Showing posts with label rowanbirch. Show all posts
Lions Halfback Pairing
By Rowan Birch
With the Lions squad announcement on the horizon, one of the main talking points and competitive areas are the halfbacks. The tour will be won or lost in these two positions, and Warren Gatland must have 100% confidence in whatever pairing he selects for the Barbarians game.
With the Lions squad announcement on the horizon, one of the main talking points and competitive areas are the halfbacks. The tour will be won or lost in these two positions, and Warren Gatland must have 100% confidence in whatever pairing he selects for the Barbarians game.
Team of the Tests
By Rowan Birch
This autumn has thrown up a few surprises - from Tonga beating Scotland, Samoa beating Wales to England battering New Zealand.
Below I am going to give you my top XV players of these past few weeks, from both the southern and northern hemispheres...
This autumn has thrown up a few surprises - from Tonga beating Scotland, Samoa beating Wales to England battering New Zealand.
Below I am going to give you my top XV players of these past few weeks, from both the southern and northern hemispheres...
Outsiders for 2013 Lions Squad
By Rowan Birch
As expected, Wales coach Warren Gatland was appointed as the Lions coach for the 2013 Australia tour. The New Zealander played a heavy part in the backroom staff on the 2009 tour, and therefore knows what is expected of him - a series win against the Aussies.
As soon as the Kiwi was announced as coach, he expressed a desire to work with Wilkinson. 'Jonny' is plying his trade in moneybags Toulon, so would a huge outsider to be included in the tour squad.
So who else may be an unexpected member of the Lions tour team?
As expected, Wales coach Warren Gatland was appointed as the Lions coach for the 2013 Australia tour. The New Zealander played a heavy part in the backroom staff on the 2009 tour, and therefore knows what is expected of him - a series win against the Aussies.As soon as the Kiwi was announced as coach, he expressed a desire to work with Wilkinson. 'Jonny' is plying his trade in moneybags Toulon, so would a huge outsider to be included in the tour squad.
So who else may be an unexpected member of the Lions tour team?
Sonny Bill Williams
By Rowan Birch
On Saturday the 25th August 2012 the All Blacks, the Waikato Chiefs and international rugby lost a legend - but only temporarily.
Earlier this year Sonny Bill Williams announced that he would take a few years sabbatical from New Zealand and eventually union before returning to Aotearoa for the 2015 World Cup.
On Saturday the 25th August 2012 the All Blacks, the Waikato Chiefs and international rugby lost a legend - but only temporarily.Earlier this year Sonny Bill Williams announced that he would take a few years sabbatical from New Zealand and eventually union before returning to Aotearoa for the 2015 World Cup.
The Rugby Championship: Australia Team Profile
By Rowan Birch
The Wallabies had on the whole a 'decent' year in 2012. The Queensland Reds won the Super Rugby championship plus the Wallabies won the Tri Nations and collected a bronze medal at the World Cup. The year was topped off with a win against Wales at the Millennium stadium. The Aussies successful year was graced with fantastic form from Scott Higginbotham, the brilliant David Pocock and Radike 'Afro' Samo.
However, there was also a sour taste left in the mouth of the Australians. Not only did they lose in the semi-final of the World Cup to 'the Enemy' but they also got well beat by Ireland in the group stage. Even worse though, the form of some of the Wallabies top players dropped significantly heading into the world cup, which led to doubt over their position in the team.
The Wallabies had on the whole a 'decent' year in 2012. The Queensland Reds won the Super Rugby championship plus the Wallabies won the Tri Nations and collected a bronze medal at the World Cup. The year was topped off with a win against Wales at the Millennium stadium. The Aussies successful year was graced with fantastic form from Scott Higginbotham, the brilliant David Pocock and Radike 'Afro' Samo.However, there was also a sour taste left in the mouth of the Australians. Not only did they lose in the semi-final of the World Cup to 'the Enemy' but they also got well beat by Ireland in the group stage. Even worse though, the form of some of the Wallabies top players dropped significantly heading into the world cup, which led to doubt over their position in the team.
The Rugby Championship: Argentina Team Profile
By Rowan Birch
Argentina have an exciting and historic year to look forward too. For the first time ever they will compete in an annual tournament against the southern hemisphere giants (Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.) They also go into the Rugby Championship after a reasonably successful 2011, some of the Pumas top players are in great form and they have the help of coaching guru Graham Henry - who will support and aid the Argentinian coaches.The South Americans won three out of six games last year. Although that doesn't suggest a successful year, the Pumas did play some of the worlds best, in the form of: the All Blacks (eventual World Cup winners), Wales (eventual 4th placer) and England (only 4 points separated them at the final whistle.)
Why Did Harlequins Win the Premiership title?
By Rowan Birch
On Saturday 26th May, Harlequins defied the odds in their first ever Premiership final to beat firm favourites Leicester, in what was their eighth successive final.
So how did David beat Goliath? Firstly, Quins were the outright underdogs from the off. They had no experience of Premiership finals and the general consensus was a heavy victory for the Tigers.
But the underdog tag wasn't all bad. It put significant pressure on Leicester and allowed Quins to play how they wanted. It also allowed the Quins to play exciting, quick rugby - just the way they like it, as the London based club had nothing to lose.
On Saturday 26th May, Harlequins defied the odds in their first ever Premiership final to beat firm favourites Leicester, in what was their eighth successive final.
So how did David beat Goliath? Firstly, Quins were the outright underdogs from the off. They had no experience of Premiership finals and the general consensus was a heavy victory for the Tigers.
But the underdog tag wasn't all bad. It put significant pressure on Leicester and allowed Quins to play how they wanted. It also allowed the Quins to play exciting, quick rugby - just the way they like it, as the London based club had nothing to lose.
The Rugby Championship: New Zealand Team Profile
By Rowan Birch
Obviously the All Blacks had a fantastic 2011: winning the Rugby World Cup held on New Zealand soil, coming second place to the 'enemy' and the Crusaders runners up in Super Rugby. It was also the year of superstars in New Zealand, with Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu and Israel Dagg setting the Southern Hemisphere alight.
But 2012 is a different story. Last year's heroes have fled overseas, become injured or are mere shadows of their previous years form. With workhorse Brad Thorn playing in Japan, Luke McCalister arriving at the bank of Stade Toulousain, Joe Rokocoko off to money-bags Clermont, Sitiveni Sivivatu moving to Bayonne and Mils Muliaina retired, that means they are all out of the selection window. This leaves a large void in the selection pool for New Zealand.
Obviously the All Blacks had a fantastic 2011: winning the Rugby World Cup held on New Zealand soil, coming second place to the 'enemy' and the Crusaders runners up in Super Rugby. It was also the year of superstars in New Zealand, with Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu and Israel Dagg setting the Southern Hemisphere alight.But 2012 is a different story. Last year's heroes have fled overseas, become injured or are mere shadows of their previous years form. With workhorse Brad Thorn playing in Japan, Luke McCalister arriving at the bank of Stade Toulousain, Joe Rokocoko off to money-bags Clermont, Sitiveni Sivivatu moving to Bayonne and Mils Muliaina retired, that means they are all out of the selection window. This leaves a large void in the selection pool for New Zealand.