Saddened to hear the passing of Norm Hewitt. Seen him play in 97 when NZ toured UK. This awful disease doesnt seem to be a coincidence anymore for the worlds rugby players. World rugby needs to do more.
I think Ireland are one step ahead (small step) and yes on their day all of the top 6 could turn each other over! The main thing is all of rugby's top 6 are looking strong which is good for the game!
The World Cup is important of course, but thank god there's more to rugby than just that one competition. Just look at these series just played, with no cup involved, and the passion absolutely top drawer. Who is best is a side show - I liked what one SA commentator said: we're the best team in the world because we won the WC, but we're not better than Ireland, or NZ or France or England. Rugby at all levels is the best sport in the world.
Best game of the year for sure. And yes Kolbe dived. And that kind of behaviour needs to be stamped out. But as you said there are other, more serious, issues that need to be addressed. Thank you for raising the (alleged) behaviour of some of the French in Argentina. It's not really been spoken about by any of the other rugby pundits. Understandable to a point as it's just awful. However Rugby more than most sports, purports to be a model of good behaviour, decency and manners off the pitch. The kind of incidents (including the race issue) that apparently occurred go well beyond professional failures. They speak to personal and, possibly, rugby culture issues within the game that keep raising it's head and needs to be stamped out. Aggravated rape charges speak to violence on top of sexual assault and is just horrendous in terms of anyone, never mind those representing their country.
Thanks so much for writing this. I didn´t want the significance of that act in Argentina to be swept under the carpet. Many of us are willing and able to shout from the rafter about the great things in our game, yet some of the less tasteful, and other illegal things are being hidden. It is difficult for many to address such things that are in front of them, sometimes that is also because of personal experiences. But for young men to behave in such a way is unacceptable in my value system and needs a long hard look at and action taken within the structures of the game.
Mark - just on the annual Rugby Awards (World Rugby only). If that was the make up of the awards panel in 2023, I'm not surprised the Springboks were overlooked. At the very least South Africa should have been awarded the Team of the Year. The panel should be made up of a representative of each nation in the Top 20 rankings. There's no one from Argentina, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Italy, Georgia, Japan, Canada. There should never be 2 reps from one country. When it comes to the actual voting process, none of the nominated countries should have a vote.
Great idea for a video Mark. I do think that test series between teams, 6 Nations, Rugby Championship, are equally important if not more so. These yearly competitions are the backbone of rugby that all fans can go to see, rather than a 4 yearly World Cup that not everyone can afford to travel to see. As for Marcus Smith, in my opinion, and I'm an Irish fan, not only does he have great hair, he's a fantastic footballer too. I admire his skills and teamwork. For me Ireland smashing France in France and the second Boks Ireland game, are the ones for me. The dive was embarrassing both for Kolbe and for rugby generally. Frawley probably deserved it, but they named the South African player before the game ended and while the Boks were still in the lead. I do agree and I think I might have written that yes, any of the top group can beat each other. Just look how tight these games are now. However on levels of consistency and win records, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand are all a step above the rest.
Thanks for the positive feedback Brian, appreciate it. Great points you make in your comments. Would you like to see a Super League of the TOP 10 rugby playing nations?
@@insiderugbywithmark I would certainly like to see that. I just wonder would it have the effect of making the top teams an even more elite group than they are now and cut off financial help to developing nations. Sport is all about the money unfortunately, they want to make more of it and not spend enough on it. All the cash will flow to the local clubs in the big top 10. But, if they can find a way to really put grassroots finance into countries like Georgia, Portugal, Romania etc, it would be very positive.
I agree with you that any of the top 5 teams can beat each other on their day especially if there's a strong rivalry there whether recent or historical. We have see many examples of this over the last 8 or 9 years. There is a big gap after that though.
Great video. The World Cup matters the most, and thus should carry the most weight. The further away from it, the less weight. Knock-out rugby is a different game to test series.
I agree with Mark, any of the current great 5 can win a game on the day. All these games with low winning scores is the proof to that. Officiating has a huge influence on this. The best team ever, the AB of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter played some of the very best games I have ever seen. So the best game ever is a memory thing. Awards, well based on stats and opinion. It is what it is and never ever will satisfy anyone, but a good debate point untill the next award. What I would like to see as for lower tier teams also being brought into the fold. Its like the saying: the highest trees catches the most wind. Well Mark, learning from comments, we all do this all the time, but then you have to open yourself to it. Not something all or willing to do. Look, rugby support and discussion is after all based on feeling and emotions and not always on hard analytics. But that brings interesting and different perspectives too.
Very interesting post, thank you for making it and the many points you shared. We can continue to learn, and respect each other, the more we welcome to being open to each others ideas.
Cups are one of my favourite subjects. There is a soccer saying that is often used, "Good teams win leagues and lucky teams win cups" That is the trouble with world cup competitions, it is the team that gets the breaks on the day who wins. That is why cups in soccer competitions around the world have faded in individual leagues. In Europe most teams are concerned where they are placed in leagues because it guarantees them entry to European competitions where the money is. If the cup comes along ok, but it is not important. It is hard to know how to get around this problem. There is still World Cups even in Soccer!!
To address the issue raised by you initially I will say that the World Rugby Rankings is accurate and a good indictator of the position of the top 5 countries. The RWC was and is not a true indicator as I am certain that politics is messing with the system as evidenced by who was in our group in the last RWC. In our group we had to play the toughest teams of all and when we got to the qtr final we were drained mentally and physically. England never deserved to get as far as they did but I fear the system was rigged in favour of the favourites. Hopefully, things will change for the next RWC, but I would not hold my breath. In the mean time we can show the world that a small country of 5.2m (that has only circa 160 players to choose from and that rugby is only ranked 4th in our national games ), can punch well above its weight. Andy Farrell, who is Anglo-Irish, is to rugby what Jack Charlton was to our national soccer team in the '90's. ☘️☘️
Keep in mind SA was in the same pool as Ireland. They still won the world cup despite the odds. It’s like Mark said,the top 5 can beat each other on any given day. Ireland is a quality side and if they stay consistent they will eventually win the RWC. On the sidelines they had all the confidence in the world as potential winners so I don’t understand how they were mentally drained as well as physically.SA was seen as the underdogs with most of the world against them,also mentally and physically in the same boat as Ireland.
@twalsh51 as a neutral on this comment, I will respectfully add this. There is very, very little between the top teams, just look at SA´s winning margins in the knock out stages of the RWC2023, one blow of the whistle and those results go the other way very easily. Ireland had 30+ phases against the AB´s in that quarterfinal and couldnt score, A Frawley dropped goal would had been handy. But the point is, it is so very very close across the top of world rugby.
With Rugby World cups even if you are the winner it doesn't mean you are the number one team until a few months after the World cup. Because after the 2003 World Cup England were the number one team when they won it but between 03/07 they were terrible, and nobody called them the number one team at that time..
Hi Mark, if you have any information about the incident when 2 Irish players in the same coordinated move tackle ilegaly Malcom Marx at the breakdown.The Irish captain was sent off with a Yellow card for a crocodile neck roll and not the second player which hit shoulder charge Malcom Marx , why he was not penalised. This kind 15:04 of action from the Irish player can terminate a player career
There have been indiscretions on both sides in any game. You generally bring them up when you lose, and blindside them when you lose. It's physical game and dark arts unfortunately are part of it. Boks are no saints in that matter. They tend to be more brawn than brain.
@raymonddixon7603 @tenchemarius slow motion replays have given us viewers a very different perspective on the game of rugby. As some one I respect a lot said lately, Justin Marshall recently commented, if we watched everything in slow motion throughout a game we would see literally hundreds of things that could be penalized, or carded. Its the nature of the beast these days. That does not however make it right that players get away with dangerous play.
I think there are various factors to consider, like can all those teams rock up in oppositions backyard and win, that rules out England so far lets see as the year goes on that question will be answered hopefully in November .
They weren’t team of the year, they were team of the men’s World Cup , but as rugby players they are a great team doesn’t mean they have the best players, in fact its a lot easier for players to play well in great teams sometimes great players carry teams and DuPont was by a long shot the best player in the world.
ENGLAND were close against France and lost same against NZ twice I don’t think England are there yet and I also think we will see all top teams improve not just England.
I agree 100% there's nothing between the top 5 teams, as I'm Irish I'm bias, but I love our never give up attitude, a team full of depth and very skilled players who don't forget they are a team, The All Blacks, to me have always been pure class, when they get a run, you are always left on the edge of your seat expecting them to score, The Springboks have always been fierce and battle through whatever faces them, back to back World cup winners is to be respected!England, to me rn are looking like they are developing a young squad that are very formidable and tough I foresee very exciting rugby played by them, France always have that unpredictability, that you never know truly what to expect from them and they have moments of pure magic. Totally agree, all these teams rise to the occassion when playing against each other. Aren't we all very fortunate to be witnessing a special era in rugby, blessed I'd say! 💚🤍🧡
Diving onto someone’s knee causing a fracture and keeping Marks out of the rugby championship as a result is way more deserving of permanent ban from the game than the Kolbe dive you refer to! 😳🤮
Saddened to hear the passing of Norm Hewitt. Seen him play in 97 when NZ toured UK.
This awful disease doesnt seem to be a coincidence anymore for the worlds rugby players. World rugby needs to do more.
Thank you
I think Ireland are one step ahead (small step) and yes on their day all of the top 6 could turn each other over! The main thing is all of rugby's top 6 are looking strong which is good for the game!
Indeed, a stronger game at the top of the tree is good for everyone.
The World Cup is important of course, but thank god there's more to rugby than just that one competition. Just look at these series just played, with no cup involved, and the passion absolutely top drawer. Who is best is a side show - I liked what one SA commentator said: we're the best team in the world because we won the WC, but we're not better than Ireland, or NZ or France or England.
Rugby at all levels is the best sport in the world.
Great comment, thanks for making it. Keep enjoying your rugby
Best game of the year for sure. And yes Kolbe dived. And that kind of behaviour needs to be stamped out. But as you said there are other, more serious, issues that need to be addressed. Thank you for raising the (alleged) behaviour of some of the French in Argentina. It's not really been spoken about by any of the other rugby pundits. Understandable to a point as it's just awful. However Rugby more than most sports, purports to be a model of good behaviour, decency and manners off the pitch. The kind of incidents (including the race issue) that apparently occurred go well beyond professional failures. They speak to personal and, possibly, rugby culture issues within the game that keep raising it's head and needs to be stamped out. Aggravated rape charges speak to violence on top of sexual assault and is just horrendous in terms of anyone, never mind those representing their country.
Thanks so much for writing this. I didn´t want the significance of that act in Argentina to be swept under the carpet. Many of us are willing and able to shout from the rafter about the great things in our game, yet some of the less tasteful, and other illegal things are being hidden. It is difficult for many to address such things that are in front of them, sometimes that is also because of personal experiences. But for young men to behave in such a way is unacceptable in my value system and needs a long hard look at and action taken within the structures of the game.
Mark - just on the annual Rugby Awards (World Rugby only). If that was the make up of the awards panel in 2023, I'm not surprised the Springboks were overlooked. At the very least South Africa should have been awarded the Team of the Year. The panel should be made up of a representative of each nation in the Top 20 rankings. There's no one from Argentina, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Italy, Georgia, Japan, Canada. There should never be 2 reps from one country. When it comes to the actual voting process, none of the nominated countries should have a vote.
I like the idea of making the panel up of representatives from the top 20 nations, makes sense to me. Thanks for the comment.
Agreed
Great idea for a video Mark. I do think that test series between teams, 6 Nations, Rugby Championship, are equally important if not more so. These yearly competitions are the backbone of rugby that all fans can go to see, rather than a 4 yearly World Cup that not everyone can afford to travel to see. As for Marcus Smith, in my opinion, and I'm an Irish fan, not only does he have great hair, he's a fantastic footballer too. I admire his skills and teamwork. For me Ireland smashing France in France and the second Boks Ireland game, are the ones for me. The dive was embarrassing both for Kolbe and for rugby generally. Frawley probably deserved it, but they named the South African player before the game ended and while the Boks were still in the lead. I do agree and I think I might have written that yes, any of the top group can beat each other. Just look how tight these games are now. However on levels of consistency and win records, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand are all a step above the rest.
Thanks for the positive feedback Brian, appreciate it. Great points you make in your comments. Would you like to see a Super League of the TOP 10 rugby playing nations?
@@insiderugbywithmark I would certainly like to see that. I just wonder would it have the effect of making the top teams an even more elite group than they are now and cut off financial help to developing nations. Sport is all about the money unfortunately, they want to make more of it and not spend enough on it. All the cash will flow to the local clubs in the big top 10. But, if they can find a way to really put grassroots finance into countries like Georgia, Portugal, Romania etc, it would be very positive.
Agree on top 5 can beat each other on any given day. How great is that!!. In the old days you never had 5 teams so competitive.
Its brilliant isn´t it, thanks for the comment
Loved this video! 😁 Great idea!
Thank you
I agree with you that any of the top 5 teams can beat each other on their day especially if there's a strong rivalry there whether recent or historical. We have see many examples of this over the last 8 or 9 years.
There is a big gap after that though.
Thank you for your comment.
Great video.
The World Cup matters the most, and thus should carry the most weight. The further away from it, the less weight.
Knock-out rugby is a different game to test series.
It is indeed and a good point you make, thanks for sharing it.
I agree with Mark, any of the current great 5 can win a game on the day. All these games with low winning scores is the proof to that. Officiating has a huge influence on this.
The best team ever, the AB of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter played some of the very best games I have ever seen. So the best game ever is a memory thing.
Awards, well based on stats and opinion. It is what it is and never ever will satisfy anyone, but a good debate point untill the next award. What I would like to see as for lower tier teams also being brought into the fold. Its like the saying: the highest trees catches the most wind.
Well Mark, learning from comments, we all do this all the time, but then you have to open yourself to it. Not something all or willing to do. Look, rugby support and discussion is after all based on feeling and emotions and not always on hard analytics. But that brings interesting and different perspectives too.
Very interesting post, thank you for making it and the many points you shared. We can continue to learn, and respect each other, the more we welcome to being open to each others ideas.
Cups are one of my favourite subjects. There is a soccer saying that is often used, "Good teams win leagues and lucky teams win cups" That is the trouble with world cup competitions, it is the team that gets the breaks on the day who wins. That is why cups in soccer competitions around the world have faded in individual leagues. In Europe most teams are concerned where they are placed in leagues because it guarantees them entry to European competitions where the money is. If the cup comes along ok, but it is not important. It is hard to know how to get around this problem. There is still World Cups even in Soccer!!
Interesting analogy and I like it. Therefore should we have some kind of Super League for the Top 10 ranked teams in world rugby?
To address the issue raised by you initially I will say that the World Rugby Rankings is accurate and a good indictator of the position of the top 5 countries. The RWC was and is not a true indicator as I am certain that politics is messing with the system as evidenced by who was in our group in the last RWC. In our group we had to play the toughest teams of all and when we got to the qtr final we were drained mentally and physically. England never deserved to get as far as they did but I fear the system was rigged in favour of the favourites. Hopefully, things will change for the next RWC, but I would not hold my breath. In the mean time we can show the world that a small country of 5.2m (that has only circa 160 players to choose from and that rugby is only ranked 4th in our national games ), can punch well above its weight. Andy Farrell, who is Anglo-Irish, is to rugby what Jack Charlton was to our national soccer team in the '90's. ☘️☘️
Keep in mind SA was in the same pool as Ireland. They still won the world cup despite the odds. It’s like Mark said,the top 5 can beat each other on any given day. Ireland is a quality side and if they stay consistent they will eventually win the RWC. On the sidelines they had all the confidence in the world as potential winners so I don’t understand how they were mentally drained as well as physically.SA was seen as the underdogs with most of the world against them,also mentally and physically in the same boat as Ireland.
@twalsh51 as a neutral on this comment, I will respectfully add this. There is very, very little between the top teams, just look at SA´s winning margins in the knock out stages of the RWC2023, one blow of the whistle and those results go the other way very easily. Ireland had 30+ phases against the AB´s in that quarterfinal and couldnt score, A Frawley dropped goal would had been handy. But the point is, it is so very very close across the top of world rugby.
..Life Is Lived Now ..not every 4 years !
_____________________________________
Short but sweet.....Thanks
I think Kolbe just slipped, then tried to milk it with his mates. Best just forgotten, from an Irish man
Rubbish
ok
With Rugby World cups even if you are the winner it doesn't mean you are the number one team until a few months after the World cup.
Because after the 2003 World Cup England were the number one team when they won it but between 03/07 they were terrible, and nobody called them the number one team at that time..
Patrick, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, it is always good to read everyones perspective. Appreciate it.
its trivial to add a poll to a you tube video Mark. would have added a lot to this video you post question and 50% agree/disagree, etc.
Thanks for the feedback
England will get better and better beuden the sub the difference
I believe that they will as well. So will the All Blacks:-)
Hi Mark, if you have any information about the incident when 2 Irish players in the same coordinated move tackle ilegaly Malcom Marx at the breakdown.The Irish captain was sent off with a Yellow card for a crocodile neck roll and not the second player which hit shoulder charge Malcom Marx , why he was not penalised. This kind 15:04 of action from the Irish player can terminate a player career
There have been indiscretions on both sides in any game. You generally bring them up when you lose, and blindside them when you lose. It's physical game and dark arts unfortunately are part of it. Boks are no saints in that matter. They tend to be more brawn than brain.
@raymonddixon7603
@tenchemarius slow motion replays have given us viewers a very different perspective on the game of rugby. As some one I respect a lot said lately, Justin Marshall recently commented, if we watched everything in slow motion throughout a game we would see literally hundreds of things that could be penalized, or carded. Its the nature of the beast these days. That does not however make it right that players get away with dangerous play.
I think there are various factors to consider, like can all those teams rock up in oppositions backyard and win, that rules out England so far lets see as the year goes on that question will be answered hopefully in November .
David, a fair point, yet England were very, very close from doing it. Thanks for the comment
They weren’t team of the year, they were team of the men’s World Cup , but as rugby players they are a great team doesn’t mean they have the best players, in fact its a lot easier for players to play well in great teams sometimes great players carry teams and DuPont was by a long shot the best player in the world.
So should they have won an award for TEAM of the World Cup?
@@insiderugbywithmark YES THE SHOULD BECAUSE THEY WERE.
ENGLAND were close against France and lost same against NZ twice I don’t think England are there yet and I also think we will see all top teams improve not just England.
I agree 100% there's nothing between the top 5 teams, as I'm Irish I'm bias, but I love our never give up attitude, a team full of depth and very skilled players who don't forget they are a team, The All Blacks, to me have always been pure class, when they get a run, you are always left on the edge of your seat expecting them to score, The Springboks have always been fierce and battle through whatever faces them, back to back World cup winners is to be respected!England, to me rn are looking like they are developing a young squad that are very formidable and tough I foresee very exciting rugby played by them, France always have that unpredictability, that you never know truly what to expect from them and they have moments of pure magic. Totally agree, all these teams rise to the occassion when playing against each other. Aren't we all very fortunate to be witnessing a special era in rugby, blessed I'd say! 💚🤍🧡
Great comment, thank you for taking the time to write it. Keep enjoying the beautiful game and thank you for your support here on the channel.
Diving onto someone’s knee causing a fracture and keeping Marks out of the rugby championship as a result is way more deserving of permanent ban from the game than the Kolbe dive you refer to! 😳🤮
Hola, thanks so much for sharing your view, appreciate it.