New Zealand are not miles ahead. They lost to Ireland once and nearly lost to them again in the autumn. England will give New Zealand a hell of a game when they face them. And England beat Australia 3 times in this run, they've hardly played a bunch of amateurs.
The tennis umpire injured at the Davis Cup match in Canada has had surgery for a fractured eye socket....painful.
I would compare NZ loss to Ireland as a blip, like Liverpool losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup. As we know, Liverpool are a much better side than the latter, while NZ are considerably better than Ireland, Oz, SA, Wales, France when they "turn it on." After a long season, the NZ players were ready to have their break, so that is why the matches were quite close. I agree that England v NZ will be one of the most anticipated fixtures in any sport but if NZ can snaffle sufficient ball from England at the crucial breakdown areas, then NZ should win. Where England are improving is in their defence which is very hard to penetrate, the improved discipline and ability to switch things if the game is not quite going to plan. NZ are superior to anyone in ball handling, speed of movement, and angles of running in order to open up the opposition, as in the 4 Nations the other countries have slightly bigger packs although NZ's are more mobile.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39019288 Such sad news!! Dan Vickerman, the former Australian lock, passing away at the age of 37!!!! He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, fromer team-mates and by the people in whatever profession he had chosen to take up after retiring from the game.
Tragic. Great player and, by all accounts, a decent bloke. Very sad. Can't help but wonder if there's not some suspicion of drug abuse from some of these players dying young.
Has anyone seen this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39019432 I have zero interest in Rugby League, but even I was intrigued how a newly set-up Canadian RL club was going to operate. Makes for interesting reading, especially on how they get to play other RL teams. They are the only professional club in Canada.
Ireland 19, France 9!! When will France decide to play running rugby again?? I hope England decline all shots at goal, and run as much as possible. They should be capable of putting on the board around 70 points. If Ireland can score over 60 against the Italians, there is no reason why England cannot amass an even bigger score. We want loads of tries tomorrow. At least 10!!
England surprisingly losing 10-5 at half-time. Italy hit the post, but then scored a try when the ball rebounded to one of their players.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39097755 Andy Murray back in Dubai after a bout of shingles which may have affected his performance in the Australian Open. Painful illness (which can affect anyone who has had chickenpox)....very debilitating. I wondered where he had been.
I hate it when there is a boxing match coming up...all this pretend kids in a playground stuff to build up interest. Like a couple of drunk girls hitting each other with handbags outside a pub. really annoying because I keep having to put the TV on mute.
Getting tight in Dubai. Murray lost 1st set in tie break, but won 2nd tie break v Kohlschreiber 20-18.