WC 2015 M38 Italy v Romania

RWC 2015 M28 Ireland v Italy

RWC 2015 M14 Italy v Canada

RBS Six Nations 2013 - Round 3

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

2013 Six Nations - Italy v France

Apologies any Azzurri fans who stopped by to see this earlier in the week. I was late with this one because I could not find the same statistic sources I used for the other two matches from the same round. I have cobbled together a slight alternative format though, which I should be able to use if this happens again.

So here it is. Italy’s historic win over France - that’s now two in a row at home in the Six Nations. Some would call that a hoodoo! And as for that big fella Castro ... what a player. Love when a front rower becomes a star. And let’s also hope Luciano Orquera’s star continues to shine because no matter how good the forwards, or the outside backs, every ship needs a skilled helmsman.

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 - Wales v Italy

2012 Six Nations - Ireland v Italy

Six Nations: Italy v England

Pool C: Ireland v Italy

Pool C: Italy v USA

Pool C: Italy v Russia

We are halfway - that was game 20 of 40 for the pool phase, and it was another great example of the favoured team not having it all its own way. The Russians got killed on territory and penalties when you look at the numbers, they really did spend a bit of time in their own half and 22, but when they did have the ball and go wide, they looked great. And they can handle the ball well too.

The Italians will be pleased with 9 tries no doubt, but they have two major games left against the USA and Ireland for which they will need to improve. Is there still a chance for them to qualify for the next round? As long as air puffs in to Castrogiavani’s lungs ... you bet ya!

A sold out house at Nelson tonight? It looked full, and that is wicked. The Cup is alive and well out there in those towns where coffee comes in one flavour - expresso.

I’m kidding. Hell, Nelson brought us rugby apparently, and when 1,000 schoolboys do a haka on the main street, you know this place is behind the World Cup. O for Orsome, Nelson.

I hope the Russians get more games and a leg up from The IRB - Russia, how cool is it that they were here in NZ playing rugby? The Bears: tonight they got their first ever World Cup point, and their first tries - all 3 of  ‘em. Love it.

Remember, we here at ruggerblogger just put pictures and cheeky words with hard numbers calculated for us by ruckingoodstats.com - so check the full range of his downloadable charts and stat breakdowns on every game, yours free. It really is amazing.

Pool C: Australia v Italy

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).

Tweet

Tonga V US Eagles

Tonga 25 USA 15
When Tonga plays we can all expect a bit of crunch. And The Eagles didn’t disappoint either. It was a competitive match and even though Tonga started strongly, the Eagles matched them for possession and territory as the game wore in. The Tongans didn’t help themselves by some wayward kicking but managed to stay ahead of the spirited US who did well to pick themselves up so soon after their game against England in the weekend.

Fiji 35 Japan 31
I wish I could have managed to stay up for this one. It sounded like a stunner. Both teams can play that attractive running style of rugby and it would have been a nail biter for the Cherry Blossom and Fijian supporters. Poor old JK.

Italy 24 Romania 18
This was another unexpectedly close match, with the Romanians taking the Azzurri to the wire. Good on those Romanians god damn it. What has happened to Italy though? They showed so much promise in the Six Nations (ok, they didn’t win the wooden spoon for a change but that’s promising, surely?) I only saw the last twenty of this match and definitely the worst feature of this was some geriatric British commentator who moaned continually about the standard of the match and how boring it was. A lot like the sound of his voice, I thought.