DAVIES: SIX NATIONS ‘AERIAL PING-PONG’ SHOWS IRB GOT ELVS WRONG
Welsh legend Jonathan Davies believes that Ireland fully deserved their first grand slam victory in 61 years, as they were the most consistent side in the RBS 6 Nations. But the former fly-half was less than impressed with the quality of rugby on show and suggests the International Rugby Board cut their losses and bin their Experimental Law Variations, which are due to be reviewed in the coming weeks.
The 46-year-old, who was named man-of-the-match on his debut when, aged 22, he scored a try and a drop-goal to help defeat England 24-15 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1985, thinks that while the trialled rules mean that the ball is in play for longer, it encourages “aerial ping-pong” that dilutes the game as a spectacle.
“I’m not convinced by the kicking game,” said Trimsaran-born Davies, capped 32 times for Wales before he crossed codes to rugby league in 1989. “Maybe you do get more game time, but you do get this aerial ping-pong instead of a constructive game. If the ELVs have not worked then the authorities should have the balls to admit they have been wrong and say: ‘Thank you very much, let’s not change the rules and draw a line under it.’
“I think that the ELVs have not had much of an effect, to be honest, and they haven’t really adapted to the departure of the rolling maul, for example. Whether they keep them or just get rid of them will not make too much of a difference.”
Reflecting on the championship itself Davies believes that Lions head coach, Ian McGeechan, who is set to name his 35-man squad for South Africa on April 21, will have as many selection dilemmas as he did in early February.
He continued: “It was a great finale between Wales and Ireland, and there was some great rugby, but there has been a lack of consistency by most sides and the most consistent side was Ireland – that’s why they won the tournament and the grand slam.
“But I would not say the best team won because England showed in the last couple of games what they can do. They only lost by one point to Ireland and if they had had all their players on the park earlier in the competition it could have been oh so different for them.
“McGeechan will still have plenty of headaches about his Lions selection – but no more than before the championship. One of the biggest debates must be whether he picks specialists or utility players, or a balance of both – because the numbers are less this time.
“Some players can expect the stamp on their passports already – the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Gethin Jenkins and Alun Wyn Jones. But there are a lot of places open, not only for the Test team but also for the tour squad. A lot of people are going to be disappointed as they have not performed as well as they might have in the championship.
“Welsh No8 Andy Powell, who had a great autumn, did not perform well against Italy, in particular, and then he was injured. Dwayne Peel has been very unlucky, too, with injury. These boys have really got to stamp their authority on their club matches if they are to stand a chance of making the plane. Again Jonny Wilkinson could come in to it if he gets his fitness back.
“South Africa are looking good at the moment and their key players keep playing well. I’m not sure approaching them purely physically is the answer, though the balance of the back-row will be key. A lot of the English boys have shone in the last couple of games. Many people were saying that the squad would be made up of mostly Welsh and Irish players but I think that has changed now. It is still very open and it will be interesting to see what Geech does.”
BACK OF THE TOURNAMENT: Brian O’Driscoll, 30, Ireland
“It’s got to be Brian O’Driscoll – I’ve looked at him and he does all the hard work. He is one of those guys who, even when he is not playing to his full potential and is faltering a little bit, is still good enough to get in any world side.
“He tackles hard, grafts, is explosive and stepped up when Ronan O’Gara was under-performing. I’m sure he will be asked whether he wants the Lions captaincy or not – I think it is between him and Paul O’Connell. Delon Armitage, Riki Flutey and Tommy Bowe are all also worth a mention.”
FORWARD OF THE TOURNAMENT: Paul O’Connell, 29, Ireland
“Paul O’Connell was awesome in the line-out – both when it is his team’s ball and when it is the opposition’s – and had a very good tournament. Though his ball carrying isn’t as effective as other players, he will always work hard in the scrum and in the loose.
“Ospreys and Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones played very well, too. And Italy captain and No8 Sergio Parisse was immense in all of his games. He would be up there with O’Connell as forward of the tournament – but you have to give it to the Irishman as he won the grand slam.”
IRELAND
Championship record: won five; 121 points scored; 73 against; +48 difference; 12 tries; 10 points
“They have been wanting to win something for so long especially after the disappointment of the World Cup. Expectation has been so high and maybe now, with them winning and getting that monkey off their back, they could grow in to an even better side. In Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney they have a lot of young guys coming through, too.
“Ireland had the two best players in the competition in Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell and even thought they did not play at the top of their form, they won and that shows a good mental toughness. Declan Kidney has got to take a lot of credit for that. Now there is a Munster-esque attitude and application, with a bit of magic when needed. They deserve to have won the grand slam and the competition.”
ENGLAND
Championship record: won three; lost two; 124 points scored; 40 against; +54 difference; 16 tries; 6 points
“They gained momentum and continuity in the last two games – if they had started the tournament like that and kept their discipline it could have been a very different story. Martin Johnson’s England finished the championship very well and they can look forward now with confidence.
“It does take time for a team to understand what their individual roles are. It was difficult for them to settle in the first few games in the autumn but they look to be really coming together now. Earlier on in the tournament they were creating plenty of opportunities to score but not finishing them. The difference in the past two games is that they started to finish them.”
FRANCE
Championship record: won three; lost two; 124 points scored; 101 against; +23 difference; 14 tries; six points
“They have just been so patchy – France are only third because of their poor attitude. Against Wales they were brilliant, physical, passionate and awesome – but against England they were a complete waste of time.
“It just depends on what mental state they are in but selection is key to international rugby and I’m not sure Marc Lièvremont did his team any favours by chopping and changing the side. Next year he will have to build a side for the World Cup in 2011. He has to have faith in the players – it can’t be good for them if they are wondering if they are going to play the next week.”
WALES
Championship record: won three; lost two; 100 points scored; 81 against; +19 difference; eight tries; six points
“The team did well against Scotland and were unlucky against France – Wales could have won it in the last minute. And they could have beaten Ireland late on, too. They did not play as well as they have been and have had to adapt their game as sides have worked them out a little bit.
“Against the Italians they did not play well, but I think Warren Gatland was right to look at a few other players as you have to think about the future. If you think about how far the Welsh have come in the 18 months since the World Cup their development has been great, but we now need to adapt for next year.”
SCOTLAND
Championship record: won one; lost four; 79 points scored; 102 against; -23 difference; four tries; two points
“It has been very difficult for Frank Hadden as the raw materials at his disposal are not that great. Their pack showed that they are still going well and are quick and strong. The Evans brothers – Max and Thom – shone, too, even though they got very few opportunities. But there is a serious lack of creativity at 10, 12 and 15. Until they sort that out they are always going to struggle to score tries. They don’t have that bit of a cutting edge which is what you need at international level. Without those players I don’t think it is Hadden’s fault that the team are not performing.”
ITALY
Championship record: won none; lost five; 49 points scored; 170 against; -121 difference; two tries; zero points
“The Azzurri again showed that they have a strong forward pack led by the awesome Parisse. The centres – Gonzalo Canale, Mirco Bergamasco – were strong, too, but unfortunately the rest of the back line are not up to scratch.
“Italy kicked the ball far too often because they were looking for field position. They need to find a decent scrum-half and No10 very quickly, and the back three are suspect as well. They looked sluggish and lost all their confidence after the England game. But if they had not handed England those points thanks to Mauro Bergamasco, then it could have been different. But, as with Hadden, there is only so much that Nick Mallett can do.”
Welsh legend Jonathan Davies believes that Ireland fully deserved their first grand slam victory in 61 years, as they were the most consistent side in the RBS 6 Nations. But the former fly-half was less than impressed with the quality of rugby on show and suggests the International Rugby Board cut their losses and bin their Experimental Law Variations, which are due to be reviewed in the coming weeks.
The 46-year-old, who was named man-of-the-match on his debut when, aged 22, he scored a try and a drop-goal to help defeat England 24-15 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1985, thinks that while the trialled rules mean that the ball is in play for longer, it encourages “aerial ping-pong” that dilutes the game as a spectacle.
“I’m not convinced by the kicking game,” said Trimsaran-born Davies, capped 32 times for Wales before he crossed codes to rugby league in 1989. “Maybe you do get more game time, but you do get this aerial ping-pong instead of a constructive game. If the ELVs have not worked then the authorities should have the balls to admit they have been wrong and say: ‘Thank you very much, let’s not change the rules and draw a line under it.’
“I think that the ELVs have not had much of an effect, to be honest, and they haven’t really adapted to the departure of the rolling maul, for example. Whether they keep them or just get rid of them will not make too much of a difference.”
Reflecting on the championship itself Davies believes that Lions head coach, Ian McGeechan, who is set to name his 35-man squad for South Africa on April 21, will have as many selection dilemmas as he did in early February.
He continued: “It was a great finale between Wales and Ireland, and there was some great rugby, but there has been a lack of consistency by most sides and the most consistent side was Ireland – that’s why they won the tournament and the grand slam.
“But I would not say the best team won because England showed in the last couple of games what they can do. They only lost by one point to Ireland and if they had had all their players on the park earlier in the competition it could have been oh so different for them.
“McGeechan will still have plenty of headaches about his Lions selection – but no more than before the championship. One of the biggest debates must be whether he picks specialists or utility players, or a balance of both – because the numbers are less this time.
“Some players can expect the stamp on their passports already – the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Gethin Jenkins and Alun Wyn Jones. But there are a lot of places open, not only for the Test team but also for the tour squad. A lot of people are going to be disappointed as they have not performed as well as they might have in the championship.
“Welsh No8 Andy Powell, who had a great autumn, did not perform well against Italy, in particular, and then he was injured. Dwayne Peel has been very unlucky, too, with injury. These boys have really got to stamp their authority on their club matches if they are to stand a chance of making the plane. Again Jonny Wilkinson could come in to it if he gets his fitness back.
“South Africa are looking good at the moment and their key players keep playing well. I’m not sure approaching them purely physically is the answer, though the balance of the back-row will be key. A lot of the English boys have shone in the last couple of games. Many people were saying that the squad would be made up of mostly Welsh and Irish players but I think that has changed now. It is still very open and it will be interesting to see what Geech does.”
BACK OF THE TOURNAMENT: Brian O’Driscoll, 30, Ireland
“It’s got to be Brian O’Driscoll – I’ve looked at him and he does all the hard work. He is one of those guys who, even when he is not playing to his full potential and is faltering a little bit, is still good enough to get in any world side.
“He tackles hard, grafts, is explosive and stepped up when Ronan O’Gara was under-performing. I’m sure he will be asked whether he wants the Lions captaincy or not – I think it is between him and Paul O’Connell. Delon Armitage, Riki Flutey and Tommy Bowe are all also worth a mention.”
FORWARD OF THE TOURNAMENT: Paul O’Connell, 29, Ireland
“Paul O’Connell was awesome in the line-out – both when it is his team’s ball and when it is the opposition’s – and had a very good tournament. Though his ball carrying isn’t as effective as other players, he will always work hard in the scrum and in the loose.
“Ospreys and Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones played very well, too. And Italy captain and No8 Sergio Parisse was immense in all of his games. He would be up there with O’Connell as forward of the tournament – but you have to give it to the Irishman as he won the grand slam.”
IRELAND
Championship record: won five; 121 points scored; 73 against; +48 difference; 12 tries; 10 points
“They have been wanting to win something for so long especially after the disappointment of the World Cup. Expectation has been so high and maybe now, with them winning and getting that monkey off their back, they could grow in to an even better side. In Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney they have a lot of young guys coming through, too.
“Ireland had the two best players in the competition in Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell and even thought they did not play at the top of their form, they won and that shows a good mental toughness. Declan Kidney has got to take a lot of credit for that. Now there is a Munster-esque attitude and application, with a bit of magic when needed. They deserve to have won the grand slam and the competition.”
ENGLAND
Championship record: won three; lost two; 124 points scored; 40 against; +54 difference; 16 tries; 6 points
“They gained momentum and continuity in the last two games – if they had started the tournament like that and kept their discipline it could have been a very different story. Martin Johnson’s England finished the championship very well and they can look forward now with confidence.
“It does take time for a team to understand what their individual roles are. It was difficult for them to settle in the first few games in the autumn but they look to be really coming together now. Earlier on in the tournament they were creating plenty of opportunities to score but not finishing them. The difference in the past two games is that they started to finish them.”
FRANCE
Championship record: won three; lost two; 124 points scored; 101 against; +23 difference; 14 tries; six points
“They have just been so patchy – France are only third because of their poor attitude. Against Wales they were brilliant, physical, passionate and awesome – but against England they were a complete waste of time.
“It just depends on what mental state they are in but selection is key to international rugby and I’m not sure Marc Lièvremont did his team any favours by chopping and changing the side. Next year he will have to build a side for the World Cup in 2011. He has to have faith in the players – it can’t be good for them if they are wondering if they are going to play the next week.”
WALES
Championship record: won three; lost two; 100 points scored; 81 against; +19 difference; eight tries; six points
“The team did well against Scotland and were unlucky against France – Wales could have won it in the last minute. And they could have beaten Ireland late on, too. They did not play as well as they have been and have had to adapt their game as sides have worked them out a little bit.
“Against the Italians they did not play well, but I think Warren Gatland was right to look at a few other players as you have to think about the future. If you think about how far the Welsh have come in the 18 months since the World Cup their development has been great, but we now need to adapt for next year.”
SCOTLAND
Championship record: won one; lost four; 79 points scored; 102 against; -23 difference; four tries; two points
“It has been very difficult for Frank Hadden as the raw materials at his disposal are not that great. Their pack showed that they are still going well and are quick and strong. The Evans brothers – Max and Thom – shone, too, even though they got very few opportunities. But there is a serious lack of creativity at 10, 12 and 15. Until they sort that out they are always going to struggle to score tries. They don’t have that bit of a cutting edge which is what you need at international level. Without those players I don’t think it is Hadden’s fault that the team are not performing.”
ITALY
Championship record: won none; lost five; 49 points scored; 170 against; -121 difference; two tries; zero points
“The Azzurri again showed that they have a strong forward pack led by the awesome Parisse. The centres – Gonzalo Canale, Mirco Bergamasco – were strong, too, but unfortunately the rest of the back line are not up to scratch.
“Italy kicked the ball far too often because they were looking for field position. They need to find a decent scrum-half and No10 very quickly, and the back three are suspect as well. They looked sluggish and lost all their confidence after the England game. But if they had not handed England those points thanks to Mauro Bergamasco, then it could have been different. But, as with Hadden, there is only so much that Nick Mallett can do.”
Labels: Brian O'Driscoll, England, Ireland, Jonathan Davies, Paul O'Connell, RBS 6 Nations, Wales
