The six nations is over, that's right, it's not injury time anymore, it has definitely finished.
Here is my team of the tournament and Lions picks.
1 - Loosehead Prop: Rob Evans (Wales)
Zander Fagerson showed great promise for the future for Scotland, who missed WP Nel who was one of the players of the tournament last year. Joe Marler was good for England, especially considering his broken leg just a month before the tournament. However, Rob Evans was brilliant in the loose, making key yards, but also showcasing some great passing.
2 - Hooker: Ken Owens (Wales)
Owens has a peerless throw, only once being picked in the tournament. He also demonstrated good work in the loose. Rory Best and Dylan Hartley are likely to accompany him on the plane to New Zealand.
3 - Tighthead Prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Furlong has been dominant in the scrum. There have been better plays in the loose, but none have been better in the scrum.
4 - Second row: Joe Launchbury (England)
England's lock positions are stocked with talent, which means it requires a good performance each game, to maintain your place. Launchbury has been colossal in his performances, making 85 tackles, more than anyone else in the championship and providing key go forward ball.
5 - Second row: Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales)
Wales' new captain hasn't been able to match his predecessors in terms of on field success, but he has lead by example and maintained his own high standards. He is likely to be picked to start for the Lions being a firm favourite of Warren Gatland's, and a leader on the field.
6 - Blindside flanker: CJ Stander (Ireland)
The back row positions especially 7. is one of the most hotly contested for Lions and in the Six nations team of 2017. Which is why, I have picked Stander at 6. However, Stander offers a key threat in the loose he's had 104 carries and beaten 14 defenders, although not as threatening as the likes of Warburton or Watson at the breakdown, his presence with ball in hand often puts his team on the front foot.
7 - Openside flanker: Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Gourdon has been a fantastic find for the French with his great work rate, Hamish Watson was key for the Scottish at the breakdown, but Justin Tipuric has a phenomenal work rate and made the second most amount of tackles (84) and his great dynamism is key in the flanker position.
8 - Number Eight: Louis Picamoles (France) / Lions - Billy Vunipola (England)
If only Picamoles could be a Lion, he is imperious in his strong running and carrying. He provided France with a key platform to attack again and again. No team was able to fully cope with his power and strength. Billy Vunipola would be my Lions starter, but he had very little time in the tournament to make an impact.
9 - Scrumhalf: Rhys Webb (Wales) / Lions - Connor Murray
A tough call, as it could easily have been Connor Murray, who had a good tournament, but missed half of the Wales game and all of the England game, Murray would be my Lions starter. Webb brings a bit more zip than Murray, and was key in providing Welsh momentum. Baptiste Serin looks like Lionel Messi, as well as looking like a great prospect for the future.
10- Fly-half: Jonny Sexton (Ireland)
Against Scotland, Ireland missed Jonny Sexton, Paddy Jackson played well, but Sexton brings a different level. As Brian O'Driscoll can attest to, the Lions will be targeted by New Zealand players, Sexton, who was peppered with cheap shots and late hits by England, is able to roll with the punches and keep his composure. George Ford was obviously also key to England, but Sexton's defence especially is the level above.
11 - Elliott Daly (England)
The try Elliot Daly scored against Wales will be remembered by England fans for a while. He made the most clean breaks of any England player, but Daly provides more than just speed. He has good all round footballing ability. He has the ability to kick penalties, as well as the nous, for example getting a touch on the ball before it went into touch on the full from an England kick to ensure key territory wasn't lost. For me he would be a certainty in the Lions squad as his versatility, he can play wing, centre or full back, mean he is ideal to cover the first XI.
12 - Inside centre: Owen Farrell (England)
Farrell is always competitive, he has an aggressive streak, which drives his game, and he thrives on competition. He was good with the boot, but outstanding alongside George Ford, in providing England with an attacking platform, which Daly and Joseph were able to thrive off of. Alex Dunbar deserves a notable mention as he was key in winning turnovers for Scotland.
13 - Outside centre: Gael Fickou (France) / Huw Jones (Scotland)
Outside centre was a tricky position to pick, Jonathan Joseph scored a hat-trick against Scotland but was anonymous in the other games, Garry Ringrose showed greater potential and promise, but Gael Fickou showed electric pace and skill, and Huw Jones provided Scotland with a potency in attack, breaking the gain line and scoring key tries, he would have been an outsider for the Lions, but injury may well dampen any selection hopes.
14 - Wing: George North (Wales)
North combines strength with speed and agility. He has struggled in recent tournaments with concussions, but this year North was close to his best, especially against Ireland and Italy.
15 - Full-back: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Scotland have become an attacking force, something which a few years ago appeared unlikely. A key part of that has been Stuart Hogg, he is an exciting player with ball in hand, but also has a good boot on him and, as he displayed against Italy, has the requisite defence for a full-back. He was the stand out full back in the tournament.
My Lions Squad:
Props: Marler, Evans, Furlong, McGrath, Healy
Hookers: Hartley, Owens, Best
Second Rows: Launchbury, Wyn-Jones, J. Gray, Itoje
Back Rows: Vunipola, Stander, O'Mahoney, Heaslip, Watson, Warburton, Tipuric
Scrum halves: Murray, Webb, Youngs
Fly halves: Sexton, Ford
Inside centre: Farrell, Henshaw, S. Williams
Outside centre: H. Jones, Payne, Joseph
Wings: North, Daly, L. Williams, Nowell/Seymour
Full back: Hogg, Halfpenny, Brown
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 March 2017
Friday, 18 September 2015
Rugby World Cup - Pool A
On the 18th September the Rugby World Cup will officially kick-off.
The tournament with 4 groups, 20 teams, represents International Rugby's pinnacle.
Over the next 4 posts I will review the 4 groups.
Group A
Australia
England
Wales
Fiji
Uruguay
Group A is by far the hardest group. With only 2 teams going through, 1 of the top 6 ranked rugby nations will be going out in the group stage.
This is a team going through what feels like a constant stage of transition, they were rebuilding under Ewen McKenzie until the text saga, with Kurtley Beale and a female general manager broke, splitting the squad. Michael Cheika has come in and Australia have improved, winning their first Rugby Championship, after beating the All-Blacks.
Key Players
Michael Hooper
David Pocock
Tevita Kuridrani
Israel Folau
Prediction - Semi Finals
A good build up to this world cup in contrast to the previous one, which ended badly, but in truth never really went well. This time around the lead in has been positive, with two Six nations campaigns that resulted in being runners-up on points difference alone.
Stuart Lancaster has been building his squad towards the World Cup since the 2011, and before through his involvement in the Saxons. England lack experience in a few key positions, such as Hooker, Centre and Wing. However, on a positive side, there is good depth to their squad and home advantage which could be key.
Key Players
The tournament with 4 groups, 20 teams, represents International Rugby's pinnacle.
Over the next 4 posts I will review the 4 groups.
Group A
Australia
England
Wales
Fiji
Uruguay
Group A is by far the hardest group. With only 2 teams going through, 1 of the top 6 ranked rugby nations will be going out in the group stage.
Australia
 |
| Israel Folau, Australia's lethal weapon (Photo: David Molloy - Flickr) |
Key Players
Michael Hooper
David Pocock
Tevita Kuridrani
Israel Folau
Prediction - Semi Finals
England
 |
| The current England team, will be trying to emulate the success of 2003 (Photo: Ken Douglas - Flickr) |
Stuart Lancaster has been building his squad towards the World Cup since the 2011, and before through his involvement in the Saxons. England lack experience in a few key positions, such as Hooker, Centre and Wing. However, on a positive side, there is good depth to their squad and home advantage which could be key.
Key Players
Joe Launchbury - his agility in the second row is key, as both Launchbury and Lawes play a dual role of second row and back row, such is their physicality and mobility.
Jonathan Joseph - relatively inexperienced at international level, however he excelled in the six nations, showing great pace and agility to score 4 tries.
Mike Brown - his kicking, tackling and line breaks are a key part of England's game, they struggled without him in Ireland in the Six nations.
Prediction - Finals
The reason there are 3 top nations in this pool is entirely down to Wales, as this article explains.
Wales had a poor run of form, at the wrong time, just when the rankings decided who would be seeded where, Wales played a superfluous fixture against Australia, which they lost, and ended up ranked 9th.
Under Warren Gatland, Wales have been hit and miss, when they are good, they play an effective game, utilising the pace and power of George North and Jamie Roberts to cut open defences and Leigh Halfpenny's boot punishing the opposition's indiscretion.
However, injury to Halfpenny and Rhys Webb, starting scrum half, will cause disruption to the team, and could lead to an early exit.
Key Players
George North
Lee Williams - with Halfpenny absent, Williams will be a key attacking threat from full-back, but is himself only just recovering from injury.
Alun Wyn-Jones
Prediction - Group stage
The 9th ranked nation in the world, Fiji are by no means pushovers. They have been grouped with Wales in the last two World Cups, beating Wales in 2007 but losing comprehensively in 2011.
Many of the Fijians play in Europe, particularly in France.
Key Players
Niki Goneva - the Leicester centre combines pace and power and is a key threat in Fiji's midfield.
Nemani Nodolo - he is an accurate goal-kicker and a powerful and pacey winger, if Fiji are going to win games, he is the man to provide the points.
Nikola Matawalu - the Glasgow scrum-half is headed to Bath after the World Cup, such is his ability. He is the spark in the Fijian side, and could be a thorn for his opponents.
Prediction - Group stage
Unfortunately, for Uruguay they are try fodder for the rest of the teams in this group. They did well to qualify for the World Cup beating Russia 57 - 49 on aggregate, but the World Cup will be a significant step up in class.
Key Players
Mike Brown - his kicking, tackling and line breaks are a key part of England's game, they struggled without him in Ireland in the Six nations.
Prediction - Finals
Wales
 |
| The Welsh team will need to be united to overcome England, Australia and Fiji (Photo: Marc - Flickr) |
The reason there are 3 top nations in this pool is entirely down to Wales, as this article explains.
Wales had a poor run of form, at the wrong time, just when the rankings decided who would be seeded where, Wales played a superfluous fixture against Australia, which they lost, and ended up ranked 9th.
Under Warren Gatland, Wales have been hit and miss, when they are good, they play an effective game, utilising the pace and power of George North and Jamie Roberts to cut open defences and Leigh Halfpenny's boot punishing the opposition's indiscretion.
However, injury to Halfpenny and Rhys Webb, starting scrum half, will cause disruption to the team, and could lead to an early exit.
Key Players
George North
Lee Williams - with Halfpenny absent, Williams will be a key attacking threat from full-back, but is himself only just recovering from injury.
Alun Wyn-Jones
Prediction - Group stage
Fiji
 |
| Fiji will be looking to reach the Quarter Finals for a third time (Photo: M+MD - Flickr) |
Many of the Fijians play in Europe, particularly in France.
Key Players
Niki Goneva - the Leicester centre combines pace and power and is a key threat in Fiji's midfield.
Nemani Nodolo - he is an accurate goal-kicker and a powerful and pacey winger, if Fiji are going to win games, he is the man to provide the points.
Nikola Matawalu - the Glasgow scrum-half is headed to Bath after the World Cup, such is his ability. He is the spark in the Fijian side, and could be a thorn for his opponents.
Prediction - Group stage
Uruguay
 |
| Uruguay qualified with a tight win over two legs against Russia(Photo - Flickr) |
Key Players
Agustin Ormaechea
Felipe Berchesi
These two provide the half back combination which was key to Uruguay reaching the World Cup.
Felipe Berchesi
These two provide the half back combination which was key to Uruguay reaching the World Cup.
Monday, 23 March 2015
Six Nations Review
The Six Nations
The past weekend produced the most entertaining Six Nations climax that I can remember.
With England, Ireland and Wales all level on points, going into the last game, each team needed to win and put points on the board.
Wales started sluggishly against an Italian side determined to do well in front of their home crowd. However, the Italians were missing their talisman in Sergio Parisse, and the Italians fell apart, as the class Welsh backline surged into life, running in a total of 8 tries, however the final try went to Italy with Luigi Sarto running most of the field.
Ireland thumped a Scottish team, who were expected to be playing for their pride to avoid the wooden spoon. Ireland let loose and swapped their usually controlled game plan for a more attacking one. They were rewarded with 4 tries, but their overall win owed much to the try saving tackle of Jamie Heaslip, who dispossessed Stuart Hogg, as he reached for the line in the 76th minute.
That was to be crucial as in the most open game of all England beat the French, who played their part in the most open game of the Six Nations, but fell 6 points short of overhauling Ireland.
How crucial Jamie Heaslip's tackle proved, how crucial Craig Joubert not referring England's last minute try in Dublin to the TMO, how crucial England failing to drive over the last minute maul at Twickenham. Small margins, made the big difference in the tightest of Six Nations, a feast of rugby, a perfect prelude in a World Cup year.
Six Nations Team of the Tournament
Full Back: Stuart Hogg (Scotland) - Hogg just edges this one for me. Despite being in a team that won no games, Hogg was the inspiration for most of Scotland's attacking flair, he more defenders than any other player (19) and made more metres (455m) as well as making several try saving tackles.
Wing: Liam Williams (Wales) - Williams displaced Alex Cuthbert, which is no mean feat in itself. He made 8 clean breaks, the most of any Welsh player, despite not starting the first game. Also, he sparked Wales in to life against Italy when he moved to full back.
Outside Centre: Jonathan Joseph (England) - Joseph owes his place here, not just because he was the Tournament's top try scorer, but the way he scored the tries. He showed great footwork for each of this tries, and was part of an attacking England team that scored 18 tries. Mark Bennett also had a very good tournament for Scotland.
Inside Centre: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - Henshaw came into the Irish team and beat more defenders than any other Irish player (16). He also scored a pivotal try against England and was Ireland's top tackler in the tournament.
Wing: Gio Venditti (Italy) - Venditti offered Italy a real threat on the break, his try against Scotland, was not just opportunism but a very smart finish, and similarly against the Welsh. Other wingers could just as easily have made the team, indeed Jack Nowell's stats were very impressive for someone who only played 3 games, but his breaks, didn't always lead to the right option being taken.
Fly Half: George Ford (England) - Many would have gone for Johnny Sexton, who had a very good tournament, but he only played 3 and a half games, but George Ford played with an authority beyond his tender years, and a creativity which enabled his backs to excite with ball in hand.
Scrum Half: Conor Murray (Ireland) - There was very little between Murray, Youngs and Webb. All played key parts in dictating the tempo and momentum of their teams. Murray just edged it for me, as his performance against England was key to Ireland winning that game.
Number 8: Billy Vunipola (England) - With 64 carries, Billy Vunipola, was key in softening up the opposition defence, allowing the backs to wreak havoc with ball in hand. Vunipola, nearly always makes key metres, helping to provide go forward ball (e.g. forward momentum).
Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) - Warburton faced pressure for his place in the Autumn, but he had a fine Six nations, capped off by a try which showed his pace. Chris Robshaw pushed him close for the position, after putting in 82 tackles, the most in the tournament.
Blindside Flanker: Peter O'Mahoney (Ireland) - O'Mahoney had a good tournament both in the loose and hitting rucks hard, when partnered with O'Brien and Heaslip, they form a formidable back row. Blair Cowan, also had a good tournament effecting turnovers, but was in a disappointing Scotland side.
Second Row: Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - Not only did Paul O'Connell have a great tournament, but he was also surprisingly voted Ireland's sexiest rugby player. O'Connell lead from the front, as always, scoring the first try against Scotland and leading his side to another Six nations title.
Second Row: Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales) - Alun Wyn-Jones, always seems to step up when Wales need him the most. Whilst Luke Charteris is more effective at stealing lineouts, Wyn-Jones has the mobility required of a modern day lock, and leads from the front.
Tighthead Prop: Mike Ross (Ireland) - Ross is consistent at tighthead, and alongside Rory Best they form a good partnership and a solid base for the scrum.
Hooker: Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy) - Guirado for France was also good, but Ghiraldini stood out, in both the scrums and the loose.
Loosehead Prop: Joe Marler (England) - Marler is one of those players you enjoy having on your side, but hate playing against.
Referee - Nigel Owens - Owens officiated the final match with authority and worked well with the TMO. Although, I thought it was the wrong call on the Nakaitaci try, Owens made sure the final day, was not about dubious refereeing decisions and all about the rugby.
With England, Ireland and Wales all level on points, going into the last game, each team needed to win and put points on the board.
Wales started sluggishly against an Italian side determined to do well in front of their home crowd. However, the Italians were missing their talisman in Sergio Parisse, and the Italians fell apart, as the class Welsh backline surged into life, running in a total of 8 tries, however the final try went to Italy with Luigi Sarto running most of the field.
Ireland thumped a Scottish team, who were expected to be playing for their pride to avoid the wooden spoon. Ireland let loose and swapped their usually controlled game plan for a more attacking one. They were rewarded with 4 tries, but their overall win owed much to the try saving tackle of Jamie Heaslip, who dispossessed Stuart Hogg, as he reached for the line in the 76th minute.
That was to be crucial as in the most open game of all England beat the French, who played their part in the most open game of the Six Nations, but fell 6 points short of overhauling Ireland.
How crucial Jamie Heaslip's tackle proved, how crucial Craig Joubert not referring England's last minute try in Dublin to the TMO, how crucial England failing to drive over the last minute maul at Twickenham. Small margins, made the big difference in the tightest of Six Nations, a feast of rugby, a perfect prelude in a World Cup year.
Six Nations Team of the Tournament
Full Back: Stuart Hogg (Scotland) - Hogg just edges this one for me. Despite being in a team that won no games, Hogg was the inspiration for most of Scotland's attacking flair, he more defenders than any other player (19) and made more metres (455m) as well as making several try saving tackles.
Wing: Liam Williams (Wales) - Williams displaced Alex Cuthbert, which is no mean feat in itself. He made 8 clean breaks, the most of any Welsh player, despite not starting the first game. Also, he sparked Wales in to life against Italy when he moved to full back.
Outside Centre: Jonathan Joseph (England) - Joseph owes his place here, not just because he was the Tournament's top try scorer, but the way he scored the tries. He showed great footwork for each of this tries, and was part of an attacking England team that scored 18 tries. Mark Bennett also had a very good tournament for Scotland.
Inside Centre: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - Henshaw came into the Irish team and beat more defenders than any other Irish player (16). He also scored a pivotal try against England and was Ireland's top tackler in the tournament.
Wing: Gio Venditti (Italy) - Venditti offered Italy a real threat on the break, his try against Scotland, was not just opportunism but a very smart finish, and similarly against the Welsh. Other wingers could just as easily have made the team, indeed Jack Nowell's stats were very impressive for someone who only played 3 games, but his breaks, didn't always lead to the right option being taken.
Fly Half: George Ford (England) - Many would have gone for Johnny Sexton, who had a very good tournament, but he only played 3 and a half games, but George Ford played with an authority beyond his tender years, and a creativity which enabled his backs to excite with ball in hand.
Scrum Half: Conor Murray (Ireland) - There was very little between Murray, Youngs and Webb. All played key parts in dictating the tempo and momentum of their teams. Murray just edged it for me, as his performance against England was key to Ireland winning that game.
Number 8: Billy Vunipola (England) - With 64 carries, Billy Vunipola, was key in softening up the opposition defence, allowing the backs to wreak havoc with ball in hand. Vunipola, nearly always makes key metres, helping to provide go forward ball (e.g. forward momentum).
Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) - Warburton faced pressure for his place in the Autumn, but he had a fine Six nations, capped off by a try which showed his pace. Chris Robshaw pushed him close for the position, after putting in 82 tackles, the most in the tournament.
Blindside Flanker: Peter O'Mahoney (Ireland) - O'Mahoney had a good tournament both in the loose and hitting rucks hard, when partnered with O'Brien and Heaslip, they form a formidable back row. Blair Cowan, also had a good tournament effecting turnovers, but was in a disappointing Scotland side.
Second Row: Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - Not only did Paul O'Connell have a great tournament, but he was also surprisingly voted Ireland's sexiest rugby player. O'Connell lead from the front, as always, scoring the first try against Scotland and leading his side to another Six nations title.
Second Row: Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales) - Alun Wyn-Jones, always seems to step up when Wales need him the most. Whilst Luke Charteris is more effective at stealing lineouts, Wyn-Jones has the mobility required of a modern day lock, and leads from the front.
Tighthead Prop: Mike Ross (Ireland) - Ross is consistent at tighthead, and alongside Rory Best they form a good partnership and a solid base for the scrum.
Hooker: Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy) - Guirado for France was also good, but Ghiraldini stood out, in both the scrums and the loose.
Loosehead Prop: Joe Marler (England) - Marler is one of those players you enjoy having on your side, but hate playing against.
Referee - Nigel Owens - Owens officiated the final match with authority and worked well with the TMO. Although, I thought it was the wrong call on the Nakaitaci try, Owens made sure the final day, was not about dubious refereeing decisions and all about the rugby.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)