posted Feb 24, 2008

Just goes to underline the fact that since winning the World Cup, England can only manage to get it up when they're facing quality opposition. If, in the Wales and Italy matches, they'd just closed their eyes and imagined they were up against one of world-class teams, they wouldn't have lost interest at half-time.

Although we're always reminded that it's because the English are so arrogant, I suggest that it's more a case of 'everything to lose, and little to gain' unless you can put a cricket score over lesser opposition (which is what the All-Blacks are so ruthless at doing). So whether you crush your opposition or underestimate them, you'll still end up being called arrogant in any case but I have a sneaking suspicion that our fellow 6-Nations would prefer the English brand of arrogance which gives them a fighting chance.

It's those giant-killing feats which make the 6-Nations and the FA Cup so facinating.

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posted Feb 24, 2008

Wales arent exactly what you call a 'small team' in the six nations. Given, we are a very inconsistent team, and there are many areas where we are weak. Mainly the forwards, with the new additions of Edwards and Gatland there seems to be a far more professional feel to Wales, one that Eng, Fra and Ire have had but we have lacked.
Ireland should be considered favorites for croke park, but that doesnt mean wales should be ruled out.
We are playing well recently, our match v england showed this new professionalism, as in the past we would not have been able to hold england out in the first half the way we did. I think there needs to be credit given for that. England may have lost it in the second half, but Wales did well to keep them in sight while we imploded in the first half.
This is a great six nations, and all teams are far closer than has been before. Wales are beginning to show consistency and ruthlessness. Hopefully we can apply this against the Irish and snatch a result. Its going to be close.

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posted Feb 24, 2008

<< comment by Cracklite

posted 2 Hours Ago

"Oh and about the refereeing, it was without doubt one of the best performances by a ref ever in the six nations."

Mysteriousblablabla

i understand that you're glad your team won, but shutting your eyes that way is simply ridiculous, and your previous posts show signs of pure racism against the French, which is to be expected i guess since your english, but still, it stinks pretty bad ! >>

I live in France as well and must say their racism gets up my nose.
Did you hear the commentator staing that Scotland were playing les anglais yesterday?

I have Welsh and Scottish friends who are often near boiling point with the French non thinking racist belief that they are 'anglais' and that their teams are 'anglais'.
Would we class Belgians as French or talk of the french team as Belgian or Swiss - no

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posted Feb 24, 2008

England were much better with the new scrum half that gommersall that guy is mince, forwards did a splendid job, even if jonny had have kicked those pens it could have been a route

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posted Feb 25, 2008

When you say a route - do you mean the M1 motorway or perhaps 'as the crow flies'

Come on guys there's not nearly enough 'Balshaw bashing' going on here - Even Brian Moore commented on the fact that he was castigating his fellow team mates for yet another of his horrendous mistakes that was almost beyond belief.

I can't think of any sane reason for continuing with him. Perhaps Brian got a bit too close to him during their time at Bath?

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posted Feb 26, 2008

I've found the answer to Brian Moore's commentary.Turn the sound off and turn on Five Live's Ian Robertson - informative, unopinionated and unbiased.For me ,it improved the game unimaginably.It'll be the way I watch England games in future-almost like returning to Bill McLaren !

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posted Feb 26, 2008

Benvenuto nel mondo, Matteo. Non preoccuparti, il papá puň imparare.

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posted Feb 28, 2008

Great results for England against France away but Please Ashton! If were go to have a shot a winning the Six Nations, STOP PLAYING BALSHAW! He dithers with the ball, he's clueless and clearly not worthy of wearing the England rugby shirt. Cipriani is a whole lot better. P.S. Well played Wilkinson, Vickery, Easter and espicially Wigglesworth.

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