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Five things we learned from the Six Nations

By PA
Big Billy Vunipola on the charge /PA

A 2020 Six Nations interrupted for seven months by the coronavirus pandemic ended with England seizing the crown tamely surrendered by Wales.

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Here, the PA news agency examines five things we learned from the competition.

Dominant England
A year after being well beaten in the World Cup final by South Africa, England were crowned champions of Europe for the first time since 2017. Apart from a disastrous start in Paris, where France won 24-17 after storming into a 24-0 lead, it was a solid championship that landed a seventh Six Nations title – two more than closest rivals Les Bleus and Wales. Eddie Jones has presided over three of those – the same number engineered by Sir Clive Woodward. It was hardly a vintage tournament and England rarely excelled, but they now occupy the summit.

Video Spacer

Eddie Jones talks to the press after England’s victory over Italy:

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Eddie Jones talks to the press after England’s victory over Italy:

Hurry back the crowds
It is to rugby’s credit that the 2019-20 season was completed despite the chaos caused by coronavirus, but the ghostly spectacle of Six Nations matches staged behind closed doors leaves a yearning for the tribal atmospheres that make the championship such compelling viewing. With all vibrancy and colour drained from ‘Super Saturday’, the tournament’s richly-anticipated climax had a gloomy feel that does not bode well for when its next instalment arrives in just over three months’ time.

French resurgence
Champagne corks may be popping at Twickenham, but there is acknowledgement that France – inspired by their electric scrum-half Antoine Dupont – are breathing down their necks, and the resurgence of fallen heavyweights who have been in the doldrums for a decade is a welcome development. It took points difference to separate the teams at top of the table and but for a brainless punch by prop Mohamed Haouas against Scotland, they might have claimed the Grand Slam.

Downward spiral
As one team rises, another sinks. The decline of Wales from Grand Slam champions and World Cup semi-finalists to a lame fifth-placed finish is staggering. Warren Gatland departed a year ago and his successor Wayne Pivac has presided over their worst Championship since 2007 – the last time they only managed one win. The looming Autumn Nations Cup offers a chance to halt the slump, but their failure to fire a shot against Scotland points to more misery ahead.

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Alun Wyn Jones
Alun Wyn Jones, Dylan Hartley and Maro Itoje wave to the crowd from the Royal Box on centre court during day six of Wimbledon 2019 (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Advantage Itoje
Alun Wyn Jones leads the race to become Lions captain for next year’s tour to South Africa according to bookmakers, but with every rampaging display it is Maro Itoje who takes a step closer to securing one of the game’s most prestigious roles. At the heart of his claim is a remarkable level of consistency. Alongside Owen Farrell, he is the only player to have completed all 400 minutes of England’s Six Nations and every performance is never less than outstanding. There is still a lot of rugby to be played before a Lions skipper is chosen, but Itoje must be the front runner.

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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Why is Joe Schmidt the best option for Australia? (LONG READ)


An essay for @OJohn with love from South Africa.


OJohn keeps banging on about kiwis and Saffers and everyone else seeking to undermine and bring down Australian rugby… Blah, Blah, Blah. It’s boring and not worth responding too 99 days out of 100.


He misses the point completely that Australians either are or are not the masters of their own destiny. So to blame anyone else but themselves for what the state of Australian rugby is in - is hypocritical.


But recently, Australia has shown signs of life. Personally, I always believed they would be back at some point. At the beginning of this year I predicted that the wallabies would bounce back this year. I predicted that they would overtake England in the world rankings. I am predicting that they could finish second in the RC, could win the Lions series and could make it to a RWC final at home.


I tend to get ahead of myself when I’m excited... Ask my wife. But forgive me for getting excited about the Wallabies looking good! Is it so bad?


Like OJohn, I believe that Australia’s lands abound with natures gifts, including athletic specimens across any sporting code the Aussies compete in. It’s one of the reasons most of us don’t like Aussies. They win sh1t. Regularly. And look smug when they do...


But back to OJohn. And his banging on about the need for Australia to have an Australian coach. Here are a few highlights of his argument:


Several times I've given a list of half a dozen Australian coaches who would be more Australian than Schmidt and just as successful.

Tell me which Australian coaches would be acceptable to coach the All Blacks ......?

Because South Africans and Kiwis and Welshmen and Scotsman are all s.... scared that if an immensely talented and athletic team like Australia is ever able to harness nationalistic Australian passion with an Australian coach, you'll all be s.c.r.e.w.e.d.


And then finally – the list of 6 🥴:


Ewen McKenzie, Less Kiss, Stephen Larkham, Jim McKay, David Nucifora, Scott Wisenthal, Ben Mowen, Rod Kafer, Mick Byrne, John Manetti, Jason Gilmore, Dan McKellar.

Plus, a special request:


Keep in mind Rod MacQueen never won a Super Rugby title before he was appointed Wallaby coach but he ended up the greatest rugby coach the world has ever seen. Better than Erasmus even. Who is probably the next best.

Right. I don’t care about the tinfoil hat theories. I want to assess OJohn’s list and determine whether any of them fit the mold of a Rod Macqueen.

 

Like Rod Macqueen the following world cup winning coaches never won a Super Rugby Title:


·       David Kirk, 1987 (17 appearances for New Zealand)

·       Kitch Kristie, 1995

·       Rod Macqueen, 1999

·       Clive Woodward, 2003 (21 Appearance for England)

·       Jake White, 2007 (School Teacher)

·       Graham Henry, 2011 (School Teacher)

·       Steve Hansen, 2015 (Policeman)

·       Rassie Erasmus, 2019 (36 Appearances for South Africa)

·       Jacques Nienaber, 2023 (Physiotherapist).


I couldn't find out what Rod or Kitch did other than coach.


The only coach who has won a Super title and a World Cup?

·       Bob Dwyer, 1991 (A Tahs man wouldn’t you know!)


In fact coaches that have won super rugby titles have not won world cups. Robbie Deans. Heyneke Meyer to name just two.


I know I’m being childish, but I needed to bring this list in somehow because it’s quite obvious that whatever these coaches did before they became international level coaches is largely immaterial. Or is it?


Interestingly Ewan McKenzie (A Tah Man!) has won a Super title. And despite being a Tah Man made it into OJohn’s list. That’s two strikes for Ewan Mckenzie based on OJohn’s criteria so far. Not to mention his 50% win rate as head coach of the Wallabies between 2013 and 2014 (and the laundry list of off the field fcuk ups that swirled around the team at the time).


So Ewan is out.


I find it interesting that, as we speak, eight out of the ten top ranked men’s teams are coached by former international players:

1.      South Africa, Rassie Erasmus (36 appearances for South Africa)

2.      Ireland, Andy Farrell (8 appearances for England)

3.      New Zealand, Scott Robertson (23 appearances for New Zealan)

4.      France, Fabien Galthie (64 appearances for France)

5.      Argentina, Felipe Contemponi (87 appearances for Argentina)

6.      Scotland, Gregor Townsend (82 appearances for Scotland)

7.      England, Steve Borthwick (57 appearances for England)

8.      Australia, Joe Schmidt (School Teacher)

9.      Fiji, Michael Byrne (Aussie Rules Player)

10.  Italy, Gonzalo Quesada (38 appearances for Argentina).


It would appear as though we have entered an era where successful international coaches, largely, have played rugby at international level in the professional era. Or are ex school teachers. Much like Jake White and Graham Henry! Or a policeman.

 

Back to OJohn’s List. That leaves us with:


·       Less Kiss, (I like the look of)

·       Stephen Larkham, (I like the look of)

·       Jim McKay, (Very little to write home about)

·       David Nucifora, (Too old)

·       Scott Wisenthal, (I literally can’t find anything on him on the Google).

·       Ben Mowen, (Too young, no coaching experience)

·       Rod Kafer, (No coaching experience)

·       Mick Byrne, (He’s coaching the Fijians, Aussie rules!)

·       John Manetti, (Can’t find him on the google)

·       Jason Gilmore, (Seems to be working through the ranks, coaching Wallabies A)

·       Dan McKellar, (Not much to write home about, but could be an option).


Applying some logic, I would say the following are viable options based on age, experience in coaching AND the fact that they have played rugby for Australia in the professional era:

·       Less Kiss, (I like the look of)

·       Stephen Larkham, (I like the look of)

·       Jason Gilmore, (Seems to be working through the ranks, coaching Wallabies A)


After having done all this research, I think it’s fair to say that none of these three have the same pedigree as Joe Schmidt, the teacher. Who took a sh1tty Ireland team to no.1. Won a few 6 Nations and helped get the All Blacks to a world cup final in 2023.


Joe’s the best option for now. But if Kiss, Larkham and Gilmore are the business for the future for Australia get them in now as assistants to Joe and stop moaning!!


Errors and Ommissions Excepted. Mispelling of names is OJohn's fault.

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