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18 and out: All the talking points from the final weekend of the Six Nations

England, after winning the 2017 Six Nations

What went on in Paris, how the English loss might work in their favour, Vern’s send-off, and what Warren Gatland said.

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The French
Whatever Les Bleus covered themselves in during their heated final match of the 2017 Six Nations against Wales in Paris, it wasn’t glory. It smells like something else entirely.

Tournament organisers examining the match have three things to consider: Uini Atonio’s apparently convenient head injury, the bite on George North’s arm and post-match comments from France lock Yoann Maestri.

Proving the French medical team did not suspect a head injury will be almost impossible: the player’s word (he told referee Wayne Barnes he had a sore back) is almost irrelevant. Regardless, the French will find themselves in hot water if it can be proved a coach left the technical area – which they are not allowed to do – to consult with the doctor while Slimani was warming up.

North showed Barnes a bite mark on his arm and claimed that Brice Dulin had bitten him, but no conclusive video evidence was available to the TMO. The citing commissioner, however, will have more time to check the tapes, and if the review finds conclusive evidence over where the bite came from, whoever did it can expect a long ban.

And in an incendiary post-match interview, Yoann Maestri said: “Anglo-Saxon referees always talk about fair play but the reality is that they think we’re cheats. There’s a complicity between Anglo-Saxons and it is in these moments that you realise it. It was unbelievable.”

The authorities are going to take a dim view of such blatant questioning of a referee’s integrity. A fine, even a ban, is very possible.

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I, Referee
Opinions about Wayne Barnes would keep many a bar-room rugby conversation going from opening time to long after the staff have knocked off and the lights have been turned off. But his latest outing could take up an entire evening on its own – even if you decided to limit the boundaries of the debate to the never-ending finale.

But let’s be honest: he handled the game and the rising pressure in a febrile atmosphere better than just about anyone else could have done. Barring an apparent inconsistency between dealing with Welsh and French deliberate knock-ons, he was pretty much spot-on in with the vast majority of his decisions. There were a couple that could have gone the other way, but there are those in every match.

In drawing definitive statements from key individuals over Uini Atonio’s head injury that allowed scrum-wrecker Rabah Slimani to return at a crucial time – both player and team doctor were questioned repeatedly – he ensured they would be stuck with that defence in any future investigation. He was clearly suspicious, but equally, could not defy a doctor’s word over a player’s medical condition at the time. He merely ensured that the review tapes clearly revealed what was being said.

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18 and out…
England’s winning streak ended in Dublin, leaving them tied with New Zealand on 18 for the most consecutive wins for a Tier one nation. The 13-9 defeat prompted much mirth from other parts of the rugby world – notably New Zealand – and a warning from Eddie Jones. “That was like a World Cup final today and we weren’t good enough,” he warned. “But we’re better off having that experience today than in Yokohama stadium at 8 pm on the second of November, 2019.”

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The message is simple. England has not suddenly become a bad side, but they have been carrying some issues that may have been ignored by their continuing run – not least the long-term future of a number of players, including captain Dylan Hartley.

England’s own history bears out Jones’ words. In 2001, they lost a match against Ireland that they really should have won. Two years later, minds concentrated and ruthless edges sharpened, they won the World Cup.

No one is saying that what happened in 2017 will lead to a repeat in 2019 of what happened in 2003 (follow that?), but if there’s a time to lose in a World Cup cycle, more than two years out from the tournament is probably the best time.

So long, Vern
Scotland gave Vern Cotter the send-off he deserved. Three wins in the Six Nations for the first time since 2006, new try and points standards, and a new verve and marauding spirit. It is widely known that SRU bosses forced his departure earlier than he wanted to go. Cotter has kept a dignified counsel about the abrupt end of his tenure and, wisely, let his coaching and his players do the talking on the pitch. Recently, Murrayfield held no fear for the likes of Wales, Ireland, England and France. Suddenly it’s a scary place again – as Wales and Ireland will testify. That’s Cotter’s legacy, and it has left his replacement Gregor Townsend with great expectations to fill.

The Lions
Lions’ coach Warren Gatland was heard wondering about the lack of away wins outside Rome in this Six Nations tournament. Anyone would think he had a 10-match tour in New Zealand to worry about…

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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