@Justin Marshall

A penalty try is awarded between the goal posts if foul play by the opposing team prevents a probable try from being scored, or scored in a more advantageous position. A player guilty of this must be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off. No conversion is attempted.

In news other than Justin Marshall's somewhat rusty knowledge of the laws of the game - thought the end of year tour, and England's start to the 6N, show that forwards need some power. In that regards, thought Shannon Frizzell stood out in his wee cameo for the Highlanders, while in this game Ioane and to a lesser extent Robinson, showed good moments.

Watching the Blues, you sort of thought they had a charity spot in the team for a local kid with special needs. This week's lucky winner was Michael Collins. For the Crusaders, Braydon Ennor went pretty well.

Think the Blues have potential, that was a respectable enough loss against last year's champions.

Miss the early days of super rugby when all the best players from SANZAR played rugby in the SH.

Such a pity England and France didn’t centrally contract their players.

Seems like everyday some international from one of the countries jumps to the NH ship.

Andy Farrell is the dad, Phil. It’s Owen. I suppose the chip on the shoulder is so big it’s also blocking the vision.

@ShadowTrooper said in 6 Nations 2019:

@Bones The quality of rugby so far in 6N is soooooooooo predictable. Bloody Italy and France don't bother turning up any more (that is when they aew not busy populating their national teams with foreign players) Scotland simply don't have the cattle, Wales are so-so and England although very good play their crash-bash syle down to a tee with little or no invention, while Ireland has flattered to deceive. Bloody hell the coaches rants are more interesting.

I'd be delighted if NZ had played like that in November. Need I remind you of our 9 points - yes 9 points - at Dublin.

England have been very good so far, the rest very average.

Scotland 13 - Ireland 22

If Nonu still has wheels at 37 then it will come down to the service from Aaron & Beauden.

Ma’a ma’a black streak have you any ball?

Always knew Brodie wouldnt offer himself to the highest bidder.

In other words not for sale.

I watched the game and I really think Gregor is clutching at straws. I don’t think there were persistent offsides.

@MajorRage said in 6 Nations 2019:

@Crucial said in 6 Nations 2019:

Ireland had that loss coming. They hardly play unbeatable rugby and although they thoroughly deserved their two wins over the ABs a cold look back shows that the first one was them at maximum effort while the ABs were still playing tourists in Chicago. Last year's win was also maximum effort against an out of sorts NZ.
Don't get me wrong, they are a very good rugby team with the ability to take a game from a stronger team, but they cannot hope to play at maximum every game or hope their opposition implode (eg France and England last 6N).
England have finally realised that they need to play to their strength which is to out muscle other teams. They have the personnel to do that but their achilles heel is that they need to be in the lead or close behind to play that gameplan. Get them behind by 10 and they need a plan B (Ireland are similar).
I hope the ABs are planning a blitz approach in the first 20 rather than hoping to sail home strong in the last 20.
RWC will be interesting to watch the contrast of styles. England are looking to do a Patriots and, as mentioned above, it could be 2007 all over again.

Pains me to say it, but I think that game was pure Eddie Jones.

Ireland hadn't moved on at all from last years (incredibly successful) game plan. For all of Eddie' faults, he is arguably one of the best tacticians in the game with his ability to put together a plan to beat any specific team in a one-off game.

Ireland didn't just get beaten by England, they got hammered. Physically, and tactically.

It was crushing. I will be really interested to see if Schmidt can reinvent the wheel, because his gameplan has basically remained unchanged since he took charge. TBH, it's a very successful gameplan - the only way really to beat it, is to outmuscle Ireland such as England did in the weekend or else they have been vulnerable to attacking out wide, most notably Argentina in 2015. I think the whole Irish gameplan falls down though if their halves are out of sorts - everything goes thru Murray and to a lesser extent Sexton. A Scottish win this weekend would really put a cat among the pigeons, borderline panic I would say.

I see everyone rushing to anoint England as RWC favs, Rattue included. If there's anything I've learnt, it's that one game means nothing - if England roll all and sundry in the 6N, then let's talk.

I can't think of such favorable external circumstances for NZ for this RWC - no hometown advantage, except for Japan who are not contenders, and for once NZ are unlikely to be outright favourites.