What the Ruck Volume VIII

By DC

So the Six Nations are over for another year, gone but not forgotten a memorable tournament for many reasons - most of them good, grinning like a loony reasons but one or two poor shake your fist with anger and confusion reasons. This year saw BOD receive his 100th cap, a true legend of the game and I have to struggle to think of one single game of mediocrity during the reign of 100 games. New stars were born, fading stars burnt brightly in defiance, and more than a few people had to sit down and munch on a serving of the clichéd humble pie. I wanted to draw a close to this year’s championship with my choice for the team of the 6 Nations and a few awards for those champagne moments that will burn brightly for years to come.

15. Clement Pointrenaud, the French full back was sublime from the first to the last game. The Toulouse based player ghosts over the field, he glides with effortless ease, and changes up and down the gears liked a skilled racing driver. Watching this man play is like watching water move, he finds spaces and slides through them, he does not beat players he erodes them. Once he paces them he leaves his mark on them, they are awe struck and are never truly the same again.

14. Tommy Bowe, finishing joint top try scorer. Bowe proved to all, or at least those fools that still did not realise that he is a World class talent. He is a constant threat in offence, either with ball in hand or running in support – defences can never take their eyes or their concentration off him. He has an unquenchable work ethic, constantly offering himself as an option and Ireland and the Ospreys will be hoping that this rich vein of form never dwindles.

13. James Hook, ever since the explosion onto the International stage in 2006 the World has been waiting for Hook to shine – this year’s Tournament Hook showed that while he may be flawed his is still a precious jewel in the Welsh side. Hook has been gypsy like in his search for a position, never really settling into one particular role – I think we have found Hook’s number ... 13. He did come in for some critical bashing, myself included – under pressure in the congestion of the modern game he can be forced into making mistakes. However his individual dancing brilliance for a touchdown against England and his supporting angles for the brace against Italy showed the true genius of the man. Given time and selection Hook will be a serious foil in the right shirt, the number 13 shirt.

12.Yannick Jauzion, another French back and another one from the European powerhouse of a team that is Toulouse. In an era when inside centres are powerhouses designed to take advantage of law changes and break the gain line, creating space and opportunity for a secondary attack, Yannick is something else. He has a deadly eye for delivery capable of drawing defenders and then releasing the second attacking wave with a simple flick of the wrist. The lynch pin in the youthful and relatively inexperienced French back row, everything that was dangerous flowed through Jauzion – like a General commanding his troops into battle, Yannick let forth waves of attacks to slam against the quivering defences. The master class of centre play was never more evident than in his try against the Italians, he ran support and was always aware of both offensive and defensive players around him. Jauzion is more than just a world class inside centre – he is almost an omnipotent centre.

11. Shane Williams, for those that doubted and questioned, for those that claimed he was ready for the scrap heap – I say unto thee SHAME ON YOU. Shane was the beating Dragon’s heart, he was the very catalyst of every offensive movement from Wales – hungry for the ball, fearless in attack he prowled the pitch ageless and rejuvenated. At times he might have been closed down, but the slightest sliver of a chance the smallest hairline fracture in a defence and Shane unleashed positivity and threat. His individual genius against France was not over celebrated as soon as he touched down he was throwing the ball to Jones looking to get the game going again. His last millisecond try against Scotland will go down in 6 Nations folklore, the millimetre dive over against Italy possibly the easiest try the little dancer will ever score. 

10. Dan Parks, without doubt one of the players of the whole tournament – he marshalled his troops with cunning kicks and thoughtful brave running. The only regret that Parks will have is the fact that he did not hold off signing his new contract until after the final game – Parks stock went into orbit after game after game of man of the match performances. He left body and soul on the pitch, he showed everyone what an offensive talent he can be when he puts his mind to it.

9. Morgan Parra, he barked and bossed his back line in a way that defied his youth. The small of frame and stature was a giant of the star studded French back line. He kicked his points and commanded both forwards and backs with stunning accuracy – he showed no fear. There is a long way to go until Parra can be considered one of the best scrum halves in the World, but this tournament was a huge step forward. He is a captain of the future and if this French side are going to be the threat I believe they could be in the World Cup then Parra is the catalyst, the driving force they will need.

1. Thomas Domingo, the French mountain rose to the occasion – he filled some massive boots and lived up to all expectations. A bully at scrum time and a bull in the loose Domingo rampaged around the paddocks of the 6 Nation’s with thuggish intent and with little care for his own personal safety. Domingo is a kind of player that every team needs, a consistent enforcer that does not know how to slow down and has a bottomless tank of energy. The Clermont Auvergne loosehead proved that he is more prime beef than Michelin man.

2. William Servat, one half of the Beauty and the Beast combination of the French hooker double act – Servat being the beast. He was Phil Taylor accurate at the line out hitting his jumper like treble twenties. He formed part of a destructive French front row that did not just hold their own they pushed back and ran over the opposition. His work in the loose was breath taking, striving to be the first to the breakdown and always an option to break the gain line. He was single minded from the first whistle – he looked down field and ran over everyone that got in his way, he was the embodiment of patience and brutality – waiting for his moment and then stealing his opportunity with brutal effectiveness.

3. Adam Jones, a few years ago Jones was considered a joke more of a danger to a box of chocolates and a variety bag of crisps than on the pitch. How quickly things have changed – when Jones first came onto the scene he could barely survive 40 minutes of rugby without wheezing towards the touchline; no longer, Jones is a wrecking ball. He plays rugby with the enthusiasm only matched by a puppy with a chew toy, he bounces around the field hungry to prove that he has what it takes. In my opinion one of the finest scrumagers in the World, Jones is the human equivalent of Crash Bandicoot.

4. Bradley Davies, ok I know what you’re all saying – where in Holy name of John Eales is Lionel Nallet?? Davies for me set a different bench mark; he struggled with personal and emotional difficulties to rise to the occasion. Nallet maybe the present but Davies is the future and the prospect of him teaming up with Alun Wyn Jones in next year’s World Cup is mouth watering. Davies played his heart out on the pitch and he made a nation and his mother’s memory proud. In a faltering team and struggling line out Davies showed the way forward and the way involves defenders limping away.

5. Marco Bortolomi, many expected Italy to struggle without the talisman Parrise, but they did more than just hold strong they gained ground. Italy beat the Scots, threatened the English and despite the score lines showed dogged defence against both France and Wales. The heart of these performances was the often over looked and rarely praised Bortolomi. He stood strong and held the line – when his team could have crumbled they stood their ground and the driving force behind that drive were the unsung heroes – players like Marco. While there might have been better performances in the whole tournament, I believe that the whole competition is better from having a player like Marco – the unsung hero.

6. Thierry Dusautoir, the French Captain was at his rampaging, destructive best he held the line and led his troops into battle with fearless dedication.  If the French resistance had had more individuals like Dusautoir then history would read differently. Arguably the greatest defender in the modern game he thirsts for tackles and lives to hit opponents hard. Thierry is the kind of player that every team should have, the kind of player every team fears, the kind of player that should come with a government health warning and a licence. 

7. John Barclay, the most effective part of the trio that became known and will be forever remembered as the 3B’s. Barclay did his home work learnt the rules and how to bend and manipulate them – he was as effective and as lethal as a Mamba doing maths. It was hard not to include the whole trio in the team but Barclay was the leader and the Trojan of the trio. Barclay was dominant and destructive, brutal and buoyant, aggressive and awesome – on the whole Barclay was more than impressive he set the pace and the bench mark for most to follow.

8. Imanol Harinordoquy, the Basque bulldozer stamped his authority on the whole tournament – it could be argued that currently HUGEnordoquy is the best number 8 in the world. He was at his brutal destructive best from beginning to end defences quivered at the very sound of his name. An explosive mixture of athletic talent, ball handling genius, a raw untamed passion and power – pure TNT. Harinordoquy roared through and passed anyone who dared to attempt to tackle him – he took no prisoners and left nothing but dazed bodies in his wake
 
Game of the Tournament

Third Place – France v Ireland –the outgoing Grandslam winners had no response to the oncoming French tidal wave. The Blue Army tore through the Irish defence like they were made of crepe paper.

Second Place – Wales v France – the Welsh gifted the French the lead then turned on the class and attack. The French looked rattled, for the first time since the mauling at the hands of the Silver Fern the French looked scared. Wales took a long time to warm up but once they were up to temperature they sizzled and sparkled like a firework stir fry.

First Place – Wales v Scotland – for 76 minutes the Scots were dominant and powerful then the Welsh turned on the talent. The Greatest ending to a 6 nations game since Scott Gibbs danced over to deny the English grand slam – it was beyond edge of your seat dramatic – it was the rugby version of the northern lights, of the Oscars, the Moon landing all rolled into one. Personally my heart is still racing and the medication is not slowing it down.

Player of the Tournament

Third Place – Shane Williams - at his game changing best; last second tries, attacking running and nothing but threats. Shane was at his brilliant best, he attacked the game with enthusiasm and cunning, and he craved to create and wanted to perform. He was there when his Nation needed him – even at the very death against Scotland.

Second Place – Dan Parks – he controlled the game and mastered his demons – those who thought that Parks was a one trick pony need to reach for the humble pie. Parks proved to the world he has ability and knowledge to change the direction and pace of any game. He might have been an award winning loser at times but you cannot doubt Parks shone like magnesium.

First Place – Imanol Harinordoquy – destructive, brutal, forceful, deadly as a Cobra with the sniffles, brutal as a bull at the wheel of a bull dozer. Imanol was the human equivalent of a small nuclear explosion – he laid everything in front of him in his wake. The Brutal Basque bounced off tackles like they were not there, he was a threat at the line out and a Trojan in the loose. I have had nightmare in my life, the kind of nightmare that result in damp morning sheets – but nothing compared to the fear and heart stopping panic that is Imanol at full tilt.

DC