Loose Pass
This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with celebrations, more imports, dilemmas and brilliance….
This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with celebrations, more imports, dilemmas and brilliance….
We've talked a few times about the impetuous actions among England's younger stars this spring/autumn (wherever you may be), over-done celebrations, being gracious victors and England's struggle to keep some egos in check. But now we know: the problem comes from the top.
Not one day after England's Grand Slam dreams evaporated in a puff of emerald smoke in Dublin, it emerged that even England's commercial management had indulged in a bit of celebratory showboating before touching down for the score.
The official response?
“The RFU works with all its commercial partners on their sponsorship activation,” read an RFU statement.
“Forward planning is a crucial part of all commercial partnerships and all contingencies, winning or losing, have to be considered.
“It is disappointing that details of Nike's internal planning has got into the public domain. In no way did the RFU or the England team underestimate the challenge that the Ireland team would pose.
“We were well beaten by a team who played better and we have the utmost respect for (Ireland coach) Declan Kidney and the Irish players.”
Words that must have tasted as bitter as a good pint of Smithwick's after England's capitulation. Somewhat sweeter would have been the sound of laughter at the Irish response…
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And yet another Kiwi discovers he is eligible for England. And once again, all are excited, including Thomas Waldrom himself, who seems confident enough in his abilities to proclaim that were he to get the nod for the World Cup, he'd take it. He is expecting to be asked.
But before England fans get all a-twitter with expectation, they should probably take a quick look back at how many of these scenarios have truly worked out. Mike Catt was one obvious one, Dylan Hartley looks to be another now he has a lid on his temper.
Others: Riki Flutey spent more time on the treatment table than he did on the park. Hendre Fourie just hasn't cut it. Lesley Vainikolo was a huge anti-climax. There are many others.
Lest we forget: Waldrom came to England at the age of 25 – when most number eights are in their prime – namely because he was not cracking the All Black fringes; indeed, he was largely stuck behind Rodney So'oialo in the pecking order at the Hurricanes.
So England fans: temper your enthusiasm. Waldrom is a quality player. But should England get as far as facing New Zealand, would they want to do so using a player who was probably no higher than fourth in the All Black number eight ranks, or would they rather do so using a home-grown talent?
It does beggar belief at times: England's player base is larger than most others and yet they still seem to harbour enough of an inferiority complex to get excited by what amounts to a southern hemisphere reject rather than look home-grown.
You'd never have found such an attitude prevailing in the era of the 2003 World Cup winners. That was a squad which should have laid the foundation for years of home-grown and home-developed talent being best. But somewhere along the line, the nurturing process has gone awry. Has England's management dropped that ball too?
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Club v country dilemmas surfaced again this week, with Martyn Williams now facing the tough choice: play for Cardiff Blues against the Dragons in a spicy local derby or go to the wedding of his nation's prince and union's patron.
The Blues will need a win from the match, and with Sam Warburton nursing a foot injury, Williams might well be on standby. But the flanker reckons his mind is made up for what he wants to do:
“Hopefully I'll be going,” Williams said to local newspapers.
“I was surprised but honoured to get the invite. I'm currently in negotiations with Dai (Young) to try and sort out a day off. As much as I love Rodney Parade, a day in London would tick the box so fingers crossed he'll give me a pass.
“At first I thought it was a wind-up but then you realise it's legitimate. It's the chance of a lifetime to go to something as big as the future King's wedding.
“I've met him before as he is patron of the WRU and he came out with the Lions a while back. I know he likes his rugby so hopefully I get chance to go.”
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The gap between south and north grows apace, with the northern season almost crawling to an end. England's comeuppance in Ireland proved that even the best of the north are unable to raise their game beyond cantering pace when it matters.
Then one week later at Twickenham, we got this.
Gorgeous, huh? Is there anyone who thinks a NH team will win the World Cup this year?
Less gorgeous, however, is the non-stop intrusion into the playing area/time of television cameras and microphones. Is it really necessary to walk onto the pitch just after a try has been scored with a huge camera? Do we really learn anything from those asinine half-time player interviews beyond the fact that the player being interviewed wants to get into the changing room and is somewhat short of breath?
As far as we are concerned: no on both counts. Let the players get on with it – they're not doing a bad job of entertaining us enough on this evidence.
Loose Pass compiled by Richard Anderson