Relating back to Dan Careter, the only real contender for pure talent is England’s fragile world cup winner, Jonny Wilkinson. The Newcastle Falcons playmaker has been dogged with injuries since 2003 and has rarely returned to international action.
Last year’s six nations did see him return but he was quickly overshadowed by Danny Cipriani, who was over-hyped into claiming a place in the starting 15.
But Wilkinson returned from injury this season and was playing some of his best rugby since 2003. His performances in the first month of the season had all but won him a starting place in England’s autumn international tests, but another injury meant he will struggle to make the 2009 Six Nations.
The latest news on his knee injury is that he may indeed make a miraculous recovery in time for the six nations. It was previously thought that Wilkinson would only recover in March at best, but it seems his rehabilitation is going exceptionally well which is great news for England fans.
To be honest, Danny Cipriani has been less than impressive since his wonderboy entrance onto the international stage last year. Martin Johnson’s decision to drop him for the test against New Zealand was entirely justified and I’m glad that he is not afraid to drop his top players if they are out of form.
Just like Wilkinson was dropped last year, it is only fair to the other squad members and Toby Flood deserved his chance to shine.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Dan Carter takes on Leicester
Dan Carter is set to make his debut for Perpignan this weekend in the Heineken Cup against Leicester. The New Zealand fly-half will be hoping to set the European stage alight with his fast paced game and exceptional handling and passing skills.
In my opinion he is the best fly-half in the world right now, overshadowing the likes of Danny Cipriani and Ronan O’Gara by a long way. He has showed consistently over the last four years that he has everything a modern half-back should possess.
It’s going to be an interesting sight seeing Carter taking to the field against English clubs and I can’t wait to watch some highlights of him connecting well with his new Perpignan teammates. (and highlights it will be, I’m not going to be sat in front of the TV on Saturday afternoon, honest!)
This week Gloucester are also in action and it’s another thing trying to pull me away from playing myself. This week there is a special offer on with students being able to get a ticket for a tenner, which is a bargain compared to what I paid to watch them against Newcastle in September, which was a whopping £25.
However, I'm not going to give in, it's time to get back into action because otherwise I'll find some other excuse and I won't return until after the new year.
In my opinion he is the best fly-half in the world right now, overshadowing the likes of Danny Cipriani and Ronan O’Gara by a long way. He has showed consistently over the last four years that he has everything a modern half-back should possess.
It’s going to be an interesting sight seeing Carter taking to the field against English clubs and I can’t wait to watch some highlights of him connecting well with his new Perpignan teammates. (and highlights it will be, I’m not going to be sat in front of the TV on Saturday afternoon, honest!)
This week Gloucester are also in action and it’s another thing trying to pull me away from playing myself. This week there is a special offer on with students being able to get a ticket for a tenner, which is a bargain compared to what I paid to watch them against Newcastle in September, which was a whopping £25.
However, I'm not going to give in, it's time to get back into action because otherwise I'll find some other excuse and I won't return until after the new year.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Another shaky return to action...?!
This week I’m set to return to the field, and it’s been way too long if you ask me!
It’s the last match before a week off for the Christmas festivities so hopefully I can put in at least a half-decent performance and work towards getting my place back in the starting 15 for the new year.
It’s been a busy month for me, what with 21st birthdays and band practices. Atlases, the band I’m in are releasing an E.P through Stuttgart-based record label Day By Day Records, and therefore the five of us have been writing new material at pace for the last month.
Considering I go to the University of Gloucestershire, one goes to Westminster and another in Brighton it’s been an absolute mission to get anything done at all.
Still, I’m glad everyone’s going to be in one place again for the next month or so, freeing me up to play some rugby and take part in some long overdue exercise.
This week there is a friendly scheduled that is yet to be confirmed although I am told there is definitely a match. I’ve been thinking about going for a run or something, give myself some sort of preparation, but to no avail as yet. If I had little drive to go to the gym with heating, it’s not surprising that I’m lacking the motivation to take a leisurely jog in the midst of December!
When it comes to match day however, it’s a different story, I have no problem with putting my body through the worst. Maybe it’s because I’d be letting others down, I don’t know, but there something there urging me on.
I’ve never really understood it myself, because thinking about it right now I’m not keen at all. The easy option would be to declare my unavailability when the group text gets sent out tomorrow, and spend my Saturday on the sofa with a beer, watching the rugby!
It’s the last match before a week off for the Christmas festivities so hopefully I can put in at least a half-decent performance and work towards getting my place back in the starting 15 for the new year.
It’s been a busy month for me, what with 21st birthdays and band practices. Atlases, the band I’m in are releasing an E.P through Stuttgart-based record label Day By Day Records, and therefore the five of us have been writing new material at pace for the last month.
Considering I go to the University of Gloucestershire, one goes to Westminster and another in Brighton it’s been an absolute mission to get anything done at all.
Still, I’m glad everyone’s going to be in one place again for the next month or so, freeing me up to play some rugby and take part in some long overdue exercise.
This week there is a friendly scheduled that is yet to be confirmed although I am told there is definitely a match. I’ve been thinking about going for a run or something, give myself some sort of preparation, but to no avail as yet. If I had little drive to go to the gym with heating, it’s not surprising that I’m lacking the motivation to take a leisurely jog in the midst of December!
When it comes to match day however, it’s a different story, I have no problem with putting my body through the worst. Maybe it’s because I’d be letting others down, I don’t know, but there something there urging me on.
I’ve never really understood it myself, because thinking about it right now I’m not keen at all. The easy option would be to declare my unavailability when the group text gets sent out tomorrow, and spend my Saturday on the sofa with a beer, watching the rugby!
Autumn Internationals Review
So, the Autumn Internationals have come and gone, and England have yet again failed to impress. Under new manager Martin Johnson’s regime England have yet to find their feet and begin to move forward.
However, this is not going to be one of those long winded rants about the state of English rugby. Yes, the four internationals that yielded only one win (against the Pacific Islanders – enough said) but I truly believe that things can only get better for the squad.
There are some incredible players and up and coming talents in the mix, and with the right training and mentality, they can really push forward in preparation for next year’s Six Nations Championship.
Australia may have been flattered by the 28-14 score line at Twickenham but both the South Africa and New Zealand scores toll the bigger picture.
There is work to be done for sure, but I really don’t understand all the stick that Martin Johnson and his squad have been receiving. This was their first four games as a squad, they need time to develop as a unit before they can even think about beating any of the southern hemisphere teams.
The young talents we have need more game time to adjust to the international stage and I think a year from now we will see the real Martin Johnson ‘era’ get truly underway. 3rd place or better in February’s Six Nations will be a step in the right direction in my opinion, and if the boys get it together sooner rather than later, 2nd place is a realistic target.
However, this is not going to be one of those long winded rants about the state of English rugby. Yes, the four internationals that yielded only one win (against the Pacific Islanders – enough said) but I truly believe that things can only get better for the squad.
There are some incredible players and up and coming talents in the mix, and with the right training and mentality, they can really push forward in preparation for next year’s Six Nations Championship.
Australia may have been flattered by the 28-14 score line at Twickenham but both the South Africa and New Zealand scores toll the bigger picture.
There is work to be done for sure, but I really don’t understand all the stick that Martin Johnson and his squad have been receiving. This was their first four games as a squad, they need time to develop as a unit before they can even think about beating any of the southern hemisphere teams.
The young talents we have need more game time to adjust to the international stage and I think a year from now we will see the real Martin Johnson ‘era’ get truly underway. 3rd place or better in February’s Six Nations will be a step in the right direction in my opinion, and if the boys get it together sooner rather than later, 2nd place is a realistic target.
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Excuses, excuses...
So, it’s been a long while since I blogged, but I assure you are missing out on very little. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to play for the last 3 / 4 matches mainly due to social commitments, but hear me out.
It’s got to the year of my life where I constantly have no money because all of my friends are turning 21 and there are subsequently far too many social events, and it would be incredibly rude to turn them all down.
I don’t think my ’97 Renault Clio will live much longer as it’s been taking a bit of a battering lately, travelling to Portsmouth, Bristol, Manchester, Cornwall, Cardiff, London and god knows where else!
The SatNav which I borrowed from my Dad, doesn’t know where ‘Home’ is anymore as it is rarely allowed to rest there for longer than a few days. I pressed ‘Home’ the other day on my way back from Cornwall and it wanted to take me to somewhere up north rather than Cheltenham.
This week , I won't be able to play because I have to work on Saturday after swapping a shift in order to attend yet another weekend of celebrations last weekend.
After this weekend though I’ll be raring to go again despite having lost any fitness that I had gained in the first couple of months of the season. To my disgust, my beer belly is becoming ever more prominent!
Roll on the 13th December when I can get back out into the cold, I’ll have to up my work rate though otherwise I’ll freeze to death!
It’s got to the year of my life where I constantly have no money because all of my friends are turning 21 and there are subsequently far too many social events, and it would be incredibly rude to turn them all down.
I don’t think my ’97 Renault Clio will live much longer as it’s been taking a bit of a battering lately, travelling to Portsmouth, Bristol, Manchester, Cornwall, Cardiff, London and god knows where else!
The SatNav which I borrowed from my Dad, doesn’t know where ‘Home’ is anymore as it is rarely allowed to rest there for longer than a few days. I pressed ‘Home’ the other day on my way back from Cornwall and it wanted to take me to somewhere up north rather than Cheltenham.
This week , I won't be able to play because I have to work on Saturday after swapping a shift in order to attend yet another weekend of celebrations last weekend.
After this weekend though I’ll be raring to go again despite having lost any fitness that I had gained in the first couple of months of the season. To my disgust, my beer belly is becoming ever more prominent!
Roll on the 13th December when I can get back out into the cold, I’ll have to up my work rate though otherwise I’ll freeze to death!
Thursday 13th November - Back to business in the 3rd's
Last week’s fixture saw a visit to ‘The North’ from local rivals Cinderford, who kindly brought a mixture of their 1sts and 2nds to play against our 3rd string.
Things did not look well from the off as we conceded an early converted try and looked to be heading for a demoralising defeat.
However, after regaining a bit of possession and territory towards the end of the first half, we found ourselves only 10-7 down at the interval, which was quite frankly, a miracle.
The second half started brightly and I managed to squeeze myself over the try line in the corner for my 2nd try of the season....only for it to be ruled out for a forward pass.
It was frustrating to say the least as I felt the pass was flat if not fractionally backwards, but you learn to get on with things as this can happen a lot in local rugby. Referees are not always full-qualified and most of the time it’s just whoever isn’t playing that particular week, takes over the duties.
We soldiered on anyway and kept the Cinderford attacks at bay, managing a legitimate try of our own on the break when a clearance kick bobbled about downfield before our outside-centre duly collected when their full-back knocked on.
Cinderford kicked a penalty towards the end of the 80 minutes but it was not enough as we recorded a famous victory. The team-talk at the start was all about beating Cinderford for once (a Cheltenham North side hadn’t done so for quite some time it appeared) so everyone was ecstatic with the outcome, a 14-13 victory.
Things did not look well from the off as we conceded an early converted try and looked to be heading for a demoralising defeat.
However, after regaining a bit of possession and territory towards the end of the first half, we found ourselves only 10-7 down at the interval, which was quite frankly, a miracle.
The second half started brightly and I managed to squeeze myself over the try line in the corner for my 2nd try of the season....only for it to be ruled out for a forward pass.
It was frustrating to say the least as I felt the pass was flat if not fractionally backwards, but you learn to get on with things as this can happen a lot in local rugby. Referees are not always full-qualified and most of the time it’s just whoever isn’t playing that particular week, takes over the duties.
We soldiered on anyway and kept the Cinderford attacks at bay, managing a legitimate try of our own on the break when a clearance kick bobbled about downfield before our outside-centre duly collected when their full-back knocked on.
Cinderford kicked a penalty towards the end of the 80 minutes but it was not enough as we recorded a famous victory. The team-talk at the start was all about beating Cinderford for once (a Cheltenham North side hadn’t done so for quite some time it appeared) so everyone was ecstatic with the outcome, a 14-13 victory.
Friday, 24 October 2008
Try time!
So, a sensible decision has been reached and there will be no more hasty monthly passes being purchased any time soon. The fact that I hate the gym with a passion right now made the choice a pretty easy one.
Why the hell would you want to run 5km and yet still be staring out of that same window, with people sniggering at you as they walk past? It’s like I am running away from the gym....only to find that there is no way out, nightmare! I love playing sport and would happily do that 5 times a week without a problem. Bring the gym into the equation however and it’s just not going to happen.
This week I had an unexpected call-up to the 2nds. It was a game of many ups and downs for me, I picked up an injury in the warm up which although was just a pulled muscle, worsened as the game progressed.
I was scheduled to play at full-back, but I was switched to wing at the last minute which was pretty awful! I possess little pace or acceleration, so it wasn’t ideal.
Spartans were able to call on a massive bench after being behind at half-time which left us 28-19 down with 5 minutes to go. Some resilient work from the forwards meant that we had set up camp in their 22 and before I knew it I had the ball 10 yards out and with no-one in front of me! I don’t think I’ve ever concentrated so hard on not dropping the ball, which I managed to do successfully and cross the line for my first try of the season.
Unfortunately even after more sustained pressure it wasn’t to be and the game finished 28-24. This week I’m making a welcome return to the 3rds which is where I belong for the foreseeable future! It was an invaluable experience playing 80-minutes in the 2nds but it reminded me of the need to get properly match fit!
Why the hell would you want to run 5km and yet still be staring out of that same window, with people sniggering at you as they walk past? It’s like I am running away from the gym....only to find that there is no way out, nightmare! I love playing sport and would happily do that 5 times a week without a problem. Bring the gym into the equation however and it’s just not going to happen.
This week I had an unexpected call-up to the 2nds. It was a game of many ups and downs for me, I picked up an injury in the warm up which although was just a pulled muscle, worsened as the game progressed.
I was scheduled to play at full-back, but I was switched to wing at the last minute which was pretty awful! I possess little pace or acceleration, so it wasn’t ideal.
Spartans were able to call on a massive bench after being behind at half-time which left us 28-19 down with 5 minutes to go. Some resilient work from the forwards meant that we had set up camp in their 22 and before I knew it I had the ball 10 yards out and with no-one in front of me! I don’t think I’ve ever concentrated so hard on not dropping the ball, which I managed to do successfully and cross the line for my first try of the season.
Unfortunately even after more sustained pressure it wasn’t to be and the game finished 28-24. This week I’m making a welcome return to the 3rds which is where I belong for the foreseeable future! It was an invaluable experience playing 80-minutes in the 2nds but it reminded me of the need to get properly match fit!
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Man of the Match?!
Being a student and all, I tend to have a knack of spotting a bargain. I invested in a 30-day gym pass for £18, instead of paying £2.50 each time I went. As long as I went twice a week (I planned to go 3-4 times) then I would have saved money.
However, 3 weeks into the month and I’ve actually only gone twice, yes that means I haven’t been since the last time I blogged, woeful! But I’ve been busy! Taking time out to write this for example means I am unable to sweat it out at the gym as I had planned to do this morning! You can’t have it all...
With regards to the rugby side of things, progress is being made. I made it through my first full 80 minutes on Saturday which was pleasing, but somewhat painful. It’s Thursday now, and I’ve only just began to get over the aches and pains and the headache from a stud to the head.
It was an early meet up to allow for a trip into the forest and to Drybrook RFC. Unfortunately the plans for a good old-fashioned post-match knees up were quashed by the lack of a mini-bus and/or designated driver. The inevitable jeers of “they’ve probably got six toes!” and “is that his sister?” were quickly silenced as we were completely outplayed on the pitch. The final score was something like 45-0 although I don’t think anyone was that intent on keeping count!
I played at full-back, which is quickly becoming a more familiar role to me, and despite the heavy defeat I was touted as one of our contenders for man of the match. No confirmation however, so I guess I’ll have to pick the bottle of champagne up next week! To be honest though it probably just means I played less crap than the previous two weeks! Having played three games to date I’m really starting to enjoy it as the initial nerves are wearing off.
Saturday brings with it an unknown fixture, mainly due to the fact that I haven’t received the weekly confirmation text and the Cheltenham North website isn’t quite up to scratch! Nevertheless there is a game and hopefully another run out at full-back (never thought I’d say that!). Social commitments on Friday night may somewhat hinder my performance, but let’s hope not!
However, 3 weeks into the month and I’ve actually only gone twice, yes that means I haven’t been since the last time I blogged, woeful! But I’ve been busy! Taking time out to write this for example means I am unable to sweat it out at the gym as I had planned to do this morning! You can’t have it all...
With regards to the rugby side of things, progress is being made. I made it through my first full 80 minutes on Saturday which was pleasing, but somewhat painful. It’s Thursday now, and I’ve only just began to get over the aches and pains and the headache from a stud to the head.
It was an early meet up to allow for a trip into the forest and to Drybrook RFC. Unfortunately the plans for a good old-fashioned post-match knees up were quashed by the lack of a mini-bus and/or designated driver. The inevitable jeers of “they’ve probably got six toes!” and “is that his sister?” were quickly silenced as we were completely outplayed on the pitch. The final score was something like 45-0 although I don’t think anyone was that intent on keeping count!
I played at full-back, which is quickly becoming a more familiar role to me, and despite the heavy defeat I was touted as one of our contenders for man of the match. No confirmation however, so I guess I’ll have to pick the bottle of champagne up next week! To be honest though it probably just means I played less crap than the previous two weeks! Having played three games to date I’m really starting to enjoy it as the initial nerves are wearing off.
Saturday brings with it an unknown fixture, mainly due to the fact that I haven’t received the weekly confirmation text and the Cheltenham North website isn’t quite up to scratch! Nevertheless there is a game and hopefully another run out at full-back (never thought I’d say that!). Social commitments on Friday night may somewhat hinder my performance, but let’s hope not!
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Fly-half? No thanks!
Another week, another feeble effort at getting into shape! Much like last week, I managed a woeful single trip to the gym and only a 45-minute effort at that. Maybe I need to delve into quantum physics, Buddhism, and grow my hair!
It’s better than nothing though I suppose, and it seemed to stand me in good stead for another 40 minutes of action packed, sweat filled fun on Saturday. When I turned up I was surprised to see I was in the starting line-up, which was an absolute disaster considering the shape I was in after the second half last week.
To make matters worse I was in at fly-half. It’s a position that is familiar to me, but one that demands leadership and confidence, two things I am still lacking after only one game under my belt. But, after a bit of bargaining and admitting that that I just wasn’t up to the job, I was off the hook and in at centre instead. Phew!
So, after the whistle blew for the end of the first half, with us 10-0 up, I was pleasantly surprised to be given a rest and replaced for the second half. We ran out 15-7 winners, which technically means we were worse off without my expertise...which is some consolation!
This week, I’ve set a target of two gym visits, and I’ll be updating you on my progress, good or bad. Saturday brings with it a minibus trip to Drybrook in the Forest of Dean and the first social drinking session of the season – that’s more like it! With work at 8am on Sunday morning it should be an interesting weekend, and hopefully a fifth win on the bounce for Cheltenham North 3rds.
It’s better than nothing though I suppose, and it seemed to stand me in good stead for another 40 minutes of action packed, sweat filled fun on Saturday. When I turned up I was surprised to see I was in the starting line-up, which was an absolute disaster considering the shape I was in after the second half last week.
To make matters worse I was in at fly-half. It’s a position that is familiar to me, but one that demands leadership and confidence, two things I am still lacking after only one game under my belt. But, after a bit of bargaining and admitting that that I just wasn’t up to the job, I was off the hook and in at centre instead. Phew!
So, after the whistle blew for the end of the first half, with us 10-0 up, I was pleasantly surprised to be given a rest and replaced for the second half. We ran out 15-7 winners, which technically means we were worse off without my expertise...which is some consolation!
This week, I’ve set a target of two gym visits, and I’ll be updating you on my progress, good or bad. Saturday brings with it a minibus trip to Drybrook in the Forest of Dean and the first social drinking session of the season – that’s more like it! With work at 8am on Sunday morning it should be an interesting weekend, and hopefully a fifth win on the bounce for Cheltenham North 3rds.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
A shaky return to action
My long standing new year’s resolution finally got under way on Saturday, I returned to the rugby field for the first time since.... well to be honest I can’t actually remember! Anyway, it’s been a while and the fairytale comeback didn’t entirely go to plan!
I turned up at Cheltenham North all pumped up and ready for a game with the 3rd string, only to wander into the 1st team’s changing room, followed by a swift exit! After finding the 3rds we made it out onto the village pitch for the warm-up. I say a warm up but it was reduced to a minimum, being so short on players the consensus was to avoid injury at all costs!
I started on the bench and was the only sub covering the backs, which was fine being as have played in most positions at some point in the past. Come half an hour into the game, our full-back suffers an injury and before I know it I’m running around like a headless chicken, having never played there before!
Not to mention the fact that my summer of pre-season preparation never really got going and I managed to get down to the gym only once, a few days before my first game! The referee however spared my blushes by getting a bit over excited with the whistle, so there was plenty of recovery time for a red faced blob at full-back.
We had started tremendously well, with two converted tries in the opening 20 minutes to give us a decent 14-0 lead, but we failed to trouble the scoreboard after that. Midway through the second half and Longlevens made it 14-7, forcing an agonising finish.
We held out, just about. No thanks to a hospital pass from myself on our own 5 metre line, forcing my teammate to knock on and put us under prolonged pressure for the last 10. A win’s a win though, and with the help of a few more trips down the gym this week I’m sure I’ll be in great shape for Saturday....!
I turned up at Cheltenham North all pumped up and ready for a game with the 3rd string, only to wander into the 1st team’s changing room, followed by a swift exit! After finding the 3rds we made it out onto the village pitch for the warm-up. I say a warm up but it was reduced to a minimum, being so short on players the consensus was to avoid injury at all costs!
I started on the bench and was the only sub covering the backs, which was fine being as have played in most positions at some point in the past. Come half an hour into the game, our full-back suffers an injury and before I know it I’m running around like a headless chicken, having never played there before!
Not to mention the fact that my summer of pre-season preparation never really got going and I managed to get down to the gym only once, a few days before my first game! The referee however spared my blushes by getting a bit over excited with the whistle, so there was plenty of recovery time for a red faced blob at full-back.
We had started tremendously well, with two converted tries in the opening 20 minutes to give us a decent 14-0 lead, but we failed to trouble the scoreboard after that. Midway through the second half and Longlevens made it 14-7, forcing an agonising finish.
We held out, just about. No thanks to a hospital pass from myself on our own 5 metre line, forcing my teammate to knock on and put us under prolonged pressure for the last 10. A win’s a win though, and with the help of a few more trips down the gym this week I’m sure I’ll be in great shape for Saturday....!
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