Our next seven games:Not a shock either, Gatland is going to be in big trouble as frankly I don’t see them beating Australia or South Africa though I expect both those teams to try and “manage” the Wales game with a weaker team
25% of their population is a registered rugby player and they play the game sublimely. I'm pleased for them, too. Long may they prosperFiji have a side in super rugby now. I think that shows. Playing at the top level every week against top all blacks and wallabies. Really pleased for them as a nation, the rugby side is their pride and joy.
Oof that’s a tough run. But I suppose if struggling for form then they’re all tough matchesOur next seven games:
Australia
South Africa
France (A)
Italy (A)
Ireland
Scotland (A)
England
We are realistically looking at targeting the summer tour of Japan in 2025 for what is likely to be our first win in two years. The WRU have so much to answer for.
Struggling for form, confidence, physicality, talent, experience and modern coaching. But yeah, they are.Oof that’s a tough run. But I suppose if struggling for form then they’re all tough matches
25% of their population is a registered rugby player and they play the game sublimely. I'm pleased for them, too. Long may they prosper
Anyone know why today's game between the NZ B side and Georgia was played in Montpellier? It was a sold out crowd as it's NZ but why not play it in Georgia?
Did the fans think they were buying ticket to the actual all blacks?
Commercial reasons I expect.
Possibly logistical too, a lot of Georgian players play in France, plus NZ are next playing in France so they can keep their squad together
But yeah, basically no one wants to go to Georgia
I don’t they get much choice in where their games are played unfortunately. I reckon they were told that if they wanted the match it had to be in FranceA pint in tblisi is about a quid, last time I was there.. i'd go. But if they want to be taken seriously as contenders to take Italy's place in the 6N then maybe not host your games on the other side of the continent.
I don’t they get much choice in where their games are played unfortunately. I reckon they were told that if they wanted the match it had to be in France
They play Italy next week, that’s also an away game
Well I was wrong, it seems that Bealham wasn’t up to it. Our back five too old or out of form, Crowley unsettled Frawley not up to it and the aerial contest is a great leveller. A rebuild is on the book for the summer and I’m expecting 3rd or 4th in the 6N.
Should be a play-off between wooden spoonists of the 6N and winners of the Tier 2 comp.Well. Anyway, I watched most of the game and they have some very impressive players. Dunno what the final score was but it was 20 odd to NZ when I turned over to the Wales game. They've got some pretty sharp backs as well as those enormous forwards. Can we make it a 7 nations?
Liked for the honest analysis, not the content.
Ditto on Elpenor's post, England have a real problem in the last 20.
Meanwhile, much as I'm happy with thrashing Japan, I didn't watch the game so not sure how good we really were. The All Blacks next, our first real test in a while (and since some of our players turned out to be fucking arseholes on the tour of Argentina FFS). I think it will be very tight, but only because NZs form is a bit iffy.
I’m not sure about Doris as Captain, reminds me of Heaslip, he doesn’t have enough dog in him.We have a big problem at outhalf and across the front row. I’m not sure what’s coming through the provinces as I’ve lost touch a bit but the average age of that team must be in the 30’s. Interesting times ahead for a squad that peaked last year.
Twickenham is very far from a fortress these days
The Allianz curse?Twickenham is very far from a fortress these days