Honest John
Stan Wickham (3)
Tonight - 1800 French time
When is this game ?
Wales beat SA, England beat NZ, a NH final
Yip. Should be no surprises though, Bruce. The Argies have put a lot into their developing program and really stepped it up. It's not only the 6N who are overtaking us at this level and some here commented on it at the start of the tournament. The contrast with our preparation is stark.Neither of the two teams that beat us in the Pool rounds made it to the Final, then we get beaten by Argen-bloody-tina.
Just pick a 20's team and a 20's A team and let them play in the Pacific Nations Cup like the Academies did this year. just means the team is picked in January
Not a bad way to go. Maybe some PI/ANZ matchups in the leadup as well.4 games of rugby in a week? Not sure that is a good idea even if they are Kids! A RC tournament over two weeks rotated each year between the 4 countries is the most logical idea. I'm sure the IRB would help with the costs, which could be kept down (as others have said) by staying in hostels, availing of other rugby clubs hospitality etc
Most of the problem is that the actual team don't get to play warm up games together.
They all play plenty of rugby in the lead up to the squad being selected.
Organising matches against NZ U20 in May seems like the easiest option.
That is so obvious a solution, it must have been raised and rejected by the Kiwi's, surely?