Click:laser cnc cutting machine One of the differences Warren Gatland has made in his 12 years in charge of Wales is the way he has controlled emotions in a country where volatility used to breed inconsistency. There was a period when they were never more vulnerable than when they had beaten England, their oldest rivals,…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
England 15-16 New Zealand: how the players rated at Twickenham
England Elliot Daly 6 The Springboks gave him an uncomfortable afternoon under the high ball but much improved display in defence and attack. Chris Ashton 7 Stunned New Zealand with a try in the first two minutes and was always a threat. Good defensive display on his comeback. Henry Slade 6 Had few chances to…
Steve Hansen declares Ireland Test decider for world’s best team
The All Blacks head coach, Steve Hansen, has wasted little time moving on from England after declaring the Test in Dublin on Saturday will decide the mantle of the world’s best team. England denied by All Blacks and late decision in Twickenham thriller Fresh from his side’s one-point escape at Twickenham, Hansen had only just…
Wales win over Australia would not be monkey off back, says Warren Gatland
Relieved to have started an autumn campaign with a win at last, Warren Gatland dismissed the notion that next Saturday’s assignment against Australia represents an opportunity to shake off another hex. The last time Wales beat Australia was 10 years and 13 matches ago. Eight of those defeats came here in the autumn. George North…
Kurtley Beale ready to move on after creating ‘bad image’ for rugby with videos
An apologetic Kurtley Beale says his focus is now solely on the rugby after admitting videos featuring him had created a “bad image” for the game. The Wallabies and Waratahs playmaker was forced into damage control last month after two videos were released of him in the presence of white powder. Crucial World Cup year…
Rugby union’s World League plans criticised as ‘under-cooked’
Imagine a tent on an exposed clifftop being buffeted by gale force winds. Those inside are already grimly clinging on, only for so-called friends to sneak round and remove all the pegs. Welcome to the world of professional rugby union, where just about every aspect of the game’s future is up in the air. From…
Ireland need Welsh favours if Six Nations defence is to stay on track
Ireland now know they need to lean on others if they are to defend their Six Nations title. They finish their campaign in Cardiff and will require England to stumble in the Welsh capital a week on Saturday. The champions recovered from their chastening defeat by England by going back to basics to end Scotland’s…
Wales use Italy Six Nations trip to test strength in depth for World Cup
Each country had an extended break in the Five Nations, the odd number of teams in the tournament meaning someone sat out a round, which were then every two weeks. It is almost like that now with six as sides tend to use the fixture against Italy as an opportunity to rest players. For all…
Eddie Jones: ‘In the second half we finally got stuck in – that’s pleasing’
Eddie Jones has come out strongly in support of the RFU’s departing chief executive, placing his weight squarely behind Steve Brown, whose departure is thought to have been the result of political infighting. “He’s a really good guy,” said England’s head coach. “He has good skills and a nice manner and was very supportive of…
Why the Jones and Gatland rivalry will fuel passion for Cardiff showdown
Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland are going to have some fun next week. So far we’ve heard them both desperately vying to be the underdog – it’s the only time coaches ever compliment each other – but when we get into Test week we’ll see a few grenades launched from each side of the border….