Matera et Carreras de retour pour l'Argentine

Yes, certainly. As an AB fan happy to be included in that top 3 of "matches that are routinely decided by one score" now, we were well outside that for a few years.

They have not closed out enough close games to claim the number 1 spot.

They have not had enough games yet. You can't undo so many poor years just like that. Asking for miracles like SA losing is not the way to get back to number 1.

They might get there as those bad years filter out of the rankings but it's guarenteed to be great fun going back and forth with SA once that happens.

Admittedly Foster only really had one bad year (21/22 season), but that's more likely because COVID stopped a lot of tough games from being played, and effected the other countries they did play far more than themselves.

A real shame we both don't get to see it unfold first with our regions teams in SR!

AF 16 minutes ago

Completely agree. England 'should have' picked up a result against the ABs, under Ben Smith's logic throughout this article. He wouldn't dream of saying that though. To say the ABs 'should have had' a perfect season is ludicrous. Those springbok tries being 'jammy' really does smack of the same hyperbole and bias he claims to detest about SA.

As an Englishman, one thing that excites me despite my team consistently losing currently (lol) is that there ARE a number of top teams that ALL challenge each other to the end. Instead of everyone whining and complaining and rueing their team's narrow loss, can't we just do what Eggchasers does and just enjoy how competitive it is right now!? Can we not respect the opposition instead of either rubbing it in (online, rarely done face to face surprise surprise) or trying to save our ego's blushes by slamming the opposing team because they beat us!?

SadersMan 17 minutes ago

Blah blah blah. Bring on Italy. And then 2025. Exciting times ahead.

David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

SteveD 18 minutes ago

In many ways - much like the Portuguese game earlier in the year - and admittedly having Wales as my '6 Nations' team, I actually hope they don't get thrashed and have their confidence damaged even more. Maybe someone can get sent off early like Esterhuizen and reduce the numbers. Rugby needs the Welsh! 😊

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Ed the Duck 19 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Didn’t know that but makes sense now on the choice. Still, it’s come to something when England are forced to ‘grow their own’ talent in the front line with rookies…

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Ed the Duck 21 minutes ago

🐥😉😂

Andy Farrell faces up to concerning Irish 'trends' ahead of Fiji

Bull Shark 22 minutes ago

The number of Irish body parts and limbs offside and/or laying about the rucks, or slowing rucks is definitely strategy. Andy Farrell is definitely coaching them to hug the line - despite what he says.

I hope that this area of the game is monitored carefully by Hollie Davidson so that Fiji gets a fair shake and ability to play to their strengths.

Which is fast and wide.

Fiji. 1 solitary point. That's all it takes. Take all the kickable penalties. Punish them out wide.

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JW 24 minutes ago

If you want to be objective though you have to look at it. Going too far the other way is looking for excuses. Finding the right balance is the way.

David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

SteveD 24 minutes ago

In many ways it doesn't really matter, much like the daft team rankings that they keep going on about. The very fact that 3 out of the 4 are Boks is great (and fully justified) and a bit like the Academy Awards - being nominated is the important thing.

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OJohn 30 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

A Welshman whose team has no Welsh heart would say that

JW 31 minutes ago

SA has a much tougher task in learning how to play with Tony Brown's influence IMO but in the same respect they can raise their game so much more if their attack becomes as influential as their defence/control. That will certainly shut.. everyone up!

I'd be happy with 50/50 so hopefully you don't get everything right! 😅

How leviathan Will Skelton and the Wallabies reversed the World Cup fiasco

NB 35 minutes ago

Which people exactly?

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NB 37 minutes ago

How leviathan Will Skelton and the Wallabies reversed the World Cup fiasco

No he was on his uppers and out of contract when Saracens came calling, and he was the fourth ranked second row when he joined them. It was his last chance saloon as a pro player. and he had to fight for his place for the first time in his career. Nothing to do with money.

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JW 37 minutes ago

The opening loss to Argentina by 38-30..

Was anything but fine margins, the scoreline was flattering for that game. They were beat in every margin but most emphatically be effort of Argentina. They were slow and likely arrogant in their prep following the England series. You can see the effect on the selection and poor messaging all the playmakers started receiving from the coaching setup there after.

Otherwise though there was also a lot of really good stuff that can too easily be labelled as lucky by people intent on making a point. The team was far from certain and clinical though and the best that can be said of their losses was that they were largely due to some atrocious decisions with cards twice against SA and the neckroll last weekend (you can't take away the 14 point try, that is typical French rugby and to be expected).

This team is good enough to be able to cope with those sorts of difficulties if they could just execute a bit better (but only as well as they have traditionally mind you). Sound selections aside. Some good positivity in this article but we know it's not going to be easy as the ABs have just been trying to return to their DNA after Fosters control but countries like Aussie have a much bigger task in that respect and SA is even trying to change their DNA (again). Those two opponents (along with France obviously) are going to provide some tough competition in seeing who can lead into the 2027 RWC with the best prospects and form behind them.

How leviathan Will Skelton and the Wallabies reversed the World Cup fiasco

NB 40 minutes ago

Well he's had four this season, mostly they can be numbered on the fingers of one hand per season. Rare birds.

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NB 44 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Gustard got promoted to head coach at Stade Francais so maybe he wanted to stay in France?