Offside Opinion: Residency Players

Pivac has wasted no time in making headlines with
his first training squad.

This week Wayne Pivac became the first new coach to announce a squad, post World Cup. In doing so he made a number of surprise selections, but he also made two that everyone expected. Bringing two former Kiwi's into the Welsh international set up, with Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo having completed the mandatory minimum three-year residency to play for a national team.

Now, let's be clear, I do understand the decision to pick two of the most naturally gifted attackers available to him. Wales were consistently maligned under Gatland for being predictable in attack, and dropping in the dancing feet of Halaholo to midfield, and the free-running of McNicholl to the back field will certainly have an impact on that issue. But I have fundamental issues with their selection, which certainly leaves an ashen taste in my mouth.

Key Reasons for South Africa's Victory

The dust has settled from South Africa's victory in the World Cup final, in doing so becoming the first team to win the Rugby Championship (or previous incarnation the Tri-Nations) and the World Cup in the same year. The game has been analysed from every avenue by professional and amateur pundits alike. So there is probably nothing left to say about it really. Which means it's the perfect time for this blog to get its views on the result on the web. Keep reading to find the three takeaways from the final.

In a World Cup Final victory is decided by small margins, like opening strategies, physical size, or tiny halfbacks.

RWC 2019: Team of the Tournament

What a World Cup it was, with twists and turns all the way through. It seems like years ago that we witnessed Uruguay overturn the Flying Fijians. The fanfare for the success of the Japan team still echos around the globe. And the glorious rampant victory for England over the All Blacks will live long in the memory. But in the end, it was the mighty Springboks who lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the third time in their history. The sight of Siya Kolisi holding aloft the ultimate prize in rugby will stand through time, up there with Francios Pienaar's jubilant celebrations from 1995.

With the dust settled it's time to discuss the Team of the Tournament.

History was made in Japan this year, a tournament which will be remembered for many reasons.