The Scrum

The six nations was a very interesting tournament as discussed in a previous blog. Rugby union as usual has an issue with the laws of the game. The biggest problem at the moment is the scrum.

At the moment the international rugby scrum breaks up the game and the flow of the game. The issue at the moment is the referee. Currently the referee calls the the two pack together, then crouch, touch pause and engage. Inevitably the scrum collapses the ball does not go in. The referee then either calls the scrum again or a penalty. This all takes time. My solution would be simple, no crouch or pause just touch and engage. This allows the props with the best technique to dominate the scrum.

The Curse of Nike

England rugby were slightly premature with this Grand Slam winning advert.

The 6 nations 2011 in retrospect

The six nations 2011 has ended. So what have we learnt; originally I tweeted that the southern hemisphere had nothing to fear. I think I may have been too hasty. Country by country I think the six nations has been an excellent build up to the world cup.

Italy

A six nations championship for Italy normally means one gutsy performance against a celtic nation, followed by a destruction by England and France. This time out the Italian's beat the French. This step should not be under-estimated. It shows progression, the most interesting and important thing about the Italian progression is that the back line has improved. Always competent in the forwards the improvement in the backs has meant Italy have made the step needed to make them genuine contenders and a danger for any of the world cup contenders.

Scotland

A bit of mixed bag for the Scots. If we look back to Autumn Scotland had improved beating a southern hemisphere side. February and March have not been kind, the real issue with Scottish rugby is resources. Lack of players means that Scottish rugby will always struggle. Andy Robinson has moulded his forwards into a tough set of players who never give much away. Tries were Scotland's problem and without a cutting edge Scotland will always struggle.

Wales

Wales are a side potentially blessed with creative flair. However; it seems to be stifled. Wales historically are a side that love to play ball in hand. It seems everything is not good in the principality. Wales have a coaching team that have fallen out with each other. The bigger problem maybe that Warren Gatland is stifling creativity. James Hook is played at fly half but looks scared to play his natural game. Blaming Gatland may seem harsh however he has form in doing this too players witness the Ireland side he coached.

Ireland

Ireland are an enigma. They struggled all the way through autumn looking shabby and dis-organised. This did not improve throughout the six nations, until the final match against England. Ireland walloped England, possibly this was to be expected. Ireland are a good side with world class players O'Driscoll and O'Connell among Ireland's greatest ever. I think the lack of form early in the season and the return to form now show that Ireland could be a world cup dark horse.

France

France were once again a reflection of the coaching strategy. Livremont goes through players too quickly. Beaten by Italy and England. Lucky against Ireland and Scotland. Blessed with potentially exciting players which France will turn up in New Zealand who knows?

England

England deserved this six nations championship. They were the side who were most consistent. Martin Johnson is proving himself as manager. They are a young side with great potential the forwards are developing into a tremendous unit. The backs are starting to function and look dangerous. Any side that can bring Jonny Wilkinson off the bench is always going to be a threat.

World Cup Prospects

The southern hemisphere will always benefit from home advantage in the next world cup. The fact it is in New Zealand should benefit the all blacks. However; pressure maybe the home sides downfall especially with the emotional pressure post Christchurch earthquake. France and England will always be a threat, Ireland maybe dark horses especially as this will be the last hurrah of a great Irish side. Wales have issues to sort out behind closed doors let them run and they could beat anybody. Scotland and Italy could cause upsets if taken too lightly. This world cup could be a fascinating tournament.

Time to Blog again

England have had made a tremendous start to the six nations. I have decided to resume blogging sport once more not because of England resurgence rather the discipline is good for me. I wrote at about this time last year that Martin Johnson had to given time to be able to establish himself and establish a pattern of play. He has done this and with tremendous success. The forwards are playing with confidence and forceful English brutality. They have withstood the brutal scrummaging of the French and the fluidity of the Welsh. The half-backs are starting to find form with Toby Flood finally filling the large boots of a certain J Wilkinson.

Is their a concern yes the centre look short of ideas the back three are playing well. This covers up for the lack of creativity of Tindall and Harpe in the midfield. More to follow at the end of the six nations.

Not Again

Here we go again, the Tour de France is again under the microscope, the current champion Alberto Contador has tested positive for a stimulant. He is protesting his innocence with talk of food doping. Whether he was doped or not it shows the sport is still rotten at its core. The cycling union has always talked about how the sport has changed and how it has had a fundamental move from its drug ridden past. 

Cycling has been riddled with drugs since the early days. The book Rough Ride by the Irish cyclist Paul Kimmage is a warts and all autobiography of a professional cyclist. The issue of drugs is dealt with almost as a matter of fact part of the story. In fact drugs were a necessity to get through a punishing season. It seems like that the legacy of drug taking has continued. The drug taking legacy will not stop until those remnants of the past are taken out of the sport. 

The American perspective of the Ryder Cup

http://goo.gl/ALw7

Great article from the New York Times

Where Have the Rugby Crowds Gone

The 2010 rugby premiership season has started and the rugby has been fantastic. Last weekend I settled down to watch Saracens versus Northampton. It was a fantastic game of rugby that ebbed and flowed. This has not been the only great game. The Exeter chiefs upset Gloucester and Leicester the pre eminent force in English rugby have struggled. Predicting results of games has been impossible which has been great. The big queston is where have the crowds gone with the product being so good. 

It is sad to say but the answer maybe the quiet summer of rugby may have damaged the game.Football had a world cup that although not spectacular was surrounded by controversy and sex scandals. Cricket was like something out of a John Grisham novel with match fixing and bribery in the ascendency. Rugby had a quiet time no bloodgate, no speculation on the future of the England manager. It was just a productive summer of building for the future. The autumn internationals are now on the way and watch the crowds explode as rugby gets itself back on the back page.