What was a pretty decent first half by England, the half time lead was merited for sure. After securing bonus point wins against France and Ireland, the expectation was this would be yet another England win on the way to a Grand Slam season.
Well, the wheels came off that plan in Cardiff. Despite England going in a half time leading, the second half belonged to Wales. Their record-breaking 12th consecutive Test win, came about as they humbled England. I’m not sure what Eddie Jones said or did in the half time team talk, but the players who came back out for the second 40 minutes looked bereft of ideas. What had worked the previous 2 matches wasn’t put into play in this fixture.
England had led 10-3 as the whistle sounded for the half time interval after 20-year-old Tom Curry scored his first touchdown in the six nations for his country. This young man is maturing as each game comes and goes, his awareness and positioning combining with the hits he makes on opposing players means he’s someone with a long international career in front of him for sure. This was a very much deserved try and he was my name to be Man Of The Match sheet.
Wales decided to target Kyle Sinckler and it worked! He’d already caused controversy in the French fixture, by slapping France’s Arthur Iturria on the head during play. This incident happened shortly after being spoken to by referee Nigel Ownes in the previous scrum shortly before this act of petulance occurred. This is a guy who has been banned before for dangerous tackles, for eye gouging and is a ferocious tackler despite his faults in crossing the line.
Against Wales, he led the tackle count with 20 tackles made by half time, and he was on a roll. He’d made his presence felt with the tackles but also taking the ball into contact making hard yards. It is possibly his actions in the French game that inspired the Welsh to wind him up on the pitch in the second half.
Wales said before the match that while they felt Kyle Sinckler “struggled to contain his emotions in the heat of the battle, they had no intention of lighting his fuse”. So when he gave away a penalty on the 55th minute for a shoulder charge on Gareth Anscombe, which was pulled up by the TMO it was the first sign of him ‘losing it’. A couple of minutes later another penalty conceded for a UFC type choke hold around the neck of Alun Wyn Jones. Jones managed to flail his arm and raise his voice enough to get the referees attention though. Resulting in the final warning from Jaco Peyper handed out to Sinckler, the die was cast and Harry Williams was warming up while Sinckler was still being spoken to by the referee.
The combination of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards has turned around Welsh rugby. After the dismal Gareth Jenkins results of 20 games played, Won 6, Drew 1, Lost 13 led to his sacking, it was time for fresh blood and this came in the shape of Gatland.
Warren Gatland who came to the attention of the British rugby fans as Wasps and then Ireland coach, is now touted as the replacement for Eddie Jones in the England role. His name has also been thrown about to manage the Lions 2021 tour too. As great as either or both these positions would be for English supports, the big question would be if he’d bring with him the former rugby league dynamo Shaun Edwards?
Shaun Edwards joined the Welsh coaching staff as the assistant coach (defence) on 14 January 2008. He made an instant impact as Wales conceded just two tries in 400 minutes going on to winning the 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championship and Grand Slam.
Another point to note, looking at Welsh records, during the 2013/2014 RBS 6 Nations, a new defence record by not conceding a try for 400 minutes, as set by the team under his coaching.
Continue reading
Recently announced a new six year deal with Johnnie Walker. The partnership will begin in 2019 and run until 2025. This means that the Six Nations Rugby tournament will have been sponsored by Johnnie Walker for a staggering 22 years.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Dublin on Tuesday morning. In attendance were representatives from both organisations, including Mark Alexander, Managing Director of Diageo Global Supply & President of International Business Ireland, and Bill Beaumont Chairman of the Six Nations Rugby championship committee.
Speaking about the agreement Mr Alexander said: “Johnnie Walker is committed to helping rugby fans celebrate during this extraordinary period.” He added: “This sponsorship is extremely important for us because it enhances our brand awareness around the world ensuring we remain relevant to consumers and continue to grow market share.”
Speaking at the conference Mr Beaumont said: “This deal with Johnnie Walker means that we will enjoy support from one of the world’s most iconic brands as we celebrate a truly historic six nations tournament in 2019. We are delighted to have agreed this sponsorship deal with a company that is so committed to celebrating our sport and helping people understand its values.”
When asked whether the unprecedented long term endorsement of the Six Nations Rugby tournament by a global brand was a sign of growing influence of rugby on an international stage, Mark Alexander replied: “Without doubt rugby is enjoying incredible growth on a global scale. The future for rugby looks very bright indeed.”
Commenting about the advantages of securing such a long running sponsorship, Bill Beaumont said: “This deal is a massive boost not only for the Six Nations Rugby tournament but also for rugby as a whole. We were delighted to secure such a well respected and prestigious company as our sponsor.”
The new partnership will see Johnnie Walker continue its association with rugby around the world. The brand is already an official partner of Premiership Rugby in England, PRO 14 in Scotland, Wales & Ireland, Super Rugby in South Africa and New Zealand, Top14 in France and FFR (Rugby) in France.
Johnnie Walker Black Label is one of life’s true icons,. steeped in a rich mix of mystery and authenticity, passion and craftsmanship. As the world’s No 1 Scotch Whisky brand, Johnnie Walker has been recognised as a timeless classic that stands above other premium spirits brands.
Johnnie Walker is a 162-year old global beverage alcohol brand that currently sells in more than 180 markets worldwide. It was founded by Alexander Walker who took his first step into the whisky business back in 1820 when he was just 13 years old.
Johnnie Walker also produces Green Label which is an ultra-premium blended scotch whisky, named for its green tinted bottle. In addition to these two core ranges, Johnnie Walker offers special releases including annual limited editions such as King George V, The John Walker, and Owner’s blend.
In 2017 Johnnie Walker Blue Label was voted ‘World Whisky of the Year’ at the World Whiskies Awards for its unrivalled quality and exceptional taste. As well as whisky, in 2018 they launched their first ever Irish Cream Liqueur – Johnnie Walker Double Black label Irish Cream.
Continue reading
For those who don’t really follow international rugby, this should have been a breeze for might England. After running the All Blacks so close, this was going to be easy…..
A Danny Care try within 5 minutes, surely this was the start of the steamroller. Japan, not the best known rugby nation, would seem to some to be the whipping boys here.
Japan though play with pride and Ford adding the conversion must have really got them fired up. Another home penalty given away, this time Tamura kicking for 3 points after 15 minutes. Japan took the lead against New Zealand and England suffered the same. Ryoto Nakamura with his try, conversion from Tamura 7- 10 to the visitors. An England penalty though soon cancelled out as Leitch gave Japan lead 15-10 half-time lead with his unconverted try.
The significance of this score line, was the outcome of them losing against New Zealand a fortnight before. Played at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, the outcome of this fixture was never in doubt. What was the surprise though to some, was the 31 points Japan put over the All Blacks.
Let’s put this into perspective, 34-36 was the All Blacks only loss in the 2018 Investec Rugby Championship, coming against South Africa. The Springboks are the only team to score more points against the All Blacks.
George Ford landing a penalty 15 minutes into the second half, to narrow the gap. Mark Wilson scoring a try 5 minutes on, Ford again adding the conversion. George Ford pokes over a penalty just past the hour mark, to put the home team clear in the lead.
Quick hands sees Joe Cokanasiga with the debut score as once again Ford pops over the conversion. 30-15 and the game should be wrapped up now. Dylan Hartley scoring an unconverted try made sure of the win, making the score look more flattering that it could have been,
England seem to be playing 40 minutes of telling rugby and 40 minutes of mediocre stuff. Fitness was a deciding factor, especially the last 20 minutes. Granted Japan didn’t score in the second half, but their performance in the first half was great.
Continue reading
https://twitter.com/AllBlacks
Wow what a start to this match, England played their best starting 20minutes that I think I have ever seen. They steamrollered the mighty All Blacks into nothingness.
Sheer determination from the kick-off saw England set out their stall. The Twickenham fans singing Swing Low while the Haka was laid down, gave the air of expectation.
Chris Ashton scoring a try in the corner after two minutes was the start few would have expected. Using the wet surface to slide across the whitewash to open the scoring. Farrell’s attempted conversion just not scraping in, coming back off the sticks. The drop-goal for 8-0, was a great tonic for Farrell, who was dictating play at 10.
An Elliot Daly penalty hammered into touch by the corner gave the lineout to England. Dylan Hartley delivering a great throw in, before the driving maul saw him at the back, bound on with ball in hand. An influx of backs arrived to add extra weight and drive, seeing the juggernaut roll over the line for Hartley to score the try. The conversion was good, 15-0 and the shell-shocked All Blacks were being schooled here it seemed.
Heading towards halftime, the game had levelled out a little more. England winger Jonny May penalised for offside as he intercepted a pass, saw New Zealand refuse the easier 3 point kick option, instead going to a 12 metre scrum. A good scrum saw quick hands slip an inside pass for Damian McKenzie to score for the visitors. Beauden Barrett adding the conversion and swiftly followed up with a penalty to make the halftime score 15-10.
Straight out of the blocks, the All Blacks put pressure on from the restart. Flanker Ardie Savea looking to be on his way for a try, just managed to fumble the ball, a wake up call for England there.
Dylan Hartley was replaced during the interval, and the early costly errors by New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick were soon forgotten as he upped his game especially in the line out for the second half. England who had been rock solid in the line out in the first half were now looking very average indeed. Stats at one point in this half was from 10 lineouts, won 5 lost 5 on their own throw !!!!
McKenzie putting his clearing kick straight into touch giving England an attacking line-out on the All Blacks 22, which was an ideal platform to look to extend their lead. Sadly replacement hooker Jamie George wasted it with a dummy throw and conceded possession.
Barrett showed he is a beast on the pitch. His first ever drop goal in an international sailed over the bar. His second penalty of the game nudged the New Zealanders into a single point lead.
Courtney Lawes charge-down with just 5 minutes on the clock was called back to the TMO, to check if he was onside or not. Jerome Garces the referee and television match official Marius Jonker, kept the 82,149 crowd holding their breath before declaring he was offside. What a difference an inch makes. The sight though of flanker Sam Underhill turning Beauden Barrett inside out was beautiful to watch.
There are not many teams who can dominate the All Blacks as England did in the first 20 minutes. However this sport is 80 minutes and the pressure applied, in the pouring rain wasn’t going to last a further hour. Errors from both sides in this enthralling game and the TMO call with 5 minutes to go, made for an all round entertaining game of rugby.
This wasn’t a first choice England XV, it could be said ( but not in defence of the outcome). Several key players were not available; No.8 Billy Vunipola who is out for three months after breaking his arm, Nathan Hughes faces a disciplinary hearing for punching & Sam Simmonds also out with an injury. Front row Mako Vunipola injured and Marler retired, backline missing Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph through injury. So one positive to take away from this result England are looking strong, looking good and the game against Australia could be interesting, to say the least.
Wales beating Australia for the first time since 2008, 9-6 is a feather in the cap for Wales. This result should be another motivator for England to prepare and give the Wallabies a hiding.
Continue reading