A smorgasborg of rugby internationals

5 – 1. No, not a football score.????

The Southern Hemisphere rugby teams remain the benchmark for winning performances.

Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, all recorded wins against Northern hemisphere opponents, with France recording the only win against Argentina, for the Northern Hemisphere. The return fixtures, in the same countries, take place this coming weekend.

The short turn around enables coaches to consider areas of playing deficiency be it technical, tactical, physical, and mental. All will be considered at selection meetings, which always start with who is unavailable through injury.

Overall, the games between New Zealand and England, and South Africa against Ireland were a performance level above the other games and ticked the box ‘s mentioned above.

Who benefits the most? The team that wins by a narrow margin, the team that loses by a narrow margin, or the team that experiments with playing lots of young players and wins; in this case France who beat Argentina in Mondoza.

France remains a playing enigma. None of the players who played in the French Top 14 final from Toulouse or Bordeaux were taken to Argentina. More than 12 superstars. A message was sent to young French players who were selected, here is your chance. The French coach, Fabien Galthie, stated, “I am looking for 6 new players.”

Not only those who made the trip took note of that comment! A 28-13 win in Argentina with a first-choice selection is noteworthy; with young players it is hugely significant. If the result is repeated this Saturday, then France can look ahead “avec delectation.”?

Learning how to win is more than playing well. England for 60 minutes were worthy of a win, but fell into the trap of rugby dementia, a Joe Biden moment. If you make substitutions that limit your attacking ability, and through box kicking keep returning the ball to your opponents, you will pay a price.

I coached for 16 years in the Southern Hemisphere. Even at under 12 level, they understand when their opponents are “sitting on a lead.” Attack is in

their DNA, and they will counterattack if you keep giving them the ball. Borthwick and Wigglesworth stand condemned for both the selection and use as replacements at 9!

Finishing strong and on the front foot is paramount if you want to win down-under.

Quality technique, patience, and accuracy can produce periods of intense consistency. Add to the mix World Class players and go forward is guaranteed, and usually followed by a score.

The last time England won in Auckland was 16-10 in 1973. July 2024 would be a good time to repeat that success.

South Africa v Ireland was at times brutal. Tackling not only stopped the attacker it drove him back. The “passive tackle.” No longer exists.

Debatable refereeing decisions affected both sides, but Ireland suffered the most!

When South Africa makes changes and brings on the bomb squad, the brutality intensifies. Plus, they have some extremely fast wingers.

Ireland and Leinster are beginning to lose games, not by many but they are losses. It will be a concern.

Australia v Wales was a below par affair. Good to see Australia blooding more young players, but this was a tier two level game. Wales have issues on and off the field. The return game in Melbourne may produce a similar result. (25-16 Australia)

Elsewhere Fiji won in Georgia to dent Georgia’s hopes of breaking into the 6 Nations. Fiji benefiting from playing in Super Rugby. Fiji wins 21-12.

Samoa sent Italy packing with pasta on their faces. Italy will be wiser for the experience. Samoa wins 33-25.

Mike Penistone. The Global Rugby Coach.

[email protected].

www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com

Ambassador for the www.asiacenterfoundation.org. A charity for disadvantaged children here in Phuket. (Khatu)

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