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Topical articles and commentary on rugby events around the world.
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.
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 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.
JG believes it so it must be trueOur undercover man’s musings on Rugby World Cup happenings, featuring: a defence of Wayne Barnes, the performance of so-called minnows and short recovery periods between games.
An English PerspectiveEngland will move on with relief to the next challenge after a match which left everyone here underwhelmed but we have seen mediocrity before from this team. They look over processed in my mind and it took some class from Youngs to show a few people that good skills cant be replicated on a sheet of paper or from a Leicester coaching manual.
JG's World Cup MusingsOur undercover man’s musings on Rugby World Cup happenings, featuring: All Blacks penalty count and handling errors, South Africa v Wales, the youth versus experience debate, sibling rivalry, and notable quotes.
Learning from World Cup mistakesRichie’s thoughts on how New Zealand can learn from the mistakes of the previous two World Cups.
Are NZ rotating or spinning?What a curious team Father Ted, aka Graham Henry, has picked for the opening match against Tonga. It all makes some sort of sense until you get to the name at number ten. Daniel Carter is a car crash waiting to happen. The Tongans will come after him in a way that no other team in New Zealand’s pool is capable of matching.
Springboks - Welcome to WellingtonA couple of snippets from the official welcome and capping of one of the serious contenders of The Rugby World Cup. After watching their first open training session they looked composed and settled. A team that know that winning the World Cup is about a beautiful result and not necessarily about a beautiful game.
JG's Round-UpOur undercover man’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: Growing back row injuries, Manu’s scintillating try in Dublin, the Wallabies “One Team” slogan, Tri Nations questions, Maka’s and Samo’s bouffant hairstyles, Eddie’s Eagles and Rugby World Cup arrivals…
The HakaIn a week or so I am to be instructed in the ways of the haka. In the event that this proves to be an Orwellian experience, in case I am rendered a Terpsichorean fool slathering and slobbering over the beauty of Maori dance culture, let me state now that I believe the haka to be a daft way to preview a sporting contest.
Reason's Round-UpOur resident journo’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: A very odd week indeed; de Vlliers sounding almost sane, strange happenings on planet Wallaby, Lievremont’s mad decision, match officials making up new laws and Flutey’s omission.
JG's Round-UpOur undercover man’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: Springboks Captain Fantastic, England’s set piece dominance, Japans progress, a lack of yellow cards, the growing Rugby World Cup injury count and the launch of Matt Hampson’s book…
Reason's Round-UpOur resident journo’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: Johnson’s decisions, Welsh fitness levels, Scotland’s lead-up, Dwyer on the Wallabies performance and the All Blacks jersey debate…
Pitch Size MattersCan someone please tell me why there is a maximum pitch size but no minimum size. In recent years both the Osprey and Wasps have played blitz defences on small pitches and reduced rugby to a hit-athon…
Reason’s Round-UpOur resident journo’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: Shane William’s believes, England’s midfield tactics, injury fears in lead up to World Cup and how many players can a coach rest before it becomes a scandal?…
