Six Nations Wrap Up
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Freshly finished after Super Saturday, but here is the (eagerly awaited?) MR thoughts.
Firstly, another brilliant tournament. Going into the last day with 3 potential winners is the sign of a fantastic tournament. It never ever fails to deliver. Geography is certainly one of the things that makes it, in my view, the best annual international tournament that exists (in any sport), but it's not the only one. It's close, it's competitive and very few games are sure things. The rugby isn't always the quality of the atmosphere, but it doesn't need to be. 30,000 Paddies in Italy today, just unreal.
France: Best team in the tournament and the rightful winners. They will spend many hours looking at what happened in Twickenham to stop the Grand Slam, but they will rarely reflect that winning at Twickenham has never been an easy feat. Brilliant team, brilliant to watch with some generational players. Wish they didn't buy into the "bomb squad" bullshit though.
England: Not sure many will argue that they ended up higher than expected given the games and expectations. But they aren't a bad team, they just aren't a great team. Losing to Ireland at the moment is no disgrace but they certainly didn't look like winners of any of the Slam, 6N or Triple Crown. So in some ways, they out performed?
Ireland: Only one loss, but what a loss. The game where the French got it together, and properly. No disgrace there, but on the whole they are starting to look little bit old, and in my view, a little bit big. Seem to have chosen power over pace in every position. Thats easily exploitable by a team like France.
Scotland: Hmm, they didn't play bad, but they didn't really play amazing either. Certainly the biggest under performers, which is odd as I didn't think they really played bad. On the days though, they just didn't do enough to get past their opposition. Ultimately, thats all that counts.
Italy. They had their moments, but they still don't show anything which suggests they really belong in this competition. Harsh, but realistic. Yes, they beat Wales (more about them below), but it does feel like they play out of their skin to achieve a close loss. Infuriating to watch, as they infringe (and get caught) in so many good situations.
Wales. Fucking awful. Under Gatland they literally had nothing. So they sacked him off. Then in the next two games they showed some real heart, but had nothing to show for it. But vs England ... wow. Awful. Truly, fucking awful.
Awards:
Same Rule For All Awards: Would the plays going to Dupont injury have been so scrutinised/viewed as controversial if it was the number 22 for Italy that had been injured? We all know the answer.
More Things Change Award: I've lived in Pomgolia for over 10 years and I support the Football team passionately, the Cricket team against most and I try to warm to their rugby team. But I HATE their media so much. I like Marcus Smith, he's like Carlos. Has his weaknesses, but is a real talent. Anyway, Fin Smith gets a shot at 10, goes ok (not amazing) and all pundits given him at least 8/10 with words of "finally can move away from Marcus". It's just wrong. I genuinely think they are not independent as they take one eyed views as a pack (Itoje?) and never move away from them. Drives me up the wall.
Your Too Big Awards: Kiwi exports. Aki & Lowe, what happened? Both of you are at least 10kg heavier than when you left, and I'm not sure it's really helping you. Oh and Lowe, this goes to your mouth as well. Just STFU ok?
One That Got Away: Van Der Merwe is a beast. Jaapies can say what they want, but he'd be starting for South Africa no question. Failed a bit on the big stage in the last game, but otherwise, superb.
Could have been POTT, but you play for England: Curry was superb all tournament. Probably the number 2 player in the whole thing, but I doubt you'll read that anywhere else ...
Your Time Has Come, But Not In A Good Way: Retirement of the 3 Irish legends was due. Not going to dwell too much, but I do feel words for Peter O'Mahony are due. Probably the closest any other player has gotten to be built with the same concrete as Kaino. Hard. As. Nails. Respect.
Game of the tournament: England vs France. Incredible game, incredible result. France are looking like an all time great team, England are not. They needed some luck, but almost every match has luck at some point. No need to hold back.
Player of the tournament: Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Absolute pleasure to watch this kid play. Unreal pace, unreal skill and a breath of fresh air in the current world of bigger is better.. Hope he sticks around for a while. I'm not on the Dupont train as much as many others, but I am with this bloke.
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10/10 no notes
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Now that's all done and dusted how does this look for the Lions squad ?
Will some of the Irish old boys get picked for a last hurrah ?
Will England provide the bulk of the pack ?
Will there be FOUR Scots in the test backline as some have predicted ? ( haha, yeah right )
Is there a possibility that NO Welsh players get picked ? ( surely a token player or two will make the squad )
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I think Ireland are in real trouble. They are getting older, slower, bigger and more systematic. They don't appear to have great depth either. I think a slide is coming in fast.
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If I'm picking Lions then I'm still starting Keenan and 3 kiwis in the backline from Ireland though.
Probably a scot on the other wing and centre, Smith at 10.Doris first picked and captain.
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@mariner4life I agree that Ireland are on the slide, but I don't want to be too smug about it because I fear the All Blacks are as well.
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An excellent Six Nations, the best since before the COVID pandemic. It's the crowds and the travelling support that makes it one of the best spectacles in global sport.
And Louis Bielle-Biarrey is a really special player. I think we watching the rise of one of the greatest Wingers of all time.
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@Bones said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
This lions squad could easily eclipse every other for amount of gobby fucks in a team.
Just looking at the backs...Smith, Russell, Lowe... fuck I had loads more when I was cut last night, too dusty to remember now.
I for one will look forward to you sobering up and letting us know who the others are.
Will be very tough to beat 2001 with Matt Dawson, Austin Healy and Ronan O'Gara
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@MN5 said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
@Bones said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
This lions squad could easily eclipse every other for amount of gobby fucks in a team.
Just looking at the backs...Smith, Russell, Lowe... fuck I had loads more when I was cut last night, too dusty to remember now.
I for one will look forward to you sobering up and letting us know who the others are !
Jo Mama.
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@mariner4life said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
I think Ireland are in real trouble. They are getting older, slower, bigger and more systematic. They don't appear to have great depth either. I think a slide is coming in fast.
Especially if you look at their U20s recent results. They'll be scouring the SH for uncapped players.
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@antipodean said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
@mariner4life said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
I think Ireland are in real trouble. They are getting older, slower, bigger and more systematic. They don't appear to have great depth either. I think a slide is coming in fast.
Especially if you look at their U20s recent results. They'll be scouring the SH for uncapped players.
Shaun O'Stevenson is kicking up a stink in the other thread. He should be hanging by his phone for a call up.
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A great summary.
Sadly our sporting media has gone downhill dreadfully. It is so predictably uniform it could be AI generated. Our TV comms are universally shit, most of the support pundits on comms are biased, particularly the Scots and Irish ones - Scott Hastings is a disgrace and the after match interviews are just cringeworthy. Especially that Sonia woman, she can just fuck off completely.
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@Catogrande said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
Especially that Sonia woman, she can just fuck off completely.
A charmless and inane person who clearly utterly hates Rugby and Rugby players. Maybe there was a bit of shock-value seven or eight years ago with her post-match "gotcha" interviews, but they are now really, really predictable and boring. Sonja adds nothing, apart from a bit of amusement to the small number of people who watch Rugby and hate the game.
Players and coaches know what's coming when she opens her mouth and know not to respond to her bile with anything interesting.
It's just bad TV. Watching the test card is more fun. Send her off to interview dodgy landlords or sleazy councillors instead.
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@Catogrande said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
A great summary.
Sadly our sporting media has gone downhill dreadfully. It is so predictably uniform it could be AI generated. Our TV comms are universally shit, most of the support pundits on comms are biased, particularly the Scots and Irish ones - Scott Hastings is a disgrace and the after match interviews are just cringeworthy. Especially that Sonia woman, she can just fuck off completely.
That’s Scottish Rugby royalty you’re having a go there. What’s so bad about him ?
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@MN5 said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
@Catogrande said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
A great summary.
Sadly our sporting media has gone downhill dreadfully. It is so predictably uniform it could be AI generated. Our TV comms are universally shit, most of the support pundits on comms are biased, particularly the Scots and Irish ones - Scott Hastings is a disgrace and the after match interviews are just cringeworthy. Especially that Sonia woman, she can just fuck off completely.
That’s Scottish Rugby royalty you’re having a go there. ^What’s so bad about him*?
His non-stop, over the top fellating anytime a Scot does anything any where close to above average. Then there is his reluctance to acknowledge good play from the opposition, preferring to dwell on why that didn’t quite go right for Scotland. The there is also his almost homo-erotic descriptions of the Scots players, citing their impressive muscularity or their sheer power.
Apart from all that, he’s fine.
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@MajorRage said in Six Nations Wrap Up:
Player of the tournament: Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Absolute pleasure to watch this kid play. Unreal pace, unreal skill and a breath of fresh air in the current world of bigger is better.. Hope he sticks around for a while. I'm not on the Dupont train as much as many others, but I am with this bloke.
Given he is only 21 I hope he sticks around for at least another 10 years!
His instincts are superb and it will be interesting if they settle with him on the wing or at fullback. Great to watch.
