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After a dramatic end to what was another capitulating club season in the Northern Hemisphere we must now turn our attention to the June Tests. As all of witnesses each of our international teams coaches select the squad they deem suitable to embark upon the greatest challenges the Southern Hemisphere have to offer I began to think what is the point in these games? Don't get me wrong, in no way am I insinuating these games are worthless but rather I question which way they should be approached. After a just a wee bit of thought it was clear that these games have 2 purposes:1) To improve squad depth and experience2) To attempt to gain victory and in some cases make history in the back yard of the best international teams in the worldHowever these purposes clearly have a conflict, it is incredibly difficult to achieve both objectives in one tour. In this case international teams must have one (not both) clear purpose of their tour!
Starting with Ireland, this season has been something of an enigma. The provincial teams continue to capitulate Europe, however the international team fails to inspire let alone achieve a success experience by no other Ireland team by beating the All Blacks. Ireland have chosen to play 3 test games in 3 weeks, clearly showing the purpose of their tour is the latter, simply having 3 attempts to beat the All Blacks (the selection of only a 30 man squad supports this). This in my opinion is a huge mistake. Firstly after a long season to ask players to then challenge the World Champions is more than optimistic. The Leinster players, who will make up most of the first team may be forced to play 5 high intensity games in just 6 weeks, something that not only puts their body at risk but also seems unfair and quite frankly stupid! Selection policy continues to baffle myself and most people who have any interest in Irish rugby and this seems to continue. Firstly the omission of Craig Gilroy, who has been on great form ever since he burst onto the seen with two stunning tries on his debut v Cardiff back in 2010 is quite perplexing his now made to be rival Simon Zebo, also in good form himself is still in the majority of peoples books behind Gilroy. A coach any sense would have brought both players. Even more of a worry is the selection of only 2 fly halves. Ian Madigan who has been one of Leinster's greatest attacking threats this season should have been selected for the continued selection of just O'Gara and Sexton will come back to haunt Ireland who have only two fully experienced international fly halves, something no other top international team is burdened by. If Ireland's chances of beating New Zealand aren't bad enough, injuries to key players like O'Connel, Bowe and Ferris make the challenge near impossible. In fact something in the back of every Irish rugby mind at the moment is questioning whether this tour is really worth it? If I could have seen the state Ireland would be in now before the tour had been finalised, I would have been very content with the IRFU deciding not to go on a summer tour at all. However Ireland going into the tour as huge under dogs is something of a relief, maybe the impossible is closer to our reach that it may seem. In the short term this tour is a no lose situation, if Ireland lose all three games then expectations will just become reality but in the long term this tour could be catastrophic especially if Kidney plays anyone more than twice.
In contrast to Ireland's situation, both England and Wales go into their tours confident on their ability and form on the current international stage. Wales will face Australia 3 times and also the ACT Brumbies three months after their impressive Grand Slam victory. The point of their tour may at first seem to be in order to increase squad depth with the game V the Brumbies giving the Welsh youth and reserve players a chance to stake their claim for a Welsh jersey in the future. However in reality, Wales want to win! The last time Wales won against any of the Southern Hemisphere big three was in November 2008 but now is their biggest and best opportunity to bring that figure up to date. Not only do they have a fit squad with no fear and a clear style of play, they are playing against the Southern Hemisphere team that teams from the north generally have the most success against. The plan will be simple but also effective for Wales..... attack the scrum. Australia barely have a scrum at all, in reality there a few and perhaps no other tier one nations with an inferior scrum. Contrast that with Wales' with two of the worlds greatest props, Jenkins and Jones. Wales will simply want to beat Australia up before dissecting them with their monster backs such as North and Roberts. Two questions still remaining for Wales however is whether Rob Howley can continue Gatland's work and the stability of their half backs. Priestland makes Wales tick brilliantly but individually is prone to the odd meltdown or so. While Phillips may be great when in form, if he fails to produce quick ball that connects the forwards and the backs maybe Wales success will be limited. England will also be heading to South Africa looking to prove a point. As a maturing team, England will be tested by the Springboks (who themselves will be wanting to prove that they are still up there with the best). To remember the last English victory against South Africa one must cast their mind back to November 2006. For England this tour has a range of purposes. Its the next step for Lancaster and his "New England", who successfully progressed through the 6 Nations. This time round there is an atmosphere of optimism combined with wariness. Just one win in South Africa would give England's young star a dramatic boost. England's midweek games against the SA Barbarians will give the likes of Wade, Joseph and Marler opportunities to pressurise their shirt competition. The tests will each present a different approach, the first will be about individuals such as Farrell and Robshaw getting use to the challange and game plan of South Africa, whilst adjusting to the climate and altitude. From there I can see a progressive path with improvement in each game (similar to the 6 nations) with a possibility of victory in the second or last test. Scotland's tour begins with Australia and finishes with Samoa, with a match against Fiji in between. With Lee Jones, David Denton and Kelly Brown out injured and Jim Hamilton suspended all eyes will be on the Flying Dutchman, now Flying Scotsman Tim Visser. Many see the winger as the answer to Scotland's problems, however I in no way see that as the case. Scotland already have dangerous back three players such as Stuart Hogg and Lee Jones (even though he's injured) but their problems are deeper than that. Scotland simply lack that final pass an unfortunately for Visser if he hasn't got the ball, he ain't going to score! Scotland will go into this tour looking for wins as thats the one thing they seemingly can't achieve, certainly on a consistent basis anyway. These games will be approached differently by every team but none the less will be exciting....... if worse comes to worse there's always November!
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After a dramatic end to what was another capitulating club season in the Northern Hemisphere we must now turn our attention to the June Tests. As all of witnesses each of our international teams coaches select the squad they deem suitable to embark upon the greatest challenges the Southern Hemisphere have to offer I began to think what is the point in these games? Don't get me wrong, in no way am I insinuating these games are worthless but rather I question which way they should be approached. After a just a wee bit of thought it was clear that these games have 2 purposes:1) To improve squad depth and experience2) To attempt to gain victory and in some cases make history in the back yard of the best international teams in the worldHowever these purposes clearly have a conflict, it is incredibly difficult to achieve both objectives in one tour. In this case international teams must have one (not both) clear purpose of their tour!
Starting with Ireland, this season has been something of an enigma. The provincial teams continue to capitulate Europe, however the international team fails to inspire let alone achieve a success experience by no other Ireland team by beating the All Blacks. Ireland have chosen to play 3 test games in 3 weeks, clearly showing the purpose of their tour is the latter, simply having 3 attempts to beat the All Blacks (the selection of only a 30 man squad supports this). This in my opinion is a huge mistake. Firstly after a long season to ask players to then challenge the World Champions is more than optimistic. The Leinster players, who will make up most of the first team may be forced to play 5 high intensity games in just 6 weeks, something that not only puts their body at risk but also seems unfair and quite frankly stupid! Selection policy continues to baffle myself and most people who have any interest in Irish rugby and this seems to continue. Firstly the omission of Craig Gilroy, who has been on great form ever since he burst onto the seen with two stunning tries on his debut v Cardiff back in 2010 is quite perplexing his now made to be rival Simon Zebo, also in good form himself is still in the majority of peoples books behind Gilroy. A coach any sense would have brought both players. Even more of a worry is the selection of only 2 fly halves. Ian Madigan who has been one of Leinster's greatest attacking threats this season should have been selected for the continued selection of just O'Gara and Sexton will come back to haunt Ireland who have only two fully experienced international fly halves, something no other top international team is burdened by. If Ireland's chances of beating New Zealand aren't bad enough, injuries to key players like O'Connel, Bowe and Ferris make the challenge near impossible. In fact something in the back of every Irish rugby mind at the moment is questioning whether this tour is really worth it? If I could have seen the state Ireland would be in now before the tour had been finalised, I would have been very content with the IRFU deciding not to go on a summer tour at all. However Ireland going into the tour as huge under dogs is something of a relief, maybe the impossible is closer to our reach that it may seem. In the short term this tour is a no lose situation, if Ireland lose all three games then expectations will just become reality but in the long term this tour could be catastrophic especially if Kidney plays anyone more than twice.
In contrast to Ireland's situation, both England and Wales go into their tours confident on their ability and form on the current international stage. Wales will face Australia 3 times and also the ACT Brumbies three months after their impressive Grand Slam victory. The point of their tour may at first seem to be in order to increase squad depth with the game V the Brumbies giving the Welsh youth and reserve players a chance to stake their claim for a Welsh jersey in the future. However in reality, Wales want to win! The last time Wales won against any of the Southern Hemisphere big three was in November 2008 but now is their biggest and best opportunity to bring that figure up to date. Not only do they have a fit squad with no fear and a clear style of play, they are playing against the Southern Hemisphere team that teams from the north generally have the most success against. The plan will be simple but also effective for Wales..... attack the scrum. Australia barely have a scrum at all, in reality there a few and perhaps no other tier one nations with an inferior scrum. Contrast that with Wales' with two of the worlds greatest props, Jenkins and Jones. Wales will simply want to beat Australia up before dissecting them with their monster backs such as North and Roberts. Two questions still remaining for Wales however is whether Rob Howley can continue Gatland's work and the stability of their half backs. Priestland makes Wales tick brilliantly but individually is prone to the odd meltdown or so. While Phillips may be great when in form, if he fails to produce quick ball that connects the forwards and the backs maybe Wales success will be limited. England will also be heading to South Africa looking to prove a point. As a maturing team, England will be tested by the Springboks (who themselves will be wanting to prove that they are still up there with the best). To remember the last English victory against South Africa one must cast their mind back to November 2006. For England this tour has a range of purposes. Its the next step for Lancaster and his "New England", who successfully progressed through the 6 Nations. This time round there is an atmosphere of optimism combined with wariness. Just one win in South Africa would give England's young star a dramatic boost. England's midweek games against the SA Barbarians will give the likes of Wade, Joseph and Marler opportunities to pressurise their shirt competition. The tests will each present a different approach, the first will be about individuals such as Farrell and Robshaw getting use to the challange and game plan of South Africa, whilst adjusting to the climate and altitude. From there I can see a progressive path with improvement in each game (similar to the 6 nations) with a possibility of victory in the second or last test. Scotland's tour begins with Australia and finishes with Samoa, with a match against Fiji in between. With Lee Jones, David Denton and Kelly Brown out injured and Jim Hamilton suspended all eyes will be on the Flying Dutchman, now Flying Scotsman Tim Visser. Many see the winger as the answer to Scotland's problems, however I in no way see that as the case. Scotland already have dangerous back three players such as Stuart Hogg and Lee Jones (even though he's injured) but their problems are deeper than that. Scotland simply lack that final pass an unfortunately for Visser if he hasn't got the ball, he ain't going to score! Scotland will go into this tour looking for wins as thats the one thing they seemingly can't achieve, certainly on a consistent basis anyway. These games will be approached differently by every team but none the less will be exciting....... if worse comes to worse there's always November!
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