The Rugby Championship

First topic message reminder :

It starts again tomorrow. As ever the interest will wane quickly if the ABs resume their usual dismantling of all opposition. They look extremely strong with Retallick and Whitelock back in harness. Their strength in depth at 10 is frightening. The Aussies do have Pocock back, but hard to look beyond another comfortable AB win.

Argentina away in SA will be interesting I think. SA look like they are improving and Argentina play some good rugby - one to watch I think.

Hoping that somebody pushes the ABs and an Aussie win tomorrow would be the perfect tonic for the tournament, however unlikely that is.

Collapse2005 wrote:No they are all established professionals you are just ignorant pal

Of course they’re established professionals, just not very good, that’s the point.

Come on guys, it's beginning to sound like a cot tantrum missile throwing contest in a kindergarten without staff

ebop wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:No they are all established professionals you are just ignorant pal

Of course they’re established professionals, just not very good, that’s the point.

Do you have the cognative ability to sense check what you say or do you just say whatever comes into your head? How can you beat everyone you play but not be any good?

Grand slam, 3 six nations wins from last 5 years, 2 series wins from last 3 SH tours 5 from 8 match record each time with changed up sides. High win rate in November tests including wins against all SAANZAR sides. Come on ebop think before you make a fool of yourself.

Do you think these guys are household names outside NZ?

Atunaisa Moli
Akira Ioane
Mitchell Drummond
Dillon Hunt
Karl Tu’inukuafe
Jackson Hemopo
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

Id say plenty of Kiwis dont know them. All 1 cap wonders of the last 18 months.

Collapse2005 wrote:

ebop wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:No they are all established professionals you are just ignorant pal

Of course they’re established professionals, just not very good, that’s the point.

Do you have the cognative ability to sense check what you say or do you just say whatever comes into your head? How can you beat everyone you play but not be any good?

Grand slam, 3 six nations wins from last 5 years, 2 series wins from last 3 SH tours 5 from 8 match record each time with changed up sides. High win rate in November tests including wins against all SAANZAR sides. Come on ebop think before you make a fool of yourself.

Not that impressive imo. RWC quarter final flunkies is something you fail to mention. Enjoy the ride while it lasts though guns. You have a nouveau riche vibe about your comments. Instead of trying to say how impressive your team is why don’t you let others do so? You’re way to desperate.

Have to agree with NZ posters here. You would think Ireland had won the World Cup rather than sneaked a few scratchy wins.

The bit about no name players is true, but it does tend to work to Ireland’s favour as they play better than the sum of their parts. It might be stodgy, negative rugby but it’s been quite successful recently. They won’t win many fans with their attritional, no-risk style but at least it has given them something to smile about which the country generally has very little reason.

but but but Ireland lost to Argentina in the world cup. You reference 1 game 4 years ago with Ireland missing about 5 key players to make every point. Come think before you post.

Anyone heard of Tim Perry and Matt Duffie? Both capped by NZ lart year. Who tte F are those guys?

Cyril wrote:Have to agree with NZ posters here. You would think Ireland had won the World Cup rather than sneaked a few scratchy wins.

The bit about no name players is true, but it does tend to work to Ireland’s favour as they play better than the sum of their parts. It might be stodgy, negative rugby but it’s been quite successful recently. They won’t win many fans with their attritional, no-risk style but at least it has given them something to smile about which the country generally has very little reason.

How many tries did Ireland score in the six nations Cyril? More than any other side?

Cyril wrote:... but at least it has given them something to smile about which the country generally has very little reason.

This is good stuff here.

Thanks for keeping my spirits up with the laughs, Cyril - it's a welcome break from the embarrassing food stamps and cardboard box toilet seat.

That's brexit Britain next year fly.

Collapse2005 wrote:but but but Ireland lost to Argentina in the world cup. You reference 1 game 4 years ago with Ireland missing about 5 key players to make every point.

But Ireland lost to Australia, the laughing stock of world rugby, how embarrassing. They are soooo bad and your Ireland team lost to them. How did this so-called much vaunted Ireland team lose to a rabble like Australia? And Ireland lost to them before the ABs truly stole their soul.

As you said ebop you're new to rugby you'll get a bit of knowledge eventually. Keep with it as it's a great game.

Lol, good one 7.5

One day you’ll say something informative

ebop wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:but but but Ireland lost to Argentina in the world cup. You reference 1 game 4 years ago with Ireland missing about 5 key players to make every point.

But Ireland lost to Australia, the laughing stock of world rugby, how embarrassing. They are soooo bad and your Ireland team lost to them. How did this so-called much vaunted Ireland team lose to a rabble like Australia? And Ireland lost to them before the ABs truly stole their soul.

So did New Zealand last year. You also lost to 7th ranked SA. Whats your point? Ireland have lost the same amount of games as NZ this year - 1. Yet Ireland lost to the 3rd ranked team away NZ lost at home to the 7th ranked side. Hmmmm, want to rethink your dumb post?

What like teach you the names of the ireland team ebop! I do admire you hold our hands up though and say I can't really compare the teams of nz and Ireland as I don't know the players. It's refreshing!

Collapse2005 wrote:

ebop wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:but but but Ireland lost to Argentina in the world cup. You reference 1 game 4 years ago with Ireland missing about 5 key players to make every point.

But Ireland lost to Australia, the laughing stock of world rugby, how embarrassing. They are soooo bad and your Ireland team lost to them. How did this so-called much vaunted Ireland team lose to a rabble like Australia? And Ireland lost to them before the ABs truly stole their soul.

So did New Zealand last year. You also lost to 7th ranked SA. Whats your point? Ireland have lost the same amount of games as NZ this year - 1. Yet Ireland lost to the 3rd ranked team away NZ lost at home to the 7th ranked side. Hmmmm, want to rethink your dumb post?

...yet Ireland can’t get out of the quarter finals of a RWC, such a shame. You’ll probably need some of those no-name players to step up next year to do so for the first time ever.

Change the record, that is literally the 1 4 year old fact you rely on for every arguement you have including shoe horning it into a conversation about a non related game involving Argentina v NZ. Dont you have anything intelligent to add? New Zealand lost to Rodesia once about 50 yeats ago. Does that mean I win?

NOT all players who play for a test side are superstars there are run of the mill too that make
up the team.Anyone who follows NZ Super Rugby would recognize the names,the fact they can
cover injuries is vital too ANY side.ALSO that they can fit into the team without weakening it to
much.
Logic applied to Rugby,Team A beat Team B therefore they will beat team C,it does`nt work like
that.Your as good as your last game the A team if you want it is probably Moody ,Deans,Franks
Retalick,Whitelock,Cane,Read,Squire,A.Smith,Barrett[B]Crotty,SBW,Naholo,B.Smith.Ioane.
A lot of young guns coming thru A.Ioane[7],Goodhue,Bridge,Ben Lam,Mackenzie,J.Barrett.etc.
Not to mention the likes of Matt Todd or Izzy Dagg both who would start in my team,these
players will be more than one cap wonders before 2019 is finished.
Remind me how many Grandslams or RWCs have Ireland actually won?there record over the last
two years is pretty patchy too.
THE NH vSH hype,the conspiracy theory,never punished by refs, the Haka,The raiding the Pacific
Islands etc is done to death.

There's some good arguments on this thread. To paraphrase one: Ireland are Poopie because they failed to make the semi final in 1987

Collapse2005 wrote:Change the record, that is literally the 1 4 year old fact you rely on for every arguement you have including shoe horning it into a conversation about a non related game involving Argentina v NZ. Dont you have anything intelligent to add? New Zealand lost to Rodesia once about 50 yeats ago. Does that mean I win?

I think we should be grateful that the kiwis know who we are ( or at least we are some part of the old country). They are usually slightly more intelligent than their antipodean neighbours but that doesn’t say much really

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

ebop wrote:

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:

ebop wrote:The ABs scored some tries today that a boring team like Ireland could only dream of executing. Scrappy game not helped by an incompetent NH referee.

you’re right he didn’t penalise a certain team in black enough. The sooner refs get a bit more cojones the more level a playing field for everyone.

Not only did that incompetent NH referee penalise the ABs a lot today he missed plenty of Puma indiscretions and actually awarded them a try that wasn’t. Are you one of these pathetic people that thinks their team can win only when the referee is biased against the ABs?

Geez doesnt it make ya just wana thrash these turkeys ebop?

Yea, i think we’d better. Stop the blah blah ... again.

Just like you trashed the team ranked 7th in the world? Haha. Ireland beat SA by 36 points in their last game.

Only 36? Try 72-0 in the same year. Got one of those lying around perhaps? Dont try comparing, youre gonna always be selective via a very narrow window to even get close.
Pumas also thrashed Ireland ...’when it last mattered’. So until thats sorted theyll always have one over you. No point winning those those that dont matter.

Didnt ireland lose to Scotland and Wales just last year? Funny, we havent lost to Scotland...ever, and Wales in about seventy years. Hmmm...

So if you want to belittle the RC, be better prepared.

The pointless bitching on this thread is something else, this forum is sadly going to pot of late.

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

ebop wrote:

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:

ebop wrote:The ABs scored some tries today that a boring team like Ireland could only dream of executing. Scrappy game not helped by an incompetent NH referee.

you’re right he didn’t penalise a certain team in black enough. The sooner refs get a bit more cojones the more level a playing field for everyone.

Not only did that incompetent NH referee penalise the ABs a lot today he missed plenty of Puma indiscretions and actually awarded them a try that wasn’t. Are you one of these pathetic people that thinks their team can win only when the referee is biased against the ABs?

Geez doesnt it make ya just wana thrash these turkeys ebop?

Yea, i think we’d better. Stop the blah blah ... again.

Just like you trashed the team ranked 7th in the world? Haha. Ireland beat SA by 36 points in their last game.

Only 36? Try 72-0 in the same year. Got one of those lying around perhaps? Dont try comparing, youre gonna always be selective via a very narrow window to even get close.
Pumas also thrashed Ireland ...’when it last mattered’.  So until thats sorted theyll always have one over you. No point winning those those that dont matter.

Didnt ireland lose to Scotland and Wales just last year? Funny, we havent lost to Scotland...ever, and Wales in about seventy years. Hmmm...

So if you want to belittle the RC, be better prepared.

Haha another Kiwi bringing up the Ireland v Argentina game like its the only fact knocking around in your head.

Last I checked NZ lost to SA in New Zealand. Face it while last weekend may have been decent this weekend the games in the rugby championship were dire. Totallt error strewn and poor rugby all round.

You are only proving how famously thin skinned kiwis are when it comes to criticism.

alanmackie6 wrote:NOT all players who play for a test side are superstars there are run of the mill too that make
up the team.Anyone who follows NZ Super Rugby would recognize the names,the fact they can
cover injuries is vital too ANY side.ALSO that they can fit into the team without weakening it to
much.
Logic applied to Rugby,Team A beat Team B therefore they will beat team C,it does`nt work like
that.Your as good as your last game the A team if you want it is probably Moody ,Deans,Franks
Retalick,Whitelock,Cane,Read,Squire,A.Smith,Barrett[B]Crotty,SBW,Naholo,B.Smith.Ioane.
A lot of young guns coming thru A.Ioane[7],Goodhue,Bridge,Ben Lam,Mackenzie,J.Barrett.etc.
Not to mention the likes of Matt Todd or Izzy Dagg both who would start in my team,these
players will be more than one cap wonders before 2019 is finished.
Remind me how many Grandslams or RWCs have Ireland actually won?there record over the last
two years is pretty patchy too.
THE NH vSH hype,the conspiracy theory,never punished by refs, the Haka,The raiding the Pacific
Islands etc is done to death.

I sense you havent a clue what the actual original point raised was. Irelands record over the last two years is patchy? Ireland is probably the most consistent side in the history of the six nations. WTF are you talking about? Look at the win loss ratios.

By all means be a turncoat but that doesnt mean you need to adopt the same illogical stupidity as your kiwi counterparts when responding to fair criticism of the RC

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

ebop wrote:

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:

ebop wrote:The ABs scored some tries today that a boring team like Ireland could only dream of executing. Scrappy game not helped by an incompetent NH referee.

you’re right he didn’t penalise a certain team in black enough. The sooner refs get a bit more cojones the more level a playing field for everyone.

Not only did that incompetent NH referee penalise the ABs a lot today he missed plenty of Puma indiscretions and actually awarded them a try that wasn’t. Are you one of these pathetic people that thinks their team can win only when the referee is biased against the ABs?

Geez doesnt it make ya just wana thrash these turkeys ebop?

Yea, i think we’d better. Stop the blah blah ... again.

Just like you trashed the team ranked 7th in the world? Haha. Ireland beat SA by 36 points in their last game.

Only 36? Try 72-0 in the same year. Got one of those lying around perhaps? Dont try comparing, youre gonna always be selective via a very narrow window to even get close.
Pumas also thrashed Ireland ...’when it last mattered’.  So until thats sorted theyll always have one over you. No point winning those those that dont matter.

Didnt ireland lose to Scotland and Wales just last year? Funny, we havent lost to Scotland...ever, and Wales in about seventy years. Hmmm...

So if you want to belittle the RC, be better prepared.

Haha another Kiwi bringing up the Ireland v Argentina game like its the only fact knocking around in your head.

Last I checked NZ lost to SA in New Zealand. Face it while last weekend may have been decent this weekend the games in the rugby championship were dire. Totallt error strewn and poor rugby all round.

You are only proving how famously thin skinned kiwis are when it comes to criticism.

Hmm, we do generally play better against NZ - but I do think we got a bit lucky there as well. Also we are better this year than last year and hopefully we get stronger as we go. I think we will put up a better performance this year in the AIs.

Cant say I disagree with that. Shame you arent playing Ireland. England play Australia, SA and NZ. Ireland get NZ and Argentina again.

Did you think the game v Australia on Saturday was a good game? I think playing Pollard at 10 makes SA a steadier side and harder to beat.

Collapse2005 wrote:Cant say I disagree with that. Shame you arent playing Ireland. England play Australia, SA and NZ. Ireland get NZ and Argentina again.

Did you think the game v Australia on Saturday was a good game? I think playing Pollard at 10 makes SA a steadier side and harder to beat.

Yes it is a shame we aren't playing you guys. I think we would have lost, but I wanted to see how much we are moving in the correct direction.

The Aus game - I thought it was good. There were a lot of handling errors on both sides, a few aimless kicks on both sides (Aus second try came from one of them). But in general, I thought Aus could not get over the gain-line. At one point they were attacking in our half and later the were attacking from close to there 22 without losing possession. A lot of those handling errors came because of pressure. I can think of a few of those where we made mistakes because our players were watching the tackler approaching rather that the ball being passed to them. The same can probably be said of Australia.

Pollard looks much better - I just hope that he stays injury free.

So in short having the best team makes the best competition.

Saying Ireland are good does not mean New Zealand are bad just that the Irish are good. At the start of EJ reign England were good. Doesn't mean New Zealand were bad.
I find it SH snobbery that SA are good because they lost to AUS and Arg yet other teams are not solely because they lost to AUS

FerN wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Cant say I disagree with that. Shame you arent playing Ireland. England play Australia, SA and NZ. Ireland get NZ and Argentina again.

Did you think the game v Australia on Saturday was a good game? I think playing Pollard at 10 makes SA a steadier side and harder to beat.

Yes it is a shame we aren't playing you guys.  I think we would have lost, but I wanted to see how much we are moving in the correct direction.

The Aus game - I thought it was good.  There were a lot of handling errors on both sides, a few aimless kicks on both sides (Aus second try came from one of them).  But in general, I thought Aus could not get over the gain-line.  At one point they were attacking in our half and later the were attacking from close to there 22 without losing possession.  A lot of those handling errors came because of pressure.  I can think of a few of those where we made mistakes because our players were watching the tackler approaching rather that the ball being passed to them.  The same can probably be said of Australia.

Pollard looks much better - I just hope that he stays injury free.

It would have been a good measure of where you were at given the heavy loss last year. That said its clear that SA are a better side now.

On Saturday Ireland will be World number 1 side without playing a match,after SA beat them at Ellis Park.
In the AI`s with Aus,England,and Ireland in 5 days plus travel all potential losses,then defeat by
the Boks at group stage.Then elimination at QF stage by Ireland on there way to RWC victory.
This will be the worst year for NZ since2009 with Coaches being dumped before RWC usual knee
jerk reaction.
WHO I support is my business,WHEN Ireland beat NZ over and over again i`ll beleive your hype
till then?
RWC ALL sides will be better to start off THEN the squads depth comes in.

Your right it is I agree with you. It does seem strange however, that you also choose to adopt the same arrogance as some kiwi fans too. In any case dont believe the hype if you dont want and in many ways its true the world cup really will be Schmidts crowning glory if he can progress to the semis or beyond but that doesnt change the fact that as of right now Ireland are the second best team in the world deservedly so having defeated everyone fairly recently. You can speculate about the future but you cant alter the present like it or not.

If NZ lose to SA again they will deserve to lose their 1 ranking. At the end of the day Ireland have just lost 1 game this year less than anyone else so if they do get the 1 spot then they probably deserve it. That said I cant see SA winning.

Actually it isn`t arrogance Ireland lost 3 games in 2017.NZ 1 until they play again they remain
at number 2.IF they sustain several defeats this year there rating will drop 6Ns home advantage
seems to decide it.Even in defeat Nz matched ireland try for try,Ireland deserved the win I was the first
to congratulate them.
IF Aus had kicked goals from penalties to reduce the score with 15minutes to go plus a 1 man advantage
they could have won.keep the score board ticking by whatever means.

Even if SA win by >15, I thought that NZ will still, by a tiny margin, top the World rankings? (90.18 v 90.12)

alanmackie6 wrote:Actually it isn`t arrogance Ireland lost 3 games in 2017.NZ 1 until they play again they remain
at number 2.IF they sustain several defeats this year there rating will drop 6Ns home advantage
seems to decide it.Even in defeat Nz matched ireland try for try,Ireland deserved the win I was the first
to congratulate them.
IF Aus had kicked goals from penalties to reduce the score with 15minutes to go plus a 1 man advantage
they could have won.keep the score board ticking by whatever means.

Few too many ifs and buts there for my liking. 3 losses isnt a lot and thats last year. Nz lost 2 games and drew 1 in 2017. Not sure there is a big difference there. Both sides have lost 1 game this year. Not seeing a huge difference Alan. Are you sure its not arrogance?

Not sure I get your point on six nations home advantage. Its fairly well known that Ireland find it harder to win the six nations (like this year) with France and England away. Do you know how often a grand slam has been won in Twickenham?

Once isn't it?

No 7&1/2 wrote:Once isn't it?

Yeah something like that but sure Ireland won a grand slam because if home advantage.

Worthy of it this year. We'll take it back next!

Let's see how the AIs go.  I think if NZ do lose it will be down to
1. Ref
2. Missing players
3. Long Travel
4. Well it's not the world cup
5. Ireland/England only won with all their imports
6. Only won the game but didn't score as many tries

Etc.

As we all know Ireland have never beaten the ABs they just won an exhibition match against a team in Black.
I guess after that game we don't get you have never beaten us anymore just now we can't back it up.
If only Ireland had the advantage of holding WCs at home we might have got past the 1/4s. Not every team gets the helping hand I guess.

Hang on. we all know what the All Blacks and their supporters are like, but feck me there are a few Irish fans on here who are even worse.

Have I just woke up into a world where Ireland are now the highest ranked team in the world by a large margin ? Listening to them on here you would think so.

LordDowlais wrote:

Have I just woke up into a world where Ireland are now the highest ranked team in the world by a large margin ? Listening to them on here you would think so.

The Ireland team's current 97 game winning streak isn't being broadcast on BBC Wales so you've missed it

My opinion is as valid as any one here,what anoys me most is any Test match being described as an exhibition
or friendly match,there all TESTS.WHEN you have a title the Rugby championship you assume its to discuss
the matches.NOT compare them with NH comps in a different time zone.
There was a time when winning a RC was harder than winning a RWC,as to home advantage for Ireland
in one why not?there as entitled as France or England

They are not there. Jesus you're old enough to spell.

Collapse2005 wrote:

alanmackie6 wrote:NOT all players who play for a test side are superstars there are run of the mill too that make
up the team.Anyone who follows NZ Super Rugby would recognize the names,the fact they can
cover injuries is vital too ANY side.ALSO that they can fit into the team without weakening it to
much.
Logic applied to Rugby,Team A beat Team B therefore they will beat team C,it does`nt work like
that.Your as good as your last game the A team if you want it is probably Moody ,Deans,Franks
Retalick,Whitelock,Cane,Read,Squire,A.Smith,Barrett[B]Crotty,SBW,Naholo,B.Smith.Ioane.
A lot of young guns coming thru A.Ioane[7],Goodhue,Bridge,Ben Lam,Mackenzie,J.Barrett.etc.
Not to mention the likes of Matt Todd or Izzy Dagg both who would start in my team,these
players will be more than one cap wonders before 2019 is finished.
Remind me how many Grandslams or RWCs have Ireland actually won?there record over the last
two years is pretty patchy too.
THE NH vSH hype,the conspiracy theory,never punished by refs, the Haka,The raiding the Pacific
Islands etc is done to death.

I sense you havent a clue what the actual original point raised was. Irelands record over the last two years is patchy? Ireland is probably the most consistent side in the history of the six nations. WTF are you talking about? Look at the win loss ratios.

By all means be a turncoat but that doesnt mean you need to adopt the same illogical stupidity as your kiwi counterparts when responding to fair criticism of the RC

They lost to bith Wales and Scotkand, either would be a nightmare for us. And youre comparing that to the ANs loss to the Lions? A side Ireland never playband would certainly not have besten any equivalent of.

Way overating them.

Brendan wrote:Let's see how the AIs go.  I think if NZ do lose it will be down to
1. Ref
2. Missing players
3. Long Travel
4. Well it's not the world cup
5. Ireland/England only won with all their imports
6. Only won the game but didn't score as many tries

Etc.

As we all know Ireland have never beaten the ABs they just won an exhibition match against a team in Black.
I guess after that game we don't get you have never beaten us anymore just now we can't back it up.
If only Ireland had the advantage of holding WCs at home we might have got past the 1/4s. Not every team gets the helping hand I guess.

Like England and France have held it at home? Yeah ok then. Oh, but Ireland would make the most of it i guess? How far were Argie from home when they beat Ireland. 4 World cups have been played in 6 N territory. Not one win. Wining at home isnt as easy as you think. Only NZ and SA have done it and one was an extra time drop goal another by one point. The first was easy but gets dismissed anyway.

Collapse2005 wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Once isn't it?

Yeah something like that but sure Ireland won a grand slam because if home advantage.

But mainly cos its a comp that doesnt have the best side playing. Hard to rate a grand slam on that basis. How many grand slams wouldnt be one if the were? Dozens id say.

Collapse2005 wrote:

alanmackie6 wrote:Actually it isn`t arrogance Ireland lost 3 games in 2017.NZ 1 until they play again they remain
at number 2.IF they sustain several defeats this year there rating will drop 6Ns home advantage
seems to decide it.Even in defeat Nz matched ireland try for try,Ireland deserved the win I was the first
to congratulate them.
IF Aus had kicked goals from penalties to reduce the score with 15minutes to go plus a 1 man advantage
they could have won.keep the score board ticking by whatever means.

Few too many ifs and buts there for my liking. 3 losses isnt a lot and thats last year. Nz lost 2 games and drew 1 in 2017. Not sure there is a big difference there. Both sides have lost 1 game this year. Not seeing a huge difference Alan. Are you sure its not arrogance?

Not sure I get your point on six nations home advantage. Its fairly well known that Ireland find it harder to win the six nations (like this year) with France and England away. Do you know how often a grand slam has been won in Twickenham?

The Lions vs Scot/ Wales? Not sure theres a difference? Ok then. It slso happened to be the worst AB yrars for a while. ‘3 losses isnt a lot’?

Geez, in your world maybe.

No england definitely play in the 6ns.

No 7&1/2 wrote:No england definitely play in the 6ns.

Apologies then, hadnt noticed.

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Once isn't it?

Yeah something like that but sure Ireland won a grand slam because if home advantage.

But mainly cos its a comp that doesnt have the best side playing. Hard to rate a grand slam on that basis. How many grand slams wouldnt be one if the were? Dozens id say.

It is of a higher quality than the rugby championship at the moment. Higher ranked sides and better rugby.