Before we bash it too much – let’s all be brutally honest. While it may have struggled to fire our imaginations for the most part, in a year where we were starved of Test Rugby, the cobbled together Autumn Nations Cup did give us some worthwhile reasons to gather around our televisions, provide some heatedContinue reading “As we look towards a Six Nations that may or may not happen – we reflect on last year’s much maligned Autumn Nations Cup and what it told us about the state of Northern Hemisphere rugby”
Author Archives: Neil Olsen
So what did the recently concluded Rugby Championship (aka Tri Nations this year) tell us about its competitors after one of the strangest years in terms of Test Rugby?
Let’s be honest in general 2020 is a year that most of us can’t wait to assign to the scrap heap of history. Our beloved sport was put on hold for several months and when it did return it was forced to play out in empty stadiums in the Northern Hemisphere. On that note ourContinue reading “So what did the recently concluded Rugby Championship (aka Tri Nations this year) tell us about its competitors after one of the strangest years in terms of Test Rugby?”
Is it a final in name only or could the last Test of the year have a surprising twist in its tail?
It would appear on paper that the supposed showpiece event of the Autumn Nations Cup is for all intents and purposes a bit of a non event. England roll out all their big guns while France are left to assemble a rag tag team of scraps from what the domestic clubs feel they can liveContinue reading “Is it a final in name only or could the last Test of the year have a surprising twist in its tail?”
Is this finally the weekend to get excited about the Autumn Nations Cup?
“A made up tournament, in a desperate attempt to inject some financial lifeblood into the Northern Hemisphere’s cash starved Unions” – we sincerely hope that this weekend will enable us to write a different epitaph on the Autumn Nations Cup Tombstone. The tournament just hasn’t fired plain and simple. One of the biggest entertainment cardsContinue reading “Is this finally the weekend to get excited about the Autumn Nations Cup?”
Amidst controversy and pain the Tri-Nations comes to an unfortunate end with both Argentina and Australia needing to make a statement both on and off the pitch!
Argentina’s spectacular entry into the tournament this year, with that famous victory over the All Blacks has sadly been overshadowed by the yawning pitfalls of social media traps as well as having that said high point being put into context by a 38-0 thrashing at the hands of New Zealand two weeks later. This isContinue reading “Amidst controversy and pain the Tri-Nations comes to an unfortunate end with both Argentina and Australia needing to make a statement both on and off the pitch!”
It’s unlikely to be champagne rugby this weekend in the Autumn Nations Cup!
We rather regard this round of fixtures, before next Saturday’s finals as the contractual obligation weekend. We doubt it’s going to be particularly enthralling as a competition, especially with all three results being essentially foregone conclusions. England’s bruising pack and confident seasoned veterans are likely to put a squad of Welsh new kids on theContinue reading “It’s unlikely to be champagne rugby this weekend in the Autumn Nations Cup!”
Argentina attempt what some say is the impossible – back to back wins over New Zealand
In a weekend, which serves up some rather dour Northern Hemisphere contests in the Autumn Nations Cup, there is no doubt whatsoever that the second Tri-Nations clash between New Zealand and Argentina is THE BIG TICKET item this Saturday. Can Argentina pull off the unthinkable and defeat the All Blacks twice in a row? CanContinue reading “Argentina attempt what some say is the impossible – back to back wins over New Zealand”
Scotland and France return to Murrayfield in what should be a fast and furious affair
France get their first taste of Autumn Nations Cup action, after their opening fixture with Fiji was cancelled due to COVID-19 running amok amongst the Island visitors. Scotland meanwhile dispatched Italy with relative ease last weekend, but even though both sides are lacking their first choice fly halves, Scotland know they will need to stepContinue reading “Scotland and France return to Murrayfield in what should be a fast and furious affair”
Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup sees England and Ireland renew their acquaintance and Wales desperately hope that Georgia may give them something to cheer about!
The Autumn Nations Cup is now fully underway, but even though it was meant to skirt around the complications caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is affected nonetheless. Fiji’s participation in the tournament looks increasingly unlikely as the virus ravages through the Islanders’ squad, with their first two matches against France and Italy beingContinue reading “Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup sees England and Ireland renew their acquaintance and Wales desperately hope that Georgia may give them something to cheer about!”
Argentina make the Tri Nations suddenly much more interesting while Australia hope it won’t be at their expense!
What a phenomenal performance that was last weekend as Argentina made history by getting their first ever win over the All Blacks. It was a powerhouse effort, and the Pumas weren’t just good – they were magnificent! They brought their world renown physicality to the match, but with it focus, discipline, execution and in theContinue reading “Argentina make the Tri Nations suddenly much more interesting while Australia hope it won’t be at their expense!”
The Lineout 