Happy Old Year

2011 has been quite a year, both for me and for rugby. I've waffled on at length here about my trip round the world, which was quite simply amazing, so I won't bore you with details of that as the year comes to an end. I'd rather look back on the year in rugby and see who really were the winners and losers as we enter 2012.

As the year started, the 4-yearly structure that is imposed on International rugby due to a World Cup, loomed. A 6 Nations tournament for the Northern Hemisphere in the European winter/spring; a curtailed Tri Nations tournament (the last one of that ilk) in the weeks preceding the tournament for the Southern Hemisphere sides. Argentina and the Pacific Islands, as is their wont every 4 years, were left twiddling their thumbs in inactivity with no winter tours to Europe to occupy their minds.

Of course, the true highlight of the year was the World Cup in New Zealand. 24 years on, the hosts were desperate to etch their name on the trophy for a second time. Graham Henry had had 8 years to build towards an October final, and with few rugby followers doubting their position as World Number 1, not many saw the likelihood of them not fulfilling that scenario.

As it was, as can be read in other postings on this blog, they strolled past all-comers before stuttering and stumbling over the finishing line and achieving their ultimate goal. 8-7 sounds like a dull final, but the tension of the occasion, allied with a spirited French second half performance, made it anything but. Surprise heroes appeared (Woodcock is anything but a frequent try scorer and Donald had been fishing three weeks earlier) and wounded soldiers gave everything (McCaw's ankle and its rattling pin the prime example). The French had heroes too, but once more in a rugby history littered with glorious World Cup failure, they fell at the final hurdle and failed to take their first crown. 4 more years, as the infamous jibe of George Gregan went, and in 4 more years, we in England have the onerous task of putting on a better show as we host the 2015 World Cup.

Aside from the finalists, much was made of the "stunning", "fantastic" performance of the Welsh. They came out of a group containing South Africa, who had beaten them by a single point, and Samoa, who had flattered to deceive when beating Australia in a warm-up game. their best performances came in the knock-out phase however, where a stunning win against an over-confident Ireland side, and a glorious 14 man defeat against the French, showed what they were capable of. I think the superlatives used to describe their World Cup were a little too much though. Yes they were the best of the Home Nations, but that isn't saying much. Their undoubted superior fitness and a better game plan, allied with the emergence of a dependable and forward thinking fly half (Hook and Jones being either/or not both) saw them flatter to ultimately deceive when Priestland was injured and Warburton, their inspiration, red-carded.

Australia had earlier won a rather meaningless Tri Nations tournament, which saw a combination of weakened sides and first fifteens as coaches tried to protect their stars and give their replacements game time.

England took the 6 Nations Championship and what would be the only silverware under Martin Johnson, back in March amid much misplaced optimism ahead of the World Cup. 4 wins out of 4 before a visit to Dublin, which quashed Grand Slam hopes but didn't dull the party (a party which continued into October unfortunately). The other highlight of the 6 Nations came in Rome, where France, who had strolled to a comfortable lead, were surprisingly and spectacularly pegged back by Italy for their first 6 Nations win against their neighbours. Italy are fast improving, and the loss didn't do France any lasting harm as a mere 7 months later they finished as silver medallist down under.

The European Cup continues to grow into the World's premier club tournament. Leinster's stunning comeback to take the title from Northampton's clutches was a remarkable end to another remarkable tournament, and 2011-12 has seen another incredible start, as can be read in November and December's postings. Long may the cup continue..... Though if it continues to grow and grow, a European League will surely become a possibility.

Finally, a few words relating to my Christmas trip to Rotherham to watch Rotherham Titans vs Nottingham. Looking round the shared rugby and cricket ground, it was hard to believe that this was a 2nd tier game in the English national championship. A sloping pitch, with one main stand, spartan facilities and such a lack of parking that the correctly parked team buses and half a dozen supporters cars were summoned to be moved by the local constabulary.

The rugby barely deserves comment if I am brutally honest. A windy day, sure. A sloping pitch, OK. World Cup stars were on show though and kicking options from people with the reputation of James Arlidge, were awful. For the record, Rotherham won 19-11 in what was a poor game (note the same score as between Harlequins and Saracens in front of 82,000 people at Twickenham. The score may have been the same but the standard of play, facilities and everything else were worlds apart. £14 it cost me for the privilege of watching said game.... For the record, the European Cup game between Racing Metro and London Irish cost a mere 10 Euros. I suppose it is better value than football (what isn't?) but I wonder what the future can hold for clubs like Rotherham and Nottingham if spartan attendances and over-priced entry fees continue to be the order of the day.

At least the warm pork sandwich was cracking value.

So the curtain comes down on a wonderful year for rugby. Harlequins and Saracens are gunning for the English title, with Leicester and Northampton gathering momentum. Munster and Leinster are in prime position for another European assault. Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets have continued the good work of Wales during the World Cup while Edinburgh and Glasgow are showing the green shoots of recovery that Scottish rugby so desperately needs.

Happy New Year to all my readers. 2012 promises much to many, and as the sporting focus of the UK shifts to London 2012 and the Olympic Games, the first major international event sees the 6 Nations Championship burst into life in February. Looking forward to it already...