Focus on: Japan
Jul23

Focus on: Japan

Whilst the Home Nations were off touring the Southern Hemisphere giants, the so called “Tier 2” Pacific Nations Cup was under way and serving up some fantastically competitive Rugby. Japan took the Asia Pacific title beating Canada and the USA away in two captivating games to take the B pool of the competition.  Under Eddie Jones, Japan have made some interesting strides. For all who don’t know Jones is the...

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Keep it Simple Stupid – Focus on New Zealand vs England 2nd Test
Jun15

Keep it Simple Stupid – Focus on New Zealand vs England 2nd Test

Game two and the series to New Zealand. But did we expect anything less? While it was a very good game to watch, and England were competitive throughout, it was New Zealand’s ability, post half time break, to raise and maintain the intensity for a 20 minute period that was the major difference. Within those 20 minutes they gave one of the most clinical displays of attacking Rugby you are likely to see, but what struck...

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New Zealand vs England – 1st Test Analysis
Jun11

New Zealand vs England – 1st Test Analysis

One test down and three games to go and it’s close but no cigar for England, and business as usual with New Zealand working a very well taken try in the closing minutes of the game to take the spoils. As first tests go, it was exactly what we’ve come to expect, an error strewn affair. With a New Zealand team finding their feet and England playing a predominantly set piece oriented game trying to create try scoring...

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Focus on: Englands Summer Tour Part 3
Jun04

Focus on: Englands Summer Tour Part 3

With days until till the first test we take our final look at the two teams, focusing on New Zealand’s attack pattern, how England can defend it and how Lancaster’s men must approach the game. Most teams in the modern game play a similar attack pattern, generally a flow pattern with punch groups (Pods) moving forward and getting over the gain line. They will flow from one side of the pitch to the other looking to get...

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Focus on: Englands Summer Tour Part 2
May29

Focus on: Englands Summer Tour Part 2

It’s just under two weeks till the first test in Englands tour to New Zealand, and with the Heineken Cup done and dusted, and the Premiership finalists now known, we have a rough idea of how the first test team will line up, and well, it’s reasonably strong. Yes, England will be missing a couple of key players, Owen Farrell and Tom Woods for example, but in most positions they’ll be bringing in international...

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Focus on: Englands Summer Tour
Apr13

Focus on: Englands Summer Tour

In July England head to the dark wet depths of New Zealand for a four game, three test, summer tour. Players running out in the Aviva final the week before means the first test will see a very different England team to the one that finished the Six Nations in quite some pomp. Never the less. England will head south with a large, confident and talented squad, but whilst they will talk of a belief that they can beat the worlds number...

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