Cracking the Code

Cracking the Code..: Courage not enough for Wales. : 'Courageous', an adjective I hope isn't used to describe the Welsh performance, in this evening's all important Euro 2016 gr...

'Courageous', an adjective I hope isn't used to describe the Welsh performance, in this evening's all important Euro 2016 group match against Russia. If the nation finds itself celebrating the players' courage, we will probably be doing so in absence of the desired outcome, qualification. Three times last week, I watched courageous Welsh efforts in the sporting arena. Each time the courage yielded nothing more than defeat. It started on the Wednesday, and the Under 20's Rugby team. A performance built on abrasive defence, backed up by tactics that were far better suited to the wet conditions than those deployed by their New Zealand counterparts, lead to Wales edging it on the scoreboard with time all but done. The teams departed the field with the Baby Blacks victorious, courtesy of a last minute penalty from Jodie Barrett. On Thursday, and to Lens, where Wales temporarily found themselves in dreamland as they lead England at half time of the much anticipate...

'There's plenty of Rugby still to be played' and 'I'm only focusing on the next game'. Expect to hear these soundbites being reeled of by any number of possible British & Irish Lions over the next year, when quizzed on their candidacy for TBC's squad of X players to tour NZ.  Sure, there is plenty of Rugby still to be played before the Lions lineup against the creatively named, 'Provincial Union Team', in Whangarei, some 360 days from now. However, player efforts to avert selection discussion will not be mirrored by fans. In fact, I know at some point this weekend, I will encounter the President of the Bolton Welsh Rugby Supporters Club, and he will demand I provide him my Lions XV, complete with selection justifications. I should then be prepared to defend my choices, including the ridiculous bolter (normally Cipriani), against his considered interrogation.   Perhaps a more pertinent discussion leading into this Weekend's test match...

There are few more distressing aspects of watching live rugby than listening to the older fan, who refuses to accept that rugby has evolved since 'their day, harp on about a lack of skill level in the modern game. Unfortunately at this afternoon's Waratahs v Rebels game, that guy was on the money. An analysis piece in the match day programme observed that 'the true test of basic skill competency, is perfect execution under pressure!'. The Rebels victory was largely derived from a superior, albeit marginal, ability to meet the above requirement. The Waratahs game plan made their own pursuit of perfection exponentially more difficult due to the pressure it imposes on them. At least, I assume that the constant desire to force the killer ball is pre ordained, if not it demonstrates a level of on field discipline that is sub par for a team entertaining the idea of winning Super Rugby matches. Much was made post World Cup about the chasm separating the attacking and ambit...

At just $25 for a general admission ticket, and the prospect of watching 6 World Cup finalists, my initial impressions were positive. Pricing wise, this compares favourably against an average cost of £16.25 ($30.54) to go and watch one of the Welsh regions play in the pro 12, a competition which doesn't quite draw the same plaudits for its free flowing rugby as the Super comp. The first half was a tale of Highlanders dominance. They were clinical in all facets of the game, they are the champions my friend. Despite trying to become a Tahs fan, my natural reaction was to stand and applaud as this dominance manifested itself in three tries, and a healthy lead they to take into the sheds. Notable mentions to Lima Sopoaga who looked so cruisy yet controlling, and also my new favourite player Liam Squire who showed the perfect combo of pace, power and mullet to steam over for his five pointer. With 55 minutes on the clock and the score at 0-27, Sopoaga popped over a droppy that seem...

I have often bemoaned the Welsh public for the failing to transition the passion they have for the international game to regional rugby. With the Six Nations on a fallow weekend, Ulster managed to attract a crowd in the region of 15,000 for their Pro 12 fixture against the Scarlets. Conversely the Blues only managed a crowd 1/3 of the size for Leinster's visit to the Arms park.  I accept that at regional level, attendance and more so a lack of, is a complex issue. There exist a hybrid of political, social and economic factors that dictate why rugby fans in Wales, don't, won't and in some cases can't, flock through the turnstiles.  Having never really had professional rugby on my door step, it is easy for me to criticise both the fans and the marketing departments for their collective inability to create a magnetic pull around regional rugby. A force that would not only drive attendance but also player retention. Undoubtedly money is a primary motivator for play...

A six nations Saturday is an entirely different experience at GMT+11. I awake at 3:18am, exactly 22 minutes before the alarm is due to sound. I would love to attribute the early get up to a Christmas morning like excitement. On reflection, I think it was more the noise of neighbours returning home from the boozer. I am sweating. I doubt anyone in Cardiff is sweating, excluding the players going through their pre match rigours, oh and Dai Baselayer. If you know Cardiff on match day, then you know Dai. Dai likes to showcase his guns in a pro fit Under Armour Wales jersey. However, Dai's no fool, it gets cold in the stadium, he knows that, he puts his Baselayer on. Unfortunately for Dai, his friends have a preference to spend a notable portion of their Mikey Rayer (all dayer) in the sub Saharan climate of Walkabout. Dai sweats, the baselayer is soon saturated, but he has a cold strongbow, he is happy. Meanwhile in Sydney, escalating personal sweat levels persuade me to roll out of...