Bank Holiday Waffle
I see that Justin Marshall will not be playing in the last few crucial matches for the Ospreys, because he wants to go and play in Japan for the 'Classic All Blacks' !!
Run that one by me again!!
Ospreys sign a player, who makes the decision that his International future is over, but they agree to a clause that he will be released to play in any game that he is invited that is 'close to International standard'!!
Crazy! the club has a chance to win the Magners title, but he heads off to Japan to play in some mickey mouse money making exercise and no doubt receive a nice payment!!
I am sure his club mates will think highly of him next season!!
Word is seeping out that the South Africans are beginning to fancy their chances of winning the World Cup! It might sound crazy, but they are my dark horses for the competition I have to admit.
They have a huge powerful pack, that can cause problems to any line out, they have a competitive and physical back row who will challenge at every breakdown, and a blitz defence with a very abbrasive midfield, with an astute kicking number 10. In my book, exactly hwat you need to beat the All Blacks.
The only other side who have the squad to beat the AB's are the French, but who the hell knows if they will turn up or not, I certainly don't and I suspect that they don't either!
I don't want to harp on about him, because I do think he was unfairly singled out for criticism (by me also) after the Irish game, but Andy Farrell was rather cruely exposed by Gloucester at the weekend. A firm fast pitch, and what did Gloucester do, they went wide at every opportunity and exposed the Saracens defence. It does make me wonder what will happen on the fast hard grounds in SA this summer.
The Heineken Cup has been saves, apparently!! Let's all wait to see how it will be portrayed in the press, as I for one can not see how it can have been saved without one side backing down, and how can that be covered up with spin at a good press conference??!! Neither side will want to be portrayed as the loser, so it should be fun to read !!!
7 comments:
Will,
If the All Blacks can beat the Springboks away in Durban on 22 June, will you stop hedging your bet on South Africa as dark horses and go with New Zealand to lift the World Cup (or at least fumble in the final again)?!
Granted, the AB have a few of the choice back row already out through injury, and that (oh, and the rest of the forwards) is the strength of the boks, but there is still plenty of AB depth in those positions as well as in the back three.
Also, be interesting to see how much of a fight the Crusaders and Blues can muster AWAY in SA next week in the Super 14s - a good indication of the mettle of any team.
Pity the English (new)blood to be spilled down under next month!
Andy W,
don't get me wrong, in many ways I hope the AB's win it, as they have played some great rugby in the last few years etc. They have a number of World Class players, and I think they have the most complete and powerful squad.
There is just something about the World Cup that seems to get in their heads, and I just wonder if the pressure comes on from a side like the Boks in the Semis or Final whether they are strong enough mentally to stay calm and confident. We shall see!
As for English blood spilt this summer, yes I think there will be a fair amount, I just hope that we manage to spill plenty of theirs too!!!
Will,
Quietly, between these four (million) walls, I think you may be right about the AB's and their WC stage fright.
Since 2003, I've had to put up with the ribbing from my mates over here about your (deserved) win over the Wallabies.
The AB's have been playing attractive, expansive rugby for a long time now - dear I say they're the people's favourite, much like Brazil in football?
20 years is a long time (though why does it not feel like it?) and through it the AB's have played, or been part of, some of the best games of WC rugby. A 45-29 drumming comes to mind in 1995 (two late tries making the score more bearable for you); as well as the Gallic flair in a 1999 semi.
Will it be another year of close but no cigar for the Blacks... god I hope not.
The AB's have by far the easiest pool (again). Rather meet England than Australia in the semis (but you'll be a bit bruised and battered with games against Samoa and Tonga); and then a good scrap with SA would be my pick of a grand final and WC triumph at last!
But then, at the end of the day, as long as it is good flowing rugby throughout, I don't mind who wins as long as it is good for the game (but here's hoping I get to rub salt into the wounds of my mates after a NZ v England semi –with Catt playing again of course… and Carling coming out of retirement from the much depleted bench!).
Have you read the questionnaire on the RFU website - it seems a great piece of consultancy work for the RFU which pushes you in one direction - what it does not cover is the more crucial problem of how they will change the current management structure of the RFU - I notice there is no spot for any other comments - probably a wise move from Mr Baron.
I think people are ignoring the French team, whilst they can be erratic they have the potential to beat anyone at home.
Chris,
The French "can" beat anyone in a oneoff, but consistency has never been a strength. To come out on top they will have to beat two southern hemisphere teams, SA in the semis and AB's (or Aussies) in the final - very little chance... even at home.
But will be great games to watch!
I agree, but if they are ever going to put a string of performances together it ought to be the World Cup in France!
How many times have the home nation made it to the final? I think the only ones not to was Wales in 1999.
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