Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="557399" data-time="1454930832">
<div>
When it's on.
 
The Kenny Rogers School of Rugby.
 
3 pts and a prop in the bin can bring more reward at times.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="557408" data-time="1454932337">
<div>
 It's that attitude that sees you failing in the quarters young man :)
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="557411" data-time="1454932648">
<div>
That's not why we failed in the group, the QF and yesterday.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
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">
<div>
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.
</div>
</blockquote>
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. 
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

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.
<div style="margin:20px 0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(77,77,77);font-family:apexBook;">
"We control our own destiny. We want to go to Rome and smack Italy," Jones said.
</div>
<div style="margin:20px 0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(77,77,77);font-family:apexBook;">
"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."
</div>
</blockquote>
 
<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>

Derm McCrum

France v Ireland game Saturday. Teams announced: 
 FRANCE: Maxime Medard; Teddy Thomas, Maxime Mermoz, Jonathan Danty, Virimi Vakatawa; Jules Plisson, Sebastien Bezy; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Uini Atonio; Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri; Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Damien Chouly. Replacements: Camille Chat, Rabah Slimani, Eddy Ben Arous, Paul Jedrasiak, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Hugo Bonneval. IRELAND: R Kearney; Trimble, Payne, Henshaw, D Kearney; Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best (capt), White, McCarthy, Toner, Stander, Oâ€™Brien, Heaslip. 
Replacements: R Strauss, J Cronin, Furlong, Ryan, Oâ€™Donnell, Reddan, Madigan, McFadden.
 
Billy T will be scratching off Schmidt for the AB coaching job as the Kearneys have been selected to replace injured Zebo and Earls.
 
Good to see O'Brien back to fitness, and helps to beef up the carrying in the back row and give Heaslip a bit more of running role.
First and second choice props still not available for tighthead, and Healy still not recovered. 
 
It was battered bodies in a no-compromise match last weekend - France are up for more of the same with new look battering rams in the front row. Picamoles continuing absence doesn't help though.
 
Looking forward to this one. France haven't won a Six Nations against Ireland since February 2011 - and they're looking for revenge for the recent RWC loss.

Billy Tell

Don't really think Schmidt had much choice. With all the injuries it was either stay conservative or take a big risk. Given France's form, don't see the need to take a risk. However, the whole apple cart could be upset if Ireland were to ship a heavy loss. With the notable exception of Stander, he's stuck in these first 2 games to the script, and it can be easily argued that if POM were available, Stander wouldn't have got a look in either.
 
However, you are right, I'm not in any mad rush to see Schmidt take the reins of the NZ team, I'm rather underwhelmed by him as selector, even if as a coach he is more impressive. I'm also not sure his personality/style fits with NZ rugby, whereas he is perfect for the Irish setup. He is treated rather reverently by the Irish media, which just wouldn't happen in NZ.

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="558093" data-time="1455221850">
Don't really think Schmidt had much choice. With all the injuries it was either stay conservative or take a big risk. Given France's form, don't see the need to take a risk. However, the whole apple cart could be upset if Ireland were to ship a heavy loss. With the notable exception of Stander, he's stuck in these first 2 games to the script, and it can be easily argued that if POM were available, Stander wouldn't have got a look in either. 
However, you are right, I'm not in any mad rush to see Schmidt take the reins of the NZ team, I'm rather underwhelmed by him as selector, even if as a coach he is more impressive. I'm also not sure his personality/style fits with NZ rugby, whereas he is perfect for the Irish setup. He is treated rather reverently by the Irish media, which just wouldn't happen in NZ.</blockquote>
 
I think the reverential approach is beginning to fade. You're not the only voice questioning selection policy and team line-ups, particularly since the RWC. 
I'm also beginning to question the medical injury team and/or the conditioning of the players. The amount of injuries being accumulated from match to match seems out of kilter. And the continuing season until the end of May is going to take a further toll on test squad players. 
The notion that they will then travel to South Africa for a three match series is just absurd.

Zader

I thought Ireland were pretty positive against Wales in a particularly exciting first half. Whatever about the superiority of the Southern hemisphere teams NH rubgy has greatly changed. Ire v Wal was not a kick-fest and I'm looking forward to Fra v Ire though I expect we'll see Ire play a more conservative approach but when it's on they'll go for it.
 
My concerns for Ireland against France are White at tight-head and whether McCarthy & Toner can get the job done, Ryan on the bench has seen his best days. McGrath had a very strong game against Wales and will need another strong one against France.
 
I don't know what to expect from the French so nothing new there.
 
My only comment on Wales is they need a new backs coach, their attack is just so jaded and how George North continues to be selected baffles me.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Zader" data-cid="558308" data-time="1455248535">
<div> My only comment on Wales is they need a new backs coach, their attack is just so jaded and how George North continues to be selected baffles me.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
+1,000,000 to the first opinion.
 
The second opinion will be taken care of as a consequence of the above :)

MiketheSnow

Wales unchanged for the Scottish match, with Biggar making a 'miraculous' recovery.
 
Time for us to do to Scotland what Eddie Jones wants England to do to Italy.
 
Spank them.

Crash

The colossus of Nick White for Ireland??? 
Bo wonder their scrum went backwards

Derm McCrum

Well it's colossus crunch time so far with the French flying in from all angles - late and high as well as fair. 
O'Brien and Kearney have had to leave already. And Sexton being softened up slowly. 
6-0 to Ireland though with 30 mins gone

Billy Tell

Diabolical game so far

Derm McCrum

Sexton knocks another one over. 
9-3. 1 minute left to HT. 
Ireland concede a penalty from kick off.

Derm McCrum

Plisson kicks and puts it wide. 
9-3 at halftime to Ireland. 
It's going to be a heavy battle in the second. France with the stronger bench.

MiketheSnow

Shit weather, shit tactics, shit skill levels, shit decision making, shit kicking, shit TMOing.
 
SHIT HALF

Derm McCrum

The French want a turf war. 
They're getting one. 
Win by any means necessary, I think.

The Silver Fern

Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016