From Rugby World reader, Larissa Falls
Got any to add?
Hot:
Women’s Rugby… Matches at Twickenham and Stade de France following the men’s were great advertisements and should become regular occurrences not one-off opportunities. As for England beating New Zealand to show it isn’t a one horse race…bring on the World Cup!
Autumn Internationals… Genia, Guildford, J. Davies emergence with Moody’s comeback. The Samoan and Fijian fighting spirit and San Siro’s atmosphere. Lobbe’s work rate and Sexton’s boot. The France v South Africa and Ireland v South Africa clashes, plus the France v NZ and Wales v Australia matches.
Melbourne…The year’s 2011, the colours are navy and white, the name is the Rebels and the place is Melbourne. Meet the latest addition to the soon-to-be expanded Super 15!
Scheduling… Fantastic to see-for the first time- all top 20 nations participating in top level International matches within the same month. Congratulations to the IRB and Unions for allowing this to take place. May it continue!
Ireland…Undefeated all year, 6 Nations Champions, Triple Crown and Grand Slam holders. Overcame the Tri Nations winners (South Africa), held its greatest world ranking of fourth, and was surprisingly unlucky not to have added the ‘IRB Player of the Year’ to its ranks in Brian O’Driscoll.
Not:
Disrespect… Booing the kicker is not acceptable and tarnishes the game that prides itself on sportsmanship. As for the minute silence fiasco; the apology was too late as the damage had already been done.
‘Aerial Ping-Pong’… Something has to be done to eradicate this uninspiring and unattractive part of the current game. The 22 kicking law was established to create attacking running rugby, but has produced a polar effect.
Unequal Preparation Time… What a wrecking force Argentina, Fiji and Samoa could be given the same luxurious preparation time and player release as the other nations!
Eye Gouging Claims… Makes you ponder whether such acts would still be committed had Schalk Burger’s punishment been more severe. If found guilty; the IRB now has another chance to rid rugby of this callous behaviour.