Tag: All Blacks

The stuff of Sporting Champions

When Ireland won at Twickenham in their first match following England’s Rugby World Cup triumph in 2003, we joked that only Ireland could peak the best side in the world after the World Cup had ended!

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All Blacks in an Irish stew as Super Saturday approaches

Whatever the unwelcome statistics for the Southern Hemisphere nations, losing all their matches in unison for the first time, their marketing departments will be secretly delighted that 4 series sit in the balance for this coming weekend. A real Super Saturday.

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European Rugby Scales The Heights

I feel compelled to reflect on last weekend’s European action simply because the quality of what was on offer reached a new record in my view and also there were some conclusions reached I feel are premature. I know I am biased but the adage of the European Cup being like International rugby played in club jerseys was never truer.

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Ambition on show as a cold wind blows from North to South

This year of all years has been incredibly tough on professional rugby. All the touring teams from the Southern Hemisphere have been in ‘ bubbles ‘ for months and must be mentally and physically exhausted.

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Eastern Promise From A Dramatic Rugby Fortnight

As if the drama of England’s near miss over the All Blacks two weekends ago wasn’t enough, the Springbok’s two tries (one disallowed) in overtime eventually killed off a valiant French challenge in Paris. But more was to come as Ireland finally lived up to a favourite’s billing by downing the men in Black last Saturday evening and installed themselves as the team to beat next year in Japan.

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Reasons To Be Cheerful As Southern Hemisphere Rugby Comes To Town

The Rugby world has been so busy this season it has been hard to keep up. Here is what has caught my eye so far

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Money Starts To Talk As The Premiership Heats Up

It’s World Cup Year (almost), and rugby seemingly makes headlines on a daily basis.  Journos are back to their editors with begging bowls for more space – they will get it too.

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European Rugby – Vacancies At No. 10

I am not referring to various maverick attempts to take on a political poison chalice, nor is it for me to pass comment on random pre-season behaviour by England’s incumbent stand off,
Danny Cipriani.

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Rugby Wings Take Centre Stage As Beach Beckons

The bad news for England over the weekend comes from an unusual source and will not get any headlines. For the first time in recent memory France showed their true rugby colours and offered a glimpse of what my generation of rugby players experienced every time we saw them take the field.

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Rugby Greens And Gold Paint A Picture Of Progress

Summer tours have sometimes appeared to be tiresome and meaningless. But not one year before a World Cup. We have in fact learnt a lot about aspiring hopes and that the All Blacks do not have the field to themselves.

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