England star Nick Easter says the Wallabies and their Tri-Nations rivals risk being “over-cooked” by the time they get to the Rugby World Cup.
He believes the northern hemisphere teams have an advantage as they’ll be fresh while southern superpowers Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will go into the tournament in New Zealand in September at the end of long, gruelling campaigns.
The Tri-Nations series has been reduced this year to home and away Tests against each team – four matches.
But it follows an expanded Super Rugby provincial competition which has witnessed a heavy injury toll and only ends this Saturday when the Queensland Reds play the Crusaders in the final.
“This time the northern hemisphere teams might have a little bit of an advantage over the southern hemisphere teams in terms of the scheduling because we’ve had a break,” Easter told PA.
“We don’t have any rugby matches now until the first warm-up game in August, so we have a good window to train hard and get prepared properly.
“But in the southern hemisphere their Super 15 season is longer than usual and has gone on an extra month. Then they have the Tri-Nations.
“They might be a little over-cooked, while for us it’s just like heading into a normal season.
“At our clubs we’d be doing pre-season at this time and start playing in September.”
A key figure in England’s surge to the 2007 World Cup final in France, No.8 Easter was not concerned that England’s pool at the 2011 World Cup could leave their team insufficiently battle hardened for the knockout stages.
The Six Nations champions open the tournament against Argentina on September 10 and also face Georgia, Romania and Scotland.
In 2007, Australia and New Zealand paid a price for their romp through the group stages as they stumbled out in pressure-cooker quarter-finals, with the Wallabies losing to England.
“Absolutely you want a challenging pool. You don’t want it too tough obviously because you could end up giving everything just to get out of it,” said Easter.
“You definitely want some tough games or matches where not everything goes according to plan so you have to work out different situations.
“In quarter and semi-finals things don’t go according to plan and the opposition is as desperate as you to win it.
“If you haven’t had that match practice or played under that pressure or intensity in previous matches, you can get caught on the hop.
“That’s certainly what happened to New Zealand the last time around.”
Ben S
Roar Guru
Saia Fainga'a?
mudskipper
Guest
can't over cook for a hungry team....
Ben S
Roar Guru
Tuilagi wasn't imported by England. He moved to England at the age of 13 and has lived there since. Btw, which country are you from?
Ben S
Roar Guru
Easter isn't complaining though, he's offering a pretty bland opinion. In any case, England and France had far different rugby schedules in terms of matches played in contrast to the Irish and Welsh 4 years ago, for example, so it's not really a hemisphere v hemisphere debate. When France beat NZ the other year Henry made reference to France being battle hardened through their league. I'm sure if the SH does well then the new length will be supported, and if they do badly then the tournament will have been too long. Personally I don't think it's an issue foe all 3N countries having seen what SA are doing with their 'injured' players. IMO the new length of season will be much more of a problem for NZ. How many games has Mealamu played this season, for example? It's not just the games either, it's the training and travel factor too. With that in mind it was interesting to see Hansen state that NZ don't have the luxury of simply winning the WC, they want/have to win every Test.
dwc
Guest
The Aussies are in denial as they still have problems up front and at 12 and 13. NZ are set there. That seems to be ignored in the rabid Reds hype going on at the moment.
Ben S
Roar Guru
If you lived 8 years in Europe then you would have noticed what I refer to.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Which is why I have basically stopped visiting this site. It's that sort of childish response that sums up the Roar at the moment. During the 6N there was basically no 6N coverage, and yet Nick Easter gives an opinion on the extended nature of the Super season, and the 'article' headline refers to the Wallabies. It's tabloid dross, and defeats the purpose of this site - intelligent debate. Over time this site has gone to the dogs.
gumboot
Guest
I lived 8 yrs in Europe and besides, it was the Ashes, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed watching that 'typical' pom Kevin Peterson score some great runs.
Damo
Guest
RugbyMad the bookies, then, are predicting pain for you. I hope they are wrong about daylight coming second to NZ but NZ have strength across the park and depth. That won't stop me looking for an Aussie upset though.
Damo
Guest
No-one is forcing you to read an OZ based site Ben! You can always take your ball and........
Chris K
Guest
And handing out MBE's to absolute muppets. Paul Collingwood got one for scoring something like 9 runs when they one the Ashes series that year
Ben S
Roar Guru
Obviously you didn't spend enough time in England to notice that open top bus parades are actually a European tradition in some countries...
jameswm
Guest
The Wallabies have the best scrummaging hooker in the world. That helps.
Johnno
Guest
Have a HAPPY EASTER AND WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN BACKYARD POM
rugbymadd
Guest
I'm a Saffer and would love to see Boks win it. If we dont I would rather see Oz lifting that trophy. Watching Eng or NZ lift it would just be too painfull ! lol
rugbymadd
Guest
what a load of bull ! I dont think he had anything else to say ! Sure SANZAR teams have a lot of games, alot of injuries and player fatigue, but for every player injured we have the luxury of having 5 other players just as good or even better ready to do battle. Unlike England who struggle to find players good enough for the their team and resort to importing players like Tuilagi and include them in their England team.
gumboot
Guest
England are still a good team, I've watched the 6 nations and they have a great scrum but like most of the above comments, they'll be undercooked without much combination practice. I was in the UK during the final between OZ & Eng.....man it was embarrassing. I'm a kiwi but I desperately wanted OZ to win because they are just too arrogant. Same as during the Ashes when they won. Open top bus through London, acting as if they won the Cricket WC. Strange how they invent sports yet can't play them and I swear, if I ever hear about the '66 soccor world cup again I'll go ballistic
zhenry
Guest
And 3 more AU Super teams and a pickle and a pear tree.
cookie
Guest
I have to say i can see the aussies winning as they have the cattle upfont with sleek service and a freak of nature distibuting with lightening out wide. The only concern is 12/13 If i was coach and it was my d$%k on the chopping block i'd go with O'connor at 12 and punt on faianga at 13 while he won't exactly win the cup for me, i know he won't let me down. If gits is at 12 they may as well not show up and my d$%k would f&%^ed
zhenry
Guest
Damn the NZRU you mean, if they want to follow the ARU like sheep the ARU will thank you very much (not even that actually). The NZRU must distinguish the agenda of the AU owned NZ media, they must become savvy to the negative influence it has on their decision making, or NZ rugby will be poll axed for the sake of AU, no question. The reason they give for prostrating themselves before Pied Piper JON and Murdeoch is SANZA, economic and broadcasting rights. As important as those 3 things are, it is the way they perceive, analyse and practice their use that is the problem. And it is not because of the professional era, there is more than one way to skin a cat (apologies to cats), not so for NZRU. I have no time for Murdeoch (won’t go into that) and he is ruthless re profit, but if you have something he wants you can be ruthless back; Murdeoch is not the world, if NZ look hard enough they don't have to play the victim role. Reorganise and realign, the only thing that is stopping the NZRU is what's in their heads.