The Weekend at a Glance

By DC

Has everyone recovered from the weekend yet - from action packed, thrill a second rugby clashes packed filled with tries and awe inspiring rugby? Didn't think so – let’s be honest there was some impressive rugby but there was some seriously awful bottom of the barrel suck fest stuff as well. I am going to get the good stuff out of the way first – start on a high point before we get to the really nasty, insulting stuff – I promise there will be some insulting stuff; the Gloves are off for this writer.

France v South Africa – The French out muscled and out thought the masters of the game, the score line flattered to deceive. The French, a notorious hot and cold side burnt brightly from the kick off, they were simply stunning – every single one of them stood strong, never backing down – a fantastic display. Dusautoir put in a monster shift – the stuff of

The rampaging Rocky Elsom

legend, the kind of performance that has kids rushing out to have their hero’s name on the back of their shirt. Thierry put in arguably the performance of the weekend – he was dare I say it superhuman, a lot of players that pulled on their international shirts this weekend should take a look at his highlight reel – they could all learn what playing for your country means.

Ireland v Australia – Australia continue to improve. I like the way Giteau and Cooper interchange, they slide in and out of each other’s positions like seventies swingers. Genia continues to impress, while Captain Rocky was brutal, he rampaged around Croke Park like he had never left. Ireland looked rusty – not the dominating Grand Slam winners, but not that far from it either. A few more games under their belts and this Irish side will be back at the top of the tree – class is permanent, form can found in time. Saying that some standout performances from Bowe, hungry and always looking for the opportunity and newbie Cian Healy – the prop was immense at the heart of every second of loose play. A special mention has to go out to the Ton Up – BOD; O’Driscoll had a quiet game by his high standards, but was there when his team needed him.

Scotland v Fiji - Scotland finally scored some tries – shock horror number one! Shock horror number two they looked as if they could have scored more – the Lamont boys lead the line with destructive running, Morrison impressed and Captain Scrum Half Cusiter set a fine example. But, yes there is a but – the game lacked spark, it lacked that certain something – it did not entertain – it threatened to but neither side really got into second gear. I have seen better games, but I have also seen far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far worse games in my life, hell I saw worse games this weekend for God’s sake.

Ok now it’s time to get to the nasty part, if I cause offence then I will not say sorry, I should not have to say sorry, no not me - after all I am a true fan.

England v Argentina - I have been trying to think of one word to sum up the game – I could not settle on one single word so I opted for a few random ones to do the job – YAWN, DIRECTIONLESS, UNIMAGINATIVE, BORING, LIFELESS, & SOULLESS – just a few to start with. England were about as dangerous as a Whispa bar, as cunning as a stale jam donut, they had nothing in the tanks and nothing in the arsenal – in fact arse is very apt. The only time they tried some imagination, the massive Banahan scored a try. England were beaten up in their own back yard – players went back rather than forward, I watched a swarm of headless chickens represent their country and getting their asses handed to them while still winning the game. You have all heard the cliché – lost the battle but won the war – I do not know how but England lost every battle and still managed to creep over the line victorious. Some might argue that’s a true mark of champions winning games while not playing well – I do not think so the victory on Saturday was down to more luck than judgement. Changes will be needed or the All Blacks will dine well at HQ next weekend. Unless England show some fight they will be devoured by an All Black side looking to end the tour on a high.

Wales v Samoa - OK somebody pass me a soap box - stand back I am about to rant – a lot. It started so well then it descended into clueless, thoughtless rugby the kind of rugby that turns my stomach and curdles my

Showed a lack of awareness Tom Shanklin

blood. Wales were promised a new look side and boy did the management deliver – a new look side that could not find a gap in a gorge. Tom Shanklin needs to be showed pictures of his team mates then he might know who they are and possibly, just possibly pass to them.

Wales have gone backwards. When Gatland arrived Wales won a Grandslam in the first year under his guidance – they were dangerous and threatening. Now they are lost not in the bad old days just the bad days – they have forgotten how to play expansive rugby, they have forgotten how to score tries. When Gatland first stepped into the limelight he made an oath – earn the right to play it wide. What happened boys – when did wide become narrow blind side only? Wales, the clueless side lack imagination – they play everything narrow and have forgotten pop passes and dangerous running. Big crash ball centres have replaced gifted passes and game making quick of thought game changing angles. Without players like Byrne and Phillips Wales do not know what to do, they have forgotten how to create space.

If Wales do not start thinking and manning up they will get beaten up and bruised by Argentina before being ripped to pieces by a rapidly improving Australia. They need to start playing as a team not as 15 individuals desperate to impress the bosses. Hook showed imagination, he looked dangerous so why is he stuck back there out of position? Bring him into the centre of the park, let the dangerous players be dangerous – do not strangle and restrict him further.

Something has changed in Welsh rugby – not just the clueless directionless play – but in the crowd. The crowd used to sing and cheer – driving the home crowd to dancing runs and tries from everywhere, now they boo and jeer. Visiting kickers step up to the tee to be greeted by the kind of noise that is only normally reserved for pantomime villains. The Welsh crowd should take a page from the Irish fans – if 80,000 fans can show respect and silence, then surely to God the few that turned up to the joke Friday night can follow suit? Its lunacy, when did the Welsh rugby fans lose their intelligence for the game, lose their respect? I do not like it and I hope that it’s a passing phase.

On the eve of the team announcement to face Argentina, I hope that the Welsh coaching set up is burning all its’ training material – let the game flow let the ball into space – pick a team that can run and threaten and then off load not crash to the bottom of a ruck grasping on to the ball with clamps for hands. Let’s see a team that knows each other, that trusts each over and what’s more plays for each other. Let’s hope that the storm clouds hanging over Wales are going to clear soon, sooner rather than later – let’s hope. Let’s hope that Wales get back to the attacking entertaining side soon, because otherwise the spark will die – and that’s not what Welsh rugby is all about.

Let us all hope for rugby’s sake that last week was effected by the rain and wind and that the storm clouds are clearing and as the sun shines down we will see a new England and a new Wales. Both sides have players that can entertain – let them shine for the sake of all of us fans – not the booing jeering idiots but the fans – the heart and passion of every side – the true fan. Here we are now entertain us.

DC