Is the Pacific Nations the second toughest yearly-tournament in the world?

That the Tri-Nations is the toughest tournament (RWC apart) is something no one can deny. But, when Fiji defeats the utterly Grand-Slam fashion winner of the 6N, when Tonga has a 25-25 score against world champions South Africa with 5 minutes to go, and with an Australia A side full of Super 14 players and a NZ Maori side that could kick asses of any Tri Nations side...


These are some of the names that Donny Stevenson has named for the New Zealand Maori:

- Tim Bateman
- Daniel Braid
- Stephen Brett
- Callum Bruce
- Keith Cameron
- Aled de Malmanche
- Jason Eaton
- Hosea Gear
- Liam Messam
- Shannon Paku
- Piri Weepu

to name some "known" names. (it is a different question how "maori" this team may be) But the real question is: Is this the second toughest tournament in the world? Or is the 6N tougher?

England, France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy?
NZ Maori, Australia A, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Japan?

Well, there are two things that are out of any doubts:

-which competition of the two generates more revenue.
-which competition of the two provokes more yawns.

Good day.

Note: Do you remember the Classic All Blacks putting 41 points one week ago against the Leicester Tigers? This very team has been put to the edge of a loss against the National Japan team. 15 - 13 was the score.

Below par

In Justin Marshall's words, this edition of the 6N has been "below par".

For some two weeks I have been quite out of the world of rugby and I have not paid attention to all the dumbness that keeps the world going on. I must be kind of awakening now, as I consider Justin Marshall has just said too much.

"Justin: below par? Do you mean below par?"

It amazes me how much the smallest ones keep on trying and trying, never giving up, to maybe have a chance some day and be able to find themselves in a position of winning. If then the referees, luck and establishments allow them; perhaps they will have a chance to be crown winners.

Just to find that somebody calls that edition below par?

Oh no, pal. Whatever but not below par. England were presenting their best possible squad. A week before the tournament started, you would have not betted on an english Grand Slam just because it was so poorly rewarded. The RWC runner-ups, with a rejuvenated team, keeping the good and adding quality... could they ever lose? Italy is getting better and better. Narrow losses against every team but Wales and their yearly win against Scotland makes them certainly not below par. Ireland's rugby was not certainly below par. Ireland's rugby is where the past years have taken them. Perhaps, the only discussion could be whether the French side was as good as it could have been or not. And here, I will agree that the French side is meant to grow stronger. But it happens once and again: teams need changes from time to time and it has been so for ages. It is not something new, nor has ever any edition been called "below par" just because the French were trying to start again. However, three wins and losses to England and Wales don't certainly make a weak France.

Give credit to the Welsh. They played well. They grew up as a team every week and they have shown some outstanding things. It's true that luck has been with them at times, but no one is crowned champion with no luck at all.

Wales deserved it and it is unfair to call the tournament "below par" just because neither France nor England got the title.

Six Nations: Wales succeeds and England colapses

Everything could have happened yesterday at Croke Park and the Welsh emerged victorious because they were running for their lives... I mean, Grand Slam. They have, at least, won the Triple Crown, and after the France-Italy game, they will receive the French at Cardiff knowing that only losing by 20 or more points they would not be champions.

So, congratulations, Wales.

Meanwhile, Scotland have most likely put Ashton's coaching place on vacancy by convincingly defeating England as all including coach Ashton admitted. What's up with England? I mean, what the hell are they playing at? Is not the awful performance of english lined-up players much worse than the axed Cipriani's? After all, Cipriani's fault did not happen while playing, but during his free time. What should England do with their players who failed so badly?

England's case is to be examined. They were almost certain of winning a Grand Slam; after all, they were RWC runner-ups and had Cipriani and Vainikolo... but after the initial loss, it seems they are no longer interested. France, on the contrary, have used this edition to start building on the future. The final test will be Wales, who has been the best side throughout the tournament.

It is going to be the best test of the tournament.

Cipriani axed

The pearl of the english rugby has been excluded from the english national side by coach Brian Ashton.

The reason? He's been found by some journalist during a night out.

I am no seer but a side with so many "accidents" is not to win a tournament like the 6 Nations. Focus on the tournament is a must.

England were supposed to win a Grand Slam this year. Everybody was expecting it. Now, it is not sure whom they are actually fighting.

Danny Cipriani does not want to commit himself to rugby discipline, while perhaps Julian Huxley won't be able to play again.

Busy rugby February

For rugby lovers, february is meant to be a busy month: Super 14, IRB Sevens, Six Nations...

Do you know what should you put attention to and when?

Jan 28, monday:
Jan 29, tuesday:
Jan 30, wednesday:
Jan 31, thursday:

• Super 14 Preseason: Blues - Reds 19:00, Ballymore
• Super 14 Preseason: Bulls B - Lions B, 19:00 Wits

Feb 01, friday:

• Super 14 Preseason: Brumbies - Waratahs 19:00, Gosford
• Super 14 Preseason: Sharks - Cheetahs, Bloemfontein

Feb 02, saturday:

• IRB Sevens Series NZ: pool stage 13:00-22:00 , Wellington
• 6 Nations: Ireland - Italy 14:00, Dublin
• 6 Nations: England - Wales 16:30London
• Super 14 Preseason: West Force - Crusaders , Melbourne
• Super 14 Preseason: Hurricanes - Chiefs 16:00, Taupo
• Super 14 Preseason: Lions - Bulls, Windhoek

Feb 03, sunday:

• IRB Sevens Series NZ: finals 13:00 -21:00, Wellington
• 6 Nations: Scotland - France 15:00, Edinburgh

Feb 04, monday:
Feb 05, tuesday:
Feb 06, wednesday:

• Super 14 Preseason: Lions - Sharks, Durban

Feb 07, thursday:

• Super 14 Preseason: Crusaders - Waratahs, Sydney
• Super 14 Preseason: West Force - Reds, Perth

Feb 08, friday:

• Super 14 Preseason: Brumbies - Hurricanes 19:00, Levin
• Super 14 Preseason: Blues - Highlanders 17:00, Dunedin

Feb 09, saturday:

• IRB Sevens Series, USA: pool stage 10:00 - 19:00, San Diego, CF
• 6 Nations: Wales - Scotland 14:00, Cardiff
• 6 Nations: France - Ireland 15:00, Paris

Feb 10, sunday:

• IRB Sevens Series, USA: finals 10:00 - 18:00, San Diego, CF
• 6 Nations: Italy - England 15:30, Rome

Feb 11, monday:
Feb 12, tuesday:
Feb 13, wednesday:
Feb 14, thursday:
Feb 15, friday:

• Start of the Super 14 Season!!!
  

Note: All times and dates are local times and dates

Lesley Vainikolo: Playing what for whom?

- Hey, pal, heard the new about Vainikolo?

- The tongan league wing who had previously played rugby for Auckland?

- Well, he might kind of been born in Tonga, but he played for the All Golds.

- How come?

- His family lives in New Zealand, he's bound to New Zealand.

- Ah, I see, so what's the new thing about the New Zealand league wing?

- Well, he's not a league player anymore, he's playing for Gloucester Rugby.

- Oh, hah, I see. So he finally changed back to rugby? It's going to be hard work for the Rokocokoes, Sivivatus and Nacewas...

- No, pal, he's been sidelined for the 6 Nations for England.

- So, let's resume... this guy was playing what for whom?

Just let me ask you a question: Which is sillier? a split between league and rugby or the fact that a player can play for different national teams at different sports?

Danny Cipriani at the 6 Nations?

I am not going to say nothing new about Danny Cipriani. Recently, a glimpse to what the 2008 would bring on Planet-Rugby predicted him to be the most notorious thing to happen in Engand's rugby during this year.

Just three days earlier I watched the London Wasps vs Bath game, featuring him as the real star of the match. Just 30 seconds would have passed before the umpire conceded a penalty to the Wasps on their own field. Danny would take the ball and kick to goal and before I could sit down the score was 3-0. London Wasps never looked back.

From that moment on, he would be scoring from every part of the field, penalties and conversions until the very last moment that he would miss a conversion. Not bad.

He's got what is today needed for a first five eighths: phisically talented, fast and superb kicking skills. And he is just 20.

Why now? Will he be included in the 32 named by England's coach this week to represent England in the 6 nations? Will Jonny Wilkinson be the monster that took his side to triumph last Sunday just by kicking penalties and drop goals or will he start any game on the bench?

(Oh! how much we do miss Super 14 games!!!!!!)

International coaching moves

2007 is almost over and new coaches have been appointed for the next period. These are the coaches for the 6 Nations and Tri Nations unions and Argentina:

New Zealand: Graham Henry, 2 years contract, reappointed.

Australia: Robbie Deans, 4 years contract, new appointment.


South Africa: Unknown

England: Brian Ashton, indefinite, reappointed

Ireland: Eddie O'Sullivan, 4 years contract, reappointed (before RWC)

Scotland: Frank Hadden, 2 years contract, reappointed

France: Marc Lievrèmont, 4 years contract, new appointment

Wales: Warren Gatland, 2 years contract, new appointment

Argentina: Unknown