As we do every year the Lineout reviews the performances of the top ten international teams over the course of the last twelve months and gives them a score on what we feel they got right and what they got wrong. As always as this is a Canadian based site added to the top tenContinue reading “The Lineout’s Annual Report Card for 2015”
Category Archives: General Commentary
A few thoughts on the structure of International Rugby after the lessons learnt from the World Cup
As we conclude our look at Rugby World Cup 2015, we take a look at the existing competitive structures in International Test Rugby and throw out some ideas as to how they could be improved. Lastly we’ll throw out an idea about an annual tournament that we feel is critical if the North/South divide in termsContinue reading “A few thoughts on the structure of International Rugby after the lessons learnt from the World Cup”
As the World Cup is locked away in New Zealand’s trophy case for another four years – what lies ahead for the countries of the Six Nations and Rugby Championship?
So as we all adjust to life after the World Cup, what have the ten countries at the top end of international rugby learnt as life returns to normal for them? As they head into next year’s Six Nations and Rugby Championship what lessons do they need to take from this tournament and what areContinue reading “As the World Cup is locked away in New Zealand’s trophy case for another four years – what lies ahead for the countries of the Six Nations and Rugby Championship?”
The Lineout’s Crystal Ball for 2015
So here it is to get 2015 underway, the Lineout’s look ahead to the big International rugby events of this year culminating with the World Cup. Six Nations We’re all expecting a big one this year! Although Ireland were tipped as favourites to defend their title and win for a second consecutive year, this year’sContinue reading “The Lineout’s Crystal Ball for 2015”
The Lineout’s End of Year Report Card
This week to summarise a great 2014, we give the top ten International Teams their annual report card using a marking system of 0-10, and as this is a Canadian site, we also have a look at how the Canuck men and women’s teams did over the year. So without any further ado we’ll startContinue reading “The Lineout’s End of Year Report Card”
The Lineout’s Team of the Year 2014
Everyone else has done it so the Lineout might as well have a crack – so here it is The Lineout’s team of the year 2014. Slight variation on the theme here – I may not necessarily be choosing the year’s best players but instead the players that stood out the most to me duringContinue reading “The Lineout’s Team of the Year 2014”
Wallabies have another hard lesson at the All Blacks Finishing School
Bledisloe Cup 3 Australia vs New Zealand Final Score – NZ 29/Aus 28 Brisbane One thing this match was not was a dead rubber match. Despite the media circus surrounding the Wallaby camp, Australia came into this game guns blazing. For three quarters of the game they outplayed a competitive but slightly under par AllContinue reading “Wallabies have another hard lesson at the All Blacks Finishing School”
Australia and New Zealand – unfinished business!
Bledisloe Cup 3 Australia vs New Zealand – Brisbane Saturday, October 18 You could be forgiven for thinking that this is potentially a dead rubber match. The Rugby Championship is well and truly dusted with New Zealand deserved champions. Australia has emerged from the whole process in tatters surrounded by various off field media circuses.Continue reading “Australia and New Zealand – unfinished business!”
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 – The final
Although the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup didn’t quite produce the spectacle and sense of elation from a Canadian perspective that last weekend’s game did, a huge step forward was taken by a very courageous and talented Canadian women’s team at Sunday’s final. England emerged victorious 21-9 and lifted the trophy but CanadaContinue reading “Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 – The final”
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014
A HUGE congratulations to Canada’s Women’s Rugby team on beating the French in Paris in front of a very vocal French crowd and qualifying for the final against England on Saturday. The Men’s team should take note. Canada were electric against the French and this is one very talented, highly disciplined and motivated group. EnglandContinue reading “Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014”
The Lineout 