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285-123. That’s the combined score of the matches that the three Southern Hemisphere nations – New Zealand, Australia and South Africa – competed in against their Northern Hemisphere rivals these past weeks.
Of the eleven Tests played in this northern Autumn, only Wales managed to win a match. And that was by three points against Australia.
Wales, coached by New Zealander Warren Gatland, looked to be the best of a bad bunch of Northern Hemisphere teams. They lost a close contest to South Africa, 15-20, competed with the All Blacks up until half time, before losing 9-29, and then defeated the wobbly Wallabies 21-18.
Wales played with direction and skill for periods in all their Tests, something England failed to do in any of their matches.
South Africa handed England their worst home defeat in memory, completely outplaying the English 42-6. Prior to this thumping, Australia ran over the top of an ill-disciplined England 28-14, before the All Blacks completed a Grand Slam against this ordinary outfit with a deserving 32-6 win.
England are a team that lack impact, attacking vision and skill.
In their three tests against Southern Hemisphere opposition, they scored just 26 points, and conceded 102. Danny Cipriani failed to ignite the English backline, and was dropped for Toby Flood in their last Test against New Zealand.
Flood showed the same ineptitude as Cipriani, leaving England fans calling once again for the injury-plagued Johnny Wilkinson.
In the forwards, England do have some very good front rowers, but their back five just aren’t up to it.
Ever since Neil Back retired, they have lacked a ball-stealing openside, and Nick Easter, their No. 8, is a premiership footballer, not an international.
Easter lacks the ball running ability and agility of his Southern Hemisphere rivals, Rodney So’oialo, Wycliff Palu and Pierre Spies.
Given the cattle Martin Johnson has to work with and the pressure on international coaches to produce results these days, his time as England manager could be a very short one.
Ireland showed a great deal of courage in their 3-22 loss to the All Blacks. However, playing depth is their biggest single concern. Ireland have some great potential in their backline, and with Australian Alan Gaffney now running the Ireland backs, there will be improvement in the Irish attacking structure and rhythm.
It is in the forwards that the Irish need some competition so that players can put pressure on the likes of Marcus Horan, John Hayes and Doncha O’Callaghan. At the moment the Irish forwards are just not up to it, and they need to produce some forward depth and talent in order to compete at the top level.
Scotland were hammered by the All Blacks 6-32, and then showed a little grit to scare South Africa before going down 10-14.
Scotland are a very weak international team who need to look at their approach to rugby. They rely on their goal kicking winger-fullback, Chris Paterson, to be their sole point scorer each week, and if they don’t look to re-model their play, they will become an international minnow.
The once brilliant French backline now looks unsettled and restricted with the loss of playmaker Frederic Michalak and coach Bernard Laporte. David Skrela showed against Australia that he is suspect under pressure, and their game plan lacked direction and typical French flair.
The French forwards will always be a force, and they showed that with a strong pushover try against the Wallabies. However, coach Marc Lievremont has a job on his hands to get the French back to playing their best rugby, and that is when their creative backline play what is in front of them and attack.
With the 6 Nations tournament kicking off in February, Wales have been clipped into 2/1 from 9/4 by Paddy Power to retain their Six Nations crown after Saturday’s thrilling victory over Australia. France are out to 3/1 which is the same price as England. Ireland are at 4/1 with Scotland at 20/1 and Italy at 66/1.
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.