Rate Tier 1 nations in order

[Big Ewis]

It never is, is it Ewis?


Spoiler - It definitely is.

:lol: oh wow...another nutcase on my back. No choice: blocked.
Now if anyone wants to actually discuss (intelligently) about France's woes and the Top 14 or have any questions about that or what not, I'm here !!...

 

[Groundhog]

:lol: oh wow...another nutcase on my back. No choice: blocked.
Now if anyone wants to actually discuss (intelligently) about France's woes and the Top 14 or have any questions about that or what not, I'm here !!...

Ever the victim eh?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

It's between SA and France for top of the tier 1 nations ITO how I rate them. Weather alone rules out everyone but SA, France and Aus while spiders rule out Aussie.

 

[Darwin]

It's between SA and France for top of the tier 1 nations ITO how I rate them. Weather alone rules out everyone but SA, France and Aus while spiders rule out Aussie.

Spiders are the least of your worries in Australia. It's the Australians you need to watch out for

 

[Big Ewis]

Ever the victim eh?

hehe your bias at work again here, just can't escape the impulse, can't do it, gotta head straight for it like a ram without a second thought...
You know, it works against you to post a comment like that because ironically you're guilty of exactly what you condemn the person with, as you lock someone up into a systematic scheme as a de facto principle w/o looking into the case at hand to see what's actually occurred and who's really right or wrong.

I've tried to remain polite, but that guy is a fool who attacked me quite relentlessly when I was indeed merely trying to warn him of the utter bullshhit he was spewing all over this thread about something I know like the back of my pocket, and something he definitely knew so little about. That's the reality, and I think the inspection stops here: one knows, the other doesn't, the one still holds on boorishly and turns highly aggressive. Some ppl have ticked off much sooner in their replies and employed much worse language and far, far worse attitude. He accused me of being blinded by patriotism which is good material for TRF standup if you know me at all, misquoted me, made me say things I never hinted at, switched from vaguely the club to the national team topic aimlessly, called Bastareaud a slow bad defender when he's been excellent (and interestingly his only bad game, in Cardiff...get it ? JBobo is the kind of guy who bases EVERYTHING on the one game he saw)...... it was a disaster performance.
And given how many times the points about the French team were discussed on this forum, yes, I was being extremely patient. He should've read the points in detail before making it a project to reply to me.
The facts are all there, out in the open. You can open your eyes wide, or you can just keep buried in your sheltered little hole, Groundhog

^ This goes for anyone. Don't just be a biased douche even if you don't like a user, take the time to at least read up on a given case before pointing fingers stupidly and systematically...

Anyways, this thread (which I've started mind you..) has taken an unfortunate turn of events, but I couldn't know JBobo was such a case. Think it's served its purpose so far anyhow.

 

[psychic duck]

I've tried to remain polite, but that guy is a fool who attacked me quite relentlessly when I was indeed merely trying to warn him of the utter bullshhit he was spewing all over this thread about something I know like the back of my pocket, and something he definitely knew so little about. That's the reality, and I think the inspection stops here: one knows, the other doesn't, the one still holds on boorishly and turns highly aggressive. Some ppl have ticked off much sooner in their replies and employed much worse language and far, far worse attitude. He accused me of being blinded by patriotism which is good material for TRF standup if you know me at all, misquoted me, made me say things I never hinted at, switched from vaguely the club to the national team topic aimlessly, called Bastareaud a slow bad defender when he's been excellent (and interestingly his only bad game, in Cardiff...get it ? JBobo is the kind of guy who bases EVERYTHING on the one game he saw)...... it was a disaster performance.
And given how many times the points about the French team were discussed on this forum, yes, I was being extremely patient. He should've read the points in detail before making it a project to reply to me.

Big Ewis of all people having at pop at posters for 'spewing utter bullshït' ... truly a triumph for self awareness.

 

[Jbobo]

hehe your bias at work again here, just can't escape the impulse, can't do it, gotta head straight for it like a ram without a second thought...
You know, it works against you to post a comment like that because ironically you're guilty of exactly what you condemn the person with, as you lock someone up into a systematic scheme as a de facto principle w/o looking into the case at hand to see what's actually occurred and who's really right or wrong.

I've tried to remain polite, but that guy is a fool who attacked me quite relentlessly when I was indeed merely trying to warn him of the utter bullshhit he was spewing all over this thread about something I know like the back of my pocket, and something he definitely knew so little about. That's the reality, and I think the inspection stops here: one knows, the other doesn't, the one still holds on boorishly and turns highly aggressive. Some ppl have ticked off much sooner in their replies and employed much worse language and far, far worse attitude. He accused me of being blinded by patriotism which is good material for TRF standup if you know me at all, misquoted me, made me say things I never hinted at, switched from vaguely the club to the national team topic aimlessly, called Bastareaud a slow bad defender when he's been excellent (and interestingly his only bad game, in Cardiff...get it ? JBobo is the kind of guy who bases EVERYTHING on the one game he saw)...... it was a disaster performance.
And given how many times the points about the French team were discussed on this forum, yes, I was being extremely patient. He should've read the points in detail before making it a project to reply to me.
The facts are all there, out in the open. You can open your eyes wide, or you can just keep buried in your sheltered little hole, Groundhog

^ This goes for anyone. Don't just be a biased douche even if you don't like a user, take the time to at least read up on a given case before pointing fingers stupidly and systematically...

Anyways, this thread (which I've started mind you..) has taken an unfortunate turn of events, but I couldn't know JBobo was such a case. Think it's served its purpose so far anyhow.

Wow.

 

[chippieolamus]

As an (admittedly biased) Englishman:
1) ABs
2) Boks
3) England/Wallabies
4) England/Wallabies
5) Ireland
6) Wales
7) Argentina
8) France
9) Scotland
10) Italy

 

[Big Ewis]

As an (admittedly biased) Englishman:
1) ABs
2) Boks
3) England/Wallabies
4) England/Wallabies
5) Ireland
6) Wales
7) Argentina
8) France
9) Scotland
10) Italy

I like that, I think that's it, the real ranking. I'd just recommend going
1) ABs
2) Boks
3) England/Wallabies
4) England/Wallabies
5) Ireland
6) Wales/Argentina
7) Wales/Argentina
8) France
9) Scotland
10) Italy

I understand Wales smashed Arg the last time out, but then again the Argies beat Wales in Cardiff a year before that, so current and past forms are absolutely distinct. More recently, Wales has had alright form at the 6N but not great as well as their butts handed to them in SA and a great performance too, while the Argies managed to beat the Wallabies and took it to the Boks like very few teams had before in recent memory. Also held up alright against the All-Blacks. I think we ought to give it the benefit of the Mrs Doubtfire because it's blurry betw these two, and put them at about the same. Because on the other side of the scale some would make a very good argument the Argies could be higher ranked than the Welsh.

 

[chippieolamus]

I like that, I think that's it, the real ranking. I'd just recommend going
1) ABs
2) Boks
3) England/Wallabies
4) England/Wallabies
5) Ireland
6) Wales/Argentina
7) Wales/Argentina
8) France
9) Scotland
10) Italy

I understand Wales smashed Arg the last time out, but then again the Argies beat Wales in Cardiff a year before that, so current and past forms are absolutely distinct. More recently, Wales has had alright form at the 6N but not great as well as their butts handed to them in SA and a great performance too, while the Argies managed to beat the Wallabies and took it to the Boks like very few teams had before in recent memory. Also held up alright against the All-Blacks. I think we ought to give it the benefit of the Mrs Doubtfire because it's blurry betw these two, and put them at about the same. Because on the other side of the scale some would make a very good argument the Argies could be higher ranked than the Welsh.

Yep, I find it hard to predict how Wales are going to do in these AIs. They could get back to their 2013 6N form, or they might flop (like the 2014 6N) - they've got good enough players that on their day at home they could probably beat everyone bar the ABs, but they could just as easily lose to almost all of those teams if they don't play well.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Wales have become very inconsistent. 2 years ago had an 8(?) game losing streak then went into the 6N and got the grand slam then proceded to lose games afterwards. The 2 SA games recently also show that, absolutely destroyed then come out next time and almost win. Absolutely mangle England in 2013 then really struggle 2014.

 

[Big Ewis]

Yep, I find it hard to predict how Wales are going to do in these AIs. They could get back to their 2013 6N form, or they might flop (like the 2014 6N) - they've got good enough players that on their day at home they could probably beat everyone bar the ABs, but they could just as easily lose to almost all of those teams if they don't play well.

well yeah but as we rank those nations we have to do it following an, let's call it, intrinsic quality. A team can be off-form for a couple of matches but then we know what they're capable of doing and can't lower them too much in the rankings because of that drop of form because they're still that good team otherwise. But I can't find a conclusive set of arguments that would allow me to say Wales or Argentina are the better nation right now. I think if someone ranks any one higher than the other, it's a biased view (either underestimating ARG badly, i.e. the rest of the planet right now) or omitted respect against Wales based on one or two recent matches.

And Wales weren't all that good in the 2013 AI's, they were lackluster against South Africa after a promising start to the match, smashed Argentina (but so did everyone that period, it's no reference) and then managed a very modest win over a very bad Tonga, that if anything was a bit scary for Wales. That Tonga that came to FRANCE (worst attacking side in Tier 1 Rugby) prior, and got 40 put past them by the worst attacking powerhouse nation.

 

[Big Ewis]

K Wallabies just beat the great Barbarians, they deserve their 3rd place ranking, at least. I hope everybody's convinced now.

 

[Bean]

K Wallabies just beat the great Barbarians, they deserve their 3rd place ranking, at least. I hope everybody's convinced now.

Wut? They barely held on. They had a 19pt lead with about 10 mins to go and practically lost it all after the 70th min. The Barbarians are by far the easiest side the Wallabies will face... I find it hard to put the Wallabies in the top 5 tbh.

 

[Big Ewis]

Wut? They barely held on. They had a 19pt lead with about 10 mins to go and practically lost it all after the 70th min. The Barbarians are by far the easiest side the Wallabies will face... I find it hard to put the Wallabies in the top 5 tbh.

well it's true that with nations like France and even Samoa who are often overlooked that Top 5 is really congested. I mean it's totally mainstream to put the All-Blacks there, the Boks just beat them and almost had them in their own backyard, plus Aus almost got em twice in a row...could easily see a rising Samoa with England, Ireland, Wales and the Boks in there although the All-Blacks are really good too and shouldn't be lower than 4th. With France in at 5th. The Barbarians are a really good side too, although they're a Super Rugby club I think or Premiership. So Wallabies about 2nd best side yeh ?

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Maybe, Big Ewis. Just, as a South African I am just more scared of France than the rest of Europe. Look at the last 5 years ' results against SA specifically which is of course what I would look at personally. Objectively, sure, drop Francetwo pplaces.

i know it was a while ago since you posted this but who was the last european or NH team to beat the springboks ? @stormer2010

 

[sharkfan]

'Who was the last European or NH team to beat the Springboks?'
Scotland, with the crowd shouting the 'three...two....one....yeeeeaaaahhhh!!!' when the final whistle went. Yes I remember that one!

 

[Bean]

well it's true that with nations like France and even Samoa who are often overlooked that Top 5 is really congested. I mean it's totally mainstream to put the All-Blacks there, the Boks just beat them and almost had them in their own backyard, plus Aus almost got em twice in a row...could easily see a rising Samoa with England, Ireland, Wales and the Boks in there although the All-Blacks are really good too and shouldn't be lower than 4th. With France in at 5th. The Barbarians are a really good side too, although they're a Super Rugby club I think or Premiership. So Wallabies about 2nd best side yeh ?

You don't understand the IRB ratings do you...

 

[Big Ewis]

You don't understand the IRB ratings do you...

I see you're dyslexic. It's IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and I understand its ratings very well and I don't need people online telling me what I understand and what I don't. And you're just a biased dyslexic kiwi who won't admit the current dominance of the Wallabies. They may've lost the money bladder and its fantastic golden locks, but they've got the fro and talent of Fijian winger Speight now. They're nearly unstoppable.

 

[PiXeL_NiNja]

A twist on things!

Top 5's in....

Attack - NZ, Australia, France, SA, Wales
Defence - England, SA, NZ, Australia, France
Set pieces - England, SA, NZ, France, Argentina
Physicality - SA, England, Wales, Samoa, Argentina
Squad depth - England/SA, France, NZ, Australia
Coach - NZ, Wales, Scotland, England, SA


Attack and coach would be the most important thing there and many more things have to be taken into account to make a good team.

I left out Ireland because I might be biased

Obviously you have not taken the time to review facts, and have instead chosen to base this and the rest of your ranking on the tea leaves in your cup. Maybe if you were to do a review on the most recent completed season you would rank SA higher, 3 places higher to be exact. Having already raised an eyebrow at the first "ranking", I skipped over the rest as I knew it to be more "rankings" pulled from ass. I did however see that you ranked NZ 4th on Squad depth. That sums up your mental state.

Couple more days and you can append your team at the end of each of those "rankings" of yours, but to ensure accuracy you will no doubt be obliged to put in about 3-4 Tab keystrokes before you type it in.

With regards to Rankings, I find that the IRB rankings are the best reflection of where the teams are at right now. The only exception being Argentina, who I would rate a bit higher.