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With the Australian rugby preparing for the grueling season of Super Rugby and the inaugural Rugby Championship, my appetite was satisfied by ESPN over the weekend with a three course Six Nations meal.
From the opening week of the tournament, here are a few points that stood out for me:
1. Where was Julian Malzieu at RWC?
Clermont winger Julian Malzieu scored a fantastic try against Italy, displaying a combination of speed and brute power to evade four hapless Italian defenders. Having been involved on the Sevens circuit before, Malzieu showed he has the uncanny ability to finish off the limited opportunities he receives.
With all due respect to Alexis Palisson, one can only wonder why he wasn’t in New Zealand last year. maybe because of that fellow by the name of Lievremont?
2. Italian backline will finally touch the ball.
New coach Jacques Brunel promised to change the country’s fortunes in the Six Nations, and he seems determined to integrate his backline into a previously forwards-dominated game plan.
They have some young and physical players like Alberto Sgarbi, Tommaso Benvenuti and Giovanbattista Venditti. Former coach Nick Mallett finally found some decent scrum halves, now its Brunel’s turn to unearth a fly-half.
3. Scotland can’t score tries.
Okay, obviously most rugby fans already knew this but, it never ceases to amaze me how Scotland can continually find ingenious ways of butchering tries. Even I could hear the groans of Murrayfield on television every time they turned the ball over. It’s only a matter of time before Andy Robinson snaps and embarks on a murderous rampage in the coaching box.
One can only imagine the celebrations when a fortunate Scotsman happens to cross over the white line at Murrayfield – that’s if anyone actually survives Robinson’s fists.
4. Robshaw right man to lead England.
Having only boasted one Test cap prior to his appointment as England captain, Robshaw repaid interim coach Stuart Lancaster’s faith and showed why he deserves to be the man to lead his country’s long road to recovery. Against Scotland the Harlequins flanker was absolutely everywhere and admirably rallied his newbies in a game that resembled trench warfare at times.
But there was no one need to pick on scrum-half Chris Cusiter. Did anyone back the Scottish scrum-half?
5. Ireland will struggle without Brian O’Driscoll (‘BOD’).
Yes, they were sixty seconds away from a rousing victory until Stephen Ferris committed rugby suicide with a dangerous tackle right in front of the posts. However, Ireland may have been in front by more had their inspirational captain been there. Leinster teammate Fergus McFadden played well, but it’s just not the same without ‘BOD’.
6. Get out of George North’s way.
North experienced a breakthrough season in 2011 and was one of the stars at the RWC, and at the Aviva Stadium he showed everyone why he is Wales’ answer to Jonah Lomu with some devastating runs. North has it all – strong, fit, fast and possesses a sound rugby brain. Also he produced some bone-shattering hits on some unfortunate Irish players.
One can only feel for Scottish winger Max Evans this weekend.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.