Rugby - formerly 6Nations, formerly WRC

[kegasaurus]

It won't be so much of a smashing as it will be a constant shove backwards. That being said, I do like Rogers at 10, but without Giteau at 12 he will be vulnerable. Both players seem to offset each other in a complemantary way. Wink wink, nudge nudge, etc. Giteau's the perfect 12 and to be playing in any other position (including bench) hurts the side he's playing for, because the passing isn't that strong and teh running depends upon a moments look. He is the third man that assesses what's in front of him before he gets the ball and fortunately he knows whether to run straight or take that sidestep that only an 80 kilo man can.

What really gets me about Australia at the moment is the we've finally accepted that our pack goes backwards faster than a Chinese rocket, yet to get out of this we need either one of two things, Larkham back, (I succumb to your assessment here of the best ten in the world,) or we need a scrum-half who can fire the ball and take advantage of the rushing defense. Sorry Greegs, but you've gots to go. To talk of putting Giteau here shows that Eddie Jones is three steps below being just plain wrong. None of these have happened, so bring in Nucifora.

As for Holah, Henry's got to have something against guy. He is more than amazing, as he showed in the unofficial and third tests against the Lions (Yes, I've been rewatching.) Of course this is a biased assessment as I'd love to see two opensides going stupid for NZ, Waugh and Smith except that Holah can jump (as can McCaw) and not only are they good, but they seem to make the rest of the world cry. There's no excuse not to take him when NZ are talking of the WC and two teams. The guy's a leader and the 2nd best 7 on our little planet. (This from an unabashed Smith fan.)

This being said, the AB's will blow past England as they've shown over the past two years that they can play expansive against small teams, or they can mix it through the centers, tightening a team up. The first two tests of the Lion tour are indicative of this.

As for what the Aussies have, watch for Polota-Nau as he is the next Kearns. Bring on the 26th (For we will dance for Wales, we'll dance the dance of life) and Scott Fava, my new favourite Wallaby, will do something (maybe even get on the field.)

I have to go and watch the Fiji game.

 

[kater]

I agree I think Giteau is a 12, I don't think he will mature into a 10 the way Carter has. The looks you get at 12 are much different and if you get the ball it means it's already passed assessment by 10 and often 9. At 12 he is one of the top three in the world, no doubt in my mind, and if you have an inexperienced 10 - which Rogers is, then you need a 12 to help run the game. I'm not convinced about Rogers at 10 at all, it's a lot like Iestyn Harris, early promise has been overcome by injuries and the coach's inability to give him a run in a fixed position. Jones seems to have used Rogers like a band aid for whatever position Australia are struggling in. Don't like Tuqiri in the centre and what in the blue hell is he doing dropping Sailor? I will beat his drum until he stops playing, Sailor can be the most effective strike weapon in international rugby, but all Jones sees is 'impact player' or 'crash ball winger'. For the love of rugby take a look at the Baa-Baas vs England when sailor played with Carlos Spencer and Bruce Reihana, he looked like Jonah Lomu's more skillful cousin. Larkham isn't that far off Spencer's style and from what Jones says Australia are trying to play a style of game not too dissimilar to Barbarian rugby. I think this bad run has shown just how much you do rely on Larkham to run the show, he doesn't get enough credit until people see another 10 mess up and realise how much crap ball Larkham is used to having and turning into gold.

On the scrum-half issue I think you need to get rid of both of them and start bringing on a young kid. I think that Gregan is shot, after 100+ caps what exacly are you going to surprise another team by doing? Back-rows see him coming a mile off now. Also Whitaker is too used to being understudy, he likes the rough and tough and his pass isn't conducive to quick, backs rugby.

As for Holah, Australia are at their most effective with Waugh and Smith on the same team, I don't see how if it had to be done Holah and McCaw playing together would hinder the AB's, they'd probably have a better chance of winning every bloody ruck that way

I hope the AB's blow England away and yet at the same time I'm not overly keen on them coming over here and doing the 'Grand Slam' especially after their season has finished. Pity they weren't playing France. Looking forward to having the Aussies at the Mill next week, should be a good game - I think we're pretty evenly matched at the moment although I have a nasty feeling your boys may just scrape it. I'm worried about playing SA, their forwards are going to clean us out big time.

 

[U-Borat]

the one that really needs to get sacked is Eddie jones. he has shown he doesnt know **** about rugby with his positional tinkering.

 

[kegasaurus]

I agree I think Giteau is a 12, I don't think he will mature into a 10 the way Carter has. The looks you get at 12 are much different and if you get the ball it means it's already passed assessment by 10 and often 9. At 12 he is one of the top three in the world, no doubt in my mind, and if you have an inexperienced 10 - which Rogers is, then you need a 12 to help run the game. I'm not convinced about Rogers at 10 at all, it's a lot like Iestyn Harris, early promise has been overcome by injuries and the coach's inability to give him a run in a fixed position. Jones seems to have used Rogers like a band aid for whatever position Australia are struggling in. Don't like Tuqiri in the centre and what in the blue hell is he doing dropping Sailor? I will beat his drum until he stops playing, Sailor can be the most effective strike weapon in international rugby, but all Jones sees is 'impact player' or 'crash ball winger'. For the love of rugby take a look at the Baa-Baas vs England when sailor played with Carlos Spencer and Bruce Reihana, he looked like Jonah Lomu's more skillful cousin. Larkham isn't that far off Spencer's style and from what Jones says Australia are trying to play a style of game not too dissimilar to Barbarian rugby. I think this bad run has shown just how much you do rely on Larkham to run the show, he doesn't get enough credit until people see another 10 mess up and realise how much crap ball Larkham is used to having and turning into gold.

On the scrum-half issue I think you need to get rid of both of them and start bringing on a young kid. I think that Gregan is shot, after 100+ caps what exacly are you going to surprise another team by doing? Back-rows see him coming a mile off now. Also Whitaker is too used to being understudy, he likes the rough and tough and his pass isn't conducive to quick, backs rugby.

As for Holah, Australia are at their most effective with Waugh and Smith on the same team, I don't see how if it had to be done Holah and McCaw playing together would hinder the AB's, they'd probably have a better chance of winning every bloody ruck that way

I hope the AB's blow England away and yet at the same time I'm not overly keen on them coming over here and doing the 'Grand Slam' especially after their season has finished. Pity they weren't playing France. Looking forward to having the Aussies at the Mill next week, should be a good game - I think we're pretty evenly matched at the moment although I have a nasty feeling your boys may just scrape it. I'm worried about playing SA, their forwards are going to clean us out big time.

I have to say that withour Peel running the show Wales look a little ineffective in the way they do things. The guy is the perfect 9, running when he has to, passing when its on and with Ryan Jones (yes and Mr Thomas), the only effective players in the Lions side. I think Peel is number one at the moment and is destructive in his exuberance.

Now, I think it's time I apologise to Colin Charvis. In the WC he looked as though he was nothing more than rabble, playing great, but costing the side with his indisciplined play. Combine him with Jones and Williams and I don't think there's a better back row in the world at the moment. Any other side on the weekend and Wales would have destroyerd tehm, but as is Australia's way, we aren't weak defensively. We might get crushed up front, but we do get back.

And here it is. (Takes deep breath, sheds seven tears. Wales is better than Australia.) God it hurts.

It should be the best Six notions since last year with England on the way back, Wales getting stronger with the return of key personnal and France being France. Even Scotland looks as though they may throw a spanner in the works. Very Interesting.

Sack Gregan and Jones. Bring on Nucifora and Henjak.

Oh adn Kater, Latham is the best player on the planet. I don't think I've posted that lately.

the one that really needs to get sacked is Eddie jones. he has shown he doesnt know **** about rugby with his positional tinkering.

I think with his tinkering, that Eddie has proven that he does know s***.

And this little pearl from the coach who was playing above Phil Kearns at Randwick, before Kearnsy got a guernsy:

"It irks me that people are saying we should have blooded players earlier," Jones said. "You can't blood players who haven't played Super 12."

 

[kater]

I have to say that withour Peel running the show Wales look a little ineffective in the way they do things. The guy is the perfect 9, running when he has to, passing when its on and with Ryan Jones (yes and Mr Thomas), the only effective players in the Lions side. I think Peel is number one at the moment and is destructive in his exuberance.

Now, I think it's time I apologise to Colin Charvis. In the WC he looked as though he was nothing more than rabble, playing great, but costing the side with his indisciplined play. Combine him with Jones and Williams and I don't think there's a better back row in the world at the moment. Any other side on the weekend and Wales would have destroyerd tehm, but as is Australia's way, we aren't weak defensively. We might get crushed up front, but we do get back.

And here it is. (Takes deep breath, sheds seven tears. Wales is better than Australia.) God it hurts.

It should be the best Six notions since last year with England on the way back, Wales getting stronger with the return of key personnal and France being France. Even Scotland looks as though they may throw a spanner in the works. Very Interesting.

Sack Gregan and Jones. Bring on Nucifora and Henjak.

Oh adn Kater, Latham is the best player on the planet. I don't think I've posted that lately.

I think the trouble with Cooper is that he is a more natural threat than Peel, so he takes a step or two to pass - sizing up whether the running option is on. It makes the whole backline drift and fall into bad habits again.

I'm not sure there is a whole lot of difference between us and you, we should have run in a few more tries and that clinical edge is the main thing missing at the moment. It isn't something tangible, just a feeling that everything could be a bit sharper and more decisive. Particularly the centres, we've messed around with combinations there and nothing has worked well. Also with Henson in the team we'd have gone for goal a lot more - those 40-50m penalties are such a weapon both as a means of keeping the scoreboard ticking over and ensuring the other team stay honest.
Australia have too many injuries to fairly assess where they are, I know lots of people want Jones' head and that the string of losses is bad but I don't think whoever the coach of Australia is can magic up some decent front five forwards instantly. Sharpe is a v.good 2nd row, Paul will obviously be the starting hooker but Al Baxter is the worse international prop I have seen, ever. His technique and strength are pathetic, he always collapses inwards and against SA/France/England it's not surprising the backs never had the ball from the base.
I've said it almost as much as you've lauded Latham, but Larkam is the key - his balance of strategic kicking and running lines is vastly underestimated. Rogers looked decent but only because you had one gameplan, which is the same one Wales had not so long ago. The other missing element is goal-kicking, in the poor nine game streak you've had Australia have scored in excess of ten more tries than the opposition but you haven't closed games out. I personally don't think you're far off being a v.good side when some of the injured players return. Get in a young kid at scrum-half and tell him to just give the ball to 10, break all Larkam's bones and put in metal substitutes so he doesn't get injured again, find some hairy, nasty, meat-and-bones props and you're there. The centre balance needs to be changed and all your strike power needs to be back where it should be. Here's how they should line-up:

9 - young scrumhalf
10 - Larkam
11 - Sailor/Mitchell
12 - Giteau/rogers
13 - Mortlock
14 - Tuqiri
15 - Latham

Rogers and Mitchell are superb footballers but I like the balance Giteau offers and I'm an avid Sailor fan if he gets a sniff so that's what I'd play

 

[kegasaurus]

Shanklin and Henson in the centres, Peel back at scrum half. Jenkins instead of Horsman, R. Jones, Williams and Charvis being possibly the best back row in the game at the moment, Look for six nations and possibly beyond. Daffyd James was brilliant on the wing against Australia in defense, as was little Shane Williams in offense. If you can keep healthy, Wales will make a nuisance of themselves in teh WC. (No-one will beat NZ. (Have I heard that before?))

And, I want Jones' head. Not because I'm anti-Wales, but because he doesn't have the ability to change. This is why Kearns jumped over him, this is why Polatu-nau should be playing hooker. Polatu-nau has the abilty to stabalise the scrum, particularly if David Lyons accepts his inevatible fate to stand beside the kid. Put Moore in as the tighthead, Vickerman and Sharpe behind them and piss Roe off for McMenniman, Waugh and Smith and our front row looks plausible.

Then we have the backs.

9. Henjack
10. Larkham
11. Tuquiri
12. Is difficult. I'd go Giteau on pure ability, but if Flatley is fit, we need a kicker.
13. I think Mortlock played his last great game a year and a half ago, so this one is up for grabs. Do you go Rogers (this being his best position,) Rathbone, (a Mortlock like runner,) or Drew Mitchell, (the prodigy?) I think Tirinui has proven that he is a second best player at most so it should be interesting.
14. This is a fight between Mitchell, Sailor and Rathbone. Sailor made the biggest mistake of his life going to NSW over ACT, and Mitchell is growing in stature.
15. Her he is, Miss Australia. Bow down to our god, for He is he. (For the uninitiated, this is Mr Latham's position. Whether it's Australia, world or Universe.)


Bring on Wales/Australia. Next year, WC... whatever. if I get lucky, I'll see you in France.

And how good is Latham?

 

[kater]

You going to France? Sweet, I'm packed already - can't wait, another WC on my doorstep plus we can annoy the frogs

I think you have too much depth in the backs and short on forwards. I'd forgotten about Rathbone aswell I'd like to see Mitchell given a go at outside centre, I think he may end up drifting inside. It really is embarrasing the riches you have, on any day all 9/10 players would make their national team no worries. I think Rogers is really unlucky, so too Rathbone. I can't believe Sailor didn't go to ACT either, it should have been a no brainer playing with half the Australian team and particularly Larkham

 

[kegasaurus]

Hopefully Larkham will hold on and taunt you at the Millenium Stadium. If not, I'll try my best to remind you when we meet outside. Poor Gavin Henson.

By the by, I meant Moore at Loosehead, and Lyons at tight, Polatu-nau in teh middle and a stable scrum for Australia. Can you just see big David Lyons lifting Dan Vickerman? Stratosphere.

 

[kater]

Hopefully Larkham will hold on and taunt you at the Millenium Stadium. If not, I'll try my best to remind you when we meet outside. Poor Gavin Henson.

Hopefully not Gav was really unlucky, the prop (who had been infringeing all day long) blindsided Henson with a short-arm to the back of the head, so he threw out an elbow in reaction without looking (his eyes on the TV replay are clearly on the ruck) the prop goes down like a sack of dog poo and Henson flicks at him with a boot. Now if I was a forward, let alone a prop, who got floored by a fancy dan center I wouldn't even admit to it let alone have the nerve to cite him. Ten weeks! and then Dallaglio gets away with blatant gouging (pictures in almost every sports paper showing clear evidence) It was more pathetic refereeing from the home nations and further evidence that Leicester expect to get everything while getting away with bloody murder.

On another note just watched Jonah Lomu have a great game for Cardiff, if he can get quicker and fitter then six months from now we could see someone approaching the old Lomu again.

 

[maverikk]

scarlets v blues

went to strady parc the other day to watch scarlets v blues hopeing for another Lomu showdown, alas 'twas not to be... although the game was a cracker... and being a humble ospreys fan it didn't really bother me who won!!

isn't it great that Lomu's learned how to play now tho...

i mean no disrespect to his obviously awesome previous record, but what he had in pace before he seriously lacked in poistion, vision and handling... that boy's been working hard and is begining to be somewhat of a playmaker!!

come on Henry... you know it makes sense, give the boy his dream shot in 2007, it would make the universe happy surely...

on the Henson note, the apeal should come back positive giving him something more like 4-5 weeks, if not, then there's something seriously wrong with the system, didn't Lucy only get 9 weeks for starting a full on brawl?!?! and pelouse for his blatant elbow!?!?!?!?

as someone said the other day "they might extend it... but what are they gonna give him.... LIFE?"

 

[kater]

went to strady parc the other day to watch scarlets v blues hopeing for another Lomu showdown, alas 'twas not to be... although the game was a cracker... and being a humble ospreys fan it didn't really bother me who won!!

isn't it great that Lomu's learned how to play now tho...

i mean no disrespect to his obviously awesome previous record, but what he had in pace before he seriously lacked in poistion, vision and handling... that boy's been working hard and is begining to be somewhat of a playmaker!!

come on Henry... you know it makes sense, give the boy his dream shot in 2007, it would make the universe happy surely...

on the Henson note, the apeal should come back positive giving him something more like 4-5 weeks, if not, then there's something seriously wrong with the system, didn't Lucy only get 9 weeks for starting a full on brawl?!?! and pelouse for his blatant elbow!?!?!?!?

as someone said the other day "they might extend it... but what are they gonna give him.... LIFE?"

LOL - you weren't one of those unlucky fans who went to see Llanelli vs Ospreys were you?

I think you're right, Lomu looks much better positionally - particularly off kicks and under the high ball, you don't have the feeling he's going to drop everything. I'm not sure if he's going to be as effective as he was but there may be a role for him in the AB's come 2007. Can you say 'impact player'

Still waiting to see what Henson gets, I think a month is plenty especially in comparison with the Pelouse incident.

 

[maverikk]

owch

lol... no i wasn't, but then again we're having such a 'mare of a season that even dragons gave us a pasting... oh dear!

scarlets are on a roll the post just saved them from losing to leinster!!!!

 

[kater]

Just figured you might have been unlucky with the ticket situation and had to go and watch Lllanelli again as part of the refund Unfortunately I don't know what's happened to the Ospreys, one moment they beat Stade and should have thumped Leicester - the next they can't beat the Dragons. I think, may my tongue turn black for saying such a thing, that Llanelli are easily the best team in Wales at the moment and playing some stunning rugby without being clinical in finishing games off.

 

[kegasaurus]

Millenium Stadium, 2007. Australia, Wales. Bring it on. I'll be the fat guy in the Wales jumper singing Waltzing Mastilda, whilst doing the robot. Bought and paid for baby.

 

[kater]

Millenium Stadium, 2007. Australia, Wales. Bring it on. I'll be the fat guy in the Wales jumper singing Waltzing Mastilda, whilst doing the robot. Bought and paid for baby.

As if there weren't enough images in my head already Can't believe the Six Nations has come around so quickly, let alone the WC in a bloody year! I'm still living up last year's Grandslam. Not sure about this year though, I think our depleted squad is going to suffer against a decent England, a frightening France and a rejuvenated Ireland (did anyone see BOD against Bath? OMFG look out) Let's hope the English players beat seven shades of shinola out of each other this weekend

 

[kegasaurus]

BOD looked a little dodgy up until Umaga announced his retirement. Then it was game on. I don't think I've seen a better game from anyone in a long time. The guy was everywhere.

You've got to love rugby, France are close to being at the top of their game, NZ has two teams to beat the world, Wales will have a string of stars ready for the WC, SA are SA, no one knows what they'll do and England, well I don't like them, but with Dallaglio, they are more than interesting. Argentina winning on the fringes and we can't even find a coach. Looks like 2007 is ours.

Can't wait for the now trophified six nations.

And just to top it off, have a copy of the Baa Baas beating New Zealand at Cardiff in 1973. Life is good. Edwards' try, ahhhhh.

 

[kegasaurus]

Even Scotland looks as though they may throw a spanner in the works. Very Interesting.

Sack Gregan and Jones. Bring on Nucifora and Henjak.

Oh adn Kater, Latham is the best player on the planet. I don't think I've posted that lately.



I think with his tinkering, that Eddie has proven that he does know s***.

And this little pearl from the coach who was playing above Phil Kearns at Randwick, before Kearnsy got a guernsy:

"It irks me that people are saying we should have blooded players earlier," Jones said. "You can't blood players who haven't played Super 12."

Let's just think about it.

 

[Hereford Eye]

Okay, splain some things to the rube, please!
You have your 18 dudes spread across the field. Is there a rule that says they can only move so far left and right? Or is that a matter of strategy? Watched some matches over the last two weeks and came away feeling that you can't afford to have folk bunching up for when break aways occurred that's what had happened, folk bit on moves that were bogus and they got passed around. Still, when they lined up again, everything was balanced right and left.
I spose it's obligatory to have at least two folk tackle a runner to prevent his passing the ball before he's down. Wouldn't a good clean tackle prevent that anyway leaving folk to watch for the attempted last second pass? Or can you only recover fumbles?
There's no blocking, correct? So, the only way to occupy opposing players is to possess the ball?
Oh, yeah, what's the point of the scrum. As far as I could tell, he team with the ball always retained possession by rolling it through wide spread legs. Does it ever happen that this doesn't happen?

 

[kegasaurus]

Wales Sucks.

 

[kater]

Yeah they do but I'm not going to trash the aussies forwards because you beat England twice Ireland will give you a run for your money though.

Apologies HE I completely missed your post in here, I guess the mind was just too shocked Rugby is actually played with 30 players on the field, 8 forwards, 7 backs per side. Forwards are the grunts who generally do the hard work of winning the ball, whether it is set piece: lineout/scrum or open field through ruck/mall. The backs are the fast, flashy types who tend to score all the points.

Defensive organisation is key because continuity is a large part of rugby and the team without the ball needs to be very well drilled to a.) prevent the other breaking their defensive line and b.) turn the ball over when the chance presents itself. Defensive thinking has recently changed to one long line across the field meaning one-on-one tackling is very important but because the ball is essentially 'free' at all times when a player is tackled, a congregation occurs in an attempt by the defensive team to win the ball and by the team in possession to retain it for further use. This, called the 'breakdown', is the most technical area of the game and the most highly debated when refereeing interpretations play a large role.

You can only tackle the player in possession of the ball but as I said above because the ball is free at all times contesting possession is a constant tug-of-war as opposed to the you-take-a-turn we-take-a-turn style of football you're used to. The scrum is a method of retsrating the game when a player has lost control of the ball forward, called a knock-on, and undesirable because it means the team in possession forfeits control of the ball to the other team. Such has become the level of importance placed on set-piece, ball meaning scrum and lineout, that often these areas - though contested - go to the team in possession who rightfully hold the advantage because they have the ball. However neither are anything approaching a certainty, ask Keg - in a recent match between England and Australia the Australian scrum was destroyed barely winning any of their scrummage ball, a loss of which is called a 'hook against the head'. It really depends on how the team set out to play the game - fast and loose like Australia, or tight and forward-orientated like England.