Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016

Disgusted of TW

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="557120" data-time="1454870172">I know it is Round 1 and weather in the UK has been terrible in recent weeks, but that was dour, negative stuff again in the Ireland -Wales match. The British sides seem to be trying to turn the Rugby clock back to the mid-70s or early-80s with slow paced, pass and drive, pass and kick, safety first Rugby. 
Any excitement in this year's 6 nations looks like it will come from the closeness of the fixtures rather than the quality of the Rugby.</blockquote>
 
Where are all these dour, negative coaches coming from...

sparky

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Disgusted of TW" data-cid="557122" data-time="1454870753">
Where are all these dour, negative coaches coming from...</blockquote>Very early days to judge Eddie Jones. I guess he is trying to make England's defence and set piece world class, then he will work on the skills and attack. The Championship and the Grand Slam this year already look potentially achievable goals for the Tasmanian. 
It's ten years since Cotter coached in New Zealand and nine years since Gatland and Schmidt coached in New Zealand. I doubt any of them will be approached by NZRFU to come home any time soon based on their side's offerings this weekend.

Disgusted of TW

Actually I'm still feeling quite optimistic about Eddie. Looking for a few debutantes against Italy - if not now, when, etc. It's just a pity he hasn't got Slade available.

leytonandamanda

It's a real bore watching rugby in northern hemisphere. Really clueless and it's all about defence 
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Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="557125" data-time="1454873884">
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It's a real bore watching rugby in northern hemisphere. Really clueless and it's all about defence 
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Please don't watch it any more if it's upsetting you this much. :)

leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="557129" data-time="1454876233">Please don't watch it any more if it's upsetting you this much. :)</blockquote>
Only saw the highlights but that was enough as there were no highlights worth watching 
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Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="557130" data-time="1454876391">
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Only saw the highlights but that was enough as there were no highlights worth watching 
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Well now you know what to do in the future......
 
Don't even watch the highlights. NH rugby is boring, kick-infested played on mud and slush pitches - we never promise anything else, and we always deliver. :)

Siam

Crowds, physical intensity and history (tradition) ensure that it's not so boring as slow paced in my opinion
 
The defence and the will not to give an inch are positives, the games just play out differently to the southern sides
 
Can't expect everyone to be offloading, and displaying skills that these guys aren't used to after 2 weeks together. Similarly the coaches know how and why 4 Southern teams stood out in 2015, but to flick a switch and have that happen on day 1 of the 6 Nations just isn't a realistic option.
 
However I think there is room to speed up the game. Get your team fit and looking to deny a slow game with quick taps, quick throws and even better kick chase execution and I think that is the foundations for proactive winning.
 
There's a lot of the play in 6 nations where everyone just stops and goes through the motions - speed it up, gaps will appear and the last 15 minutes will be different too, tired legs
 
 
Appreciated Garces yelling to use it scrums. Again the attacking mindset of great ball from a good initial shove needs to be recognised as grade A opportunities, not a time to milk a penalty

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="557185" data-time="1454896008">
<div> Appreciated Garces yelling to use it scrums. Again the attacking mindset of great ball from a good initial shove needs to be recognised as grade A opportunities, not a time to milk a penalty
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A little like this you mean? ;)

And this was after 3 scrum restarts when Wales was buckling the Irish scrum.

Siam

Yes Mike
 
However I'd like to see something similar a few more times before I'm convinced it's a genuine tactic. There was a hint perhaps that the ball spewed out
 
Might be me being pessimistic although a team needn't wait for 2 resets to attack from a scrum. Northern hemisphere teams have an earned reputation for using scrums to kick penalties.
 
Using scrums to score tries is the way forward

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="557398" data-time="1454930658">
<div> Using scrums to score tries is the way forward
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When it's on.
 
The Kenny Rogers School of Rugby.
 
3 pts and a prop in the bin can bring more reward at times.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="557399" data-time="1454930832">
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When it's on.
 
The Kenny Rogers School of Rugby.
 
3 pts and a prop in the bin can bring more reward at times.
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:) It's that attitude that sees you failing in the quarters young man :)

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="557408" data-time="1454932337">
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 It's that attitude that sees you failing in the quarters young man :)
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That's not why we failed in the group, the QF and yesterday.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="557399" data-time="1454930832">
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When it's on.
 
The Kenny Rogers School of Rugby.
 
3 pts and a prop in the bin can bring more reward at times.
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</blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="557408" data-time="1454932337">
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 It's that attitude that sees you failing in the quarters young man :)
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="557411" data-time="1454932648">
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That's not why we failed in the group, the QF and yesterday.
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But it's why NZ and Aus are always in the top 3 in the World ;)
 
But I know what you mean Mike, and the try was a great example of how fine a player Faletau has become

Bristolkiwi

Only saw the highlights of the France/Italy game which seems to show france have learned nothing from RWC at all and are just playing the power game and thats about it.
 
End v Scotland I watched and was just saddened by scotlands slowness at pretty much everything. No momentum, backs all just waiting for someone to do something and having to create a 1 on 1 to get through, 9 (and captain) standing around at the back of rucks waiting and waiting for someone to get into position to do something, lots of box kicking with a poor chase. Made england look a lot better than they were but they at least got a win and another week together with the new coach.
 
Ireland wales was a breath of fresh air in comparison. Two sides showing urgency and desire and considerably more overall skill in evidence.
 
Not too bad really especially if you consider how poorly the ABs for example usually play in their first test of the year (to just remind some of the southern based posters :yes: )

Wreck Diver

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Margin_Walker" data-cid="557110" data-time="1454848158">
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Billy started off playing for Wasps at 152kg. He now weighs 126kg and I'm pretty sure he will have shown a little graft and determination to get there. Personally think that he's actually at a pretty decent combination of size, power and endurance to be an effective 'tight' 8 and carry well in heavy traffic. Josh Beaumont is in the squad and is far closer in skill set to Read and will likely get an opportunity at some point.
 
The three players you mention are all fantastic players, but I'd argue that Nonu is the only one that has gone through any profound transformation. McCaw and Carter were immensely talented from the start. Of course they improved, but I'd say that Billy has also improved since his first cap.
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At 126kg he is still overweight. He's got tits, he needs to lose some of the fat so does his brother.

Billy Tell

My brief thoughts from first round
 
1) Fra vs Italy ws entertaining enough but proper defence optional. Italy played about as well as they can, and Parisse and their centre Campagnaro (?sp) are classy. France looked like the same disorganised rabble from Cardiff, with a touch more flair.
 
2) Eng vs Scot. England ground down Scot and their 2nd tray was well worked. Scotland remain utterly clueless on attack in the 22, the Gray players carting it up seemed about the extent of the attacking threat. Hogg is always good value and should be a Lions tourist.
 
3) Wales vs Ita. The best of the 3 games. However, Wales were blunt on attack just like Scotland. Ireland with a number of genuine first team players injured (especially Henderson, SOB, probably POM etc) will be happy enough with that result. CJ Stander, as predicted by his compelling form for Munster, had a superb first half. Faded a bit in the 2nd, but a good find for them.
 
Based on the opening weekend, title looks like it's between Eng, Wales & Ireland. England have a friendly draw from memory.

SimonAdd

Looking forward to the second round. England have retained the 23 players from the Scotland game and added Itoje, Kvesic, Beaumont and Daly to make a 27-man training squad for the week. This makes me extremely happy. 
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MiketheSnow

Eddie's going to have to be careful.
 
Too many changes against a competitive Italy could spell trouble.
 
Although the players coming in should make the team better in fairness.

KiwiMurph

Eddie doing his bit for English-Italian relations
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
With the Calcutta Cup retained for an eighth year, Australian Jones joked: "I don't know what the cup's called in Italy - The Panini Cup? We'll win it" and England's new coach left little doubt over his objective at the Stadio Olimpico.
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"We control our own destiny. We want to go to Rome and smack Italy," Jones said.
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"I've already said to the boys that's our aim - to go out there and give them a good hiding. Italy are going to be tough because they should have beaten France, but that's our aim."
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/go-out-there-and-give-them-a-good-hiding.html'>https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/go-out-there-and-give-them-a-good-hiding.html</a>

The Silver Fern

Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016