We Need A Cunning Plan

Watching Fiji put an inept Wales out of the World Cup this afternoon two thoughts came to mind. Firstly, at what point over the past four years have the six nations become so obsessed with the Six Nations that they didn't notice the game has moved on from England's glorious win in Sydney. Secondly, when will sides in the Northern Hemisphere actually realise that you have fifteen men on your side for a reason.

Watching the Fiji play I couldn't help but me reminded of watching John Elway, the Denver Broncos quarterback in the 80's and 90's on those marches down the field as the clock ran down. You knew that just as Elway would lead his team to victory with the last play of the match so Fiji would win. It was no coincidence that Wales best spell of the match was during the ten minutes that Fiji were a man short, when they faced a full strength side they were barely capable of competing.

Argentina have been seeking permission to make the Six Nations a Super Seven, simply because most of their squad play in Europe, if I were them I'd have a change of heart and make the tri-nations a four cornered hat, they will never progress playing the ponderous tyoe of rugby that turns 70,000 people on in the driving January rain at Twickenham. The best way to progress in any sport is to raise your game not lower it.

All of the home nations have been poor, I can't remember a time when England have played with such a lack of sparkle, of invention - save for the one moment on Friday when Johnny Wilkinson borrowed the old Henry Paul move from Rugby League and put the ball into the corner for a try rather than three points at a penalty. Wales and Ireland have looked old, where the southern nations play an expansive game the Celtic nations play as if they are wearing heavy cashmere overcoats. Apart from one moment of genuine class this afternoon that led to a Welsh breakaway try you'd have to say they have been poor. As for Ireland, three poor kicks missed by Georgia and a poor TMO call in the match against Namibia have saved them from further embarrassment. You have to say that if Fiji and Samoa could actually handle and kick better then there would have been more upsets, when it comes to running, passing and tackling they can compete but in their own twenty two they are still years behind.

England and France probably have just enough strength in depth to come out of this with some of their reputations intact but for Scotland, Ireland and Wales the future looks grim.