Author: Cameron Gray

Having reviewed New Zealand, England , Australia and France, Cameron Gray continues looks at how the runners and riders are faring for RWC 2015 with South Africa. 2013 FORM The Springboks took New Zealand to the brink at Ellis Park in an enthralling spectacle. Known for their conservative approach, South Africa cast aside the shackles somewhat in the search for a bonus point try which could have given them the Rugby Championship. Only dropped two games this year, both to New Zealand, but they’re the masters at strangulation through their big and hostile forwards. Its unlikely much will change headed into 2015 given that their winning…

Having reviewed New Zealand, England and Australia, Cameron Gray continues looks at how the runners and riders are faring for RWC 2015 with France. 2013 FORM Capable of the sublime, mediocre and ridiculous in one half of rugby. That French cocktail used to be known as champagne but the 2013 vintage is more a warm and stale lager. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work which one Philippe Saint-Andre prefers on his lips. Some dispatches show the number of foreign players in France is directly affecting the national team. A quick glance at the squads from the Top 14 final from 2012/13,…

Having reviewed New Zealand, and England, Cameron Gray continues looks at how the runners and riders are faring for RWC 2015 with Australia 2013 FORM A quick glance at the win (7)/loss (8) ratio makes for poor reading for Australia. For a nation that reached the semi-finals of the 2011 RWC their rugby public is rightly entitled to better. Results and statistics can sometimes cloud the picture a little though. Had Kurtley Beale knocked over one of two kicks in the first Lions Test Robbie Deans may still have a door to an office bearing his name in St Leonards.…

Having reviewed New Zealand, Cameron Gray continues looks at how the runners and riders are faring for RWC 2015 with England 2013 FORM After walloping New Zealand in 2012 one could forgive Stuart Lancaster for strutting around with a swagger akin to that of Clubber Lang from Rocky 3. While England only dropped two games this year they were key games. Wales gave them an old fashioned touch up in the 6 Nations decider in Cardiff while New Zealand dispatched them 30 – 22 in a match where England at one stage took the lead. Typical of the New Zealand…

In this new series, Cameron Gray looks at how the runners and riders are faring for RWC 2015 2013 form The first team to complete an unbeaten season in the professional era, but only just. Their Aviva Stadium Houdini act will remind them that the chasing pack is getting closer. While they enjoy a well-deserved cold one over summer, rival coaches will be plotting their downfall. Some will take solace from the cracks Australia made in the New Zealand defence in Dunedin while others will look to replicate the Irish blueprint of crash, bash and ask questions later. Rivals may…