Articles
News & Opinions articles
Topical articles and commentary on rugby events around the world.
Fed up with All the SpinThe spin pass can be deadly effective in the right situation. Choosing when to execute it and when not to is a skill northern hemisphere sides seem to neglect.
European rugby faces its own ‘Tea Party’ CrisisSimon Halliday looks at the growing split in European rugby
Heineken Cup - Game NotesA pulsating opening weekend of the Heineken Cup saw some shock results & familiar winners. If this is the end for the Heineken Cup, it looks set to be a thriller.
Handling under pressure sets All Blacks apartThe All Blacks’ ability to execute accurate passing under the constraints of time and space is what makes them the best side in the world
What do we want from our number 7?Richie McCaw embodies what is considered to be today’s ‘perfect 7’. But with ever changing laws and increasing physical demands, what does the perfect 7 of tomorrow look like?
England and the Premiership can seize the dayThe arrival of the All Blacks in November will be the ultimate test for England’s young talent.
Blanco and Biarritz staring into the voidWith their ageing stars and inability to invest in the squad, Biarritz look to be swimming against the tide to avoid relegation from the Top 14.
The 'chop tackle' as perfected by Dan LydiateWhat exactly makes Lydiate such a good defender? The fact that Paul O’Connell admitted to asking the 25-year-old to do individual tackling coaching with him during the Lions tour speaks volumes.
Draw and pass Part 2 with video analysisAs part 1 of the article argued, committing defenders with the draw and pass is a low-risk, high-reward play compared to more elaborate attacking strategies.
Australia’s three major test failuresThe reason that even some Aussies are giving Argentina a chance in Perth is the current failings of their team at three major areas of test match rugby.
Is Total Rugby a Dream or an Achievable Goal?Watching the first four rounds of the Top 14 in France, I have been continually frustrated by the number of try-scoring opportunities wasted through poor basic draw and pass skills
Draw and passthe old adage that attacking rugby starts with a “draw and pass” is seemingly no longer the ubiquitous cornerstone of attacking strategy it once was.
The sad passing of Cliff MorganThe sad passing of Cliff Morgan is worthy of comment, as he was not just one of the greatest fly-halves the game has ever seen but also one of rugby’s most respected commentators.
Why a good kick-off can be the difference between winning and losingMurray Kinsella looks at how the All Blacks effective ‘restart strategy’ frequently gives them the ability to change to momentum of a game
Let’s embrace the new scrummage lawsLet’s embrace the new scrummage laws. That is certainly the view of most of the top New Zealand coaches. Steve Hansen, John Plumtree and Rob Penney.
Rugby is a game of basic skillsWhile the mental and physical sides of rugby are hugely important, even international games are made up of players performing the basic skills with competence.
The Rugby Championship: Argentina V South AfricaArgentina were poor, very poor against South Africa
The Stats Do Lie by Wayne SmithWayne Smith explains why the stats that you see during and after a game are as useful as a chocolate teapot
The RR’s Quick fire Rugby Championship guideThe RR takes a quick look at his crystal ball and comes up with some prognostications about how the Rugby Championship will unfold.
Australia will attack All Black heartWayne Smith says the new Wallaby coach is a good tactician and believes that the selction for the first test makes a lot of sense
England needs to learn from Wayne SmithSimon Halliday reckons that Stuart Lancaster must make some big decisions
The great Wallaby fly-half debateEwen McKenzie has had plenty of time to prepare for the challenges of his new position as Wallaby coach – he’s been preparing for the job ever since he retired from playing.
The Rugby Site pays tribute to George SmithThe Rugby Site pays tribute to George Smith, one of the great warriors of modern rugby and a man who can truly be called a role model George Gently shows the Chiefs he’s still the Boss by Mark Reason
Argentina’s youth movement: The rugby future is bright in the land of silverFor decades, the ability of Argentina to compete with the big rugby nations, despite its amateur domestic competition and its isolation from regular international fixtures, was in part admirable and in part enigmatic
The Super Rugby U23 XVRR goes through the 15 players under the age of 23 who excelled for their respective teams.
Crusaders let down by fansThe two abiding memories of Saturday’s S15 playoff game were the complete dominance of the Crusaders over the Reds and the incessant booing of Quade Cooper by the home supporters
Super rugby finals watch: 6 young guns ready to make a splashWith the Super Rugby season entering the finals the RR looks at the young gun from each of the finalists that has emerged as a key player
The good, the bad and the rugby of the Lion’s TourThe four year cycle of tours feels about right and their rarity is one aspect that makes the Lions so special. For the majority of host players, they get one chance against the Lions and whether it’s at Test or provincial level, win or lose, it’s likely to be a career highlight.
4 youngsters who could star for the Lions in four years timeThe unmitigated success of the Lions tour, from both a rugby and economic perspective, dispelled any suggestion that the relevance of the Lions is in demise.
Gatland Rolls the DiceWith 10 Welsh, 3 Irish and 2 English players, Gatland is placing his trust with the players who have served him well in the Six Nations. He also has the dubious distinction of being the first coach to drop O’Driscoll in the Irishman’s fourteen year international career.
