“Les enfants terrible” – The chance for redemption for Cipriani & Henson?

All too often it is the “Bad boys” of the sport that make the pulse rate race, that cause the endless debates about their quality, worth, whether they deserve to be selected and even their dress sense. Yet often almost grudgingly the quality of their play far exceeds their flamboyance taking the game to a higher level brings forth admiration and praise. Brash, arrogant and apparently supremely self confident; they can appear almost astonishingly brittle, they can be infuriating but can never be ignored. Cipriani and Henson are about to try and ply their magic in the unforgiving world of the Aviva premiership, and there can be no doubt that on their day they can both light up a field and take a drab boring game back into the sunshine. For both though there is a caveat this is probably their last opportunity to fulfil their destiny. Both can turn the staccato liquid language of the game into poetry, playing at a level far above their team-mates.

Rugby sells itself as a game for “All shapes and sizes”, and this has to include egos and personalities. Cipriani and Henson see the game as theirs to shape, manage and dominate. These are the type of players that supporters want to watch, applauding joyously when they succeed and shaking their heads unforgiving and critical when they fail. In the harsh professional world of the Aviva there is little room for failure or sentiment; jobs and careers are always on the line. In particular for the coaches of Sale and London Welsh the form of these two players could easily dictate their futures. All three are proven coaches, too experienced and pragmatic not to recognize the huge risk they have taken. Both bring hype, huge baggage and a sense of underachievement with them.

To succeed they will both need support from their coaches as there will definitely be tough times ahead. From the outside Diamond and his right hand man Redpath appear very different to the extrovert and media savvy Lyn Jones. Jones has a deserved reputation for advocating attacking rugby, his teams play with flair and belief. His management and dignified leadership of London welsh on their winning Championship campaign has restored his reputation. Diamond and Redpath would appear to Sale fans as the “Dream team”, steeped in the club. Whereas London Welsh have to stay up, for Sale they have very different and loftier ambitions. They know that it is consistency that will be needed not moments of individual brilliance to win the typical hard slog matches of the Aviva. Somehow they have to find a way to allow the maverick Cipriani to fit into a system that wins those tight games. The pressure appears to be already building; Redpath has publicly admonished the club’s senior players for their pre-season efforts. There have been big signings at the club, a move to a new stadium, the pressure of trying to be successful deep in Super league territory and now Kennedy the owner is trying to buy the bankrupt Glasgow Rangers. Sale desperately needs a triumphant season and a successful campaign in the Heineken Cup; this would appear to be a very tall order. Cipriani is going to have to settle very quickly.

Cipriani and Henson undoubtedly are capable of dominating any game they choose to but it could be argued that their best days are behind them. Cipriani harshly rejected by the increasingly desperate Johnson went off to Melbourne to rediscover his game. His time in the Super 15 was underwhelming to say the least and they even let him go before the end of his contract. However, if he can revive his game, stay injury free and critically not try to force the play then a Cipriani playing well could well be the answer for Sale and maybe even for England.

For Henson the challenge is a simple one, his troubles are well documented he needs to focus on his rugby, he is probably all too aware that he will probably never get another chance. In Jones he has the only coach that has consistently got the best out of him, they go back a very long way and significantly they clearly trust and like each other. Henson after his years of self imposed exile is still searching for the instinctive brilliance that saw him as one of Wales’ best players in the Grand Slams of ’05 and ’08. What used to be so effortless appeared clumsy during his recent matches. Jones astute or courageous declaration that he intends to play Henson at 10 is to keep Henson involved in the game constantly to show trust in his abilities and to give him a clearly defined role in contrast to how shabbily handled Henson was by the Blues. More importantly, it would show that he has absolute faith in him. On the other hand this a huge gamble by London Welsh, with their hand probably forced by the RFU farcical handling of the whole promotion issue.

Whatever happens at least the respective Club Chairmen will be happy as both these players put bums on seats. It will be fascinating to watch how they go about their business and if they could both succeed, the game would suddenly have got a whole lot better to watch.
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"The persistence of summer"

“Rugby may have many problems but the gravest is undoubtedly that of the persistence of summer.”

These are the wise words of the ex All Black and inventor of the spin pass, Chris Laidlaw who in so many respects has hit the nail on the head. Despite, the undoubted attractions of the rugby from the Southern hemisphere with its intensity, exceptional skill levels and simple brutality it can not overcome the obstacles of time difference and the quality of the local commentators. Summer is a time of torpor of recuperation for the forthcoming season, it is also a time when followers fall greedily on any news emanating from their club, province or region: when is pre-season training?, the drip of new signings and departures and of course the marketing department trying to drum season ticket sales or selling off the old replica shirts in xs/xxxl. Then thankfully a sign appears a concrete symbol that the new season is close and the days to the start of the season are easy to count. This happens with the publication of the fixtures for the new season. It is then that the ardent fan can at last begin to plan their year, where ideas hatched at a beery barbecue can become reality; the year can now be planned. When are the most significant matches, no-go weekends, or others where you simply can not leave the country or at least choose a hotel that has Sky Sports. The examination of these fixtures takes on the shape of a holy ritual, only shared if at all in secret with your most intimate confidant. This is particularly important if there is a scheme to visit one of Europe’s most glamorous cities for a Heineken Cup match or indeed an international without the presence of your wife/partner.

The conclusion of these discussions bear fruit in the shape of a complete map of the year; a guide that leaves no real room for manoeuvre but published on a need to know basis, the completion of which creates an aura usually associated with the need for a cigarette. Below is a list of the matches that might be considered sacrosanct. It is not designed to be exhaustive yet it does serve to demonstrate the myriad possibilities of the season ahead. It goes without saying that large portions are already conveniently decided: the Six Nations, November internationals, Heineken Cup, knockout phases and the final; respective play-offs and finals. Gloriously this season concludes with the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this adds up to 16 wonderful weeks of rugby already mapped out. But it is then that the “Nitty gritty” begins depending on your team and the competition they play in. Below is a selection of fixtures to look forward to, to savour the anticipation of they are not to be seen as definitive but rather to illustrate the wonderful conundrum of making a choice from such riches.

The Aviva Premiership

Date	Match
15/09	Saracens vs. Leicester
22/09	Leicester vs. Harlequins
29/09	Harlequins vs. Saracens
6/10	Gloucester vs. Bath
3/11	Leicester vs. Northampton
16/02	Harlequins vs. Leicester
23/02	Leicester vs. Saracens
23/03	Exeter vs. Leicester
13/04	Harlequins vs. Bath
04/05	Harlequins vs. Northampton

League form and performance could alter any of these in terms of importance and relevance. As a neutral there is the question of; how will Bath perform? Can Dai Young resuscitate Wasps? What can Redpath and Diamond do for sale in their new stadium? Lyn Jones and London Welsh do they have any chance at all? Will Exeter kick on again and revel in the Heineken Cup? All of this just makes you want the season to start now! But, how can the computer so randomly create a fixture list that involves Leicester with two such potentially vital games in the middle of the Six nations?

The Rabo Direct Pro 12

Given the excitement of the semi’s and the final last season there is a need for the status of the competition for all of the teams involved  to produce their best across the whole of the championship this season.

Date	Match
31/08	Scarlets vs. Leinster
07/09	Ospreys vs. Ulster
14/09	Ulster vs. Munster
29/09	Ospreys vs. Munster
02/11	Ospreys vs. Leinster
21/12	Ulster vs. Leinster
28/12	Edinburgh vs. Glasgow
1/03	Munster vs. Ospreys
29/03	Blues vs. Ospreys
29/03	Leinster vs. Ulster
12/04	Munster vs. Leinster
3/05	Leinster vs. Ospreys

It is a reflection of the great strengths and weaknesses of the Rabo that the top teams tend to name themselves. The Irish provinces are the teams to beat but last season the Ospreys were able to beat them all. This season can Edinburgh use the experience of their journey in the Heineken Cup to make a serious assault on the league; can Glasgow kick on from just being a hard side to beat? Scarlets will need to show that the loss of Coach Nigel Davies is not a fatal wound and can the sleeping giant of the Blues finally rouse itself to actually play like a team? Then there is the intriguing prospect of the “Zebre”, for the sake of the credibility of Italian rugby they need to show that there is another team in Italy, other than Treviso.
The Orange Top 14
With so much glamour and potential in the Top 14 almost of all its matches could be fantastic. Also in such a long season lasting from August 18^th to June 1^st there are certain to be many twists and turns. It is the oldest rugby league competition in the world and the pursuit of the Boucleir de Brennus has a spiritual hold over all of the teams and their fans.

Date	Match
18/08	Perpignan vs. Toulon
31/08	Biarritz vs. Toulouse
29/09	Toulouse vs. Toulon
06/10	Castres vs. Clermont
06/10	Biarritz vs. Toulon
26/10	Clermont vs. Biarritz
30/11	Toulouse vs. Clermont
29/12	Toulon vs. Perpignan
02/03	Bayonne vs. Biarritz
20/04	Paris vs. Racing Metro

There are simply so many great match-ups that it is next to impossible to create a definitive list of must watch games. Any games involving Toulouse has the potential to be a great game or an upset depending on your point of view. Castres can they match last seasons endeavours? Perpignan and Biarritz can they start as badly again? Will the galacticos of Bayonne finally gel and become genuinely competitive? Clermont what will they focus on, can Fofana avoid second season syndrome? Toulon will the jigsaw finally fit together? The possibilities are seemingly endless.
The start of the season cannot come soon enough

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Sqeaky bum time at the Super 15

A testing last round of games for the top sides in the competition waits this weekend, nothing is absolutely clear with eight sides still with something to play for. As the dénouement approaches there are so many permutations possible for each team to consider that each match carries a meaning or a burden.

The Chiefs despite the loss to the Crusaders last week still have the momentum, they have only lost three games all season and can approach any contest without fear and with real confidence in their abilities both in attack and defence. But, to guarantee that precious home semi-final, and whisper it a home final they need as an absolute minimum a losing bonus point from their game with the Hurricanes. On the other side of the coin if the ‘Canes win and other results go their way then they go through to the play offs.

The organisers of the Super 15 could not have dreamt of a better finale to the season; the matches are certain to be intense, passionate and brutal affairs. If the ACT brumbies lose to Blues and the Queensland Reds, the current holders of the Super 15, can beat their hated rivals the NSW Waratahs. Then the Reds go through. How Cooper and Genia would enjoy that moment. In the South Africa conference it looks far more straightforward; the Stormers deserve their premier position in their conference and both the Bulls and the Sharks can feel reasonably sure about their chances against the Lions and the Cheetahs respectively.

If it all pans out as the bookies expect then the Chiefs and the Stormers will have earned themselves a week off, and crucially a home semi-final. The Quarter Finals will be; Act Brumbies vs. The Sharks and the other match Crusaders vs. The Bulls.

Wellington Hurricanes vs. Waikato Chiefs

The game of the weekend no doubt is the Chiefs against the Wellington Hurricanes. Fans of the Waikato Chiefs ruefully accepted their loss to the Crusaders barely finding the time to bemoan Bryce Lawrence’s dubious TMO performance they are used to their team snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Over the 17 years of the Chief’s existence they have only qualified three times for the play offs. Yet there is a sense of destiny about this campaign, they are playing enterprising winning rugby. Dave Rennie and Wayne smith have constructed an excellent team based around a strong squad. In Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill they have two of the best attacking players in world rugby and the wily Conrad smith knows that he will have his hands full. Rennie has felt confident enough to rest several players; “We want to make sure it’s a competitive environment and there are guys scrapping for positions in the semi-final.”

The Hurricanes have won their last 6 home matches against the Chiefs but the advantage of Wellington can maybe discounted for this meeting, given that the 'Canes have only won 3 of 7 on their ground in 2012.  The ‘Canes might well want an open game, they need to score tries but the Chiefs will at first seek to subdue the Hurricane forwards first before opening up. The return of Craig Clark will ensure that the Chiefs’ lineout does not implode as it did last week and with security of possession the Chiefs will seek to squeeze the desperate Hurricanes out of the match. The Hurricanes have conceded 46 per cent of tries to opposition forwards and that will encourage the Chiefs look to keep this one tight and wait to pounce on the inevitable errors. Critically Rennie might have made significant changes but he has the stronger bench available and that could turn the tide.

The Chiefs will win the game by at least 6 points and make a statement to the other sides in the competition that they are back on track.

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The RaboDirect PRO12 Round up July 12th

 

Ospreys

The Ospreys have announced the resigning of twice capped centre Jonathan Spratt. He has returned to his local region after two seasons at London Irish. Spratt was seen as potentially an international centre and an exciting prospect. After a successful spell playing for Taranaki in the ITM cup Spratt looked for the best way to expand his rugby experience.

His time at London Irish augmented his natural skills as he adapted successfully to the attritional nature of the Aviva Premiership adding a steelier edge to his game.

With Ashley Beck and Andrew Bishop as perhaps the first choice centres for the Ospreys but that did not deter Spratt who said; “I’m very excited to be back here. It’s where I’m from; I was brought up playing rugby in Ospreylia, so clearly when the opportunity arose to come back I jumped at the chance."

For Tandy and his other coaches Spratt brings valuable experience, and more significantly real competition and depth to the squad.

Cardiff Blues

The noises are very encouraging for Blues supporters already happy at the prospect of the return to their beloved if old Cardiff Arms Park, coming from pre-season training. Players have a smile on their faces and there is real sense of purpose and determination emanating from the group. New signing, hooker Kyriacou is most impressed and has no regrets about leaving the defeated Heineken finalists Ulster, “The facilities here are incredible, absolutely brilliant. They cater for us 100 per cent. Everything is here for us with regards to strength, conditioning and recovery with ice baths and massages so there's no excuses not to train."

Phil Davies has already made his mark; an astute coach with a vast store of experience to draw upon he has taken his time to create a well constructed programme and build the squad’s togetherness for the challenges ahead in rebuilding the team’s reputation. The signing of the retiring Xavier rush as Defence coach is another sign of Davies’ influence. Rush has been one of the best Southern Hemisphere signings in Welsh rugby since Gary Teichmann and he will have the ear of the players and the support of the dressing room and will be a great help to Davies in getting his ideas across. There are promising signs that Cardiff is putting the problems of last year behind them.

Leinster

The disappointment of losing the championship by one point to the Ospreys has made Leinster take a long look at their strategy towards the league this season. The retention of the mercurial Luke Fitzgerald despite him being let go by the myopic IRFU is a clear sign of intent.

Fitzgerald has plenty of gas, plays heads up rugby and is an excellent link with Nacewa and Rob Carney in other words he keeps the opposition guessing and honest. If he is not wanted by Ireland as far as Head Coach Joe Schmidt is concerned that is very good news indeed; “We are delighted that Luke has committed to the province for another year.” He knows that this is a good bit of business for Leinster.

Whatever the outcome of the negotiations over the shape and composition of the Heineken Cup it is clear that Leinster and their fellow provinces need to take the league more seriously this season and not just as an opportunity to try out players and rest the established stars. Leinster have moved wisely to strengthen both the squad and vulnerable pack with the signing of Western province lock Quinn Roux and the hard nosed NZ flanker Andrew Goodman on one year deals. These are sensible and much needed reinforcements to the Leinster roster.

Sonny Bill Williams Maverick or Mercenary?

At the Sonny Bill Williams confessional press conference earlier this week, he confirmed his departure from the goldfish bowl of NZ rugby to take up a lucrative contract in Japan and that crushingly he would play in the NRL, for as of yet an unnamed team. His reward for such a stint is rumoured to be as much as $2.5 million for two years work. An, apparently emotional Williams sought to explain the rationale behind the decision by telling the gathering of journalists that the money was simply too good to turn down, and that sometime ago he had made a “handshake agreement” to play rugby league in Australia sometime ago. Strangely that long agreed deal still has not been finalised. Given the fall-out from the last time he walked away from a deal in the NRL Williams and his advisers have tried to learn their lessons. The fans of the NRL team Canterbury Bankstown have still not forgiven him for walking out of a five year deal to join Toulon, whilst the team was at the bottom of the league, and Williams has never apologised. Yet his candour that it is the money rings more true than his protestations that he will return to play for the Chiefs in two years time and play for them for nothing. Perhaps, he is taking a far greater risk than he realises or simply that he is so confident in his own ability that he will still be the man the Chiefs and the All Blacks will have to build their teams around. But, what if Hansen decides to move Carter to second 5/8; would he drop the iconic reliable Carter to accommodate the prodigal Williams?

Around these events there is sense of “déjà vu”, this was not unexpected. After all Williams has not played a great deal of his professional rugby in NZ. Clearly, there is a sense of adventure about him. He likes to live his life on the edge like he plays the game. To keep himself interested he needs new challenges that if he stays too long in one place he gets stale and ultimately fails to achieve the goals he has set himself. After all, as he already possesses a Rugby World Championship medal maybe he wants a Rugby League one?

He has decided to put on hold a burgeoning rugby union career that would have doubtless seen him eventually enter the pantheon of All Black greats. Maybe he has decided to try and emulate the accomplishments of the magnificent Brad Thorn? Greatness is a label that can only be earned by sustained excellence, an epithet accorded only to a few. Longevity is the key and Williams cannot lay claim to that but at this time he is not bothered by his legacy, he has chosen to live in the moment. There can be no doubt about his quality. His play against Ireland was superb leaving the vaunted duo of O’Driscoll and Darcy grasping at air, at times he was unplayable. Despite his large frame Williams possesses quick feet and even faster softer hands as he languidly left the Irish in his wake he ensured that the All Blacks appeared to be able to score at will. When Williams plays he always attracts interest, people stand up when he starts to run expecting something to happen and they are rarely disappointed. That is at the crux of the frustration his decision has caused; he was taking rugby union to the next level in terms of skill, athleticism and the finding of space on a cluttered field. he was the future. For the traditionalists of the game; the fact that he has left the international field for money will make them shake their reactionary heads in disbelief and complain further about this generation of players not understanding their roots or the culture of the game.

The NZ press has on the whole been sympathetic and understanding. This could be ultimately self serving knowing that the defence of their hard fought title of world champions will desperately need a fit and dedicated Sonny Boy and they do not want to do anything to jeopardise his potential and essential return. Williams is well aware that playing rugby professionally is a short term career that can be over in an instant, he has been seriously injured before and knows that he has to make the most of the talent he has. The best players in the world always migrate to where the money is and that at the moment that is not NZ. His decision to leave is the right one for Sonny Bill Williams. There is a sense of disillusionment that the adulation and challenge of international rugby was insufficient a motivation to keep him and perhaps there is a warning here for the game to take note of.

Only time will tell if he has made the right call, if he has indeed been honest in his promise to return, or will the siren call of a full wallet be what Williams really wants?
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