Blame the weather. Blame the referee. Blame injuries.
Soul-searching — or the blame game — has begun within European rugby union after a sweep of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals by southern hemisphere nations on the weekend. It is the first time that the northern hemisphere failed to advance at least one team to the semi-finals of the sport’s marquee event.
Sure, there were some close calls for the southern, or Rugby Championship, teams. Australia had a contentiously awarded last-minute penalty to beat Scotland 35-34 on Sunday, and South Africa — defeated by Japan on the opening weekend of the group stage in rugby’s biggest-ever upset — needed a late try to beat Wales on Saturday. However, France did not get close to New Zealand, while Argentina won comfortably over Ireland in the end.
Photo: AFP
“I think the divide is not a chasm,” Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said after his team’s 43-20 loss to the Pumas. “The margins are still fine enough.”
However, the semi-final lineup speaks for itself and shows the stark reality of where the playing power lies.
So, what has gone wrong for the northern hemisphere?
Photo: Reuters
It might seem rich for the British to complain about good weather, but the lack of rain during this World Cup has not helped northern teams. Rain and wind can be a leveler in northern versus southern hemisphere match-ups, curtailing the generally more expansive approaches of the southern teams and favoring European teams, which often revel — and are experienced in playing — in poor conditions.
The difference in conditions either side of the equator has long been viewed as an advantage for the south. Better weather, and therefore harder pitches, encourages running rugby. Players can develop a more all-round game and better handling.
This perhaps explains the poise and accuracy southern teams have in pressure moments and this was evident at crunch times in the quarter-finals. South Africa’s winning try was smart, worked brilliantly by No. 8 Duane Vermeulen and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez. The move — lining all the backs on the open-side at a set piece to attack the blind — is regularly used in junior rugby in the southern hemisphere, but somehow caught the Wales players off guard.
Australia, widely regarded as the slickest performers in the group stage, scored five tries and looked dangerous every time they entered Scotland’s quarter, but allowed Scotland to stay in the contest by conceding penalties and making mistakes while pushing passes. The winning penalty awarded to the Wallabies caused outrage in Britain.
An argument has also been raised that Europe’s national teams are not being helped enough by the club set-up in their countries. While foreigners are rare in Super Rugby teams, the number of imports arriving for a big pay-day in the lucrative French Top 14 league is reducing game time for domestic talent — not unlike the English Premier League in soccer. England’s top domestic rugby competition says an estimated 30 percent of its players are not eligible to play for England.
Outgoing France coach Philippe Saint-Andre complained about the lack of access he had to players in his four years in charge. The Welsh Rugby Union is often at odds with the nation’s regional teams.
Wales and Ireland will point to injuries hindering their chances this World Cup, but does not their physical, crash-bang approach increase the chances of injury? Southern hemisphere teams often look for space to run into — rather than at their opponent — although the France players who attempted to bring down New Zealand’s wrecking-ball winger Julian Savea on Saturday might say something different.
Here are some other things the quarter-finals exposed:
TMO SCOPE
There have been calls for Television Match Officials to have their scope expanded after the furor surrounding Australia’s late penalty against Scotland. Referee Craig Joubert was unable to ask for a television match official (TMO) review of his offside decision because referrals can only be sought for the awarding of a try or kick at goal, or assessing acts of foul play.
Those calling for TMOs to have more power have clearly forgotten the opening week, when the intrusions of TV officiating were criticized for being too often and taking too long.
NEUTRALS’ FAVORITES
Everybody loves an underdog and the biggest one left at this World Cup is Argentina. The Pumas are through to only their second semi-final at this level, and their rise over the past two decades — from a lineup based on forward grunt and 10-man rugby, to the free-flowing style of Daniel Hourcade’s current crop — has been a joy to watch.
AUSTRALIA CREAKING?
Is the intensity of being in the toughest group ever at a World Cup going to take its toll on Australia?
Having beaten England, Wales and Fiji before taking on Scotland, it is almost as if the Wallabies have played four quarter-final-standard games already. Argentina have enjoyed an easier run to the semi-finals and will like their chances against Australia.
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