6 Nations - Prediction Fun (or misery, if you're Scottish)!

[AndyRM]

FFS man, stop trying to make me change my mind

 

[Beebo]

To anyone who doesnt like him, i recommend you read Brain Moore's biography, you will get a different opinion of him.
He is a very interesting and clever man with a big inferiority complex caused by his early years. He knows he isnt a perfect person, but was once voted IRB world player of the year, and that there arent many people who can claim that.

 

[AndyRM]

[QUOTE 2946236, member: 1314"]His charity takes used rugby gear - shirts, balls, boots etc - to kick-start the game in the poorer parts of Africa! Him and his wife used to take the second-hand remainings home with them after each Sunday training session then fly them out once a year, when he'd also do some coaching. Hahaha! Honestly.[/quote]

Damnit! Fine. I like Brian Moore.

When's hell due to freeze over?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If you're English I can completely understand your crush on him.

He does make good points, and clearly knows what he's talking about, I just hate his manner. And that he assumes England are the greatest team on the planet.

That said, I'd happily go for a beverage with him. I reckon he'd take my criticisms on board and then pretend to punch me in the face. Or actually do it, for which I couldn't blame him.

He assumes England are the greatest team in the NH, for sure.

The IRB rankings usually agree with him.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'd say that it is more that he assumes England should be the greatest team and that is why he doesn't stint on voicing his disappointments at their imperfections.

Indeed, that is also my impression. He knows, by rights, given the numbers we have playing the game, we should be best in the world and is frustrated that we aren't.

Having watched recent Irish and Welsh games in the company of celts they are all to a man and woman critical of the "bend over backwards" impartiality of their fellows when talking about their teams. Keith Wood gets slaughtered, Eddie Butler slammed,

International rugby is a partisan sport; I WANT pundits and commentators to be partial. There isn't a single six nation game I'm neutral in!

 

[Beebo]

International rugby is a partisan sport; I WANT pundits and commentators to be partial.

I agree to an extent, try watching any All Black's game with a New Zealnder. They are so one eyed it makes you sick.

 

[MikeG]

New Zealander spectators are puppies compared with South Africans. Jeez.......

 

[swee'pea99]

Brian Moore used to annoy the tits off me, but I've warmed to his touches of self-mockery...like when his fellow-commentator said teams that bring the trainer on are generally trying to steal a yard on the kick, and he said that may well be the case in Wales, but we English would never do any such thing.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

[QUOTE 2946772, member: 1314"]When I asked my mate Brian about what it would take to for a kid to become a pro rugby player – I was fishing for info about my eldest son’s chances – he was pretty clear. His attitude was let the kids just play the game for fun only, and that rugby is primarily about the social community. Which is why he joined us as we are a small club with no airs and graces. In fact a couple of times he did shout at the ref from the touchline for being too officious:

“They’re only kids!”

My mate Brian commented that only about 1% of rugby players will become pro, that they will not just be the best but the elite of the best, and that’s why he is so damning of faults at the top level as they should be playing to a near-nigh perfect standard.[/quote]
I heard your mate Brian once say, at an after-dinner speaking engagement, "the England Elite Squad are the elite of an elite, of our elite and I will not forgive them when they make basic errors in execution or tactics."

Which says it all really. Even the RFU say "The England Elite Player Squad is the pinnacle of English rugby." so many of us wonder why they are so inconsistent and allow themselves to get mugged time and time again.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

[QUOTE 2947013, member: 1314"]Like Twelvetrees' knock-on in the Irish 22! And Farrell's late tackle.[/quote]
I object. Farrell's shoulder barge was not late. The timing was acceptable. However neither was it an attempted tackle, no wrap, and it will now be emulated all over the country by kids who will then be baffled as to why they get to go and have a little sit down.

I hope to be proved wrong but I fear our young Mr Twelvetrees is but a port in a storm.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

[QUOTE 2946772, member: 1314"]my mate Brian[/quote]

is an arse. Still.

[QUOTE 2948934, member: 1314"]Attached is my (anonymised) work’s 6 Nations Challenge. Spot the optimistic Welshwoman.[/quote]

You sure it's not your arsey mate's English scores prediction?

 

[Beebo]

[QUOTE 2965937, member: 1314"]Ireland 32 Italy 6

Scotland 9 France 32

England 100 Wales 0[/quote]
I hate myself for it, but I think Wales will win this. England will get over powered in the front row.

 

[swee'pea99]

Ireland 28 Italy 10

Scotland 12 France 22

England 22 Wales 18

 

[MikeG]

Ireland 28 Italy 10

Scotland 12 France 22

England 22 Wales 18

I don't think this will be far off, although the England- Wales game could go the other way.

 

[Archie_tect]

[QUOTE 2925837, member: 1314"]Yep.

I played rugby in Scotland when I was at Dundee Uni. The problem is exacerbated in that Scotland is not a rugby playing nation unlike other "smaller" countries such as Wales and New Zealand. And Ireland has a core of concentrated rugby coaching that produces excellence.[/quote]
Crock- when were you there again? ...you didn't play in a team with Colin Smart did you? It's a small world.