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England search for manager is already a shamblesMark Reason looks at the resignation of Martin Johnson and fears that the RFU lollipops will make Jonny Wilkinson the new man in charge.
Live Stream - Graham Henry 16/11/11Graham Henry’s live question and answer session with The Rugby Site members.
Congratulations: Ultimate Insider Pass WinnerA big congratulations to Ian Trevis for winning our Ultimate Insiders Pass competition in conjunction with the Heroes Rugby Challenge. Ian has won…
Graham Henry - The Breakdown TrailerThe least number of breakdowns you can have the better you will play but its a big part of the game and you need the skills to play there. This video will take you through a range of skill activities, identifying individuals roles and responsibilities at the breakdown.
JG's Round-UpOur undercover man’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: the Heineken Cup v Super Rugby debate, Celtic teams performance in the opening round, Jim Mallinder inspiring Northampton and the filling of vacant coaching positions…
Are Fans Still Thirsty for Heineken Cup Action?Mark Reason wonders how many people will watch the first weekend of the Heineken Cup and would bet his mortgage on the average attendance not being close to the crowds who turn out for Aussie Rules.
Finding the Natural WeaknessPeople have been kind enough to say that the All Blacks scored a few tries at this World Cup through analysing and exploiting weaknesses. Maybe that is true but, so long as coaches realise that rugby is a simple game and don’t try to complicate things, we can all share in these successes.
Rugby’s Core ValuesWhile winning the Webb Ellis Cup was the goal of every player who participated in RWC 2011, for many this may have been unrealistic and for most it was unrealized. Having had time to consider the tournament, below are listed a number of individuals who deserve recognition for the manner in which they conducted themselves, often in the face of adversity. They each demonstrated an intrinsic understanding and embodiment of rugby’s core values…
Why were England so bad? ask Sir CliveEngland stank out the World Cup like rotting fish. But if you want to know the cause of the stench, look no further than the English clubs.
World Cup XVA collection of The Rugby Site contributors give their RWC2011 World XV picks:# Jake White – World Cup winning South African Coach# Mark Reason – Sports Journalist: The voice of reason# Eddie Jones – ex. Australia & South Africa Coach# Brendon Ratcliffe – The Rugby Sites waterboy# JG – Our undercover man inside the game
Cheers TedAs Graham Henry today announced publicly that he is stepping down from the All Blacks head coach role, here at The Rugby Site we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge his contribution to the game.
Eddies RWC Final ReviewEddie Jones analyses the All Blacks’ first World Cup win in 24 years and where they edged France.Historically, World Cup finals have one or two tries in them, and this was no different. I’m sure many supporters were optimistic of a convincing attacking display from New Zealand, but that was never going to be true to history.
All Blacks Victory ParadeAll Blacks Rugby World Cup 2011 Victory Parade in Wellington.
My most important lessonPeople ask me what is the most important lesson I have learned as a coach. After a World Cup win, 143 test matches and 37 consecutive years in charge of a team, you would hope that I have an answer by now… I do.
RWC 2011 FinalMany congratulations to the All Blacks on their thrilling victory over France in the RWC 2011 Final. Despite ridiculous odds from bookmakers predicting a convincing All Black victory, RWC history suggested that a tight game was always likely. However, few would have anticipated the titanic battle which took place at Eden Park.
The All Blacks are not to be deniedIts unimaginable that the Men in Black can fail, but not because they are overconfident. There are many more important factors at play: are the home nation, suffering in the adversity of the Christchurch earthquake, without a RWC since 1987, clearly the best side on form, young and hungry and above all they owe the French a hiding.
A Letter from a French FanDear New ZealandThe ABs v OZ semi was one of the best rugby games I have seen in my life. Conrad as reliable as ever, Cruden and his drop, Richie, Jane and the high balls and awesome Weepu. So much engagement, so much blood. They added one of the most beautiful chapters to the black jersey legend.
IRB Player of the YearMark Reason looks at the IRB nominations for the player of the year and feels a hot flush coming on.So what do you think of the nominations for the IRB player of the year? The six players put forward are Thierry Dusautoir, Piri Weepu, Jerome Kaino, Ma’a Nonu, David Pocock and Will Genia. It looks an unfortunately biased selection to me.
JG's World Cup MusingsIt would be a shame if the abiding memory of Wales’ contribution to RWC 2011 is the red card received by Sam Warburton for his tip tackle on Vincent Clerc. Alain Rolland correctly applied the IRB guidance to such situations. Some say it spoiled the game, but perhaps it made a contest of an encounter that Wales would have run away with, if they had 15 players on the field for the 80 minutes.
Quarter FinalsThe beaten quarter finalists from RWC 2011 are now home or nearly there. It is a sudden and brutal end to the dream for players, some of whom are amongst the greatest the game has seen. It seems appropriate to look at the 4 most recently departed teams and assess their contribution to the tournament and to acknowledge some legends that have played in their last world cup.
A disappointed EnglishmanAs the World Cup quarter finals approach we in England seem more excited by Wales and Ireland, the two form teams in the tournament. We all knew New Zealand was a very complete side and that Australia was the flair side with great counterattack potential. But no one thought that the Celtic Tigers could realize their potential, such a shame they meet at the weekend. In my book they are semifinal sides at least.
JG's World Cup MusingsOur undercover man’s musings on Rugby World Cup happenings, featuring: pool highlights, Ireland’s victory, the 6 Nations bonus point debate, the volume of tries per pool, super fan awards, England’s tournament disappointment, injury impact on the quarters and JG’s Team of the Pool Stages.
JG's World Cup MusingsOur undercover man’s musings on Rugby World Cup happenings, featuring: a Scottish selection oversight, praise for the Namibian performance, the ball debate & McCaw’s 100.
The Rugby Site en español: Videos de Coaching por los mejores del mundoAprendé de los mejores entrenadores y jugadores del mundo!
Don’t Sidestep The IssueMark Reason remembers the world of Gerald Davies and wonders what happened to the sidestep.
Dan Carter: Decision Making in Attack TrailerA preview of Dan Carters latest video on Decision Making in Attack.
on Attack
Dan Carter on the Rugby World CupIn an interview done before media lock down Dan Carter gave us a bit of an insight into how he was feeling about the World Cup.
JG's World Cup MusingsOur undercover man’s musings on Rugby World Cup happenings, featuring: Ashton’s showboating dives, thoughts on who will referee the finals, reuniting Cooper and Barnes, and the Rugby Whiskers Champion.
Who will be the outstanding player at the World Cup?Mark Reason gives his predictions on who will be the outstanding player of the World Cup.We want your thoughts to so enter your nomination and be into win free coach and player video modules.
