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Wales were the big winners from round three of the Guinness Six Nations after a thumping victory over England maintained their course towards the Grand Slam.
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Here the PA news agency examines five things we learned from the weekend’s action.
Red Rose ruin
England’s title defence is over, reduced to rubble by their self-destructive indiscipline that has yielded an average of 13.6 penalties per game in this Six Nations and was at its most brainless in Cardiff. Emphatic defeats by Scotland and Wales have exposed alarming fault lines that appeared last autumn but were glossed over by an eight-Test winning run. With France and Ireland to come, this Championship could get ugly for Eddie Jones’ men as there appears to be no quick fix for a team that is staggering through 2021.
Gauzere v England
Pascal Gauzere will never referee England again following a performance described by the nation’s World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson as “absolutely appalling”. The critical first-half tries awarded to Josh Adams and Liam Williams were highly dubious but the first was particularly harsh, Gauzere allowing Dan Biggar to launch his kick while Owen Farrell was still talking to his players – at the request of the French official. For his own part, Farrell must soften the way he communicates with referees. His frustration with the overly-fussy Gauzere was entirely justified, but barking at the official will not convince him to change his mind.
Never a dull moment.
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— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 28, 2021
Welsh to roar for the Lions
For all the controversy, Wales were worthy winners as they posted their highest ever score against England with the final quarter hard-nosed professionalism personified. As recently as December they were in the doldrums having tentatively emerged from a six-Test losing run under Wayne Pivac, but now this remarkable rugby nation that consistently punches above its weight is chasing a third Grand Slam in 10 years. One more clean sweep would elevate Wales to joint top, alongside England with 13. Watched by Warren Gatland from the stands, it is now likely that Wales will provide the backbone of the Lions squad.
Here come the cavalry
Over the years Jones has made much of his ‘finishers’, but it is Wales who are now able to summon game-changing reinforcements. While England replacements Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie came on and gave away yet more penalties, the Triple Crown winners were lifted by important cameos from Callum Sheedy, Cory Hill and James Botham. Seven caps into his Test career and the 25-year-old Sheedy is emerging as a genuine alternative to Dan Biggar at fly-half. Against Scotland and England, the Welsh bench has arrived to sweep them over the line.
French farce
Just as resurgent France were setting pulses racing, their place in the tournament is under renewed threat as their government seeks answers following the coronavirus outbreak which has forced the postponement of their round three clash with Scotland. Sports minister Roxana Maracineanu has threatened to withdraw Les Bleus from the Six Nations, a move that would cause untold damage to the event. The race is on to find ‘patient zero’ amid suggestions it is head coach Fabien Galthie, while Maracineanu has reacted icily to a report that players went out to eat waffles when in Rome for round one. Those dressing-room victory celebrations in Dublin that contravened good coronavirus safety practise, published by France on social media, appear as brainless as England’s indiscipline.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments