There’s something slightly disturbing about the thought of knarled, battle-hardened rugby players looking anxiously skyward and offering prays to any number of deities, sprites, fairies and astral beings. However, as the World Cup gets closer you can’t help but think that players and coaches alike are sneaking off to quiet corners to request divine protection in the countdown to kick-off.
For some those prayers have come too late. Ryan Jones, Shane Jennings, Wikus van Heerden, Pierre Spies all casualties. Gareth Jenkins has shown the ruthless streak, which players dread just as much…that fateful call or ‘quiet word’ signalling the end of World Cup glory. The departure of Gavin Henson underlines that ‘show-biz’ reputations count for nothing as international teams eye on the big prize.
Something that the likes of Josh Lewsey would do well to heed. His outburst in The Times smacked more of primadonna football star than senior player in the England squad, who’s role should be to guide and support the younger cohorts. Sure there are times when every player must be frustrated with the performance of his team, but at such a crucial time (when Brian Ashton is trying to cement team belief) it revealed more about worrying trends in the professional era of ‘player power’ and a total lack of respect for his colleagues.
That incident is bound to have sent Ashton’s eyes skyward, but of all the coaches going to France he has more need than most for divine inspiration if England is to defend the mantel of ‘World Champions.’ The performance against Wales was one dimensional, but effective. Andrew Sheridan looked aggressive, while the likes of Andy Farrell and Matt Stevens got good run-outs. And yet although the average England fan will feel slightly relieved they’ve put one over the ‘Taffs’ and thrashed them quite convincingly it would be difficult to argue that the result was achieved what Stuart Barnes demanded.
In fact the following performance against the French revealed key questions remain unanswered. Who is his full-back? Matthew Tait, Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson or Mark Cueto? Can he confidentally say he’s found the centre pairing he craves? It would almost be possible to count on one hand the number of times the wingers touched the ball in open play in both the Welsh and French games, so it would be difficult to say the backs showed the creativity to unpick any defense. Indeed the one time the Welsh had a standard backs move near the English tryline in the 59th minute they scored.
Will Ashton live to regret axeing Mike Tindall, Dan Ward-Smith and Charlie Hodgson? Looking back at the lessons of the English soccer team at the last Football World Cup it could be said Ashton has made a harsh, but brave and decisive move. But – and there’s always a but - has too much has been made of the crucial South African group match? And will such a blinkered focus limit how England responds in the later stages of the competition, when the physical aggression of the Boks could be married with the lethal running of the Wallabies or an unpredictable Welsh 15 looking for revenge?
Decision makers at this level are critical. Both the pedestrian Welsh match and the more testing French game showed that England still lack decision makers all around the park. Barkley showed some signs of strong running lines, but he doesn’t have the same experience as Hodgson at international level, who although recovering from injury, could offer something different. The selection of Worsley and Corry ahead of Haskell and Ward-Smith again could come back to haunt the coach, because both men have had tremendous club seasons and while experience is vital in the international arena surely form should be respected? The suggestion by David Hands that England’s power pack is reminiscent of the backrow that included Tim Rodber, Deano and Ben Clarke should not be viewed by fans with nostalgic fondness. Instead they should wipe those glistening eyes and remember the opposition England faced – it will not be the same this time around. Both Corry and Worsley have shown their naivety in decision making and Lawrence Dallagio was very subdued against the French, who have played against him often enough to work him out.
The Australian defeat of the Kiwis in the Tri-Nations shows how bruteforce can be outsmarted. Did Joe Worsley at seven show the ball skills of a backrow player, who can support such flowing rugby in the same way as George Smith? Similarly, Lawrence Dallagio and Mike Catt, experienced, intelligent players, but +35 years old! Is this one World Cup too far expecting them to shoulder the heavy burden of decision making around the park? Andy Farrell’s strong, direct and keen, but he missed off-load opportunities and tackles, which a better team would have punished.
Yet England is not alone in being shrouded in dark thoughts. Between now and 8th September any of the coaches going to the tournament could be excused seeking spiritual guidance. The growing list of casualities and doubtfuls would be enough to convert an aethist.
Being French would almost be enough to turn most sane rugby fans into born again believers, because unknown deities seem to be the recourse to understanding which team will turn up to represent your country. As hosts they are under huge pressure to deliver, but having failed miserably to show any form with a sub-standard squad on its recent tour to New Zealand can they say confidently they are a real threat?
Australia is beginning to exhibit that almost Germanic tendency to ‘come good’ as the tournament starts and when Stephen Larkham is on form, they are on fire, as they proved against New Zealand. But Larkham hasn’t always delivered when it matters and there is still doubt about their frontrow.
South Africa come into the World Cup on a high on the pitch, but are dogged by politics off it. Could they be threatened with sanctions by SARFU if they fail to field a squad that is truly representative? They are a young team with some world-class players, but on the big day away from home will they produce the goods?
Then the Irish and the Welsh…who knows? If the World Cup had been played in 2005 Wales would have been odds on, but they have a different squad, different coach and clearly haven’t got the forward aggression to back-up their gifted backs. Ireland nearly beat New Zealand last year, but it was nearly. And then they went on to choke in front of a home crowd when they should have won the Grand Slam…for the third year in a row. Then to cap it all Ireland’s living incarnation of St. Patrick, Brian O’Driscoll, was nearly sidelined for the entire tournament playing a second-class opposition in some far-flung corner of France. Eddie O’Sullivan’s nerves would already have been frayed by Shaggy’s freak injury during the warm-up before the Scotland match, but losing BOD would have seen Ireland’s challenge implode.
So surely the Kiwis are unassailable? They only need to turn up and the trophy is theirs. And yet the Tri-Nations showed areas of weakness. Chris Jack doesn’t appear to have a definite partner. The 12-13 axis seemed to change an awful lot and it is not certain who is the front runner for 12. Of course no one wishes injury on a player before the World Cup, but what if, what if Dan Carter dropped out?
The choker mantel is even heavier on New Zealand shoulders and away from home who knows?
Which brings me on to the selection of a World 15. As this group of players shows no team has total dominance which again suggests that no country can believe it is guaranteed to win the Webb Ellis:
1. Hayman (NZ)
2. Ibanez (France)
3. Nieto (Italy)
4. Matfield (SA)
5. Sharpe (Aus)
6. Burger (SA)
7. McCaw (NZ)
8. Fernandex Lobbe (Arg)
9. Ruan Pienaar (SA)
10. Carter (NZ)
11. Rockoko (NZ)
12. Hook (Wales)
13. O’Driscoll (Ire)
14. Steyn (SA)
15. Montgomery (SA)
Naturally I’m sure the fans of every nation attending the World Cup would be far more certain about their nation’s chances and would dismiss the need for religious intervention.
For some those prayers have come too late. Ryan Jones, Shane Jennings, Wikus van Heerden, Pierre Spies all casualties. Gareth Jenkins has shown the ruthless streak, which players dread just as much…that fateful call or ‘quiet word’ signalling the end of World Cup glory. The departure of Gavin Henson underlines that ‘show-biz’ reputations count for nothing as international teams eye on the big prize.
Something that the likes of Josh Lewsey would do well to heed. His outburst in The Times smacked more of primadonna football star than senior player in the England squad, who’s role should be to guide and support the younger cohorts. Sure there are times when every player must be frustrated with the performance of his team, but at such a crucial time (when Brian Ashton is trying to cement team belief) it revealed more about worrying trends in the professional era of ‘player power’ and a total lack of respect for his colleagues.
That incident is bound to have sent Ashton’s eyes skyward, but of all the coaches going to France he has more need than most for divine inspiration if England is to defend the mantel of ‘World Champions.’ The performance against Wales was one dimensional, but effective. Andrew Sheridan looked aggressive, while the likes of Andy Farrell and Matt Stevens got good run-outs. And yet although the average England fan will feel slightly relieved they’ve put one over the ‘Taffs’ and thrashed them quite convincingly it would be difficult to argue that the result was achieved what Stuart Barnes demanded.
In fact the following performance against the French revealed key questions remain unanswered. Who is his full-back? Matthew Tait, Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson or Mark Cueto? Can he confidentally say he’s found the centre pairing he craves? It would almost be possible to count on one hand the number of times the wingers touched the ball in open play in both the Welsh and French games, so it would be difficult to say the backs showed the creativity to unpick any defense. Indeed the one time the Welsh had a standard backs move near the English tryline in the 59th minute they scored.
Will Ashton live to regret axeing Mike Tindall, Dan Ward-Smith and Charlie Hodgson? Looking back at the lessons of the English soccer team at the last Football World Cup it could be said Ashton has made a harsh, but brave and decisive move. But – and there’s always a but - has too much has been made of the crucial South African group match? And will such a blinkered focus limit how England responds in the later stages of the competition, when the physical aggression of the Boks could be married with the lethal running of the Wallabies or an unpredictable Welsh 15 looking for revenge?
Decision makers at this level are critical. Both the pedestrian Welsh match and the more testing French game showed that England still lack decision makers all around the park. Barkley showed some signs of strong running lines, but he doesn’t have the same experience as Hodgson at international level, who although recovering from injury, could offer something different. The selection of Worsley and Corry ahead of Haskell and Ward-Smith again could come back to haunt the coach, because both men have had tremendous club seasons and while experience is vital in the international arena surely form should be respected? The suggestion by David Hands that England’s power pack is reminiscent of the backrow that included Tim Rodber, Deano and Ben Clarke should not be viewed by fans with nostalgic fondness. Instead they should wipe those glistening eyes and remember the opposition England faced – it will not be the same this time around. Both Corry and Worsley have shown their naivety in decision making and Lawrence Dallagio was very subdued against the French, who have played against him often enough to work him out.
The Australian defeat of the Kiwis in the Tri-Nations shows how bruteforce can be outsmarted. Did Joe Worsley at seven show the ball skills of a backrow player, who can support such flowing rugby in the same way as George Smith? Similarly, Lawrence Dallagio and Mike Catt, experienced, intelligent players, but +35 years old! Is this one World Cup too far expecting them to shoulder the heavy burden of decision making around the park? Andy Farrell’s strong, direct and keen, but he missed off-load opportunities and tackles, which a better team would have punished.
Yet England is not alone in being shrouded in dark thoughts. Between now and 8th September any of the coaches going to the tournament could be excused seeking spiritual guidance. The growing list of casualities and doubtfuls would be enough to convert an aethist.
Being French would almost be enough to turn most sane rugby fans into born again believers, because unknown deities seem to be the recourse to understanding which team will turn up to represent your country. As hosts they are under huge pressure to deliver, but having failed miserably to show any form with a sub-standard squad on its recent tour to New Zealand can they say confidently they are a real threat?
Australia is beginning to exhibit that almost Germanic tendency to ‘come good’ as the tournament starts and when Stephen Larkham is on form, they are on fire, as they proved against New Zealand. But Larkham hasn’t always delivered when it matters and there is still doubt about their frontrow.
South Africa come into the World Cup on a high on the pitch, but are dogged by politics off it. Could they be threatened with sanctions by SARFU if they fail to field a squad that is truly representative? They are a young team with some world-class players, but on the big day away from home will they produce the goods?
Then the Irish and the Welsh…who knows? If the World Cup had been played in 2005 Wales would have been odds on, but they have a different squad, different coach and clearly haven’t got the forward aggression to back-up their gifted backs. Ireland nearly beat New Zealand last year, but it was nearly. And then they went on to choke in front of a home crowd when they should have won the Grand Slam…for the third year in a row. Then to cap it all Ireland’s living incarnation of St. Patrick, Brian O’Driscoll, was nearly sidelined for the entire tournament playing a second-class opposition in some far-flung corner of France. Eddie O’Sullivan’s nerves would already have been frayed by Shaggy’s freak injury during the warm-up before the Scotland match, but losing BOD would have seen Ireland’s challenge implode.
So surely the Kiwis are unassailable? They only need to turn up and the trophy is theirs. And yet the Tri-Nations showed areas of weakness. Chris Jack doesn’t appear to have a definite partner. The 12-13 axis seemed to change an awful lot and it is not certain who is the front runner for 12. Of course no one wishes injury on a player before the World Cup, but what if, what if Dan Carter dropped out?
The choker mantel is even heavier on New Zealand shoulders and away from home who knows?
Which brings me on to the selection of a World 15. As this group of players shows no team has total dominance which again suggests that no country can believe it is guaranteed to win the Webb Ellis:
1. Hayman (NZ)
2. Ibanez (France)
3. Nieto (Italy)
4. Matfield (SA)
5. Sharpe (Aus)
6. Burger (SA)
7. McCaw (NZ)
8. Fernandex Lobbe (Arg)
9. Ruan Pienaar (SA)
10. Carter (NZ)
11. Rockoko (NZ)
12. Hook (Wales)
13. O’Driscoll (Ire)
14. Steyn (SA)
15. Montgomery (SA)
Naturally I’m sure the fans of every nation attending the World Cup would be far more certain about their nation’s chances and would dismiss the need for religious intervention.
Still confident? Sajada? Tallit? Rosary Beads?
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