New Zealand, a weakened outfit?

The Rugby Championship is back. The four southern hemisphere giants will once again do battle to determine who is the best. Last year New Zealand lost the trophy for the first time, only a ferocious fixture in Sydney denied them the trophy, before going on to win the World Cup.

Once again New Zealand will go in favourites after their convincing series win against the Welsh a few months ago. Although they are by no means the force they were last year, it's been nine months since they lost the legends of McCaw; plus Carter, Nonu and Smith from their back line, and despite three tests and a fantastic Super Rugby season those holes are still there.

The 6 All Black legends that retired at the end of the World Cup (Smith, Carter, Nonu, Mealamu, McCaw, Woodcock)

Ardie Savea is a Hurricanes favourite.

At openside flanker the problem isn't the lack of a replacement, it is instead a "Sophie's Choice" for the 7 shirt. Who do you choose? Sam Cane the prince to McCaw's crown, the heir apparent for nigh on half a decade. 34 caps, and a handful of captain's appearance along the way too. He was the reassuring presence to the All Blacks should the worse happen to their leader, and he proved in the World Cup just how good of a player he is. Or. Do you select the rampaging, athletic, former 7's player, Ardie Savea. His Youtube highlight reels are a joy to watch, scoring tries from 50m's, supporting wingers the length of the pitch and making crunching hits all over the park. Detractors have said he's all show and no graft, but the statistics tell the truth. Top tackler in Super Rugby (just ahead of Sam Cane), he wins turnovers with regularity and he's not afraid to do the hard yards either. Sam Cane is in control for now, but Savea is an undeniable talent.

The fly-half debate is similar, Cruden vs Barrett. Cruden was the heir to Carter for a long time, but Barrett has resolved his game management issues and was the focal point of the Highlanders exceptional run in the Super Rugby play off's. Not to mention his world class performance where he took Wales apart easier than Usain Bolt finds winning gold medals. He's in the starting side for the opening weekend with Cruden out through injury, and now is his chance to cement his place as Carter's successor.

Fekitoa hasn't yet lived up to his original hype.

Despite these issues, New Zealand's biggest problem is at centre. When Nonu and Smith announced they would be leaving the black jersey after the World Cup, Kiwi's were upset but not worried. They had the global class of Sonny Bill Williams to fill the 12 shirt, and at outside centre Malakai Fekitoa was being talked up as a future superstar. Since then, Fekitoa hasn't progressed on the international stage and has often looked out of his depth - especially compared to the calm class that was Conrad Smith - throwing into questions whether he is to be the long term choice. Sonny Bill would have walked back into the All Black starting line up after his Olympic foray, if it hadn't ended so abruptly. In the opening fixture Williams suffered a tear to his Achilles Tendon which has put him out of the game for 9 months.

Each have their replacements - for different reasons. Ryan Crotty will hold the inside channel for now, a dependable player who has never put in a poor performance, but he isn't one to set the world alight, a good enough stop gap until next year. While George Moala is the new favourite to seize an opportunity at outside centre, or he would be if he hadn't picked up a knee injury a week before the opening fixture in Sydney. Another player who shone during the final test against Wales in June, the combination of his footwork and power a dangerous combination in the notoriously difficult to defend 13 channel. I think it is a very real possibility that the centre partnership will be very different come the Lions Tour next year.

Elsewhere New Zealand are anything but weak, any side that can afford to put the try scoring machine of Julian Savea on the bench because of "performance issues" is a fearsome prospect. Israel Dagg is back to his mercurial best, Ben Smith is consistently world class and Waisake Naholo is arguably the best finisher in Super Rugby. In the centre of the team the All Blacks possess the greatest No. 8/Scrum Half duo the world has ever seen, bar none. Read and Smith are individually world class, together they are nigh unbeatable. Read's ability to draw in two if not three defenders and still get an offload away is exceptional, but combine it with the ability for Aaron Smith to know where that ball is going to come out and teams can't defend it. At lock they have Retalick - the best in the world - alongside his old partner Whitelock. Kaino packs down to provide strength and ballast to the backrow.

Read and Smith have an almost telepathic link, developed over many years.

Perhaps New Zealand's only perceived consistent weakness is in the front row. Never a team to claim to possess a dominant scrum, it used to be the area teams like South Africa and England would look to punish them. It is something to consider, but in reality the Kiwi scrum is capable and will always provide Aaron Smith with possession, only likely to give penalties away on the opposition ball. The All Blacks prefer their forwards (props or not) to be able to handle the ball then scrummage, and no one is better in open play than the missing Dane Coles, Hansen will be hoping one of his reserve hookers will put their hand up to put pressure on Coles.

So yes New Zealand are weakened - still - after their World Cup victory, any side needs some time to get their house in order after losing so much talent and experience. But this is the All Blacks they have been prepared for this, building the experience in the replacements for years. The first test will be the biggest challenge, a reinforced Australia side in Sydney. It's a replay of the only match the All Blacks have lost in the last two years, get through that and they'll be on course. So they are still favourites to win the trophy for me, just perhaps not quite as dominant.

Australia vs. New Zealand Kick Off: 20:05 (Sydney); 10:05 (GMT)

Women's Rugby set to soar

Australia's Women won the first ever Olympic gold for 7's rugby. Will they inspire a change in women's rugby?

Three days of some of the most enjoyable rugby I have ever watched. I have waited 7 years for the Olympic 7's - since it's announcement - and the first three days of the Women's tournament was everything I had wished for.

The support from around the globe for the women's game was exceptional, moments from the games were being talked about on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr. There are already scores of videos on Youtube of the best tries. The heartbreaking emotional haka performed by the New Zealand team after their final defeat has gone completely viral, showing just how much the games meant to these players. The Olympics has been viewed for a while now as a real chance for Women's rugby to take off and succeed as a sport. Often forgotten in terms of funding from the national unions and the support offered to women and girls wanting to partake in the sport limited as best.

Emily Scarratt wanted to inspire a generation of women.

Take England for example, the richest and largest rugby union on the planet and have been for many years. Even they were slow to provide funds to the women's game, even after a home world cup and lifting the trophy itself. Professional contracts were only dolled out two years ago, and even then just to players plying their trade in the Olympic worthy version of the game. Shortly before the Olympics kicked off it was announced that finally they would be offering fully professional contracts to the 15-a-side game in the wake of the huge cash revenue of the World Cup a year ago. Despite this progress
there is still work to be done to boost the female game.

All unions - not just England - have a problem with retaining players, let alone finding them. Every year dozens of young girls have to give up a sport they've been playing for years simply because Union legislation says boys and girls can't play together at the age of 15. It's an understandable rule, the growth changes during puberty could lead to injuries and other issues, but the fact that these girls are left out in the cold is pretty unforgivable. Most women's teams can't or won't take on players below 18, due to safety concerns of playing fully grown adults, and university sides which make up a large portion of the available places for women to play are only available to 18+ students. So for three years girls who love the sport and are wanting to grow up to be like Caslick, McAlister or

Kayla McAlister was one of the stars of the tournament.

Scarrett are left without coaching; without training; and without the knowledge they need to develop.

No nation that competed at the Olympic games can afford to let this opportunity go to waste. I have seen plenty of women of all ages find a passion for the sport and a willingness to take up the oval ball, simply because of the success of the 7-a-side game. The passion for the game is there to be tapped, but unions need to provide funding and a realistic amateur system to get these women into the game. Money is the over arching issue in any sport, if the funds can be found to develop proper facilities, allow good quality coaches to coach the teams, and give a progression for women of all ages to participate in this wonderful sport.

For so long the tag line for rugby has been "Sport for all shapes and sizes", I just hope soon it can be realistically for all genders in four years time as well.

Who would make the Lions?

So the longest season in professional rugby is final over for the team in the Northern Hemisphere, nearly twenty games have been played by the big nations, so who has stood out within the home nations and put their name forward to claim a Lions shirt for the test series next summer?

Backs

Fullback - Liam Williams

Liam Williams was top class against New Zealand.

A busy position for quality, but Liam Williams has been a stand out performer across all international teams this summer. It is notoriously hard to win over the New Zealand media and public in terms of performance, but Williams managed that. Displayed aggressive and intelligent attack to find the holes in the defensive line, able to score tries and produce them. His defence is second to none at the minute in terms of international fullbacks, he simply doesn't give up and prevented more than one try this summer. This was no more apparent than at the final whistle of the final test, the game was long gone but Williams still chased back 80m - across the pitch - desperate to prevent a final try. 

It's that kind of bravery and respect for the shirt that the Lions will need in spades come next summer. Liam Williams will have a battle on his hands to even keep the 15 jersey for Wales, but he will happily play on the wing too, and right now is the best back-three player in Britain.

Wings - George North & Anthony Watson

George North had a quiet start to the season but during the 6 Nations he reminded everyone just why he was a 21 year old Test Lion, and why he is one of the greatest wing talents of the professional era. He combines power, speed and footwork to give defenders all sorts of problems. His battle with Julian Savea was meant to be the story of the summer, but neither got the chance through injury and performance issues. Should North return from his latest injury and continue the presence he was in the last 6 months, he is a shoe in for the Lions shirt.

On the other side, it is not quite as forgone a conclusion. I've got for Anthony Watson due mainly to his ability to finish almost any try opportunity he is presented with. There are numerous times in an England shirt he scored when he had no right to. That kind of finishing ability will be needed against the Kiwi's, as the Lions will need to score with every chance they get, Watson will give them that. He is also hugely capable in the air, playing his club rugby at fullback, and with New Zealand's prowess around the kicking game he will be a great defensive asset too.

Outside Centre - Jonathan Joseph

The 13 shirt hasn't had a superb stand-out performer the last 12 months, but Jonathan Jospeh has little wrong in a very successful England team. His consistent performances have kept the highly regarded Elliot Daley out of the England set-up and that is no mean feat. In attack his dancing feet and ability to stop-and-go will be a real asset for any team, the aggressive line speed the All Blacks have been showing recently could cause problems, hopefully Joseph will be able to cope and get around rushing tacklers. Defensively he is rather under-rated, rarely seen to miss a tackle and often ends up competing at the breakdown, again crucial against the All Blacks who are all comfortable getting involved in the ruck.

Inside Centre - Owen Farrell

Farrell is the best goal kicker in the world at the
moment.

Who needs an inside centre, when you've got a fly-half who is a complete natural in the 12 jersey. He has been simply majestic for England since Eddie Jones took over, showing the correct level of aggression in defence to put the opposition under pressure, while also showing cool-mindedness and maturity with ball in hand. Seems to thrive playing outside a creative talent at fly-half and with Sexton in the 10 jersey he could be even better. His kicking accuracy - out of hand - is the level needed against the Kiwi's as any loose balls will be punished, and his ability to pick the right pass in attack is amazing. The double pivot system could work wonderfully out  in New Zealand, and could really bring out the best in North and Williams putting them in dangerous areas.

This is all before we mentioning his simply world-class goal kicking. England's 3-0 series victory was built upon his kicking percentages, punishing nigh-on every mistake the Australian's made, again something that will be crucial against the All Blacks. The Lions will need to take every point that comes on offer, Sexton has always blown hot and cold with his kicking, last Lions tour the kicking duties were passed to the peerless Halfpenny. It took the pressure of Sexton in that area and allowed him to run the game and really get his backline firing, Farrell can do the same job for the Lions this time too.

Fly Half - Johnny Sexton

Sexton controlled the Lions last time.

This is a hard choice, especially since George Ford looked like he was getting back to his best against Australia, but I remain unconvinced if that is just because of the England pack dominance or whether he has truly returned to form. The rest of the options for flyhalf are good, but their Lion's credentials are a concern. So I have returned to the man that lead the Lions to a series win in Australia, and is arguably the best fly-half in the Northern Hemisphere. He missed out on the tour to South Africa through injury, and while Paddy Jackson played well, Sexton's experience was missed in closing out games. The Jonny Sexton running game could dove tail splendidly with Farrell, and combining that with the attacking threat this team has out wide will be exciting to see.

His kicking out of hand is - again - unparalleled, able to find the perfect spot for the ball to avoid the opposition, or for his chaser to regather the ball. Wales showed just how critical it is not to kick
loosely to the All Blacks, Sexton and Farrell will play a large part in this next year. 

Scrum Half - Connor Murray

Picked largely for his partnership with Sexton, that link between 9 and 10 is huge in the modern game. Rhys Webb was another option, for his link with Faletau, but Murray has excellent leadership and his box-kicking is the higest quality, as discussed the kicking game will be crucial.

Murray also has a strong knack of scoring important tries when his team are right on the try line, again the ability to score the try when the opportunity presents itself will be critical. His commanding presence of his forward pack is top level, and with New Zealand's tenacity at the breakdown the Lion's forwards will have to be on the top of their game to prevent the All Blacks from turning over the ball.

Forwards

Loose-head Prop - Mako Vunipola

He has been stuck behind the "better scrummager" of Joe Marler for a while, but in Australia Vunipola took the jersey for his own. At the scrum he was destructive against an Australian pack so dominant at the World Cup, so the New Zealand scrum really shouldn't give him any issues. Where he really thrives is in the loose though, his ball carrying is excellent, he has got nice footwork which gives him the ability to run at weak shoulders into the tackle. What makes his ball carrying even more dangerous is his ability to offload the ball, he gets the ball past the first line of contact and get his team beyond the gainline.

He is also a superb tackler all over the pitch, especially at the breakdown, an area which Wales showed you have to defend well against the All Blacks. Speaking of the breakdown he is also incredibly apt at winning turnovers and slowing down possession, the All Blacks are at their most terrifying with fast ball, the Lions will need to slow that down.

Hooker - Dylan Hartley (C)

Hartley is an inspiration for England, and will do the same for the Lions.

What a leader Hartley has been for England, check out our previous article on England's success on why he has been so good, and he is the best leader in the British Isle's and will do the same for the Lions. The most important thing he will do for the Lions though is his excellence at the set piece,
with his two England props either side of him the scrum will be a strong and stable platform to attack off. The lineout will be key, Wales suffered drastically with a malfunctioning lineout in New Zealand, meanwhile England have been exceptional with Hartley at the head. If the Lions can reliably secure their own ball, they will have a good chance of putting points on the board.

Tight-Head Prop - Dan Cole

Scrummaging check, tackling check, ability to steal the ball check. Dan Cole is the modern prop, he has had recent problems with the law changes at the breakdown, but in Australia he finally seemed to have got on top of it and I can't remember him giving away a penalty in open play. Keeping the England front row will be a sensible idea to keep the scrum at peak efficiency as they understand how each other work, even if WP Nel may be the better scrummager.

His selection will depend heavily on him continuing his new streak of not giving away penalties, but I can only see him getting better in the next year.

Locks - Alun Wyn Jones & Iain Henderson

At first glance the lock department does seem to be missing the best lock in the world at the moment - Maro Itoje - but he could be a blindside flanker by next year. Instead I've gone with two locks who refuse to take a backwards step.

Henderson could be Ireland's new talisman.

Alun Wyn Jones is the sort of player every team needs, the talisman, the person who the team can rally around and find inspiration to get the win. He's had a poor second half to the season by his standards, but he is a top level performer and his Lions experience will be crucial in a tough tour. He provides additional leadership alongside the likes of Hartley and Sexton. Top quality in the lineout, and very good with ball in hand he will play a large role in any Lion's success.

Henderson is still in his international development but was a leading light in Ireland's victory in South Africa. A superbly strong ball carrier who always makes ground, ferocious in defence and a master at the choke tackle. Capable of playing blindside flanker as well, so could interchange at will with Maro Itoje. The size of him and Jones in the scrum could add some real weight to the front row and give the Lions a strong chance of winning penalties at the scrum.

Blindside Flanker - Maro Itoje

What a season this guy has had, didn't lose a game he started for club and country all season, intelligent and devilishly tricky at the breakdown, athletic at the lineout too. There is nothing this guy cannot do.

Itoje is verging on world class already.

Around the park he is always at the right place at the right time, able to have an impact at important breakdowns and win a penalty, or to make a tackle as someone looks like they're about to break through. At the lineout he is a consistent problem for any team, he is almost guaranteed to steal an opposition lineout at one point in the game, his ability to get up in the air so fast means it is very difficult for teams to avoid him. Wales showed just how important the lineout is against the All Blacks, and Itoje is the best lineout operator available to the Lions. He is a must pick for the Lions, whether it's at lock or flanker. There will be other competitors for the 6 jersey come next year (Stander, O'Brien, Lydiate?) but as of right now Itoje takes the shirt for me.

Openside Flanker - James Haskell

Not what many people consider a true openside, but it hasn't seemed to had an effect. Sam Warburton had little to no impact as a "true openside" so it doesn't seem to matter too much if the Lion's have one. Besides with the likes of Itoje, Vunipola and Cole in this team the turnover ability to spread out across the whole team anyway.

Haskell brings a defensive ferocity that I haven't seen in a while to the side, the pressure he can put on the New Zealand backline would potentially cause large problems for them, putting on big hits on the half backs as they look to run the game. He has a strong work ethic in attack to, willing to do the ugly carries and make sure his team wins the breakdown. The one thing he will have to curb is he tendency to get yellow carded, because the All Blacks will punish anyone if they gain a man advantage. Again this is a really competitive field with Warburton, Tipuric, Hardie and O'Brien all looking to claim the shirt in a year.

Faletau stood toe-to-toe with Read this summer.

Number 8 - Talupe Faletau

I know some England fans (primarily) who will disagree with this selection, but for me he is the best No. 8 in the Northern Hemisphere, only beaten globally by Kiwi captain Kieran Read. He does everything: he cleans up messy ball at scrums; he tackles all over the field; he supports any attacking breaks; he passes; he scores tries; he ball carries brilliantly. What more could you want. As a whole package he brings more than Billy Vunipola, and like Liam Williams was another to claim the
begrudging respect from the Kiwi public. He also provides another option in the lineout to keep the possession clean and fast. 

Bench

Ken Owens

Finally got to first choice hooker for Wales, but back to the bench for the Lions. Dynamic and aggressive with the ball, tireless in defence, and surprisingly good with the ball. Has had his problems at the lineout, but this will hopefully be sorted out. Jamie George another option for this role.

Jack McGrath

Young guy who has filled the void left by Cian Healy, and done so expertly against the most feared scrum in the world - South Africa. More than stood his own against the huge Springboks at the scrum, and offers a classic props ability around the park. His scrummaging power could play an important role at the end of the game as the Lions look to keep a grip on the game. Veteran Gethin Jenkins is another option if Lion's looking to keep the mobile prop mold of Vunipola.

WP Nel

WP Nel has given Scotland a strong scrum.

Again another fearsome scrummager for this team, comes on looking to win penalties late on the game to give Farrell a chance to keep ticking over the score board, and take any tempo the Kiwi's have. Does everything you could ask for from a tight head prop. Samson Lee the other option but hasn't quite hit the heights of his first international season.

John Hardie

The lock department is well covered by the three in the starting team so intead selected an openside flanker, should a change of ethos be needed. The best "classic openside" available to the Lions at the moment as Warburton looks out of form, he works hard and has elevated the Scotland breakdown ability. Sam Warburton & Justin Tipuric other options if they find international form.

Vunipola is a human wrecking ball.

Billy Vunipola

Too good to leave out of the match day squad. Can have a big impact with 20-25 minutes on the clock, his ball carrying presence against a "tiring" All Black side. Can get the Lions on the front foot if New Zealand have taken control of the game, can either replace Faletau or the Welshman could shift to another position in the backrow.

Rhys Webb

Another unlucky to not make the starting team, especially due to his brilliant linkage with Faletau, but his box kicking occasionally lets him down. Runs some of the best support lines I've seen from a scrum-half, very similar to Aaron Smith, always in the right position to keep the attack going. Great at getting the ball away from the breakdown with speed, and sniping around the fringes, another who could up the tempo should the Lions need it. Danny Care fills a similar role to Webb.

Robbie Henshaw

Henshaw is a class act.

Farrell provides the fly-half cover, instead Robbie Henshaw comes in as a physical presence in the centre. Excellent ball carrier and defender. Strong and quick, able to get on the outside shoulder of a defender and power through. Excellent pair of hands and reliable under the high ball. Plenty of players who are capable for this position but are out of form: Jonathan Davies; Manu Tuilagi; Jamie Roberts.

Stuart Hogg

Another unlucky not to be in the starting team, could easily have pushed Liam Williams to wing and started Hogg. An excellent counter attack with an excellent turn of pace, and his huge boot could be a huge asset in the territory game against the All Blacks. He occasionally looks shaky under the high ball for an international fullback, so could get caught out by the Kiwi's, but given space he can wreak havoc.