Wales v New Zealand has become more about dosh than bosh – change is needed if the sport wants a rosier futureRadical change in rugby union never comes galloping over the horizon. If it ever comes it meanders through multiple committees, many of whom meet for hours on Zoom without recognising the inherent irony. Quick ball is the holy grail for good teams on the pitch but, off it, a static rolling maul of conflicting interests and financial expediency is more common.Which helps explain why the sport is back scrabbling for fig leaves just when it should be displaying its most photogenic side to the world. Wales against New Zealand in Cardiff used to be one of the game’s most...
For his final Observer report, our stalwart writer offers his reflections on decades covering a sport rich in drama and spectacle but that now stands at a crossroadsThe car was a cross between a Lada and a Trabant, a cut-and-shut probably. It was parked in a taxi rank outside the one hotel in Bucharest that had any swank or alcohol. It was 1994 and the following day Wales were playing Romania as punishment for making an early exit from the World Cup three years before. The International Rugby Board had held a media conference about nothing very much and it was time to retire to a modest establishment on the outskirts of the city to serve up the match preview.Behind...
This manic and beguiling tournament gave little clue about what will happen next, least of all about Eddie Jones’ futureAutumn austerity turned into a spring splurge. It was as if players felt liberated outside their Covid bubble, prisoners of the pandemic running free. The disappointment was that there were no spectators to witness a Six Nations tournament where every team except Italy had its day and, for once, defences did not dominate.Wales went from fifth to first, confirmed as champions after France failed to beat Scotland on Friday night, swapping places with England who just 17 months ago looked rugby’s coming force. Now a panel is being convened by Twickenham to sift through the flotsam of a campaign which started...
The veteran captain belied his years yet again in Paris and seems to be made of something tougher than flesh and boneThree minutes to play, Wales are three points up, and down to 13 men. France, who have just scored their third try, have the ball in their 22, Arthur Vincent charges, thump, into Alun Wyn Jones, he falls, Jones is already back on his feet. Brice Dulin has it now, thump, Jones catches him, too, France work it wide, and upfield, Romain Ntamack carries it across halfway, thump, there’s Jones again, he’s limping and winded. Now Gregory Alldrit has it. Jones tags him from behind, a split-second after he releases his pass. A knock-on, Wales win the ball. Tomos...
Wayne Pivac’s side made the most of mistakes made by the French referee while England paid for their indisciplineWales’s head coach, Wayne Pivac, admitted his side had enjoyed moments of fortune in their opening three victories, but a year ago they were on the wrong side of the (English) referee when they lost at home against France, two decisions in particular costing them. A feature of their campaign is that they have been quick to react, coming from behind against Ireland and Scotland, admittedly with a man advantage, and responding after England closed a 10-point lead. When they won the grand slam in 2019, they looked to dominate opponents and wear them down but this year they have been more...