At the Death

Ryan Crotty crosses at the death. Poor Ireland (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

This post was started during a conversation with a fellow fan online while we discussed how badly the New Zealand All Blacks were going to crush the USA Eagles in their game on November 1st. My counterpart said something to the effect of "If the US keep it close in the first 15-20 minutes than I think they'll be alright", which is normally a nice idea but since that left 60 minutes of ruthless All Black domination, and with the defeat of Australia at the death still fresh in my mind, I replied that the chances of it being anything less than a complete romp were probably as close to 0 as is possible.

In my mind it was the last 20 minutes that I'd seen this All Blacks side pull away from teams, and what sort of blogger be if I didn't take the time to examine and qualify that narrative? A lazy one is the answer. And since I am not lazy (merely busy, they're different) I have reviewed all 38 test matches the All Black have played since the end of Rugby World Cup 2011 to see if this idea holds true. 

Dawn of the 6 Nations, pt. 6

With the 6 Nations quite literally around the corner, I wanted to start Route One by talking about each country and some of the possible talking points going into this tournament. I'll place the countries into different posts and I'll save my thoughts on the Round 1 matches for separate posts, and hopefully this doesn't take terribly long. They are arranged in absolutely random order:

Wales: Wales enter the 2014 6 Nations as two-time defending champions, having won the Championship in convincing style during the last round against a Grand Slam-chasing England in 2013, and pulling off the clean sweep 2012. Since 2005 the Welsh have been champions 4 times, 3 of those in Grand Slam fashion, so their success has been sustained and there is reason to think that they can continue to be one of the top teams in the Northern Hemisphere. Warren Gatland has overseen 3 of those teams and will continue on as the national coach until 2019, such is the faith the WRU have in his ability. 

Dawn of the 6 Nations, pt. 5

With the 6 Nations quite literally around the corner, I wanted to start Route One by talking about each country and some of the possible talking points going into this tournament. I'll place the countries into different posts and I'll save my thoughts on the Round 1 matches for separate posts, and hopefully this doesn't take terribly long. They are arranged in absolutely random order:

Italy: Italy enjoyed its most successful 6 Nations tournament since the 2006-2007 championship as the Azzurri recorded wins over France and Ireland in front of their home supporters and appeared to take big steps in their progress under head coach Jacques Brunel. However, it will be a very big accomplishment to repeat that success this year as both France and Ireland will be much improved, and outside of a competitive game against Scotland it is hard to see a win coming against England or Wales. That is not to say it isn't possible, but both significant form, defense and luck will be needed to scrape something into the W column. 

Dawn of the 6 Nations, pt. 4

With the 6 Nations quite literally around the corner, I wanted to start Route One by talking about each country and some of the possible talking points going into this tournament. I'll place the countries into different posts and I'll save my thoughts on the Round 1 matches for separate posts, and hopefully this doesn't take terribly long. They are arranged in absolutely random order:

Ireland: The introduction of the Joe Schmidt era began with a bang with an easy rout against Manu Samoa, but the squad came crashing down to Earth the next week with a defeat to an Australian team still finding its feet under Ewen McKenzie. The Irish were able to turn it around the next week with an immaculate first 40 minutes against the All Blacks, before the game was taken from them at the death by Ryan Crotty's try, and a first victory against the New Zealand was lost. If the performance shown against the All Blacks can be the new standard set by Schmidt then Ireland look to be capable of making a big turn around this tournament from the lows they suffered last year by finishing 5th.

Dawn of the 6 Nations, pt. 3

With the 6 Nations quite literally around the corner, I wanted to start Route One by talking about each country and some of the possible talking points going into this tournament. I'll place the countries into different posts and I'll save my thoughts on the Round 1 matches for separate posts, and hopefully this doesn't take terribly long. They are arranged in absolutely random order:

England: Certainly one of the favourites to take the title, though really, outside of Scotland and Italy, any of the teams in this competition could make a reasonable claim for that statement. Stuart Lancaster has taken the opportunity in this tournament to introduce even more new blood into the England team, with Henry Thomas, Luther Burrell, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson and Jonny May set to play some serious minutes. Burrell's is an inspiring story (here), but he is in this team to make a difference and give England the sort of impact runner they lack in the centres with Manu Tuilagi still on the sidelines. The same goes for the other aforementioned rookies, all of whom have earned this ascension into England XV reckoning based on fantastic club form.

Dawn of the 6 Nations, pt. 2

With the 6 Nations quite literally around the corner, I wanted to start Route One by talking about each country and some of the possible talking points going into this tournament. I'll place the countries into different posts and I'll save my thoughts on the Round 1 matches for separate posts, and hopefully this doesn't take terribly long. They are arranged in absolutely random order:

Scotland: The last couple seasons have seen the Scotland side have had reasonable hope and potential to do well in the 6 Nations (with surprising -and misleading- Autumn results fuelling this), and beating more than Italy last year was a nice surprise, but to continue winning games will require 80 minute efforts each time out, and a couple players need to play absolutely out of their skin for this side to get a positive balance in the W column for this year's tournament. It really comes down to 10, as it has for the last decade (and beyond, but I won't pretend to know those sagas). Weir or Jackson or some effective combination of the two have to start doing something productive for this team to go places. Jackson has a real creative flair that can cause as much good as bad, but this is a team that does need to take risks in the right part of the field (ie not in the 22 please).

Dawn of the 6 Nations, pt. 1

With the 6 Nations quite literally around the corner, I wanted to start Route One by talking about each country and some of the possible talking points going into this tournament. I'll place the countries into different posts and I'll save my thoughts on the Round 1 matches for separate posts, and hopefully this doesn't take terribly long. They are arranged in absolutely random order:

France: Certainly the past year was not great for Philippe Saint Andre and his men, but not everything was an albatross, as the Autumn Tests saw some improved play and while les Bleus did not get the victories they were hoping for, it certainly has created an element of surprise as to how the squad will perform during this tournament.