Rugby thread - Six Nations

[bacon]

... that the AB's are the best 2 sides in the world at the moment.

Just as well they always peak between world cups.

Who is the other team in the top 2 ?

[Red_Polo]

Who is the other team in the top 2 ?

I'm guessing the AB 2nd XV

[Rohan]

Who is the other team in the top 2 ?

At the moment...probably South Africa.

R

[hoeyd2]

Well, I reckon France would be a better bet than South Africa.

SA were really poor in the tri-nations.

[Taffy]

Enjoyed the Wales-Australia game at the weekend (and all the free beer all day too!), but it was so much of an anti-climax when it ended a draw - although it was probably a fair result on reflection of the whole game.

Hook had a great game and showed he had balls of steel with his kicking - great future ahead of him!

New Zealand looked good with just playing in second gear, and they'll only get better as the weeks progress - it'll be a tough game down at Cardiff in three weeks time!

[Morse]

thought the scoreline flattered the Kiwis. England were denied a perfectly good try at an important part of the game. Don't think NZ played all that well, and have to say England surprised me, they were better than I expected but there is not getting away from the fact that the AB's are the best 2 sides in the world at the moment.

Just as well they always peak between world cups.

Agree with this, but it does sound good the fact that they didn't play very well but still managed to break the scoring record over England.

[NZRed]

The ABs are very much focused on the World Cup this time round which is why they are rotating the team so much. Henry wants 2 quality players for each position ... looks like he isn't too far away from getting his wish.
Lots of debate over here about whether this is the best policy - still quite a debate over his best starting XV. He's already catching flak over his team to face the French in the 1st test. The weight of expectation could be the ABs biggest weakness. A couple of hiccups pre WC and the knives will be out. NZ expect to win the WC - anything less will be unacceptable.

[hoeyd2]

NZ expect to win the WC - anything less will be unacceptable.

And rightly so.

Anything less would mark no significant progress from the last time around.

[Snigger]

The ABs are very much focused on the World Cup this time round which is why they are rotating the team so much. Henry wants 2 quality players for each position ... looks like he isn't too far away from getting his wish.
Lots of debate over here about whether this is the best policy - still quite a debate over his best starting XV. He's already catching flak over his team to face the French in the 1st test. The weight of expectation could be the ABs biggest weakness. A couple of hiccups pre WC and the knives will be out. NZ expect to win the WC - anything less will be unacceptable.

Henry ****ed up the Lions tour and could be in danger of not knowing his best team come the world cup. The team that played last weekend looked disjointed, if you are going to win a world cup you need a settled side - no point in having 30 of the best players on the planet if they don't gel as a team. I fancy France.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Well, I reckon France would be a better bet than South Africa.

SA were really poor in the tri-nations.

They were poor away from home in Tri nations, but only side to beat NZ this year. Will have to see how France does againt NZ?

[SouthAfricaRed]

And rightly so.

Anything less would mark no significant progress from the last time around.

Making the Final would be an improvement

[Rocket]

I fancy France.

haven't got a world class number 10

[Snigger]

haven't got a world class number 10

no Dan Carter for sure, but both Traille and Elissalde are better fly halves than Charlie.

[Rocket]

england have got serious problems at 10.

charlie just cannot handle the presure. and i'm pretty sure wilkinson can't go on much longer before he gives up.

France have got plenty of people to kick, just nobody to control the game from 10.

[Snigger]

england have got serious problems at 10.

charlie just cannot handle the presure. and i'm pretty sure wilkinson can't go on much longer before he gives up.

France have got plenty of people to kick, just nobody to control the game from 10.

Aye, but the French are less reliant on a good 10 than most teams.