Argentina vs England - 18/07/26

[mkersyshull]

I will contradict some here (whilst also showing how subjective this is) but I feel this tournament has been a much needed shot in the arm for our sport. I do enjoy the traditional summer test series & A.Is, & there are still logistical questions to answer when the NH sides travel to the SH. But the 6 matches on one day & interlinking of each test match to a league, which ultimately leads to a finals weekend is working very very well & gives another level of interest.
People criticised the World Cup in its inaugural year in 1987 & look how it has grown. I think the nations championship has the potential to become a permanent -& welcome- event.

I’ve had more chats with my non-rugby friends during this tournament than during any summer tour. The game desperately needs this exposure to survive.

That means we have to embrace characters like Pollock. Sure, the antics and social media hype can be a bit immature, but you can’t welcome the new audience he brings without accepting some of the negatives.

The collapses of Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish should have been the wake-up call. We either adapt, market our players, and build a financially viable sport, or we watch rugby shrink back into a semi-pro game. We can't keep it insular and expect it to survive.

 

[Demfad]

Its a meaningless competition. Ive said it from the moment it was announced.

Its been great for the Tier 2, Tier 3 teams etc but not for the major ones.

If we have to go with the same tournament make the Tier one sides play a Development / A side and then it might be more interesting.

Its good for the Tier 1 sides otherwise excluded from playing Tier 1A sides.
Realignment was needed. Rugby nations are disparate outside of Europe. A tournament is always going to look clunky.

 

[Demfad]

I will contradict some here (whilst also showing how subjective this is) but I feel this tournament has been a much needed shot in the arm for our sport. I do enjoy the traditional summer test series & A.Is, & there are still logistical questions to answer when the NH sides travel to the SH. But the 6 matches on one day & interlinking of each test match to a league, which ultimately leads to a finals weekend is working very very well & gives another level of interest.
People criticised the World Cup in its inaugural year in 1987 & look how it has grown. I think the nations championship has the potential to become a permanent -& welcome- event.

Agree. Relative to 1987, this tournament is a triumph.
The world cup eventually helped equalize standards. Hopefully this new tournamnet will also.

 

[Geordie]

Its good for the Tier 1 sides otherwise excluded from playing Tier 1A sides.
Realignment was needed. Rugby nations are disparate outside of Europe. A tournament is always going to look clunky.

If this tournament stays, is there a need for the traditional November / Autumn internationals?

Im not averse to changing up the calendar, i personally would like to see a European cup style comp every 4 years.

But we have to manage the number of games top level players are playing.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

As far as I'm concerned, this is a pointless competition for the major nations; but...
Some of the rugby has been brilliant
It does mean that Fiji and Japan are getting matches against the big boys (though I think that was already happening)
It's on free-to-air TV

Which are all big positives - if those continue then a bad competition is a price worth paying - especially if it means the Fiji can expand their stadium, and start hosting matches.
They REALLY need to sort out Japan being allowed to host their matches in their own ground - or just have rotating hosts to minimise travel (actually, I think I'd prefer this - it would then feel like a real tournament!).
EG; if this year, South Africa had played host to all of England, Scotland, Wales, Fiji and Argentina. Aus play host to all of Ireland, France, Italy, NZ & Japan.
Next year, Argentina and NZ play host
Then Japan and Fiji (or Fiji decide to host in Europe in order to maximise revenue)

 

[Saintjay]

I'm still not sure how the structure/fixutures works tbh. How much home advantages plays for teams.

As a rule I'd 100% fancy England's chances against the All Blacks at Twickenham but not at Eden Park.

SA have all teams outside the top 4 at home but not away, whilst the All Blacks have the reverse.

I'm sure there is a theory behind it.

 

[Demfad]

If this tournament stays, is there a need for the traditional November / Autumn internationals?

Im not averse to changing up the calendar, i personally would like to see a European cup style comp every 4 years.

But we have to manage the number of games top level players are playing.

Outside the top14, the money is in Internationals.
I just think these tournaments over July and November broaden that base of matches.
In other words, I'd prefer to see clubs resting International players not less International matches.
We do need a proper European Cup though with all teams involved.
That would mean making Nations champs every 4 years which might ease ther welfare concerns.

 

[Demfad]

I'm still not sure how the structure/fixutures works tbh. How much home advantages plays for teams.

As a rule I'd 100% fancy England's chances against the All Blacks at Twickenham but not at Eden Park.

SA have all teams outside the top 4 at home but not away, whilst the All Blacks have the reverse.

I'm sure there is a theory behind it.

Its an England, Wales, Scotland Group versus an Ireland, France, Italy group.
It might prove even over an extended period.
In two years I imagine Fiji will be based in France which will make them more competitive.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I’m just dipping into individual matches.

Couldn’t give a monkey’s about ‘the tournament’. Totally synthetic and means we have a global tournament of some format 3 years out of 4.

Same old teams and I’d be amazed if it helped the ‘invitees’ of Japan and Fiji get properly competitive.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Pollock is 21 and acts like a 21 year old.

Shock. Every rugby team has someone like that in them. Just leave the lad be, I like the fact he was winding up the arge people. Why not do it.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Teams up!!! As expected really

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Shame for Kloska but that's a better set of props IMO

 

[Saintjay]

Pollock is 21 and acts like a 21 year old.

Shock. Every rugby team has someone like that in them. Just leave the lad be, I like the fact he was winding up the arge people. Why not do it.

Wait till people ever see a Colts or Uni team playing Freckles, or Dam Busters with the losers chopping a dirty pint.

I won't even get into the three pool balls and shower gel trick I saw in one club. Tbh I think they were the Vets not the younger lads.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think Pollock can be such an American flavour of cringeworthy. At least Haskell and Marler were very English in theirs.

I like that it adds spice and another dimension to England games. When England go through good patches with him in the future it'll be very valuable, not sure it's helping loads currently but it's low on the list of reasons they're losing games.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Wait till people ever see a Colts or Uni team playing Freckles, or Dam Busters with the losers chopping a dirty pint.

I won't even get into the three pool balls and shower gel trick I saw in one club. Tbh I think they were the Vets not the younger lads.

I mean colts is u18 and most 21 year olds have already grown out of the sticking tongue out crap

And the rest of the stuff you mention is done behind close doors with your team…

Maybe if this stuff felt organic and not wannabe Dennis the menace

Granted shouldn’t and won’t make a difference to selection as long as he keeps performing. I just don’t think he’s going to bring in new fans like some act. Kids that will like will be ones already in the rugby demographic. He ain’t Haaland


Anyway on the team, personally felt like this was the game to start Pollock in

 

[Demfad]

I’m just dipping into individual matches.

Couldn’t give a monkey’s about ‘the tournament’. Totally synthetic and means we have a global tournament of some format 3 years out of 4.

Same old teams and I’d be amazed if it helped the ‘invitees’ of Japan and Fiji get properly competitive.

It also means that non Tier1A teams get access to Tier1A teams guaranteed every two years including away matches. There is also a competition for Tier2s.
When Ireland felt like it was being shafted forever as a non Tier1A team I was ******. Not going to be a hypcrite now and pull the ladder up in our possibly temporary stay at 1A.

 

[Geordie]

Glad to see them looking at the hooke......oh hang on....

 

[AlRums]

EG; if this year, South Africa had played host to all of England, Scotland, Wales, Fiji and Argentina. Aus play host to all of Ireland, France, Italy, NZ & Japan.
Next year, Argentina and NZ play host
Then Japan and Fiji (or Fiji decide to host in Europe in order to maximise revenue)

I like that idea, it would give travelling fans a better experience, it's prohibitively expensive for fans to fly the same routes as the teams, in the time scales.

Being able to go to one country for all three tests would be ideal (almost Lions style)

 

[Quel Carreleur]

I like that idea, it would give travelling fans a better experience, it's prohibitively expensive for fans to fly the same routes as the teams, in the time scales.

Being able to go to one country for all three tests would be ideal (almost Lions style)

Thinking about it a bit more - everywhere but Fiji, would be able to put each "host" country in a single city, and have the "visitor" teams travel between. Fiji could as well if they chose to play in larger European stadia.

So eg Australia host, that section of the tournament, and Japan play 3 matches in Newcastle, NZ play 3 in Sydney, Aus play 3 in Brisbane
Cape Town, Johannesburg & Durban for SA
Christchurch, Wellington & Auckland for NZ
Buenos Aires, Córdoba & Mendoza for Argentina
Tokyo, Yokohama & Osaka for Japan
Fiji might be able to use Cardiff, Liverpool & Edinburgh? or Suva, Auckland & Sydney (largest Fijian diasporae)? maybe Singapore, Bangkok & Jakarta for some novelty value?

 

[Demfad]

As far as I'm concerned, this is a pointless competition for the major nations; but...
Some of the rugby has been brilliant
It does mean that Fiji and Japan are getting matches against the big boys (though I think that was already happening)
It's on free-to-air TV

Which are all big positives - if those continue then a bad competition is a price worth paying - especially if it means the Fiji can expand their stadium, and start hosting matches.
They REALLY need to sort out Japan being allowed to host their matches in their own ground - or just have rotating hosts to minimise travel (actually, I think I'd prefer this - it would then feel like a real tournament!).
EG; if this year, South Africa had played host to all of England, Scotland, Wales, Fiji and Argentina. Aus play host to all of Ireland, France, Italy, NZ & Japan.
Next year, Argentina and NZ play host
Then Japan and Fiji (or Fiji decide to host in Europe in order to maximise revenue)

You're not going to get the revenue or attendences required unfortunately.
The red line is that logistics should not make any team uncompetitive for any match.
Unfortunately for Japan as an invitee the 6N team will play that middle match in Australasia and not under got a round trip to the Heat and Humidity of Tokyo in the middle of 60-70 hrs total travel.
his year they should have been able to play at least the Wales and Scotland matches there and perhaps the England match in England for revenue.
If there is an insistence on`using sponsorship from Qatar going forward then I think the experiment should be over from Ireland's perspective and I would hope from France's also. It's only sport, no need to take that filthy money.

 

[Reiser99]

This will give a better reflection on where the team is and if there are any improvements from the 6Ns. I'm still worried that against a better, more organised side, England will struggle to keep possession for long periods and will get desperate.

 

[wombles]

Looking at the England team, it is good to see some consistency in selection (despite who we would prefer to have in those positions). No-matter the development of the game over the years, I truly think consistency of selection, allied with strong links forged away from the first XV tests on the training field & -really really importantly- through a England A structure, allows for relationships to develop & experience thrive, which can increase the chances of better team performances & cohesion.
Of course, you always need to keep working away at having strength in depth, but the players coming in need to understand the identity of the team & to understand the style & ethos (even when that naturally evolves, as it needs to remain consistent to allow new & experienced players to integrate & change seamlessly).
England have been so engaged in chopping & changing, whilst retaining a un-useful pragmatism & lack of style or identity, or developing a united, understandable evolution over so many years we have lost that....Please, please, please let that be the start of it, it is long overdue!

 

[Saintjay]

Viva la evolution.

 

[Ddanno]

Viva la evolution.

View attachment 26311

I'm going to start rounding up and incarcerating barbers

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm going to start rounding up and incarcerating barbers

Change that to incinerating and you've got my vote

 

[Saintjay]

I'm going to start rounding up and incarcerating barbers

But what will I wear to Twickers. Oh Barbers......my bad.

 

[mackerzz]

I'm going to start rounding up and incarcerating barbers

For real though, why the fk have mullets and other arse hairstyles become so popular these days....

I might try the reverse mullet see how that goes

 

[Welsh Exile]

Bit disappointed that Pollock just did his standard shush gesture on the bus. Get some new material mate. You just watched your country get mugged off in the football and they had a Falklands banner and everything. I was expecting more from Pollock like burning a Maradonna shirt or something. That would have been funny.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I doubt he's ever heard of Maradonna or the Falklands tbh,
He doesn't even realise they've left Northampton, he thinks airplanes are just airbnbs and he's just woken up to different weather

 

[Saintjay]

Most of the England pack probably think Maradonna sang "Like a virgin'.