World Cup can’t come soon enough
Last Saturday’s climax produced three intense contests with a total of 23 tries. Who needs Super 14 rugby?
As anticipated at the beginning of the tournament, the margin between the top sides was so tight that it was unlikely any team would land the Grand Slam. It is no consolation therefore that of the six participants, Ireland came closest.
Overall France deserved the title on the basis that they delivered the vital scores when the need was greatest. Playing against the clock they produced tries against Ireland and Scotland when lesser sides may have been found wanting.
Over the past two seasons I have been asked by a national British newspaper if there was anything with regard to the Six Nations that I would change. On both occasions I championed the introduction of the bonus point system. Given that it is now the only professional competition in world rugby that fails to apply this format, it is only a matter of time before it is adopted.
It is of little consolation to the Irish squad that had it been introduced this year they would have won the championship outright by a single point.
While the Irish team and management may have returned from Rome with certain regrets, given the concession of two tries in the last ten minutes, it is more important at this stage that they concentrate on the positives.
On a day tailor made for running rugby, this Irish back line produced the complete attacking display one has craved from this magnificent seven for so long. When in receipt of quality quick ball they can be devastating.
With the World Cup taking place in France in September, the likelihood is that the conditions which served Ireland so well in Rome will be replicated in Bordeaux and Paris when this side next plays on European soil. That will be a major benefit.
Looking back on the championship, the one issue which created a problem for me was the match day officiating. It left a lot to be desired. This is a complaint not against the referees, but the system as a whole. In times past, the referee was the sole arbiter of decision-making on the field. Now a combination of the referee, the touch judges, the television match official and technology all play their part. Unfortunately there were numerous examples where they failed to work in unison.
At times the old adage of common sense was thrown out the window.
Last weekend was no exception. We had incidents where blatant forward passes were ignored in the build-up to two of Ireland’s tries. While Ireland were the beneficiary of those decisions on this occasion how would one feel in defeat in a World Cup quarter-final if those decisions went against you.
In Paris, touch judge Donal Courtney recommended a yellow card against Scotland’s Sean Lamont when everyone watching could see the guilty party was his brother Rory. What is wrong with the watching TMO confirming a case of mistaken identity to the referee?
The fact that Courtney was also the official in charge as TMO when incorrectly awarding a try to Jonny Wilkinson against Scotland capped a poor championship for the Irish official.
We had a breakdown in communication between referee and TMO which led to the debacle when Wales chose to opt for a lineout instead of a penalty in their game against Italy. English referee Chris White was left with egg on his face in that one.
Confusion also reigns over the authority of the TMO in relation to his role in the awarding of a try. It has emerged since Saturday’s game in Paris that Simon McDowell was only asked by referee Craig Joubert if there was any reason not to award a try. The role of the TMO is dictated by the question he is asked by the referee.
My final gripe relates to match day technology itself. On too many occasions a break in play is due to a breakdown in the referees’ communications system. This was in evidence once again in the tense moments before the kick-off of the Ireland game against England at Croke Park. The game was held up for three minutes while referee Joel Jutge had to call in the sound engineer. This happens all too often. With the World Cup looming, there is an onus on the IRB to tighten up all these areas.
With less than six months to go to that competition, the Six Nations offers an interesting form guide for the Northern Hemisphere’s best. Both Ireland and France can look forward to the competition secure in the knowledge that on their day they are capable of beating any side in world rugby.
However, the lingering doubts over the loss of key players and the ability to produce three quality performances in a row remain an issue.
The one plus is that France will be under more pressure as host nation.
The biggest plus for Bernard Laporte is the emergence of two quality outhalves in David Skrela and Lionel Beauxis. With Freddie Michalak also likely to be available, Laporte has strength in a position where only last November he had to play Biarritz centre Damien Traille out of position.
England, despite three victories, look ill-equipped to retain the crown they won in 2003. New coach Brian Ashton has blooded some quality newcomers but has little time to develop the mix of experience and youth between now and September.
Italy have emerged from this year’s tournament with great credit, having secured two victories and finishing ahead of Wales and Scotland. Despite a heavy injury list which resulted in 14 of their match day 22 against Ireland coming from Italian-based clubs, they still remained competitive.
In a World Cup group containing New Zealand and Scotland they will pose a serious threat to Frank Hadden’s side for a quarter-final place.
Scotland, despite the victory over Wales, have problems behind the scrum, in particular at outhalf and midfield. Their ability to score tries, despite quality wingers in Chris Patterson and Lamont, remains questionable.
Wales were the greatest losers in this year’s tournament. Despite a last day victory against England which meant they avoided the wooden spoon, they have serious issues to address over the coming months. The performance of James Hook at outhalf on Saturday is certain to reopen the debate for the No 10 jersey, as current captain Stephen Jones and Wales continue to have problems up front.
With numerous short tours coming up next June, you can be sure that many sides, including Ireland, will engage in some shadowboxing with regard to team selection. The Six Nations did confirm one thing, from an Irish perspective. The World Cup can’t come soon enough.
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