Feels like only a year or two since he first appeared on the scene. I still remember how enthusiastic he always seemed in the early days, how he grinned every time he was interviewed on that first Lions tour. Great player.

Well he comes across as a balanced and intelligent bloke, so TV wouldn’t be interested in him!

I always get a bit frustrated when the I see that Welsh face-off against NZ. (Or any other Haka confrontation – who was it who walked up to the Kiwis until they were nose to nose?) Simply because the team then goes on to lose the game, the important bit. Great, we’ve beaten the Haka. Boo, we lost the game. 🙁

Richard Cockerill did it.

Willie anderson too;

deadlydarcy, they SOOOO won that game. (Unless you looked at the scoreboard!) I was devastated and most of the time I don’t even like the Irish rugby team. 😉

I’d suggest that giving a dance more importance than it really merits is self defeating. Stand there and watch it and ignore it. Think about what you will be doing for the next 80-90 minutes. Maybe even work out how many calories the All Blacks are wasting throwing their shapes. If the ABs want to tell the world how great it is, fine, but really it’s decoration.

Back when we rarely saw NZ over here it was great to see the haka. It was so different it was worth watching. These days, I see it so often that I normally fast forward through it (and the anthems, one of my pet hates.) That must be the same for the players as well?

Although, part of me thinks that the amount of time the NZ players spend rehearsing must surely interfere with the rugby at some point, so let them worry more and more about exclusion zones, varying dances, etc.

Just because I mentioned it earlier and it’s on my mind now…. 😀

What are peoples’ views on anthems?

Surely they should only be played if an actual royal member is present, otherwise they are completely unnecessary. Especially at a bleeding friendly!

The Oirish Haka = Boring the opposition with two anthems at home. (Before boring the neutrals with a kicking game.)

Italy? Oh that’s too obvious… 😀

I have a feeling you’re right.

Well exactly, so why ape the Victorian imperialists?

😉

Just read Steve James piece (and comments) and he says that based on what he’s seen and heard that the England centres going for sure are Barrit, Joseph and Burgess. The other spot is up for grabs.

No Nick Cummins for the aussies 🙁

When you compare the amount of caps in that Aussie squad (and of others such as NZ, etc) England look pretty fresh! I still think that we’re a very good, potentially WC challenging squad, but this world cup has come 2 years too early for us. Shame, but given that we’re contemplating taking a bloke that’s only just started playing the game (and no one seems sure what position to play him) and banging him in the centres…..it hardly suggests a sorted team.

Can’t wait for it to start now though 🙂

Or lancaster hasn’t given players opportunities early enough? We have been cycling the same 3-odd centres for the past few years when there’s been an obvious issue there. JJ only got a shot because Manu was injured and it’s still possible that Slade won’t be selected and 12T will!
The inclusion of Corbs is a good demonstration of this. So far as I can tell, he played a single AP game last season. Why isn’t Dave Ewers in there? Two huge seasons at Chiefs, plays 8 and 6 (where we are lacking).

re: Haka – best responses:

– David Campese not even watching and kicking ball around behind dead ball line
– Fench forming arrow formation and advancing behind Dusatoir in last wc final

The way that’s worded , it looks like it would be be the same for any squad without 6 props, or at least one who can cover both sides.

Looks like there’ll be more than one team playing the system

Or lancaster hasn’t given players opportunities early enough? We have been cycling the same 3-odd centres for the past few years when there’s been an obvious issue there. JJ only got a shot because Manu was injured and it’s still possible that Slade won’t be selected and 12T will!

JJ only got a shot because Tuilagi AND Barritt were injured. Ford likewise due to Farrell’s injury/lack of rugby.

Sl’s had nearly 4 yrs to settle on a team but his poor selection abilities have ruined that opportunity.