Rugby thread - Six Nations

[NZRed]

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.

I remember that Lions tour well. That is exactly the criticism that is being levelled at Henry. But he has said his best XV will start for the Paris test .. will be very interesting to see who he leaves out after that spanking they gave the French .. & how will the combinations work?

[NZRed]

excerpt of post match comments from NZ.

Against England, the All Blacks' defence looked underdone and without the confidence of combinations.

Against France, it may have been the best I have seen in recent years.

This wasn't just defence to stop the other guys scoring points or getting over the advantage line.

This was accurate, ruthless and for me was the most decisive area of the game.

The French are gifted and have considerable skill, yet the All Blacks' defence made them look very average. No, more than that - they looked hopeless.

Sometimes defences can win games with illegality and cynical play at the advantage line.

This All Blacks defence must have been close in that area, but it didn't concede penalties - again another big tick.

France had no choice but to kick for fear of losing the ball in middle field to the All Black tacklers. And what about the French attempts at driving for the line from close range penalties? They were smashed off the ball by a black tornado.

Another area which I am certain Henry and his coaching staff have been looking to improve over the past 12 months has been capitalising on opportunities and converting chances into points.

Against France every opportunity was taken, whether it was 20m or 90m from the French line, and even if it was only a half-chance.

The French had more ball and territory, but the All Blacks' defence and attacking strikepower made a mockery of such statistics.

So how big is the gap between this All Blacks team and the rest?

Huge.

Don't get me wrong, there will be slip ups and the odd loss to come.

Has this group peaked too early for next year's World Cup?

The age and demeanour of the team would suggest not - nor should we assume this current form will be enough to win in the pressure cooker of a cup tournament.

Henry now has the interesting task of picking his best for the match in Paris next week.

He has the comfort of knowing about 28 of his squad are up to the task of being the best, but it won't be an easy task. I hope he doesn't bail out and sticks with trying to pick the best.

Deciding who to leave out might be Henry's toughest test yet.

This was one of the most outstanding All Black performances in the modern era. It made the second-best team in the world look second-rate and incompetent.

Make no mistake, this massacre will be a huge blow to the French confidence.

They have a chance for redemption in Paris.

But where can they start to curb and control this All Black team.

The scary thing is that maybe this group - whoever is selected - will probably get better.

* By John Drake - World Cup-winning All Black.

[Rosco]

To all the Aussies on here I'd just like to say...... :bird:

[hoeyd2]

I'd hate to be premature about this, but on current form, our lads look like the nearest challengers to the All Blacks.

O'Gara was just outstanding.

[Rocket]

reckon six nations should be good this year

irish looked very good

french always do ****e in autumn

wales have a full squad to choose from

england look ****e haha

i can't wait

[Maestro]

Ireland may have peaked too early. They looked very comfortable against the Aussies yesterday. An injury to O'Gara has to be a worry for them also...

[bacon]

Surely they are all looking/planing for WC next yr ... I bet they dont give a **** about the 6N this yr !

I'd be happy with a wooden spoon followed by the WC !

[Rosco]

Ireland will win the World cup.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Ireland will win the World cup.

[JCase]

When next year is the WC?

[SouthAfricaRed]

When next year is the WC?

It starts Sept 7 2007

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Ashton

[Mumsafan]

I see Italy are as good as usual

[livvy145]

For those who can't watch the match today, it's live online here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/sol/newsid_6310000/newsid_6312600?redirect=6312695.stm&news=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1

[Bob]

I'm gutted i didn't go down the pub to watch Scotland. I honestly though they'd be hammered.