blametheref says...

Think the gap is closing between NH and SH and individually there's nothing between the players mostly, but there are indeed 2 factors, one as mentioned being psychological and the other being innovation in the game. I would say 80% of innovation in rugby comes from the SH, where if there's a perceived weakness or strength they find innovative ways of playing around the weakness while improving the stength. Proof of this and an explanation as to why NH teams are closing the gap is because in the majority of NH teams we now employ innnovative coaches from the SH...New Zealander Joe Schmidt being a great example with HC champions Leinster.

On the psychological front, and in relation to the English team of 2003 who bucked the SH hoodoo, England manager Clive Woodward said that he discouraged his team from calling New Zealand the All Blacks because he believed it empowered New Zealand with an air of superiority over his own team...

Posted 13:33 18th June 2012

fozza says...

With regards to the northern/southern hemisphere test series, I don't think we northies can get past the fact that currently the southern hemisphere are superior to us. Nope, can't get away from it, they are stronger, fitter and better right now... but...

The potential for improvement in Wales and England has me pretty excited. 2003 England were the tail end of a process that started way back in 1997. 6 years to get there. When I compare the English team in 1997 to the English team now, I feel they are starting from a much better position.

Wales are full of youngsters and this can only benefit them. The experience the players like Priestland, Cuthbert, North and Warburton as Captain are gaining can only strengthen this squad. Elsewhere, I don't know enough about France and the Irish worry me with their accummulative age and seeming lack of young talent coming through.

As to the whole ERC stuff, can I ask a a favour? I know this is an opinion piece and everything but rather than just slinging Anti-premiership (english) vitriol (this despite stating the French are following and the Pro D12 aren't happy), do a bit of reporting and find out what the issue is? This is why I read Planet Rugby, not for some unsubstantiated mud slinging.

Posted 12:55 18th June 2012

melkdave says...

The NH teams do have this lack of belief imo,when it comes to beating the SH big 3 .But until now ,its never been a level playing feild as to preparation for either the summer or aurtum tests Usually the SH teams had a min of 3 weeks preparation IIIRC for any summer test.,2 weeks training camp followed by a warm up test against a pacific island team or Zimbabwei or some other tier2 (at the time) nation.While the NH team was lucky to get 1 week of prepatation.Given years of that is it any wonder the NH lost most of the time,and now may lack belief as to beating them.The Aurtum was even worse ,the SH teams would hae a 2-3 week break ,then 3-4 week training camp before travaling up north ,while again the NH would have just started a new season ,and be lucky to get a week 10 days prepatation for any test.Now hopefully its a more level playing feild the NH teams will start to have that self belief ,when it comes to beating the big 3 SH teams .Only time will tell ,but Englad ,Scotland espically ,i feel will take alot of sel f belief from the current tours,and will hopefully have learnt just what test match rugby is about to the SH players ect

Posted 12:11 18th June 2012

BigRugbyBalls says...

Just wanted to see if I can get in there before APV1 and melkdave...

Posted 11:48 18th June 2012