RWC 2015 QF 4 Australia v Scotland

WC 2015 M34 Samoa v Scotland

RWC 2015 M25 South Africa v Scotland

RWC 2015 M18 Scotland v USA

RBS Six Nations 2013 - Round 3

Six Nations 2013 - Round 2: SCO v ITA | FRA v WAL | IRE v ENG

2013 Six Nations - England v Scotland

2012 - That’s a Wrap.

This is little catch up, more than a retrospective. Real life caught up with both Ferdy and me post-RWC2011. Posts became less frequent, and I even missed a few games late in the year for the stat graphics.

Below are the game sheets for the final Bledisloe Test against Australia, and the November Tests against Scotland, Italy, Wales and England.

My own views about a couple of the games are here, but hey, let’s look back happily on a pretty solid year as World Champions ... probably the best year by a RWC-winning team following their win.

We are still the best side in the world, and have a more than solid foundation to build on as we head into next year’s exciting 3 Test series in NZ against France, then the Rugby Championship. We should also look forward to an awesome series across the ditch as Dingo Deans’ Wallabies take on Warren Gatland’s Lions team.

For now though, if you wish to trawl the numbers from any of this years All Black Tests, search through our blog ... or if you want the whole lot on one hit (you stat slut, you), then here is a PDF that compiles them all.

As we have said before, we are happy for all these to be shared and circulated amongst fans, though Ferdy and I would appreciate either a credit for our site or a link to where they originated.

Thanks for stopping by everyone. Its really cool to see on our blog analytics that rugby fans are coming here from all over the world. We’ll try to keep up the good work in 2013 when game stats for the Six Nations and NZ Super Teams will reappear.

Meri Kirihimete, and a Happy 2013!

 

2012 Six Nations - Italy v Scotland

2012 Six Nations - Ireland v Scotland

2012 Six Nations - Scotland v France

Six Nations: Wales v Scotland

My time-management policies meant this was the game of the round I watched, and it was a good match. If you look at these stata (for all the good that does) the game actually looks a lot closer than the scoreline indicates. Those moments of self-destruction that produced two yellow cards for the Scots maybe cost them the game? They certainly showed a lot more creativity and determination than when I saw them play here in Wellington against Argentina during the World Cup. That game was a treatise in how to mess things up.

Still think Wales are looking pretty solid in defense – for all Sotland’s endeavour, they did find it hard to get over the advantage line, and gain ground. But with Measts likeHamilton, Strokosch, Gray and Denton, they don’t lack the will.

Can’t be easy watching for you Scottish fans, eh? But there is real improvement there I thought ... maybe I have been too hard on Andy ‘Growler’ Robinson, maybe its slowly coming together. There’s no way he’ll go easy on them that is for sure.

Certainly, rebuilding and gaining experience is a watch word across most of the Six Nations’ squads, and Scotland are no different.

Wales still look the most composed and comfortable team though. Hard to see them not winning the title.

2012 Six Nations - Scotland v England

2012 Six Nations - France v Italy

Welcome back ... its Statto Time!

The Six Nations for 2012 is underway “Up North, Up North”, so while Ferdy is soaking it up in the pubs, I’ll wheel out some more graphical stat summaries for the tourney after reading the papers hours later

Things have been tweaked a little. I have changed sources for the 6N to use espnscrum.com and the Official RBS Six Nations site ... so blame them for interpretations, not me.

First blood to France. Which is nice ... I mean it must be nice to win something for a change.

Pool B: England v Scotland

Pool B: Argentina v Scotland

Slugso says:

I only bought tickets to this game a few days earlier, and roped some mates in. We went along knowing that the Scots and Pumas are probably pretty evenly matched, but given they both needed maximum points from this game to secure progression to the knockout stages, we were expecting the game to by a little looser, or more expansive.

We were happily proven wrong when a game of Test Match rugby invaded the pitch.

The Cake Tin was nowhere near full last night, but the screaming Tartan Army and the insanely vocal (and pogoing) Argentinian fans crammed together and created an atmosphere equal to 40,000 punters. I think it also raised the temperature in there a degrees or two which was much appreciated.

Scotland? Well, I just don’t get them. This must be so frustrating for their fans. I know they have very small player numbers and few clubs domestically to select from, but they have some class players, and some enormous athletes ... yet it just looks so rudderless and pedestrian. Their big, rugged and mobile pack can get good ball for the backs, but then it just seems to go wrong? Is there really another Home Nation that could benefit more from a new Head Coach or at least a  decent backs coach? Andy Robinson was not the answer; they need to look further South.

Argentina can and did rumble it up as well. Look at the numbers in the graphic and you can see this game was battled out in the middle portion of the park. The Pumas really only went wide at the end when they had to ... and that finish on Amorosino’s try was a beauty! He escaped two tackles and weaved away from three other Scottish defenders, with no room outside him to score a five pointer that sent the Pumas fans into raptures.

Clearly the wet and cold conditions meant the game was going to be tight, but I felt it never really got going, not until the end anyway - it was like they were constantly feeling each other out at about 90% intensity, and neither could break the other’s defensive line. Cat and mouse maybe?

There almost seemed to be a capitulation by Scotland that they were not going to cross Argentina’s line ... especially when Parks opted for (and missed) a drop goal attempt late in the game when he seemed to have numbers out to his left.

Pretty sure that the result means Argentina will follow England though to the knockout stages, and end up in the quarter final against us. The only possible way for Scotland to go through is for them to get a 5 point haul against England, while preventing England from getting a losing bonus point. Impossible? Strange things do happen in World Cups, but on last night’s performance, I can’t see the Scottish backs producing the performance needed to pull off that upset ... it will have to be a legendary forwards rally. And who knows ... Richie Gray vs Courtenay Lawes? yes, please!

Pool B: Scotland v Georgia

Wet. Turgid. Three pointers all the way. Not the most exciting game so far, but ... Scotland are two from two and can now target the Argentines. Not sure if that is wise, but hey. Braveheart and all that. My highlight, just seeing a wild beast the likes of Richie Gray running about in a Southland paddock. Glorious. I hope he puts a dent in Courtenay Lawes if they can meet up.

Remember, these pretty graphics are only the tip of the statto iceberg out there. If you want to go deep, and get the really, really strong, pure, uncut stats ... then go to ruckingoodstats.com and dowload his in depth reports that are generated live throughout each game by a computer named BORIS.

Pool B: Scotland v Romania

Big nod to Ruckingoodstats.com for his live data collection and analysis.

2011: It’s all kickin’ off!

Yep, we are underway ... and not due to all these petty Super warm ups. I'm talking about the Six Nations kicking off last weekend. Test rugby again: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France & Italy have taken their first baby side steps for this calendar year, and giving us our first glimpse of where they just may be in terms of readiness for a RWC down under.

Friday Night Footy came to Cardiff (have I ever mentioned how much I hate Cardiff?). England showed glimpses of intent during their all too easy win over Wales by 26-19, and to be fair they deserve a teaspoon of credit for fronting up in the Millennium Stadium and getting the win. However, Wales were simply rudderless. Mike Phillips had a howler, and Stephen Jones looked to have his thinking scattered by a tackle in the opening seconds. The pack and backs never got going, and all Gatland's bluster in the weeks before just looks embarrassing now. If England could actually pass the ball with real confidence they would have won by more, but their ball skills are still way behind any of the Southern teams.

Ireland’s blushes in Rome were saved in the dying minutes by a Ronan O’Gara drop goal to win 13-11. Italy were 1 point up with minutes to go thanks to a steadily built try (by Aussie Luke McLean). The conversion was missed and soon after the wee pale pins of the recently subbed on O’Gara sunk the 3 pointer. What’s Italian for “Shite!”? Ireland were lucky ... they looked every bit a clueless & pedestrian as a two point win over the Azzurri would suggest. [Sorry, Italy ... but a wooden spoon is always handy for stirring pasta.]

Last up, France v Scotland. What would happen? Gallic flair? Hebridean pride? Or a messy, flaky mix of deep fried offal? Well, Les Bleus pulled out a class act on attack, scoring four tries (three run in, one a penalty try) to Scotland’s three, winning 34-21, and in the process purging some traumatic memories of getting mowed by the Wallabies late last year. Coach Leivremont had rejigged his backline substantially (longstanding centre Jauzion was out, and Damien Traille returned to his RWC 07 spot at fullback), and the counter attacking produced by the work of Mermoz, Medard, Traille, and new Test centre Rougerie looked like the Frenchies we love (and hate). Defence? Well, lets just reiterate that they ended up with more points than Scotland at the final whistle. I think had the Scots gone up the guts a bit more, like the play which got Sean Lamont his try, they may have turned things around. The French were too good, too quick this day, but I think that massive Scottish pack may yet prove one to watch, especially on the break.

After one round? Who knows? I can’t see a Grand Slam in the offing, or even a Triple Crown ... no one team looked complete yet, though England might be happiest. Next round they play Italy though, and this fixture has been their stumbling block to gaining real momentum in previous years.

I can't help but feel the SANZAR nations (especially us and Aussie) have an advantage this World Cup in terms of our playing calendar this time around. The Tri Nations teams get a time of year, kick-off times and even venues that are all far more familiar, while the 6N teams that have burst out of the blocks in January are surely going to have to scrape their teams back off the Premiership Beer Barons and Top 14 Telco Moguls, and organise some warm up games come August.

Naturally that means we can potentially lose someone to injury in the heat of the 3N this year, but with the spectre of rotation (hopefully) being long buried, its worth the risk to have your team truly battle hardened come September 9th this year.

Oh, and how shit is it that Sky NZ see fit to put the effing Six Nations on ESPN? The only reason I kept the bloody Rugby Channel was because last year it showed the Six Nations. ESPN? Don’t make me laugh. They cropped the picture tighter than Sonny Bill’s fringe.

Anyway, in conclusion, this past weekend I saw nothing that should worry 2011’s All Blacks.

Except Wayne Barnes with a whistle (shudder).

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Rugby World Cup: New Zealand V Scotland

Scotland 0 - All Blacks 40

If this was five years ago, an All Black scoreline of 40 to O against the Scots would be a cherished moment. However, we’ve come to expect an awful lot of Henry’s All Blacks in the last few years and instead of jubilation there is a general feeling of disquiet that the New Zealanders have still not bought their A-game to this tournament.

The largest problem was the amount of turnover ball and unforced errors committed by the New Zealanders. The All Blacks play a high risk game but their handling constantly let them down, (with a few perpetrators in particular more guilty than others). Oh yes, their scrum was strong and their lineout not too bad, but they struggled for large amounts of the game to capitalise into points their forward superiority. Worrying.

Also disturbing was the lack of attack. The All Blacks were content to take the ball up inwardly, often excluding a backline that stood extremely flat. We didn’t get an opportunity to see the centre combination of Smith and McAlister work because the ball hardly ever went wide. When it did, rest assured there was a handling error to bring along a break in play.

This shouldn’t take away from a Scottish defence that was committed and got right into New Zealand faces a la Springbok style. The Scots played often to the edge of the law and managed to disrupt a kiwi team that seemed under-energised – content to force things in all the wrong places.

There is some anger at Frank Hadden too and his omission of star players to face the All Blacks. Not only did it temper down the spectacle on home turf at Murrayfield for the Scottish faithful(and kiwi fans); but it sent a message out to his own team that they are not good enough to win against the All Blacks. This isn’t a message that a top tier international rugby team should make in public. Fake it if you must, but don’t back down from a challenge. No matter how much you feel like moaning you haven’t got enough turnaround time between games.

For ruggerblogger player ratings - please go here. For match report: scrumbag