and intriguing predictions! Must be a decent crystal ball u have, let's see if you right come October 2011 then...
ReplyDelete