Cracking the Code

For us outsiders, it is easy to pass off a rare All Black defeat as a one off. An anomaly. Like getting a B in religious studies when you’re rocking A’s galore in the subjects that matter. New Zealand will bounce back. It would take a brave punter to back their opponents next week, or the week after. Bugger it, you’re brave if you ever wager against the World Champs.  But, what outsiders classify as an anomaly, is simultaneously the greatest fear for those in the inner sanctum. It is the reason for the extra rep, the justification for the ‘clean as’ feed.  Whilst the rest of us might lie awake on a Sunday night asking searching life questions like ‘why am I still drinking Hooch at the age of 31’; The All Blacks’ sheep counting is interrupted by visions of that B grade performance, the anomaly. Why the worry? They’ll win next time, they will win the Rugby Championship.  For the answer, I defer to the All Black sides of the 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups

When it comes to suspicion of change, nobody does it quite like the Welsh rugby public. The murky reaction to the announcement that The Guinness Pro 14 would cease to be televised free of charge, another example of this perennial skepticism. The cause for concern was not only the dent that yet another subscription would put in the bank balance of the average Dai, but the possible void in inspiration for Dai bach. Such an outlook often hinders one’s ability to identify opportunities that present themselves in an evolving environment. As one door closes, another one opens and all that. Opportunity is afoot, and believe it or not, the could be beneficiary is the oft’ maligned Principality Premiership. Prior to being usurped by five brand spanking new regions in 2003, The Premiership was home to elite rugby in Wales. It’s inhabitants, Wales’ most esteemed rugby institutions. Playing second fiddle, the Premiership’s tune has all too often found crescendo in off fiel

“Unfortunately that’s two threes (pens) we’ve had to take now, not a try” At the time it seemed a clever quip from Wallaby skip, Michael Hooper. His nod to sticks, delivered with a subtle side of dissatisfaction. The open side, casually reminding referee, Jaco Peyper that this was the second occasion that an Australian attack had found itself thwarted by an All Black infringement, when he felt the watch was ticking towards try time.  Had this been Soccer Football, Hooper would have been in the grill of the South African whistleblower. His thumb pressed against his index finger, frantically waving an invisible card, whilst issuing a barrage of profanity, in attempt to gain sway with the official. Alas, this is Rugby Union. When dealing with ‘Sir’, one must refrain from such truculence in seeking to influence the referee's perception. A clever quip, perhaps, but I ain’t got no quarrel with the officiating. It is the mindset that manifested in the decision to go for the t

Let me set the scene. The day and the hour have come, they've brought with them the power and the glory, and you better believe it your country is calling.  You answer that call...don’t you? Simon Easterby thought so.  An offer to join Joe Schmidt’s coaching ticket, drew the the former Ireland back row man, away from his job as head coach at The Scarlets, and across the Irish Sea to serve his motherland. In summary, It’s proving a decent decision.  Easterby’s promotion to the domain of international rugby left a door open at Parc y Scarlets. Enter, Wayne Pivac.  The former Fiji and Auckland chief, who has a Rugby World Cup Sevens and an NPC title to his name, had arrived in Wales only months prior to Easterby’s departure. Initially mandated with doing his Kiwi coaching thing on The Scarlets’ pack. He soon found himself promoted to big boss man. (Not the blue shirted, truncheon yielding, WWF enforcer.) Skip a few episodes, and (spoiler alert) Pivac gets appo

Argentina v Wales Therein lies a fundamental difference between English and Welsh rugby, I recall thinking to myself, as I enviously read that England had defeated Argentina for the second week in succession . A feat, I marked as particularly impressive due to the fact the victory had been achieved by an England side devoid of their Lions stars. I was convinced that the quality within the Welsh ranks didn’t run deep enough to front Argentina in their own backyard and come up with a W.  Fast forward a year, and it’s a case of what do I know. Clinical A and dominant D, and I’m talking Shaun Edwards style dominant, were the driving force behind a victory in San Juan that puts Wales half way to matching the achievement of their English counterparts  Post match, Warren Gatland, spoke of a street fight mentality that Wales had planned on bringing to the party. A mentality that manifested in the combative defensive effort. That said, it is perhaps a disappointment that Cubby didn’