Can't make head or tail of this year

Can anyone tell me what's happening this year? There is no pattern at all. Wales, no defence one week, utterly impregnable the next. Italy play virtually error-free rugby and follow it with a succession of schoolboy howlers. Scotland appear to go into battle without their front five in week one; they're all lions seven days later.

Only the French show any consistency at all - and it's a cloying sort of consistent mediocrity and lack of ambition which we don't associate with them at all and is light years removed from their autumn performances.

It's why we all love the 6 Nations, of course, but does anyone know what this all means? Where does NH rugby stand at the moment?

I don't know. It didn't take long for the warm fuzzy feelings of last weekend to dissipate. England appear to be be building nicely, Ireland can be hot and cold, Wales can play like they did last year if they have to, Scotland is adjusting to playing with more attacking intent and not losing their traditional strength up front and on defence, Italy are a force to be reckoned with at home but need to learn how to travel and France are flattering to deceive.

I think the standard of all the teams has increased, except France and Wales, they are playing a brand of rugby that we normally associate with the southern hemisphere. France and Wales are determined to try to play with slow ball.

By the way, thank you very much for Sean Maitland, he's been fantastic.

A brand of rugby associated with the southern hemisphere? What do you mean by that? Defence oriented? Mediocre? Lacking confidence? Impotent on attack?

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:A brand of rugby associated with the southern hemisphere? What do you mean by that? Defence oriented? Mediocre? Lacking confidence? Impotent on attack?

I meant the others not France and Wales. They are playing rugby normally associated with lower league 5th teams

Fair enough mate. Don't think France or Wales are that bad. They're just not clicking at the moment.

Glimpses of an 'SH brand of rugby' with Scotland I thought... taking ruthless advantage of broken field play, punishing mistakes, etc which was good to see. But yeah, it is a bit of a stretch to make the comparison.

The standard hasn't really increased, but the margins between the teams are very narrow and have been for a few years.

Whichever team turns up, makes few mistakes and is clinical wit their finishing will win.

I expect all teams will have their ups and downs this season.

Shifty wrote:The standard hasn't really increased, but the margins between the teams are very narrow and have been for a few years.

Whichever team turns up, makes few mistakes and is clinical wit their finishing will win.

I expect all teams will have their ups and downs this season.

Pretty much bang on I'd say

Yeah there isn't much to choose between all teams on a particular day. Next set of games will see France beat England in a display of flair and magic, Italy will break Wales' hearts by scoring 4 trys and winning in rome and Scotland will turn Ireland over and provide most of the B&I Lions...

It could happen ya know...