6 Nations 2019
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@MiketheSnow said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Catogrande said in 6 Nations 2019:
First off congrats to @MiketheSnow and his compatriots for completing the slam. Saved the best for last and were in control the whole time. A really good performance. Alun-Wyn Jones was immense and you do wonder how he manages to go back to the well again and again. Seems to be a good bloke too.
England and Scotland. What a game or rather I should say two games. England were very good in the first half and Scotland were shite, complete turnaround for the second half. In all five games this 6N and also going back to the tour to SA, England's first half performances have been in stark contrast to their second halves. This is a pattern that must be worrying Eddie. I fully expect the RFU to lobby for a reduction in game time to 40 minutes. We'd be world champs easy.
Cheers
And
Yes bench depth and impact is worrying for England.
The bench has been interesting. We do have guys that can make an impact but not if they're not selected. Yesterday we had two back row options, one of which could "fill in" at lock, a rookie 9, loads of options for 10,12,13 but nothing for the back three. Having guys like Cockanisiga or Ashton (OK injured I know) that can offer a different skill set would be useful. Also we have to accept that a big guy like Vunipola, that does a lot of carrying is not going to last the full 80. We have the players but Eddie has had some funny ideas about his bench.
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@chimoaus said in 6 Nations 2019:
This was the first 6 Nations I have actually followed properly and really enjoyed the quality of the rugby. Massive congrats to Wales, many say how boring they are etc etc, but they currently know how to win and that is all that matters. AWJ is a machine and reminds me of Richie and his leadership.
Ireland just looked flat and could not get any front foot ball, no doubt Sexton and Murray had a tournament they will want to flush and forget. I really like Joe Schmidt and his post match press conferences were always class. He had special words to say about Gatland and Wales today which was nice to see.
I like how irratic England are, makes for exciting viewing. The big pluses for me is I genuinely believe we have 6 to 8 sides that could win this World Cup and can't wait to watch this tournament.
Oh also, could England possibly send us either Curry or Underwood, not fair you have two amazing young 7's.
I'll take Watson over both of them
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@NTA said in 6 Nations 2019:
After that I was sure England's power game, combined with a newfound back line verve, would top the charts. BUT it turns out the Farrell is a bit shit when his forwards run out of puff, which happens when they get turned around a lot.
There's a lack of awareness and too much of a one-dimensional approach in England's back play. Tub-O-Lardi is praised to the heavens for "smashing holes in the defence" but butchered at least one try yesterday by cutting back inside with a 2 on 1 overlap.
Farrell's a fine 2nd five and kicker but lacks the smarts to be a top notch 10
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@MiketheSnow said in 6 Nations 2019:
Yes bench depth and impact is worrying for England.
Nah, Eddie can always fast-track a few S15 journeymen into his test team.
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Been a few comments on the refs in this thread
It's been pretty good all round this 6N I think. There's been far less use of the TMO for obvious things and the scrums haven't been the festering wart on games as in the past. Some of the newer refs (names escape me) looked pretty good.
Even Poitre reffed well
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@chimoaus said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Bones said in 6 Nations 2019:
@chimoaus are you not a kiwi then?
I'm pretty bloody happy with Todd, Savea, Cane.
Yeah I am, however if we had two young 7's like those boys I would be even happier
To sit behind the aforementioned 3? I reckon we'll have another couple of young opensides behind them next year...
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@Victor-Meldrew said in 6 Nations 2019:
There's a lack of awareness and too much of a one-dimensional approach in England's back play. Tub-O-Lardi is praised to the heavens for "smashing holes in the defence" but butchered at least one try yesterday by cutting back inside with a 2 on 1 overlap.
The outside backs are far better than they've been in years. That Nowell bloke looks pretty handy - knows how to run a good line, runs hard, has pace.
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This popped up on my daily thread and it encapsulates Gatland's coaching philosphy perfectly IMHO
Seth Godin
Resilience and tolerancesResilience is what happens when we’re able to move forward even when things don’t fit together the way we expect.
And tolerances are an engineer’s measurement of how well the parts meet spec. (The word ‘precision’ comes to mind). A 2018 Lexus is better than 1964 Camaro because every single part in the car fits together dramatically better. The tolerances are more narrow now.
One way to ensure that things work out the way you hope is to spend the time and money to ensure that every part, every form, every worker meets spec. Tighten your spec, increase precision and you’ll discover that systems become more reliable.
The other alternative is to embrace the fact that nothing is ever exactly on spec, and to build resilient systems.
You’ll probably find that while precision feels like the way forward, resilience, the ability to thrive when things go wrong, is a much safer bet.
The trap? Hoping for one, the other or both but not doing the work to make it likely. What will you do when it doesn’t work?
Neither resilience nor tolerances get better on their own.
Resilience and tolerances
Resilience is what happens when we’re able to move forward even when things don’t fit together the way we expect. And tolerances are an engineer’s measurement of how well the part…
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@NTA
May, Daley & Nowell are pretty good on attack but the first 2 can be v. flakey on defence. Pom midfield is, IMHO, shite. -
@MiketheSnow said in 6 Nations 2019:
From the bottom
ITALY
Showed signs of promise and will be a pain in the arse for NZ and SA mid-week sides.SCOTLAND
Showed moments of brilliance. With a full, fit squad who knows?
Resoundingly beaten by Ireland in 6N and expect the same at RWC
On a good day both Samoa and Japan could turn them overFRANCE
Who the fuck knows?
Murdered Wales in the first half, fell apart in the second.
Thumped Scotland.
Got bossed by England and Ireland.
Will battle with Argentina for QF spotIRELAND
Got worked out
Had injuries
Halfbacks need a rest and a rethink
Should top their RWC group
Can't see them defeating NZENGLAND
Used to think it was frustrating being a Welsh fan
The English fans must be thinking WTF
Bossed Ireland and France and Italy
Lost to Wales
Could so easily have lost to Scotland which would have been the biggest shit the bed in rugby history
Will top their group
On their day can beat anybodyWALES
Belief and resiliance
Not the prettiest rugby but oh so effective
Got out of jail against Scotland
Will go through to QF, who knows who will top the group
Can beat anyone on their day with the exception of NZ
Bridge too farSubtle little troll there Snowyboi ...
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@booboo said in 6 Nations 2019:
@MiketheSnow said in 6 Nations 2019:
From the bottom
ITALY
Showed signs of promise and will be a pain in the arse for NZ and SA mid-week sides.SCOTLAND
Showed moments of brilliance. With a full, fit squad who knows?
Resoundingly beaten by Ireland in 6N and expect the same at RWC
On a good day both Samoa and Japan could turn them overFRANCE
Who the fuck knows?
Murdered Wales in the first half, fell apart in the second.
Thumped Scotland.
Got bossed by England and Ireland.
Will battle with Argentina for QF spotIRELAND
Got worked out
Had injuries
Halfbacks need a rest and a rethink
Should top their RWC group
Can't see them defeating NZENGLAND
Used to think it was frustrating being a Welsh fan
The English fans must be thinking WTF
Bossed Ireland and France and Italy
Lost to Wales
Could so easily have lost to Scotland which would have been the biggest shit the bed in rugby history
Will top their group
On their day can beat anybodyWALES
Belief and resiliance
Not the prettiest rugby but oh so effective
Got out of jail against Scotland
Will go through to QF, who knows who will top the group
Can beat anyone on their day with the exception of NZ
Bridge too farSubtle little troll there Snowyboi ...
Not at all
Now if I'd added 'again'
Seriously it's NZ's to lose and I think only England, Australia and SA can beat them.
Obviously they have to play out of their skins, score when the opportunities present themselves and don't kick shitly to NZ.
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@MiketheSnow said in 6 Nations 2019:
Seriously it's NZ's to lose and I think only England, Australia and SA can beat them.
I think it's wide open.
Ireland have had a bad 6N but are still capable of beating any team on the day. Lots depend on how well Schmidt gets then back on their feet. Can they do a full 1/4, Semi & final run?
The Wobbles will be there or thereabouts. They seem to do better when the whole squad is together for a while so RWC will benefit them.
Ditto the Boks. Rassie's instilled some serious belief and Kolisi is turning into a good captain. Faf De Villiers & Pollard will be key.
Wales went from strength to strength in this tournament but seem to have a mental block when up against SH sides. I do wonder if the 6N means more to them than an RWC. If they play like they have done this 6N they are def. in with a chance. Probbly have more depth than the other NH sides.
France showed 1-2 signs early on of getting back on form but were crap by the end of the 6N's. But they always do well in RWC's (the bastards)
Scotland probably won't win but could cause some upsets. Ditto Argentina.
England are all over the place. You wonder if there's serious problems in the squad and it isn't a happy one. Comical Eddie's tactics are OK but are too rigidly applied - probably as the players don't think. Squad depth & injuries are a worry.
NZ. I just don't know whether we are on the start of a serious slide or the team will use the AI's and last years RC to learn, fe-focus and adapt. Injuries could be an issue as well. I don't expect us to win this year - there's a fragility not seen for a while.
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Now I preface this with the fact that Welsh fans won't give a single fuck, and it's only the arrogance of an AB fan that can sy this, but...
Rugby is a fucking boring game when played what at the moment is the Welsh way. Low risk, low scoring, but winning games built on tackling and the set piece.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in 6 Nations 2019:
@NTA
May, Daley & Nowell are pretty good on attack but the first 2 can be v. flakey on defence. Pom midfield is, IMHO, shite.Watched it back and Nowell was a turnstile on 2 of the Scottish tries.
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@mariner4life really? I thought it was a great set of games from them.
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Disagree profoundly, how much of the Wales games this year have you actually watched?
Alyn Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi, LiamWilliams and George North are all world class players and great to watch. Wales remind me a lot in style to the 2011 All Blacks.
You don't win 14 Rugby internationals in a row without being a very good side indeed.
