This years tournament was a good, no doubt about it. However, there were just a couple of things that were starting to grate on me towards the end...
Punditry
On the whole the Beeb's team of seasoned professionals did rather well but...
Clive Woodward, you took a team to the World Cup and were victorious. Many have tried but only few succeed, we get that- well done. But for christ sake man it was back in 2003! Stop reverting every single half-time and post-match analysis back to it!
Jiffy is a legend. That accolade gets thrown around a lot these days but he actually is. He doesn't mince his words and injects a little bit of spice and variety to proceedings. This being said, when commentating he screams "IT'S ON HERE!!" Just chill your bean a bit Jiffy. Just because the ball is in hand it doesnt mean "It's on".
Kieth Wood, just because he's far too unashamedly Irish in his views.
Murrayfield
There is just too much pre-match build up there now. It was good but now it is starting to be a little bit like a shitty Superbowl with nowhere near enough bikini-clad pop sensations with big boobs. Also the guy who screams "3,2,1 C'MOONNNNNN SCOTLAND" right before the fligh half kicks-off proceedings really grinds my gears and I'm not entirly sure why.
Bastareaud Bashing
It seemed to be pretty fashionable amongst the people on television to lay into the huge French Centre this year and I'm not really sure why. Granted he is not the most skillful player on the pitch but he does what he does well. And do you know what Kieth Wood he is a world class centre because he plays for a bloody international team... I'd rather him in my team than Billy Twelvetrees.
Jack Nowell's Hair
Well, pretty self-explanatory really: shockingly awful hair. I personally like to think he only wears the head-guard to protect the highlights
What do you think then? Am I wrong? Am I right? Got anymore to add?
Drop a comment or hit us up on twitter: @ScrummyRugby
Showing posts with label Six Nations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Six Nations. Show all posts
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Friday, 14 March 2014
Six Nations Super Saturday Predictions
Well it is nearly here! The climax to this year rollercoaster of Six Nations. From a rugby fan's point-of-view its been a great tournament, from a Welsh point-of-view... Not so much. But oh well. Ireland are favourites and right so, but England do still have a chance, albeit a very slim one.
Italy v England - 1230 GMT Kick Off.
Have a feeling this is going to be a fairly straight forward one. England are going to win. It is just a matter of how much- and that's is actuall quite an important question for a change. They are going to need to put around 50 points on Italy to be in contention of nabbing it from the Irish. Scoring that many in any international order is always going to be a tall order but if there is a team to do it against in the Six Nations it is Italy, isn't it? Englands only other hope is if France beat Ireland, and I'm not sure if that is beyond the realms of possibilty.
Final Score: Ita 13 - 33 Eng
Wales v Scotland - 1445 Kick Off.
At last some change within the Welsh team! A completely new front row apart from good ol' Gethin. Except he's not been that good recently, in fact he has been pretty anonymous. When Paul James came on last week in the second half he had a great game, both around the pitch and in the scrum. I actually think Gethin is luckily that it is not a complete overhaul of the front row. Another change in the Welsh team has been very much welcomed by the Welsh fans. Biggar in for Priestland- at last! I am a fan of Priestland but there is no hiding away from it this year- he has not been good enough. When Biggar came on last week, like James, he changed things for the better. Finally Liam Williams is in for the injured Leigh Halfpenny. Got to be sore for James Hooke that one. Everyone in Wales is wondering... What has Hooke done to piss Gatland off so much?!
As for Scotland its been a bit of a topsy turby tournamnet (knid of like Wales') but they've shown some promise and the backs looked a little more inventive last week.
This is going to go two ways- a great game of rugby, or a terribly boring one. If it's the latter Wales may not be able to pull through so easily without Halfpenny
Final Score: Wal 21 - 14 Sco
France v Ireland - 1700 Kick Off
May really be a case of saving the best 'til last here. Realistically all Ireland has to do is win (Sorry English people). That being said, Ireland have only won once in Paris in the last 41 years... Shocking, isn't it. I reckon the French are not gonna go down without a fight here and they will have the Irish people worried for the whole game. All eyes are basically going to be on O'Driscoll (like they have been for the whole bloody tournament!) and I suppose it is deserved but I have a feeling it is gonna get a little bit boring if you are watching and not from across the Irish Sea. A uncomfortable game for Ireland but an eventual win, and what the hell, O'Driscoll will score a try somewhere in the 80 minutes.
Final Score: Fra 19 - 27 Ire
Italy v England - 1230 GMT Kick Off.
Have a feeling this is going to be a fairly straight forward one. England are going to win. It is just a matter of how much- and that's is actuall quite an important question for a change. They are going to need to put around 50 points on Italy to be in contention of nabbing it from the Irish. Scoring that many in any international order is always going to be a tall order but if there is a team to do it against in the Six Nations it is Italy, isn't it? Englands only other hope is if France beat Ireland, and I'm not sure if that is beyond the realms of possibilty.
Final Score: Ita 13 - 33 Eng
Wales v Scotland - 1445 Kick Off.
At last some change within the Welsh team! A completely new front row apart from good ol' Gethin. Except he's not been that good recently, in fact he has been pretty anonymous. When Paul James came on last week in the second half he had a great game, both around the pitch and in the scrum. I actually think Gethin is luckily that it is not a complete overhaul of the front row. Another change in the Welsh team has been very much welcomed by the Welsh fans. Biggar in for Priestland- at last! I am a fan of Priestland but there is no hiding away from it this year- he has not been good enough. When Biggar came on last week, like James, he changed things for the better. Finally Liam Williams is in for the injured Leigh Halfpenny. Got to be sore for James Hooke that one. Everyone in Wales is wondering... What has Hooke done to piss Gatland off so much?!
As for Scotland its been a bit of a topsy turby tournamnet (knid of like Wales') but they've shown some promise and the backs looked a little more inventive last week.
This is going to go two ways- a great game of rugby, or a terribly boring one. If it's the latter Wales may not be able to pull through so easily without Halfpenny
Final Score: Wal 21 - 14 Sco
France v Ireland - 1700 Kick Off
May really be a case of saving the best 'til last here. Realistically all Ireland has to do is win (Sorry English people). That being said, Ireland have only won once in Paris in the last 41 years... Shocking, isn't it. I reckon the French are not gonna go down without a fight here and they will have the Irish people worried for the whole game. All eyes are basically going to be on O'Driscoll (like they have been for the whole bloody tournament!) and I suppose it is deserved but I have a feeling it is gonna get a little bit boring if you are watching and not from across the Irish Sea. A uncomfortable game for Ireland but an eventual win, and what the hell, O'Driscoll will score a try somewhere in the 80 minutes.
Final Score: Fra 19 - 27 Ire
Friday, 7 March 2014
Six Nations Preview and Predictions
This weekend sees the return of the RBS Six Nations, and needless to say after the result between England v Ireland a couple of weeks ago, this one's a biggie!
Lets take this in chronological order, shall we?
Ireland v Italy (14:30 Sat 8th Mar)
Well, not too much to say about this one really, is there? Ireland are obvious favourites and with home advantage they ill be looking to bounce back from the close defeat against England two weeks ago in style. Italy will be looking for redemption of sorts after narrowly losing to Scotland by a single point in their last game. I think Italy's main job will be to put in a good, solid performance with plenty of good play- they've got nothing to lose after all.
Prediction: Ireland 33 - 9 Italy
Scotland v France (17:00 Sat 8th Mar)
I feel this game has got potential to be a gooden, provided Scotland take it to them. Scotland thus far have been guilty of taking a back seat and not playing with much attacking intent with poor kicks and the like. France have had a decent tournament so far and are still very much in contention for the title provided they turn up on the 15th against Ireland (excuse the awful cliche) for their final fixture. They'll want to prove that their last defeat to Wales was just a mere blip in their campaign. I've got France to win this one in (hopefully) what will be a close fast-paced game.
Prediction: Scotland 17 - 24 France
England v Wales (15:00 Sun 9th Mar)
This is potentially going to be the game of the weekend. England will be feeling confident after a close and well fought victory over an in-form Ireland in their last game. England will also be seeking to rectify their pretty embarassing loss to Wales in last years competition which cost them the tournament. Wales had a good and solid won over France two weeks ago and they will be hoping to build upon that and remain in winning form. As a welshman I can say that the awful, awful, AWFUL performance against Ireland is still in our heads and a win on Sunday will put any doubts to bed I should think. This is going to be a close match which will go one of to ways:
1)A close scoreline with some great and exciting rugby being played.
2)A close scoreline in what was a very boring slog of a game.
This being said I think (and hope) it will be the latter.
Prediction: England 17 - 21 Wales
Lets take this in chronological order, shall we?
Ireland v Italy (14:30 Sat 8th Mar)
Well, not too much to say about this one really, is there? Ireland are obvious favourites and with home advantage they ill be looking to bounce back from the close defeat against England two weeks ago in style. Italy will be looking for redemption of sorts after narrowly losing to Scotland by a single point in their last game. I think Italy's main job will be to put in a good, solid performance with plenty of good play- they've got nothing to lose after all.
Prediction: Ireland 33 - 9 Italy
Scotland v France (17:00 Sat 8th Mar)
I feel this game has got potential to be a gooden, provided Scotland take it to them. Scotland thus far have been guilty of taking a back seat and not playing with much attacking intent with poor kicks and the like. France have had a decent tournament so far and are still very much in contention for the title provided they turn up on the 15th against Ireland (excuse the awful cliche) for their final fixture. They'll want to prove that their last defeat to Wales was just a mere blip in their campaign. I've got France to win this one in (hopefully) what will be a close fast-paced game.
Prediction: Scotland 17 - 24 France
England v Wales (15:00 Sun 9th Mar)
This is potentially going to be the game of the weekend. England will be feeling confident after a close and well fought victory over an in-form Ireland in their last game. England will also be seeking to rectify their pretty embarassing loss to Wales in last years competition which cost them the tournament. Wales had a good and solid won over France two weeks ago and they will be hoping to build upon that and remain in winning form. As a welshman I can say that the awful, awful, AWFUL performance against Ireland is still in our heads and a win on Sunday will put any doubts to bed I should think. This is going to be a close match which will go one of to ways:
1)A close scoreline with some great and exciting rugby being played.
2)A close scoreline in what was a very boring slog of a game.
This being said I think (and hope) it will be the latter.
Prediction: England 17 - 21 Wales
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Wales v England... The Rivalry(?)
This Six Nations was blown wide open with last Saturdays result in the England v Ireland game and for me, a proud Welshman I can not wait for the next game, not because the Championship is heating up but simply because we play England!
I grew up playing and have lived most of my life in a small Welsh town in North Wales and so from a young age I have been brainwashed to detest the English side with every fibre of my being. It's nothing personal, in fact I really like the English and have lived in Yorkshire for a few years, living amongst English people. When rugby is involved though, and its the same for every Welsh person I've met we can not stand England.
This got me wondering whether it is just Wales that feel this way and if the strong feelings held by us Welsh are reciprocated by the English rugby fans across the border.
I was brought up in a coastal town at the very north of Wales called Llandudno. It is only an or so away from the likes of Chester and Liverpool with Manchester not being much further. As a result, there is a strong English presence in my town, I've lived there all my life apart from the last couple of years and don't have the slightest hint of an accent, although I can speak Welsh (to some extent). I thought this was the reason why the rivalry is so fierce back at home. A sort of battle for bragging rights in the rugby club and local pubs but it seems it's more than that. Up and down the country Welsh men and woman hold these feelings, so it must be more. I think it stems from Wales being seen as something of the bigger, older brother to Wales. So when our teams meet in Twickenham or the Millenium Stadium the small population of Wales are (fittingly) David and the larger country, England are Goliath.
In recent years the Welsh have proved themselves but this might just be the year they tumble and choke about being the first team to win three consecutive Six Nations titles. Both teams have had a mixed start to this years tournament which makes the next fixture all the more exciting.
What are your predictions? and if you're English is Wales such a fierce rivalry for you?
Let us know at Twitter: @ScrummyRugby
I grew up playing and have lived most of my life in a small Welsh town in North Wales and so from a young age I have been brainwashed to detest the English side with every fibre of my being. It's nothing personal, in fact I really like the English and have lived in Yorkshire for a few years, living amongst English people. When rugby is involved though, and its the same for every Welsh person I've met we can not stand England.
This got me wondering whether it is just Wales that feel this way and if the strong feelings held by us Welsh are reciprocated by the English rugby fans across the border.
I was brought up in a coastal town at the very north of Wales called Llandudno. It is only an or so away from the likes of Chester and Liverpool with Manchester not being much further. As a result, there is a strong English presence in my town, I've lived there all my life apart from the last couple of years and don't have the slightest hint of an accent, although I can speak Welsh (to some extent). I thought this was the reason why the rivalry is so fierce back at home. A sort of battle for bragging rights in the rugby club and local pubs but it seems it's more than that. Up and down the country Welsh men and woman hold these feelings, so it must be more. I think it stems from Wales being seen as something of the bigger, older brother to Wales. So when our teams meet in Twickenham or the Millenium Stadium the small population of Wales are (fittingly) David and the larger country, England are Goliath.
In recent years the Welsh have proved themselves but this might just be the year they tumble and choke about being the first team to win three consecutive Six Nations titles. Both teams have had a mixed start to this years tournament which makes the next fixture all the more exciting.
What are your predictions? and if you're English is Wales such a fierce rivalry for you?
Let us know at Twitter: @ScrummyRugby
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)