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'I expected more from Scotland... we saw the worst from them on Sunday'
The first round of the Rugby World Cup qualifiers made for some interesting watching last weekend. The round-robin style tournament kicked off on Sunday, and over the next two weeks we will see one team qualify to take part in next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
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First up we saw Scotland go against Italy. I expected more from Scotland, and think we saw the worst from them on Sunday. Italy made a bold statement with their style of play, and that will set them in a good position as we move forwards. Added to this, its important to acknowledge the home advantage that Italy have. Based on their performance, its hard to look past Italy’s very real chances of success.
Many will have overlooked the toll that traveling will take on these players. The movement and subsequent stress of traveling should be taken into consideration. People often forget, the players involved in these matches are not full-time professionals. They are normal people, with normal jobs who will have shifted their work and life choices around the Rugby World Cup in hopes of qualifying for the competition.
In terms of a spectacle, all four teams were gunning for an opportunity to be involved in the World Cup, we saw some tight margins with Ireland V Spain, it really could have gone either way.
Most expected Ireland to come off with the win against Spain, but the Spanish side walked away with a narrow 8-7 victory. The Spanish side galvanised around Patricia Garcia, they didn’t give up the fight and you could tell how much the win meant by the team’s reaction at the final whistle.
It’s always difficult to go up against teams like Spain, they have had plenty of experience in the 7s circuit and bring in a different style of play. They are not totally process driven the whole time, which can be tricky.
Do I think Ireland have the ability, the strength and depth to turn things around? Yes, I do. You can never underestimate a team who have been wounded.
You can hear and see the emotion in Ciara Griffin after Ireland's shock loss to Spain last night. Sunday's qualifier against Italy will be up there as the biggest of their lives and one of the biggest for the national women's team. pic.twitter.com/TSIc0XTZno
— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) September 14, 2021
Some have linked the Irish team’s performance to issues that have been happening at the domestic level. From experience, I can say that when you are in an international environment, and you are preparing for a game, that game is all you will be thinking about. If any issues creep in, senior players and team management will work together to ensure the focus is put back onto the challenge in hand. Ireland will understand that as a squad and will be mature enough to understand and focus on their own performance.
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If we are to evaluate these matches honestly, then outside factors must also taken into consideration. Preparation for all sides hasn’t been what teams would have liked it to be. Most sides haven’t had the opportunity to take part in warm-up matches, with some also having little domestic rugby to take part in.
As with anything, there are always ways to make things better. However, covid is still very much with us, and everything is done differently now. World Rugby worked hard to ensure the live streams were available to watch, free of charge with commentary available for both matches. It would have been great to see someone pitchside, to give that extra layer to the fans, but things like this aren’t always accessible.
Looking ahead, we have some 7s action coming up with the World Rugby Sevens Series in Canada this weekend. The fast four format of the tournament sees Canada, USA, Mexico and Great Britain all play each other, with the top two teams battling it out for gold the next day.
After Team GB’s performance at Tokyo, many will be excited to see Abbie Brown and Meg Jones continue their co-captaincy. The team has seen some changes since then, with new players added into the mix. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing Harlequins’ Heather Cowell play, and think the series will present a big opportunity for these players to make an impact and be introduced to a global audience.
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BREAKING | Here's your #GB7s squad for the upcoming HSBC @CanadaSevens ??
Full preview: https://t.co/ObOKhxROWT pic.twitter.com/PZf3RiaZgS
— GB Rugby Sevens (@GBRugbySevens) September 13, 2021
Most won’t be aware but behind the scenes, some clubs are supporting the sevens series by releasing Premier 15s players from club commitments to allow them the opportunity to play sevens.
In my days of playing, I was lucky enough to do both, I remember winning the Six Nations, and getting straight on a flight to Hong Kong the next day. It’s important that the relationship between clubs and players is an open one, as both sides will have an agenda. It’s essential that clubs are putting players in a position where they can play both sevens and 15s.
Like most things, the sevens season has been greatly disrupted because of the pandemic. The fast four style tournament is built to entertain, and with lots of new names and faces I hope we will bring in a new audience. The fast-form sport has already proved itself a few weeks ago back in Tokyo, and with a massive year ahead for the sport, this weekend is set to be a good one.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
1 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
1 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
43 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
43 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
43 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments