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Six Nations Summary

Posted in Rugby with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 17, 2024 by telescoper

I didn’t see many of the games in this year’s Six Nations Rugby because I was abroad for most of it, but yesterday I saw the last round of matches. The last one, between France and England in Lyon, was probably the best game I’ve seen in this year’s tournament. After a fascinating ebb and flow, England thought they had snatched it with a converted try to make it 31-30 with just a couple of minutes to go, but then immediately conceded a penalty on the halfway line. Up stepped Thomas Ramos, who had scored from a similar distance earlier in the game, stepped up and scored. France won 33-31 in a game that could have gone either way. It was effectively a playoff for 2nd place.

Earlier in the day, Ireland held off a spirited challenge from Scotland in a tense and scrappy match to win 17-13 which guaranteed they would be Six Nations Champions. for the sixth time. I don’t think the team reached the heights of last year’s Grand Slam but it was a deserved victory. It was all a bit more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, though Scotland did score a try late on when Ireland lost concentration which made for a nervy few minutes. A defeat would have meant metaphorical rain on the St Patrick’s Day parades going on today, but in the end there was no rain, either metaphorical or literal.

Given the result in Lyon, Ireland would have been Champions by virtue of their bonus points, even if they had lost to Scotland. England (who beat Ireland last week in a game I didn’t see) had to win with a bonus point to catch them; they managed the bonus point for four tries, but lost the match. Some pundits have commented on whether it was fair for a team to have won having lost more games than the second place team. Of course all the teams know the rules before the competition starts, so there’s no point complaining after the fact. Ireland played attacking rugby knowing that the try count might be important. However, I do think there is a point. In the old Five Nations, and indeed in the World Cup Pools, each team played four games. A bonus point from each of those matches would add 4 to a team’s total, the same as a win. In the Six Nations each team places five matches, so the bonus points could add up to more than a win. A way to remedy this might be to award more points for a win: six for a win and three for a draw is my suggestion.

The first game of the last round yesterday was between Wales and Italy, a game which Italy won to finish 5th. They were unlucky not to beat France earlier in the competition and have played some excellent rugby this year. If they can deal with a marked tendency to fade in the last twenty minutes – as they did yesterday, but managed to hold on – then they will be genuine contenders. Wales had a terrible competition, losing all their games and finishing last. I am reliably informed that “wooden spoon” in Welsh is “llwy bren”. But nil desperandum: the last time Wales got the wooden spoon was in 2003; two years later they did the Grand Slam!

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R.I.P. Barry John (1945-2024)

Posted in R.I.P., Rugby with tags , , , on February 6, 2024 by telescoper

I just read the terrible news of the death at the age of 79 of yet another icon of Welsh Rugby Union, the legendary standoff Barry John.

Five years ago I posted an item about Barry John inspired by this clip

The opening part of this clip had caught my attention because it was filmed near the bus stop just outside The Halfway, a pub on Cathedral Road just a few yards from the house in Cardiff in which I lived for many years; in the background you can see Llandaff Fields.

I had often wondered what became of Barry John. He was 74 when I wrote about him and no longer the slim young prodigy who was undoubtedly the best rugby player I ever saw. Since he played in a great era for Welsh rugby that included Gareth Edwards, J.P.R. Williams, Gerald Davies et al, that really says something. As the Guardian obituary aptly puts it, he “played Rugby from another world”.

As a sort of rugby equivalent of George Best, Barry John was incredibly famous during his career. Budding rugby players – even those not born in Wales – all wanted to play like Barry John. But suddenly, at the age of just 27, after playing just 25 internationals, he turned his back on all the publicity and adulation and retired from rugby. He found the pressure of being such a star in the amateur era too difficult to cope with.

So was Barry John really that good? Absolutely yes, he was. Slight of build but with superb balance, he had an extraordinary, almost magical, ability to find his way through a crowd of potential tacklers as if they weren’t there at all. In the memorable words of that great commentator Bill McLaren “he flits like a little phantom”. But you don’t need to take my word for it. Just look at him – and some other giants of the time – in these highlights of the classic Scotland-Wales tie in the Five Nations of 1971. Watch about 30 seconds in, where he wrong-foots half the Scottish three-quarter line before ghosting through three more and releasing the ball to his forwards. Will there ever be another Barry John? I doubt it..

I’m sure there are many of us who remember the excitement of watching Barry John play and feel enriched by what he gave us.

Rest in Peace, Barry John (1945-2024).

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Six Nations Weekend

Posted in Rugby with tags , , , on February 3, 2024 by telescoper

I found out yesterday that some of my colleagues at Maynooth were planning to go to a pub to watch the first match of the new Six Nations competition last night. They were optimistic, but I thought it was going to be a very tough match for Ireland in Marseille. Despite the absence of Dupont and Ntamack I thought home advantage would prove decisive. I am very happy that I was proved wrong. It was a comprehensive victory for Ireland, 38-17. I bet the Maynooth contingent enjoyed the game! I never imagined a bonus point win for Ireland nor did I think I’d ever see a French side so unimaginative in attack and so porous in defence.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that last weekend I was confident that Australia would beat the West Indies and India would beat England in their respective test matches. I was wrong on both counts. Clearly my predictive powers are limited!)

The remaining two games of the first round were played today. England beat Italy by 27-24 in a game of much lower quality. Italy were OK in the first half, but offered very little in the second until with the game virtually over they scored a fine try that gave them a losing bonus point. I think the scoreline flattered Italy a bit, though I don’t think England were particularly impressive.

The last game, Wales versus Scotland in Cardiff, turned out to be very exciting. Wales were dreadful in the first half, and trailed 20-0 at half time. When Scotland scored another try to make it 27-0 Wales looked a beaten side and I feared they would be walloped by 50 points or more. Then Wales scored a try, Scotland had Turner sent to the sin bin and Wales ran riot, scoring three more tries. With ten minutes left to play, Wales were within a point and with the wind in their sails, and Scotland imploding, looked the likelier team to win. They had a good chance too, but messed up a lineout in a good position and lost the ball. Scotland almost scored at the death but it finished 26-27, Wales netting two bonus points after a stirring revival that almost brought them victory.

It’s dangerous to draw too many conclusions from the first round of matches, but I can make one prediction with some confidence: neither France nor Wales nor Italy will do a Grand Slam in 2024.

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R.I.P. John Peter Rhys (“JPR”) Williams (1949-2024)

Posted in Biographical, Cardiff, R.I.P., Rugby with tags , , , , , , on January 9, 2024 by telescoper

A cold and miserable day in Cardiff yesterday got even sadder when news came out of the death of Welsh rugby legend John Peter Rhys Williams known universally as “JPR” after the winger John James Williams (another great player), joined the national team and became “JJ”. JPR was one of the superb players who dominated Welsh rugby in the 1970s; he stood out even in such exalted company. In my opinion JPR is was the greatest full-back ever.

JPR was instantly recognizable on the field: tall and craggy, with characteristic long hair, prominent sideburns, socks always rolled down around his ankles, he was an imposing figure whether patrolling the defensive lines or stepping up to join the attack. In the famous 1973 match in Cardiff between The Barbarians and New Zealand he was described by commentator Cliff Morgan as “a man who never shirks his responsibility”. Just watch the memorable opening try where you’ll see JPR in the thick of the action, twice shrugging off dangerous tackles around his neck, the second time receiving the ball from Phil Bennett to start the passing move from deep inside his own half.

Many people forget that the man himself scored a great try in that game too:

(Note the involvement of David Duckham in that move; he passed away just a year ago.)

As a full-back, JPR was often the last line of defence. Sometimes, tidying up after a kick from the opposition, he would clear his lines by kicking. More often, though, he would spot a weakness and go charging forward, ball in hand, not afraid to run straight at the opposition. He was quick to spot gaps in his own defence too, rushing to provide cover, often with last-ditch try-saving tackles.

As good as he was at turning defence into attack, he was even better when his side were already in control. Here are two tries he scored for Wales against England in 1976 that demonstrate his superb positional sense in attack as well as his sheer physical strength.

(Wales achieved a Grand Slam in 1976; England got the Wooden Spoon.)

JPR was a tough, aggressive and uncompromising man on the field – players certainly knew when he’d tackled them! – but a gentleman off it, and held in a very high regard throughout the rugby world and beyond. His loss is immeasurable. One by one the legends are leaving us. The world is poorer without them.

Rest in peace, J.P.R. Williams (1949-2024)

P.S. When living in Cardiff years ago I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with two Welsh rugby legends, Gerald Davies and Phil Bennett (the former at a function, the latter at a book-signing). Both were charmingly modest men. I never really met JPR properly but I remember vividly stepping out of my house in Pontcanna on a Six Nations match day and finding myself face-to-face with him in the street. He must have been around 60 then and was still the same imposing figure he was in the 1970s. I recognized him immediately. I wanted to say something and perhaps even shake his hand, but I was too star-struck.

P.P.S. JPR was a fully-qualified orthopaedic surgeon and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. This is a reminder that back in the 1970s, Rugby Union was still an amateur game.

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The Rugby World Cup Final

Posted in Rugby with tags , , on October 28, 2023 by telescoper

So, after a tense, scrappy, and error-strewn final, South Africa have retained the Rugby World Cup by beating New Zealand 12-11, all the Springboks’ points coming from penalties kicked by Handré Pollard – shades of the 1995 final, when Joel Stransky kicked all the points for South Africa.

The game hinged on the sending-off of the New Zealand captain Sam Cane in the first half – a decision about which the All Blacks can have no complaints. Despite playing for over 50 minutes with only 14 men, New Zealand had chances to win, specifically the missed conversion of the game’s only try, which would have made it 13-12.

But you can’t blame anyone else if you don’t take your chances, so congratulations to South Africa!

It’s been a strange World Cup, with some cracking games, a fair share of heartbreak (especially for Ireland and France), and an absurdly unbalanced draw. Let’s hope the arrangements for 2027 are thought out better!

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Cursa Bombers!

Posted in Barcelona, Sport with tags , , on October 22, 2023 by telescoper
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Cursa Bombers!

It’s all go outside my flat! This morning it’s the annual Cursa Bombers (Fireman’s Race), as I found out when I looked it up!

The event begins with teams of four firefighters in full gear running a relay race (4×2.5K) and is then followed by a standard 10K road race. I missed the first bit as I was still in bed.

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RWC: The Southern Hemisphere Strikes Back!

Posted in Barcelona, Rugby with tags , , on October 15, 2023 by telescoper

Sadly, Ireland’s Rugby World Cup dream came to an end last night with a narrow defeat (24-28) to the All Blacks. After being 13-0 down at one stage, Ireland clawed their way back into the match and at one stage trailed by only a point with New Zealand with a player in the sin bin. But the All Blacks defence held firm as wave after wave of Irish attacks broke on them. It just wasn’t to be. It was another titanic struggle between two excellent teams, which would have made a worthy final. Both teams looked exhausted at the end. For the record I have to say that, on the balance of play, I think the All Blacks deserved their win, just.

Unfortunately, the peculiarities of the draw meant that only two of the top four teams in the world rankings could make the semi-finals. Ireland won’t be one of them.

Earlier yesterday, in the other Quarter Final, there was an upset when Argentina beat Wales. That’s a great result for the Pumas, but Wales can justifiably argue that Argentina should have had a player sent off for a dangerous tackle. Inconsistencies in refereeing are a major issue in this tournament.

It’s interesting that the four teams who came top in their pools (Ireland, France, Wales and England) are all from the Northern Hemisphere. Now two of them are out. Today, France play South Africa and England play Fiji. It’s possible, though I would say not likely, not that all four semi-finalists will be from the Southern Hemisphere. I think if Fiji play their natural game they can give England a scare, and the game between France and South Africa is hard to call. I think the Springboks’ lack of a goal kicker may cost them dear.

At the start of the competition I thought that, with home advantage, France were clear favourites. I still think that’s the case, though I may have to revise that opinion after tonight’s match!

P.S. It’s raining today in Barcelona

UPDATE: England 30 Fiji 24. Fiji certainly made England work for that result! I can’t see England beating either France or South Africa in the semi-final though.

UPDATE: France 28 South Africa 29. Another pulsating match, with 6 tries in the first half, but South Africa just sneak it. Tight margins again, and especially one very dodgy penalty decision. Heartbreak for the hosts. I’m not often right but I was wrong again.

So the semi-finals will be New Zealand v Argentina and England v South Africa. The team that Ireland beat in their pool game goes through with New Zealand, the team that France beat in their pool.

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Barcelona Bound!

Posted in Barcelona, Biographical, Maynooth, Rugby with tags , , on September 24, 2023 by telescoper

At long last I’m ready to go. In fact I’m in the lounge at Dublin Airport Terminal 2 with plenty of time before my flight to Barcelona to sample the freebies in the Aer Lingus Business Class lounge. I spent most of the morning packing and sorting things last-minute things out. As always on such occasions I’m certain that I’ve forgotten something but I’m sure I’ll survive.

On the way through the airport I had a chat with a very friendly chap at the Fast Track security channel, about last night’s epic rugby match between South Africa and Ireland. I was fairly confident beforehand that South Africa would prove too strong for Ireland, and that’s the way it looked for the first 15 minutes, but that turned out not to be the case at the end. It’s true that the Springboks had chances to win, missing four kicks, but if you don’t take your chances at this level you can’t complain that you don’t win as a result.

The second half wasn’t pretty to watch but was in its own way very compelling. Ireland looked to have nicked it at 13-8 with a few minutes to go, but they conceded a penalty that led to a line-out close to their own try line. The resulting South African maul gathered ominously and threatened to roll forward, but stern Irish defence somehow held it up and, with the clock past 80 minutes the move faltered. With the Springboks having failed to “use it” it was inevitable that they would “lose it”. The resulting scrum was awarded to Ireland but there was no time to take it and the game was over.

It was a tense affair between two excellent teams and, although it was a low-scoring game, a marvellous piece of sporting theatre (if not for faint hearts). Watching that match was quite a way to spend my last night in Ireland for a while…

Back to the present, it’s a grey afternoon in Dublin with squally showers blowing in. With lectures starting in Maynooth tomorrow, the nights drawing in, and rainy weather on the way, I can’t say I’m sorry to be departing!

Update: my light was on time and I got safely to the hotel in which I’ll be staying until I get a longer-term arrangement sorted out. It’s a nice place and my room is spacious and comfortable. I took a couple of pictures on the flight, the first showing an interesting sunset over the clouds south of Ireland and the second a clear view down over Barcelona as we made our approach.

I was in Row 1 so got out quickly when we landed and the airport wasn’t busy so the only delay was waiting for my checked luggage to arrive. I usually travel only with cabin baggage, but I’m staying a bit too long for that this time!

P.S. Miraculously, I don’t think I have forgotten anything important!

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The Women’s World Cup

Posted in Football with tags , , , on August 20, 2023 by telescoper

I couldn’t resist a short post wrapping up the 2023 Women’s Soccer World Cup after today’s victory by Spain over England. I don’t think there can be any arguments about the final: England are a good side and played pretty well, but Spain had the edge tactically and in terms of skill levels. They had a penalty saved and a shot by the excellent Paralluelo hit the post near the end of the first half. In short, the better team won.

Although Spain lost heavily to Japan in the Group stage, I think they were worthy winners of the competition overall playing some superb football on the way. The other team that I thought played particularly great football to watch was France. I felt sad when they lost on penalties to Australia in the quarter-finals, as France-England semi-final would have been a great match. I particularly admire Wendie Renard, who at 33 may have played in her last World Cup.

Although I didn’t see that many games because of the timing, I thought it was a very good competition. A particular thing struck me, that in the past there really haven’t been that many teams who had a realistic chance of winning, so many of the games were very one-sided. This time it was quite different, and there were many upsets. I never thought Germany, Canada, Italy and Brazil would fail to progress beyond the Group stage. Nor did I think USA would be out before the quarter-finals, losing on penalties to Sweden in the round of 16. I think this is an indication of a generally increase in quality and a positive sign for the women’s game.

I think a word is due for Ireland, who qualified for the finals this year for the very first time. They didn’t get beyond the group stage but in no way did they disgrace themselves. It was always going to be difficult for them to progress from a tough group with Australia, Canada and Nigeria. In the end they lost narrowly to the first two and drew with the latter. They’ll be back.

But the day belongs to Spain’s women, as does the trophy. Felicidades a Ellas!

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All-Ireland Hurling Final Day!

Posted in GAA with tags , , on July 23, 2023 by telescoper

Today’s the day! It’s the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final at Croke Park, between Kilkenny and Limerick (reigning champions). The weather isn’t as bad as forecast, but it’s still a bit wet. I’m hoping for a cracking match. The atmosphere in Ireland on this very special day is very much like it used to be for the FA Cup Final when I was a kid. Maynooth is closer to Kilkenny than Limerick but I saw more green shirts than black-and-amber in town this morning. I hope it’s a cracking match between two fierce rivals. In fact it’s a repeat of last year’s final.

Anyway, we’ve just had the throw-in. Updates later!

Half Time: Kilkenny 1-09 Limerick 0-09

It’s not a disappointment so far, in front of a crowd of 82,300. In the words of commentator Marty Morrissey “It’s a right old battle”. Kilkenny, giving it everything in a frantic, bruising match, are deservedly leading by 3 courtesy of a goal by Eoin Cody in the 10th minute. But Limerick are a strong, physical side can they get back into the game? Can Kilkenny keep up the intensity?

Full Time: Kilkenny 2-15 Limerick 0-30

So, after a dominant second-half display, Limerick win it comfortably, by 9 points. Kilkenny just couldn’t keep up the pressure on in the middle third of the pitch, allowing Limerick to rack up a big score with points from long range. For Kilkenny it was like a boxer fighting an opponent with a much longer reach. The longer the game went on the stronger Limerick got, and the more Kilkenny’s brave challenge faded.

That’s four in a row for Limerick, deserved Champions yet again!

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