Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016
-
<p>Having watched a little of this years' 6N, England are comfortable and deserving winners. They certainly playing better than their competition.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I read in the Economist some time back that Italy's struggles can be partly attributed to poor kicking conversion - they've certainly had enough close games that it would have made a difference. But for all the improvement in Georgia etc. Italy can't be removed from the 6N even for a year. They need the ongoing support - it took the NZRFU decades to support Australian rugby.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="564566" data-time="1457950290">
<div>
<p>I can't see this happening. Each week end of Six Nations, thousands of supporters are traveling abroad. Rome is a great destination. Do you imagine 20 000 Irish or English fans going to Bucarest to watch a game of rugby ? Hmmm, not me.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I went to Bucharest in 2014 to watch Canada v Romania. Terrible game - from memory Romania shoved their scrum all over the park and they kicked 6 penalties for the win (Don Clarke-ish). Cold, miserable weather and I was drinking warm plonk. Having said all that, I would go again in a heartbeat. City was lively and rugby supporters partied hard. I'd certainly support Romania in the 7N.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Maybe Georgia also in an 8N...</p> -
<p>Nope. Six nations is enough thanks very much. More is not always more you know. Italy suck balls this year but they have been more competitive and no doubt will be again and are worth their place. Whilst both Romania and Georgia might actually beat Italy at present it is by no means certain and it should be remembered that they are both currently on a high and Italy are currently on a low. Italy have beaten all the other 6N teams apart from England and I do not see either Georgia or Romania doing that in the foreseeable future.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What I would like to see is the 6N second teams entering a tournament with the likes of Georgia and providing some stiffer competition for them as well as providing more opportunities for the 6N second teams. We could then review the progress of these other nations a few years down the road to see if they remain viable.</p> -
<p>As expected both Marler and Francis get cited for foul play, with Marler still under a cloud for the Gypsy Boy comment and a further possible citing. For me the pikey comment got apologised for at half time (and accepted I believe). That should be the end of it. Neither of the two incidences of foul play looked that bad. Marlers was nothing more than a "hello it's me" tap and whilst Francis did make contact with the eyes there was no element of hooked fingers or gouging. However. Judiciary. Plus Ashton got ten weeks for something more innocuous than Francis' transgression. Anything is possible.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="564585" data-time="1457964384"><p>whilst Francis did make contact with the eyes there was no element of hooked fingers or gouging.</p></blockquote> I have to disagree Cato. I thought at the time that the very thing that made this look intentional was that Francis' fingers do indeed hook upwards as his body weight is falling forward. If he was merely reaching for something to lean on, e.g. Cole's face, his hand posture was all wrong. This looked to me like a deliberate attempt to scrape across Cole's face. Dumb, and hopefully sees him get a few weeks. To be honest, I think it's easily worse than the Ashton incident (and I say that as someone who doesn't particularly like Ashton)
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="564530" data-time="1457935945">
<div>
<p>The mighty Scots will be buoyed by their victories, they'll take some beating ( two clichés in one sentence )</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I know as Kiwis we like to laugh at the Scots, but I've found them quite good. Their main weakness this 6N has been their lineout - Ford is not a particularly flash hooker - and it cost them dear vs England, but they have shown more enterprise in the backs than Ireland. Ireland's Toner will target their lineout for sure.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>They will give this weekend a good shot - chance for 3 consecutive victories for the first time in 20 years, first time they win 3 games in the 6N since 2006, and a chance to finish 3rd.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Their FB Hogg is a nailed on Lion's tourist.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="564571" data-time="1457952385">
<div>
<p>Having watched a little of this years' 6N, England are comfortable and deserving winners.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Their forward pack squashed Ireland and Wales in the first half. Just couldn't turn all the possession and territory into an unassailable lead. But their backs will improve, probably by dropping one of their ten's, and putting Slade at 12.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Likely to become proper opposition for NZ again, although I think we have a break from England for a while.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Predicting Wales 0 - NZ 3</p>
<p>Ireland 0 - SA 3</p>
<p>Eng 1 - Aus 2</p>
<p> </p>
<p>in the June tests.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="564591" data-time="1457979201">
<div>
<p><strong>I know as Kiwis we like to laugh at the Scots</strong>, but I've found them quite good. Their main weakness this 6N has been their lineout - Ford is not a particularly flash hooker - and it cost them dear vs England, but they have shown more enterprise in the backs than Ireland. Ireland's Toner will target their lineout for sure.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>They will give this weekend a good shot - chance for 3 consecutive victories for the first time in 20 years, first time they win 3 games in the 6N since 2006, and a chance to finish 3rd.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Their FB Hogg is a nailed on Lion's tourist.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>People don't dare laugh at the Scots under my watch on here.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>They actually have a bit of depth out wide in Seymour and Maitland plus Hogg as you mentioned. Visser might not be as good as people( me ) thought he was going to be and Lamont might be 200 years old but there is talent there still. When Weir, Grimes and Murray were in the engine room their lineout was a source of strength, no excuses why they can't be doing the same with Gray and Gray there.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="564607" data-time="1457986494">
<div>
<p>People don't dare laugh at the Scots under my watch on here.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Hhmmm, you are first to point out people getting all internet warrior tough guy....</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiF5KvRg8HLAhVBPZQKHd0BAqMQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DiC--6V65dvY&psig=AFQjCNFKQqRJtSYFdWZPA4OF6Czj91Dmng&ust=1458074135672864'><img height="180" src="http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/iC--6V65dvY/mqdefault.jpg" width="320" alt="mqdefault.jpg"></a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="564592" data-time="1457979365">
<div>
<p>Predicting Wales 0 - NZ 3</p>
<p>Ireland 0 - SA 3</p>
<p>Eng 1 - Aus 2</p>
<p> </p>
<p>in the June tests.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Agreed. Wales don't look like troubling the All Blacks, Ireland aren't inventive enough, nor are their forwards combative enough to beat up the Boks at home. Australia has a competitive forward pack and better backs, so they should account for England.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="564610" data-time="1457987768">
<div>
<p>Hhmmm, you are first to point out people getting all internet warrior tough guy....</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiF5KvRg8HLAhVBPZQKHd0BAqMQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DiC--6V65dvY&psig=AFQjCNFKQqRJtSYFdWZPA4OF6Czj91Dmng&ust=1458074135672864'><img height="180" src="http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/iC--6V65dvY/mqdefault.jpg" width="320" alt="mqdefault.jpg"></a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I was hoping no one would notice the blatant hypocrisy in my post but then I remembered the likes of you who checks the fern before your morning dump and knew I was doomed.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="564612" data-time="1457988137">
<div>
<p>I was hoping no one would notice the blatant hypocrisy in my post but then I remembered the likes of you who checks the fern <strike>before </strike>during your morning dump and knew I was doomed.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Fixed</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="564613" data-time="1457988206"><p>
Fixed</p></blockquote>
<br>
Staying classy, Crucial. 👠-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="564611" data-time="1457987835"><p>
Agreed. Wales don't look like troubling the All Blacks, Ireland aren't inventive enough, nor are their forwards combative enough to beat up the Boks at home. Australia has a competitive forward pack and better backs, so they should account for England.</p></blockquote>
<br>
As ever when reading a post such as this, there's a small hope tucked away in the deepest recesses of my mind that maybe, just maybe, one of the 6 N teams might come good down South. But after a RWC hardly likely. <br><br>
Can someone remind me again as to why SANZAR wanted to have three-test tours? -
<p>Ireland should have enough for Scotland over the weekend but I think fucking up one of their best chances ever to advance beyond the quarter finals in the WC for the first time ever has really screwed things for them. That was the real 50/50 game of the quarters weekend but the Argies put them away very comfortably.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="564671" data-time="1458002350">
<div>
<p>As ever when reading a post such as this, there's a small hope tucked away in the deepest recesses of my mind that maybe, just maybe, one of the 6 N teams might come good down South. But after a RWC hardly likely.<br><br>
Can someone remind me again as to why SANZAR wanted to have three-test tours?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Utter humiliation ;)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd prefer a 3 test series v one of the Home nations or France than a 1 off test and then another 2 vs say Italy and Fiji.</p> -
<p>3 test tours increase the chance of competitive games IMO. For one-offs you get the old 'sending a young squad for development' rubbish we used to get. No one wants to get smashed for 3 in a row though so there is incentive to at least have a good crack at it.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="564738" data-time="1458034342">
<div>
<p>Are England or Ireland playing any midweek games on their tours like Wales are (vs the Chiefs)?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>According to Wiki, just the three tests over consecutive weekends.</p>
