An exciting last weekend
Once again proving this is the greatest rugby competition in the world. In a world cup year, all of the Northern Hemisphere's premier nations have had a chance to have at least a modicum of success but who can build from here and who needs to think again? Lets review the teams and their ending positions:
England
Champions but no Grand Slam. A very disappointing ending for England who went out with a whimper rather than a bang. Poor against Scotland, they were blown away by a resurgent Ireland in Dublin. What was worrying was the complete lack of a plan B. Martin Johnson may be a great motivator but his strict adherence to a fixed plan and his natural dislike of unstructured play makes him very easy to eventually suss out. England looked very laboured in Dublin. Youngs and Flood, who had been so fresh and exciting earlier in the tournament looked lost when things didn't go England's way. Still lets no take anything away - England finished 4-1 in the tournament and will get stronger. The return of Lawes, Croft, Sheridan, Moody will all enhance England and their bench is the strongest of all except France. A shame they have no centres. Hape is not the answer and with Tindall and Flutey injured there is a massive hole here. England will revert to their forward dominated game and should make the World Cup semis and a match against Australia. Difficult to bet against England not making the World Cup Final again.
France
What can you say? Livremont put the boot in firmly with his squad and and his team responded, delivered, dominating and destroying Wales. But they still look disjointed and clearly have no idea of their best side. They will surprise a few people at the World Cup and could cause hosts New Zealand a few hand in mouth moments but where is the progress? This is a team which won a categoric Grand Slam last year and have wasted a year. Quarter Finals looks likely but then they will face England and unless France improve greatly in 5 short months their world cup will end there.
Ireland
The real jeckell and hyde team. Narrowly escaped humiliation by Italy, struggled against Scotland and would have lost with a more consistent referee; beaten by Wales and France; they raised their game to humiliate England. Sexton looks the shirt and was outstanding against England. Ireland's pack looked substandard all tournament until that final match. It is difficult to assess if this was a one off or a real resurgence by the Irish. Bowe and Reddan looked sharp. O'Connell is back and Sean O'Brien is one of players of the tournament. Ireland have a tough World Cup Pool with Australia and Italy. Assuming they scrape through as 2nd place team, they will face South Africa in the quarter finals. Ireland still too reliant on older players and a lengthy re-build likely post World Cup.
Wales
I predicted a wooden spoon for Wales and they came through with some solid results after a dismal Six Nations 2010 and Autumn humiliation. Unlucky to get England up firts, Wales played very well to beat Scotland, scraped home against Italy and had a lucky win against Ireland before being destroyed in Paris. Mike Philips still not the right choice for me and Wales will welcome back Richie Rees at scrum half. Similar in front row where Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins will be back for World Cup. Bradley Davies and Alun Wynn-Jones continue to make progress in 2nd row, Lydiate and Warburton add quality in back row. The key player for Wales is Hook. He needs to stay at No. 10. Wales will be worrying about the lack of form shown by Roberts but encouraged by Jonathan Davies. Wingers another safe area with an embarrassment of riches. Wales have the toughest World Cup Pool with long term nemesis South Africa and traditional banana skin teams such as Fiji and Samoa. Wales should just scrape through and will face Australia. That could go either way which would set up a Semi Final with England. Quarter final defeat to the convicts looks the likely outcome but some encouraging signs for Wales.
Scotland
Robinson was my coach of tournament last year and I had backed Scotland to do well. Well shows you what I know as Scotland were laboured and never recovered really from being humiliated at Murrayfield by Wales. Ansbro looks a good prospect at Centre, Jackson the future at Fly half. Scottish back row looks strong and Richie Gray has emerged as a real prospect. Scotland will face the "auld enemy" in Pool B and will have to overcome Argentina to progress. Quarter Final against New Zealand and its all over.
Italy
Finally Italy showed some great form Could have been three wins. Ireland and Wales can feel very lucky to avoid defeat and France will forever be re-living the nightmare in Rome. Parisse was player of the tournament and several Italian players showed great form. They will have a tough World Cup and I don't see them making the quarter final but great progress and Nick Mallet can be rightly proud of the progress made by his team.
Hypothetical Lions Squad:
No British Lions Tour this summer due to World Cup but like last year - a quick look at the home nations form team:
15 Foden - gets the nod with several good performances. Earls close second.
14 Ashton - Still learning but no one doubts the talent
13 Ansbro - Surprise to many but I have been very impressed by this new Scottish flyer.
12 O'Driscoll - Still supreme. Class of his own.
11 Bowe - Looked great when he has played.
10 Sexton - Outstanding against England. gets the vote over Flood.
9 Reddan - No stand out player here. Embarrassing really.
1 Corbisiero - looked good. Edges out Paul James,
2 Hartley - Poor against Ireland but great elsewhere. Gets the hooking role
3 Ross - Cole went backwards and so doesn't get it. Mike Ross - Mr. Consistent.
4 Gray - A real emerging talent.
5 Palmer - A good series for Tom.
6 O'Brien - very impressive in every game.
8 Heaslip - A close call with Ryan Jones for me.
7 Warburton - forward of the tournament for me
1 Welshmen, 5 Englishmen, 7 Irishmen, 2 Scotsmen
No comments:
Post a Comment