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Harking back to the days when the ability to light your own farts and drink fifteen pints was seen as the main criteria for success as a rugby player, the Lions Tour is set to be the big news of 2009. But do they have a chance of upsetting the reigning World Champions? No is the short answer, but that doesn’t take up much space on a blog, so gazing into our oval shaped crystal ball, here’s some of what might happen in 2009.
6 Nations
Wales should win the Championship with the only major question being over their ability to do the Grand Slam. They managed it last year and this season’s fixture list is more favourable than the one they faced twelve months ago. The trip to Paris should make or break it, but with Marc Lievremont continuing to experiment/not know his best team, the Gatland/Edwards team can mastermind another victory. Wales were the only northern hemisphere side to emerge with any degree of respect in the autumn internationals and Martin Johnson doesn’t have the players at his disposal for England to emerge as a force any time soon. Scotland have been making steady progress and should put on an improved showing, but that’s not saying much considering how poor they’ve been in recent seasons. There were a few fleeting signs of life from Ireland in November and with Declan Kidney having had more time to settle into the job, we can expect a more cohesive team, but the only thing they’ll claim in terms of silverware is whatever cutlery they steal from Jurys.
Heineken Cup
You wouldn’t want to be getting too excited about Toulouse because they are dominating one of the weaker pools in the Heineken Cup. That said, they look almost certain to secure a home quarter-final and as history has shown us, that’s vital to your chances of victory. They are in superb form in the domestic league and are understandably favourites. History has also told us to virtually ignore Munster’s performances in the Magners League when assessing their chances of success in Europe, but it’s unsettling to see how poor they’ve been over the last couple of weeks. A loss to Connacht isn’t the embarrassment it once was, but the hammering they received from Ulster and the knock-on effects of the injuries picked up during that game could jeopardise the defence of their title.
Sooner or later, you’d expect the success of the national team to filter down to the Welsh teams, but the Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys are both capable of putting in the type of performance that they won’t get away with in the knockout stages. Harlequins were very impressive in recording a back to back double over Stade Francais, but you’d doubt if they could maintain that level of form for the duration of the tournament, such is their inconsistent form in the Guinness Premiership. It’s not quite now or never for Brian O’Driscoll and Leinster, but it’s getting towards now or very soon. It would be a shame for O’Driscoll to have only won the few Triple Crowns during his career and a Heineken Cup medal would go some way to sprucing up the O’Driscoll mantelpiece. Leinster’s perceived softness has been overstated, but they’re now in a position where they can’t make any mistakes and does anyone believe that they won’t make any more mistakes? Thought not.
Lions Tour
There will be huge speculation in coming months about who’ll be on that plane to South Africa. It will be all pointless because whatever 15 players are on the field, they will be no match for the Springboks at home. The World Champions are too good and too solid a unit to lose the series and although it shouldn’t be the total annihilation the Lions had to endure four years ago in New Zealand, it’s hard to see any combination of players from the four unions matching the all round talents of the Boks. It’s a grim assessment, but increasingly having the ability to pick from so many players is counter-productive. The task of moulding a squad of players into an organised unit in such a short space of time is difficult and although the Lions will be able to field 15 players that can match the Springboks’ talent on an individual basis, making them an effective team is another matter entirely.
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January 5th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I wouldnt right of the Lions that readily .All depends on the right balance in the Lions team mainly welsh with O Connell O Driscoll Wallace and Kearney leading the Irish input
January 5th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Lump On Wales to win Six Nations Outright No Grand Slam Winner and Scotland for wooden spoon.Toulouse for Heineken Cup
January 6th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
with you on wales sully - already on pretty big at 11/4. think they have a chance of the triple crown too - will beat england and ireland handily enough at home, just the match at murrayfield to clinch it.
back-to-back 6 nations should be enough for ryan jones to get the lions captaincy - but fancy him to be playing 6 in the actual team. think the safas should have too much for the lions but fancy us to win one test. getting excited just thinking about it!
February 16th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
there will def be a grand slam but whether its ireland or wales its hard to say!! i would lean to wales as they have a big advantage playing the last and probable title decider at the millenium stadium.. If it does go down to the last game it would be some treat for viewers.
Heineken Cup, for this one, its hard not to back Munster, hopefully they’l meet leinster at Croke park in the semis again creating a great atmosphere for most rugby supporters. At the moment the toulouse team and french squad (mainly made up of toulouse backs) are missing something, they still have loads of flair and great finishers but there is a spark missing.
Lions captain A W Jones or Paul O’Connell, predictable Ian McGeechan style
. South Africa should take the series 2-1.
Super 14..hmmm early to say, last week i was thinking the Hurricanes would be in with a big shout but after watching them go down at home miserably i now think its doubtful. This means either predictably Crusaders will win it again with Lions surpriuse semi finalists
Sharks and Brumbies all semi finalists.. although what about the blues or waratahs.. this is the best rugby tournament going, 44 tries in the first week thats an average of over 6 tries a game.