- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Roar Rookie
Joined November 2012
0
Views
0
Published
3
Comments
Im a Zimbabwean living in Seattle USA, so i have a broad perspective of Rugby in Africa, North and South America.
Published
Comments
No, what i mean is that Ireland needs to beat the Wallabies on the 22nd within these Autumn internationals. Whenever these teams come out with a rare win against the big 3 they never back those up with another big 3 win. Its ridiculous when people say the gap is being closed after just 1 win.
Bok embarrassment as the gap between the North and South closes
I think you’re wrong there, the gap between North and South is clearly still there. Just because Ireland comes out with a rare win does not mean the gap is closed. In the last 5 years and beyond the win rate for the northern teams in these autumn series against the big 3 has been atrocious and yet they are playing at home. Within the 1st 3 years of the southern tours the northern hemisphere teams have only recorded 1 win (scotland vs Aus 2011) and a draw (Eng vs Sa 3rd test) against the big 3. Argentina a northern hemisphere laden team has only managed 1 win in 3 years in the Rugby championship. You cant call close loses’ closing the gap’ when they continuously lose to southern hemisphere teams. Wales has lost 10 games in a row against the wallabies so it should be pretty straight forward that the wallabies are a better team.
To be convinced that the gap is closing this is what needs to happen.
1) Northern teams have to consistently win their home games against the big 3 and i dont mean just the rare Ireland vs bok wins they need to beat the Aussies or the All blacks in the same time period.
2) Whenever the north tours south they need to at least win 1 game in the series. Winning an actual series against the big 3 might seem too far for them but they could at least win 1 game. Within these 1st 3 years of the tours England, Wales, Ireland, France and Scotland have all suffered whitewashes with a handful of heavy defeats to add onto that and to be honest 3 years of the southern tours is a hell lot of games.
3) A northern team needs to win the next world cup.
Bok embarrassment as the gap between the North and South closes
I watched the 2 semi final euro games and the finals and i’ve realized a few things. The quality of rugby in the NH is slow, unimaginative, static and a penalty kickathon. The gameplan there is heavily forward and territorial orientated and the fans there appreciate that and that is how they see the game.
In the Southern Hemisphere over the past 7 years New Zealand rugby has perfected the blue print on how to play winning rugby based on skill and creativity. Australian rugby has shown a few glimpses through the Reds (2010-2011) and Waratahs that they too can play to those standards. South african rugby are the main representatives of the forward orientated territorial gameplan and their records here are abysmal particularly this season against NZ teams.
I disagree with Caputo that the NH prepares players better for test rugby. Going up against the likes of the Chiefs, Hurricanes, Highlanders etc is the pinnacle of all club/provincial rugby because these teams carry forward the all black blue print of how to play the most effective winning rugby. When i watch Toulon play i think to myself there is no way they could beat a NZ super rugby side or even the Tahs and brumbies. They just do not seem threat and a Hurricanes outfit would have a field day ripping through them.
Leinster's Caputo on Europe, Wallabies and Euro