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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Rugby World Cup Warm Up Matches 24 views
15 August 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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What can we read into Rugby World Cup warm up matches?
What can we read into International Rugby matches?
The Rugby World Cup is three weeks away and most teams are playing matches in preparation for the tournament. Can we read anything into the results? There is obviously plenty of experimentation taking place, but while results are important, it is the manner in which teams are playing that is just as important.
The Tri Nations is still taking place and it was crazy to see the Wallabies forward pack paving the way for a victory over the Springboks at the weekend. The experienced but underdone Springboks seem a shadow of their former selves. Mind you, is there any point peaking now? Some of these elder statesmen of South African rugby will be relying on Rugby World Cup pool matches to get their form back.
Some of these Internationals have been interesting given that Wales defeated England, Canada beat USA, France beat Ireland and Italy beat Japan at the weekend. There is a fine line for managers with some stars including Matthew Rees and Gavin Henson from Wales and John Smit from South Africa among others receiving injuries which could put their Rugby World Cup campaigns in doubt.
What is the best way of managing players?
No one seems to know the best way for the top teams to rotate their squads leading into the Rugby World Cup business matches. It looks like the Springboks decided to train their top players while they played their away Tri Nations matches and will now try to gel their experienced players with one more Tri Nations match and during the pool matches at the Rugby World Cup.
The Wallabies seem to be playing most of their best players. It was this philosophy that lead the Reds to victory in Super Rugby where they played their best players in every match. It builds combinations and understanding, but can lead to good players getting injured or overworked. Their slippery young backs and improving forward pack make them the biggest threat to the All Blacks in my opinion.
Should England and Ireland fans be concerned following their defeats at the weekend? I thought that England would be the big Northern Hemisphere threat, but am hardly scared following their defeat to Wales. Ireland seem to be having a rough time of it too.
The All Blacks are resting their more established players for the South African leg of their Tri Nations, but they have been playing up until now.
It is a real balancing act heading into the Rugby World Cup. With at least two easy matches for the top teams there is a fine line between protecting their top players and giving their players a chance to build combinations and form. How much do you do before the Rugby World Cup and how much you do during the actual tournament seems to be up for debate!
http://rugbyworldcuptips.com/
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