WC 2015 M36 England v Uruguay

RWC 2015 M26 England v Australia

RWC 2015 M16 England v Wales

RWC 2015 M1 England v Fiji

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!

 

South Africa v England - Second Test

Wallabies v Wales and Boks v England

2012 TESTS First Matches

Test Match Fever! Here we go ... a revised version of the graphic I did last week, now showing the (expected) walk on teams for all three of this weekend’s top tier Test matches: New Zealand v Ireland, Australia v Wales, and South Africa v England.

Each game has the starting XV lined up in their positions, and each player has their number of Test caps indicated so you can see just who is out of their depth (I’m looking at you Bradley Barritt!). Mind you, Sean ‘The Tullow Tank’ O’Brien is also up against Our Richie.

Check it out. Wallabies looking better than the team that lost to Scotland, but they better front, because this Welsh team is tight. Will teh Boks have enough class to take out a rebuilding and ever-confident England?

Predictions: I hate this bit, but ... NZ by 20 points, Wales by 7, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Boks by 15.

Jinx!

2012 Six Nations - England v Ireland

Six Nations: France v England

Allez Les Rosbifs! A win in Paris. Snuffing out France’s title hopes, away. You’ve got to be happy with that England fans?..

I’ll admit, I have yet to watch the game (these stat things take up watching time!), so I can't criticise or flatter either way ... but this must strengthen Stuart Lancaster’s credentials to retain the coaching role. He must have a chance now since he has actually got these guys to play for each other.

However, I guess I’d temper that enthusiasm by saying the RFU should search hard and interview their wish list well. Whether its Nick Mallett, Jake White, Wayne Smith or Stuart Lancaster, they must do due diligence and make the right, well-thought out decision.

And I say this as a burned All Black fan: remember when we ditched Wayne Smith in favour of John Mitchell and Robbie Deans? That was the sort of knee-jerk, botched botched decision that makes an Otago Rugby Union Finance Officer look competent

Come on Wales!!!

2012 Six Nations - England v Wales

Six Nations: Italy v England

2012 Six Nations - Scotland v England

Quarter Final 2: England v France

Wales and France go through - RWC 2011 quarter finals

Ireland 10 - Wales 22
Ooh la la! This was rugby at it's most exciting. Wales have announced themselves on the world stage with an impassioned win against Ireland.  I have to eat all my words for my first two quarter final predictions. I really thought Ireland were going to win this game, but their backs had no answer to a striking Welsh rush defence and an excellent forward effort. How wonderful for Wales, a true rugby nation that endeavours to play exciting ball in hand rugger.  They must be drunk in the valleys tonight. No wonder Warren Gatland couldn't wipe the smile off his face.  He has done wonders with this Welsh team. They always had the players, but now they have the confidence, the fitness levels and the belief as well. They could really go all the way. I almost could handle Wales winning this thing (almost, but not quite).

England 12-19 France
Meanwhile on the other side of the drawer England put up a spirited second half attack to try and claw their way back from a 16 - 0 deficit after France's flying start in the first half. Which French team turned up to play? The one that continually surprises on the world cup stage, and that's why we love France so much. Somebody said on twitter that when England loses, it is good for rugby. I don't want to be too mean to England because they've had a hard time of it in this tournament and I genuinely felt for Lewis Moody who gave a very gracious post match speech. However, if England had progressed to the final stages of this world cup, it would have been a travesty. They have not brought anything to the game in the last eight years and they did not deserve to be in the top four.  They are soaking in wealth and get to call the shots with timetables and their powerful money hungry clubs.  But they just haven't added anything to the international stage for quite some time. It's official, winning ugly is finally out of fashion. So justice has prevailed. It was still a cracking match though, nailbiting until the end.

As Slugso said - the north have zipped up the once gaping hole in skills between the south.  This world cup is turning into a true classic. Shades of 1987 are beginning to shine through the clouds.....

Quarter Finalist Preview: England

Ferdy says:

An All Black kit, dwarf throwing, extreme sports, royal indiscretions, ball tampering, intimidation of vulnerable girls in hotel rooms. Oh, and dour rugby. England sure do know how to make friends in New Zealand.

But putting aside all the off field shenanighans, England find themselves once again on the ‘easy’ side of the draw. They have shown their mettle to come from behind in two crucial matches in their pool games. This team plays ugly, they don't have the talent of half the other top tier teams in the competition, but they sure do know how to play tournament rugby.

If they get to the final, it would be a travesty. But stranger things have happened (just look at 2007).

Ferdy’s pick: semi finalists.

Slugso says:

England. Again? No, not for me. I’ll admit they showed some promise in the last 12 months, more than I expected. They seemed to move the ball more and looked to be enjoying it at the same time, won the 6 Nations and only lost out on a Grand Slam to Ireland.

But that’s enough! They look rudderless in this tournament, and the goalkicking stands out as bad in a tournament where it has hurt all teams. And if Johnson gives in to tweaking his inside backs for this game as rumoured, they may slip further into a rabble having struggled to cross the line against decent opposition.

No. They aren’t good enough. Only an imploding France can save them. ... hang on!?

Lose to France by 5.

Pool B: England v Scotland