What a day for rugby Super Saturday was. This year’s Six Nations really was a stew of many
ingredients (an Irish stew, rather than a Lancaster hotpot, if you will!) We
had moments of brilliance from all Nations, chunks of juicy hope proving it is
rightfully the greatest, annual rugby tournament in the world. We also each had
our uncooked veg to chew through; Ireland losing to Wales, Wales to the
English, Italy falling apart in forty minutes, the French seeming exasperated
with Saint-Andre, and how often does a team score seven tries in triumph and
leave the field deflated? Not to mention the Scottish have the correct utensil
for serving our `stew` despite playing the rugby we’ve been crying out for!
But let us move onto the pressing business of awarding the
titles of Winners and Sinners. Many players showed themselves to be among the
greats of the day: Joseph and his technicolour dream-runs, Parisse carrying a
nation to a new level - again, Spedding whose name seems like a misspelt
adjective for the man, Wyn Jones was ferocious and Johny Gray steadfast.
Our Winner has got to be Paul O’Connell. Despite concerns
Ireland would be missing leadership without Mr O’Driscoll, O’Connell grabbed
his team with both arms and drove them through. His stats say he is a fairly
“average” sized lock. Frankly, as long as the man’s persona makes him a Ginger
Mountain carrying a nation on his shoulders to consecutive Championship wins -
he will be our Winner!
Now for the dirty, the let downs and the scoundrels.
Castrogiovanni, if you are going to be an experienced and powerful scrummager
and a huge asset to your nation, try to avoid requiring 14 stitches when
playing with dogs. Muppet. Haskell, we realise things happen in the heat of the
moment and that you truly would give everything for England. Top tip though, in
rugby we tackle shoulder first not feet first! Sexton, if you’re going to be
Head Chef you must try setting an alarm. You seemed to sleep through your
performance against Wales, leaving your Grand Slam to burn. Plisson, please
son, practice your kicking!
Our ultimate excommunication order, on behalf of both
England and Scotland, goes to Stuart Hogg. You are a talented player Stuart!
You were defiant against England and sure footed under the highball. You did,
however, drop the ball (sorry…) on this one. Your try (c)would have won the
title for England (try not to feel too bad, Scotland!) but more importantly, we
want to see Scotland scoring tries!
There we have it. Did we get it right? Have your say in the comments below. This Six Nations has been remarkable - our
rollercoaster ride of many different games (and often halves) made for
a wonderful spectacle. Roll on the Autumn we say!
WHAT A YEAR FOR
RUGBY!........ So far so good!!
