Wash up of SA v Wales and half time England v NZ

So what did we all make from the ‘Clash of Champions?’

Personally it only re-enforced views that I held already about both teams, and there was nothing new that struck me. As far as South Africa go, big strong pack of forwards, with possibly the best backrow potential in the world. I do think this is where SA are stronger than any other side, they have so many great loose forwards to pick from, the challenge will be to get the right balance and chemistry and stick with it. I’m amazed that Matfield did not start the first Test, considering he is the finest lock in rugby, so as ever not sure what the political implications of that were, but in pure rugby terms it was bollocks!

Butch James has improved so much at 10, and when du Preez is back, that is strong. Midfield seems still undecided, and creativity and flair are still less obvious than power and strength. A balance of both would be nice, especially as it might allow Habana to see more of the ball in his hands rather than watching it criss-cross him in the sky!

Wales in the first Test were shocking and in the second better, back to being creative and threatening, but still without the steel and edge in many areas that will be necessary for them to be at the top of world rugby. Brilliance, talent, pace and skill are all great to watch, but they need to be underpinned with steel, focus, intent and bloody mindedness. Wales lack that nastiness, that intent to inflict pain that all the great sides have alongside the desire to win and play.

So all in all, not convinced Wales tested the Boks as much as I thought they might, and still not sure about your new coaching set up, as it has experienced no pressure yet!

As for us whinging Poms in the land of the long white cloud, well, that has been pleasant viewing! I see Rob Andrew is now winding them up about peaking between World Cups, always a good tactic in between Test matches! But then of course Rob will be sitting comfortably in the stand for the second test!

England have had four shocking years, looking back at the last World Cup and trying to still bathe in its glory. Selection has been erratic to be polite, or completely inept to be honest. We have kept picking guys who fronted in 2003, in the sad hope that they might do it again, and again, and again … but they haven’t.

So now we have Jonno, or we will do soon, and I do believe things will change massively, and fairly quickly. Martin Johnson, Jonno, is not a man to stand on ceremony, he doesn’t know what it means and he can’t spell it. He is all about performing, fronting up, whether that is in training, meetings or game time, and he will shake the lethargic and shambolic England team organisation into a focused machine by the next Six Nations, of that I have no doubt.

In the meantime we have Rob Andrew steering the ship in New Zealand, and the November Tests to negotiate.
The first Test was a huge disappointment, after a good ten minutes, England’s error count was unacceptable and yet again we saw that Charlie Hodgson is not a Test player (how many times did we need showing?). New Zealand pin pointed him, didn’t take a genius really, and two tries were created straight through his channel.

Midfield still lacks creativity and pace, but then the ball is so slow Marvin the magician would struggle to create with it! So looking at the selection for the second test, it is damage limitation rather than a side looking to play a little too.

Helmets on and into the bunker !

It is slightly depressing I have to admit, but then all I need to do is turn on the TV and watch the European Championship, which we are not in, or look forward to Wimbledon, where we don’t stand a hope in hell of having a contender!

Drink heavily !!!!