A quick look at what the UK Sunday papers are saying after Saturday's action.
The Sunday Times
Magic moments fail to mask Wales's failing
Stuart Barnes
Barnes fairly argues that the Welsh miss Mike Phillips and lays into the his replacement Gareth Cooper and captain Ryan Jones.
Brian O'Driscoll dethroned by Mathieu Bastareaud
David Hands
Hand's claims that the Frenchmen out played his Irish opposite number. A fair assessment? Maybe...but other factors played more of a role in the french win. The dominance of the home sides half backs and the lack of quick ball for last years grand slam winners.
Scary fact - Bastareaud was 11 when BOD scored a hat trick at the stade de france.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Non Stop Emontion as Wales Finish on Top
Six Nations Reviewed
Wales 31 Scotland 24
Millennium Stadium - 13/2/2010
This is what the Six Nations is all about. Non stop emotion from start to finish.
The BBC often launch their Six Nations TV trails with emphasis on the "passion" and the "drama" that comes with one of Rugby's oldest competitions. The Cardiff crowd and those watching at home got exactly that this afternoon - passion followed by late drama.
"gutted"
The Scots will be gutted - they fought hard and played very well for most of the game to create a platform from which they should have gone on to win the game. They clearly were hurt by the injuries in their backline - both Chris Paterson and Tom Evans going off with injuries.
When replacement hooker Scott Lawson was sin binned with just under 10 minutes remaining the Welsh just out powered a tiring Scottish team - to add more problems Phil Godman was also sent to the sidelines in the final minutes. All this meant that the Scots could not close out the match.
Key Turning Point
Has to be Scott Lawson's sin bining. Momentum was already with the Welsh and this just increased it.
Top Players
Dan Parks played a great game. It was only before the tournament some where saying he would never play in a Scotland jersey again. He commanded the number 10 jersey like it had been his for years...or should have been.
On the red side, the Welsh wizard Shane Williams had a great game. Wales looked to him a number of times to magic something up and with the final try he did. James Hook also played well at 13 - backing the Scottish defence often.
Game Rating
9/10 - superb.
Questions still remain....
The Welsh at points looked very lost...what has happened to the side of 2008...on paper they look exceptional but seem to be missed firing or misguided.
BUT
Could this be the turning point for the Welsh as lady luck shines on them...
Rugby Mad Final Thought
Some of Warren Gatland's pre match negativity against his opposition (this included slating England and Scotland) doesn't help his team's cause when they play badly. I have a lot of respect for the kiwi but he frustrated me this week.
Stats
Wales
Tries - Lee Bryne, Leigh Halfpenny, Shane Williams.
Cons - Stephen Jones (2)
Pens - Stephen Jones (4)
Scotland
Tries - John Barclay, Max Evans
Cons - Chris Paterson
Pens - Dan Parks (2)
DG - Dan Parks (2)
Sin Bin - Scott Lawson, Phil Godman.
Att: 70,000
Ref: George Clancy (Ireland)
Wales 31 Scotland 24
Millennium Stadium - 13/2/2010
This is what the Six Nations is all about. Non stop emotion from start to finish.
The BBC often launch their Six Nations TV trails with emphasis on the "passion" and the "drama" that comes with one of Rugby's oldest competitions. The Cardiff crowd and those watching at home got exactly that this afternoon - passion followed by late drama.
"gutted"
The Scots will be gutted - they fought hard and played very well for most of the game to create a platform from which they should have gone on to win the game. They clearly were hurt by the injuries in their backline - both Chris Paterson and Tom Evans going off with injuries.
When replacement hooker Scott Lawson was sin binned with just under 10 minutes remaining the Welsh just out powered a tiring Scottish team - to add more problems Phil Godman was also sent to the sidelines in the final minutes. All this meant that the Scots could not close out the match.
Key Turning Point
Has to be Scott Lawson's sin bining. Momentum was already with the Welsh and this just increased it.
Top Players
Dan Parks played a great game. It was only before the tournament some where saying he would never play in a Scotland jersey again. He commanded the number 10 jersey like it had been his for years...or should have been.
On the red side, the Welsh wizard Shane Williams had a great game. Wales looked to him a number of times to magic something up and with the final try he did. James Hook also played well at 13 - backing the Scottish defence often.
Game Rating
9/10 - superb.
Questions still remain....
The Welsh at points looked very lost...what has happened to the side of 2008...on paper they look exceptional but seem to be missed firing or misguided.
BUT
Could this be the turning point for the Welsh as lady luck shines on them...
Rugby Mad Final Thought
Some of Warren Gatland's pre match negativity against his opposition (this included slating England and Scotland) doesn't help his team's cause when they play badly. I have a lot of respect for the kiwi but he frustrated me this week.
Stats
Wales
Tries - Lee Bryne, Leigh Halfpenny, Shane Williams.
Cons - Stephen Jones (2)
Pens - Stephen Jones (4)
Scotland
Tries - John Barclay, Max Evans
Cons - Chris Paterson
Pens - Dan Parks (2)
DG - Dan Parks (2)
Sin Bin - Scott Lawson, Phil Godman.
Att: 70,000
Ref: George Clancy (Ireland)
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Pride Restored
South Africa 9 - 28 British and Irish Lions
3rd Test - Ellis Park, Jo'burgh
Ok the Bok's made 10 changes to the team that won the 2nd test and took the series after 12 years of hurt last weekend but for the Lions a wins and win in this style.
Three ties to nil, and a points gap that showed it (21 points). At the home of South African rugby this is a victory that all the Lions that donned the shirt this summer can be proud of.
The unity in the side was clear to see throughout the tour but yesterday in the Jo'burgh sun you could see that these players from four different countries have built friendships that will last a lifetime.
This is what the Lions is all about.
Those voices that doubt the future of the Lions, I have never personally met one, have now surely been silenced.
Reflection on the Game:
The Best Bit
Matthew Rees' tackle on winger and South African's fastest man Odwa Ndungane with the score at 3-3, metres short of the try line. A tackle a hooker should never make. It was exceptional in a game in which had a lot to shout about for Lions fans.
The Bad Bit
The South African's wore white arm bands with Justice written on them, referring the ban handed to lock Bakkies Botha, revived for a tackle on Lions prop Adam Jones in the 2nd test. Another ill judged decision from the Bok's, even if Botha has a case. Jones looks to be set out long term because of the incident. No need.
Man of the Match
Steve Phillips dominated again. All over the park, great in defence. Moved to centre with half an hour left and continued his good work.
Entertainment Rating
8/10 - The series may have been won for the Bok's but it was a great battle. The first two tests were potentially the best two international tests for a long while but this was pretty good too.
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