-
The appointment of the popular Stuart Lancaster as interim head coach of England has provided the nation with a massive boost ahead of the upcoming Six Nations tournament due to get underway in February. Following a strong showing in the competition last season in which they lifted the trophy, the string of debacles that blighted their 2011 World Cup campaign meant that rebuilding would have to start from the very top. Lancaster is understood to be a popular choice to take over the...
-
Wales and Ospreys hooker, Huw Bennett, says that his country will demonstrate a new vigour at the Six Nations tournament, just a few moments after his compatriot, Sam Warburton, admitted that Wales did not play their best rugby in their recent defeat to Australia. "I think the standards have dropped a bit from the World Cup", Warburton mused.The Reds were dispatched 18-24 by the Wallabies, on Saturday, in what had been described previously as a rematch of Wales and Australia's tie for...
-
Wales play their first Six Nations match against geographic rivals, Ireland, at the beginning of February, but, with the Reds facing the loss of Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris to injury, the encounter could lack something in polish, unless Wales can fill the void left by the two players in the second row. Jones, one of several in the Welsh team, suffered a dislocated toe, of all things, playing for the Ospreys, earlier this month. The Swansea-born lock has undergone surgery to fix the digit...
-
Northampton Saints bounced back from successive defeats to produce a stunning first-half display and claim an impressive 30-8 victory against high-flying Saracens at Franklin Gardens. The hosts effectively ended the contest by the half-time break, going in with a commanding 27-3 lead, courtesy of tries from Lee Dickson, George Pisi and Phil Dowson, Ryan Lamb adding the extras with the boot. Both teams came out after the break and appeared to nullify each other in the second-half, the...
-
Mike Tindall faces an uphill struggle to keep his place in the team at Gloucester, according to coach, Bryan Redpath. The embattled rugby player, who has also faced difficulties in his personal life, owing to being filmed with a mysterious woman in a nightclub in New Zealand, will not be given another contract by Gloucester, unless he earns it. The big centre faces competition in the middle of the park from Samoan international, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, and English youngster, Henry Trinder. ESPN...
-
Despite the All Blacks' fearsome reputation in rugby union, the Kiwi war machine has one major weakness. According to injured New Zealander, Dan Carter; the French. "They're our arch nemesis at the World Cup", the fly-half told a news conference in Auckland. "They're such a dangerous side." While suggesting that the All Blacks are concerned about a team that failed to beat Tonga during the group stages might seem bogus – and indeed, intimate a large amount of under-confidence on the part...
-
If you are an ex-player, if you follow it week in and week out, if you are a Kiwi, you get it. You understand all the nuances of Union and what is expected of the players. But if you are none of the above, Rugby Union is the most frustrating sport in the world to watch.This does not stem from Australia’s loss in the World Cup semi final, New Zealand was too good (they only choke when the World Cup is not held in NZ!). This opinion comes from watching the game year in year out and even going to...
-
Sacre bleu! The French have lost their imagination.The country that brought the world Impressionist painting, blue vein cheese and the Eiffel Tower found themselves bereft of ideas on Saturday night.Despite playing 63 minutes with a one-man advantage, Les Tricolours failed to fire a shot against a Welsh side without skipper and openside flanker Sam Warburton.Warburton, who has impressed throughout the tournament, was shown a red card by referee Alain Rolland in the seventeenth minute for a...
-
Will Genia has maintained he is full of confidence ahead of this weekend's semi-final against New Zealand, the scrum-half claiming he is in doubt that his team can progress to the final. The 23-year old has continued his fine form so far in 2011 into this World Cup, and will be one of the Aussie's key main in this weekend's clash against the All Blacks. The Australians set up their semi-final clash against the hosts after a defensive master-class against defending champions South Africa –...
-
Wales are hopeful that they can make it to the Rugby World Cup final this year – the first time in their history.But it will be a tough ask, with the likes of holders South Africa, former champions Australia and rivals Ireland all standing in their way.Their first task, however, is to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition by qualifying from their tricky Pool D group.Since the narrow opening match defeat to South Africa, the Welsh have asserted their authority over opposition to prove...
rugby OPINION LEADERS
