MY NAME IS ROMANTICA

This has to be the most interesting rugby story of the year! Russell Crowe, the owner of South Sydney Rabbitohs is (allegedly) dating Sam Burgess' Mum.

Follow me, avoid the chariot wheels and look out for tigers...

PRO 12 +2 = 14

The rumours are flying during silly season that London Welsh and London Scottish are negotiating with the various RFU's regards expanding the cross border Pro 12 competition to 14 teams. This would mean them leaving the English league system, and ground shares with either Brentford or Fulham being a possibility. This would mean that the English Premier League, French Championship and Celtic Pro competition all possibly having 14 teams over the next few years. This in theory would give Wales five franchises and Scotland three, as they would not need to field English qualified players in order to receive RFU funding, although where this leaves the Welsh and Scottish Exiles systems (of which I am a small part) is unclear. London is a massive rugby market, so both could survive and thrive if the product is good. The times they are a changin'...

London Welsh in happier times...

HARTLEY FOR ENGLAND CAPTAIN?

Stuart Lancaster did not select Dylan Hartley in his RWC squad, despite the fact that he was only banned from the first Fiji game and could have played in the others. He was not in the "circle of trust" and was not a good role model for the young. However, it appears that Eddie "Miracle Worker" Jones has a slightly different approach and has his eyes on "Mad Dog" to be the next England captain replacing Chris Robshaw. Hartley is a serial offender, especially for his club, and has a list of offences ranging from biting, elbowing, gouging, stamping, headbutting and abusing the ref. His misdemeanours have led to him missing a Lions Tour as well as a World Cup. He has also accumulated quite a few yellow cards for England, normally at critical stages in games. He plays on the edge (of the edge) and is a much better player for it. It must be the Kiwi in him, that gives him that warrior "win at all costs"spirit (he was born in Rotorua, and moved to England in 2002).

Sir, you is rubbish...

The question I keep being asked in supermarkets and pubs is "will making him England captain affect the ways he plays?". I think it will not. He is an experienced player, with over 200 caps for his club and 60 caps for his country. He is used to taking tough decisions under pressure at the highest level, has the best lineout throw and can hook, rare skills for an international hooker. I rate him highly, and he should be in England's starting XV every time, even as captain, which is a risk, but one worth taking, as England seek to rebuild. Lancaster did not see him as a role model, but New Zealand probably would, but there again they believe role models are winners - McCaw is a god in the land of the Silver Fern, but was hardly a Saint on the pitch. Hartley will lead from the front, something England badly need at the moment, and is a figurehead that Jones can build a squad around for the 6 Nations.

DON'T YOU LOVE OLD MEDIA

Rugby World's front cover this month features Henry Slade as the future of England Rugby post RWC and Lancaster's reign. That must have been published just before poor old Henry suffered a broken leg against Wasps putting him out of the 6 Nations. Gotta love old media...

The Future is...

RFU EXPERIENCE MAN UTD EFFECT

The RFU is reaping the impact of that infamous expression "money no object" as they try to move quickly to replace the Funboy Three they sacked immediately  last week. They appear frustrated at Bristol negotiating hard on release of Steve Borthwick as they experience the Man Utd transfer inflation index, where any agent or club learning of their involvement adds a few 000. Bristol are desparate to get promoted this season having been in the Championship for too many years and before their backer finds another black hole to throw his money into. They quite rightly are playing hardball with the RFU 57 (old f****) and using employment law as leverage following Borthwick's walkout. Maybe they should have constructed a football style deal involving a Rowntree Borthwick swap?  Rumours that Catt is moving to Sale as new backs coach are unconfirmed.

2016: OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Eddie "Miracle Worker" Jones has finally decided to rid English rugby of messrs. Farrell, Rowntree and Catt, replacing them with (probably) Steve Borthwick, Paul Gustard and Alex King. I personally think a "clean sweep" is the right decision, leaving no bad odours lingering for the players, who should now feel they all have a fair chance of being selected for the Six Nations and beyond. There just remains the small issue of paying off the Funboy Three, whose contracts the RFU had extended to 2019 just recently (yes, I know, they can afford it though).

Funboy Three have left the building

All of Eddie's selections have good reputations, from Borthwick's obvious influence on Japan in RWC 2016, Gustard's effective Saracens "wolf pack" defensive system conceding only six tries in 9 games and King's attacking CV demonstrating obvious progress at Clermont Auvergne and Northampton. The clubs affected, Bristol, Saracens and Northampton, are not impressed and are typically flexing their (legal) muscles to prevent such change, but we assume the RFU will chuck more cash at them (the only language millionaire owners understand) and England will move slowly forward.

JONES WORK VISA DELAYED

Despite a quick appointment by the RFU following Stuart Lancaster's rapid departure, Eddie "Miracle Worker" Jones is still stuck in Japan awaiting approval of his work visa for UK. Unfortunately he is now into Xmas party season, meaning everything at the Home Office (and RFU) will be focussing on other more important activities.

Hopefully this is not a sign of things to come...

RFU let off steam and celebrate another successful season

BURGESSGATE - THE FINAL WORD

I heard from a reliable source in Australia that apparently Big Sam had always planned to play Union in England for one year, tick the RWC box and then return back to Sydney. If true, I am sure that the RFU, Stuart Lancaster, Bath Rugby plus all the dozen or so players affected by the Big Man's move (listed below by Gareth Chilcott in the Rugby Paper) will not be too impressed.

The players affected by Experiment Burgess

EDDIE JONES BECOMES NEW ENGLAND COACH

RFU has moved quickly to prise the ex-Japan coach from the Stormers SA franchise in Super 15, by awarding him a 4 year contract as Head Coach of England. With everyone else ruling themselves out, it came down to Jones v Jake White, the current Montpelier coach, who grinded (and kicked) SA to the 2007 RWC (ironically with Jones' help).

LANCASTER RESIGNS (UPDATED)

Inevitable but sad - no better English coach so assume they will look overseas. Unfortunately, being an RFU sponsored appointment (who are expert backside coverers), if results did not go to plan, then he was always going to be expendable. This is evidenced by RFU distancing themselves quickly from Sam Burgess experiment. Ironically, Lancaster was the antithesis of his predecessor, Martin Johnson, being rooted in a very different set of cultural values, big on player discipline and connection to the grass roots of the game. He was deliberately chosen by the RFU on that basis, but unfortunately, some players did not respond well to his school teacher attitude, no drinking (or fun) policy and his overcoaching philosophy, and the Burgess experiment caused much friction and resentment in the squad. England, as hosts, looked under pressure from day one, and became terribly low risk in their approach to key matches (especially Wales), with the result that, when faced with having to think on their feet and conjure up a Plan B, failed miserably. Stuart Lancaster is a decent man, but he simply didn't have the international experience required to beat good opposition (he only won 3/15 v Southern Hemisphere teams) or win big tournament games (England never won a Grand Slam Six Nations during his tenure) especially in a RWC Group of Death. The Southern Hemisphere teams have left the North behind in terms of basic skills, mental strength, game strategy and ability to manage the scoreboard. All the money (and power) is with the English and French clubs, who really don't care about the international team, so Lancaster's successor will have a hell of a fight on their hands to achieve a sensible compromise on player time between club and country. I hope that they are successful in relaxing the non Premiership rule to allow Armitage to be selected, but think this will remain off the table. 

CHEATS

So do we assume that as Bath, Saracens and Leicester have refused to deny they breached the salary cap or remained silent that they did and cheated. Did we have a Premiership final contested by two cheats? Apparently their excuse was competing with French clubs? Great, the French Top 14 is an unskilled forward slog unattractive to watch (and does not benefit the national team), and judging by the Sarries Saints game over here last weekend, the English Premiership is heading the same way. Luckily the Sale Quins game was a great spectacle and true 15 man rugby from both teams. The lesson is support a team that doesn't cheat.

ENGLAND INQUEST LEAKS BEGIN

As the RFU Committee goes through its inquest into the squad's dire performance in RWC 2015, inevitably bits and pieces start to leak out, including one bizarre rumour that some players were distracted by having lost money on a share recommendation from the kit man. Why they didn't take professional advice, like anyone else, is a mystery. There is also a story doing the rounds that Stuart Lancaster will be staying with the RFU, but not in his current role (they are probably unwilling to pay him off). Maybe he could train as an in-house IFA to avoid a repeat of the share scandal?

PLAY IT AGAIN SAM

Or not maybe? The inevitable news that Sam Burgess will leave Bath and return to Sydney and the Rabbitohs after less than a year in English Rugby Union leaves egg on many faces. First, let's remind ourselves that Sam is only 26 and was offered an amazing financial deal by the RFU, sorry, Bath Rugby Club, to move over to England and switch codes. Very few players would have turned it down, especially as there was a strong hint that he might be helicoptered straight into the England RWC squad for 2019, sorry, 2015. Second, he obviously missed his family in Australia (his three brothers all play rugby there), and working in England whilst marrying his Australian girlfriend in Sydney in December was never ideal (she works there as well). Third, he somehow seems to have copped a large amount of the blame for England's abject performance over the last six weeks, sorry, four weeks, as they only lasted that long. This is unfair and lazy analysis from people who know better.

Okay, its egg time, it is now clear that Stuart Lancaster and his coaching team, mainly Andy Farrell, saw Sam as a perfect replacement for the injured Manu Tuilagi in the centre for England for RWC 2015, not four years time, which everyone agreed would be the necessary timetable required to get him up to speed with the different code. Rumours were he almost became the RFU's first centrally contracted player, but when Bath got involved, they were forced to stump up all the money required to bring him over (not sure how they managed it within the Premiership salary cap, but, hey, who cares), as their Premiership rivals rightly complained at any RFU assistance. The flaw in the plan was that Bath already had two world class centres in Eastmond and Joseph, and having experimented with Sam in that position, then moved him to back row, where his "slammin" ball carrying ability could be more effective. Everyone seemed mesmerized by Sam, referring to him as "the greatest rugby player on the planet" and indicating that anyone who has his own TV show in Australia, could turn anything to gold.

Sam with his Mum and brothers

So, after just a half season with Bath, he was propelled into the England RWC squad as a centre, at the expense of Luther Burrell, Kyle Eastmond and Billy Twelvetrees, and eventually, after JJ's injury, became first pick against Wales, at the expense of Henry Slade. To be fair, England did not fall apart in that game until he was substituted. However, it is madness to think that anyone could master the game of Union after just 20 games, and only one full international friendly - even Andy Farrell, Henry Paul, Iestyn Harris or Benji Marshall couldn't make the transition after playing more games in the same position. In fact, Sonny Bill is the only success story, and he has been around for some time learning his trade. Also, did they forget that Sam is a Rugby League prop, arguably the best League prop there has ever been, but this is Union and he was up against such quality centres as Roberts, Kuridrani, Nonu, Giteau, Smith and North. What the impact will be on those who failed to manage Sam during his short Union career remains to be seen, and, hopefully, communication between RFU and the Premiership Clubs will also be reviewed, as the respective agendas have never seemed more at odds.

A young Sam

So, farewell Sam, writing a blog without you will be less exciting, and hope the return to Rugby League and family down under work out well for you.

RWC 2015 FINAL EXTRA

Only in rugby, could two events make the front pages from yesterday's scintillating final. The first was the 14 year old boy, Charlie Lines, being tackled by the steward after the game as he ran on the pitch to greet Sonny Bill and colleagues. Not only did Sonny Bill, the former heavyweight boxer, pick him up and see off the steward, he then gave him his winner's medal. An amazing spontaneous gesture from a professional sportsman. Luckily, World Rugby managed to find another one in the cupboard, so SBW won't lose out. Hope Charlie sells it on eBay for charity in a few years time!

Your head is in the wrong position for a tackle

The other, missed by most watching the game in the stadium or at home, was that Dan "God" Carter successfully converted the final try with his wrong foot (he is naturally left footed). He had been practising these apparently, and always wanted the opportunity to have a go. Only Dan Carter would have the audacity and confidence to use the RWC Final as such an occasion (and be successful). There are some that would say Jonny Wilkinson could naturally kick off either foot, and did not have a weak one, but even he favoured his left. And Dan Carter has officially taken over his "God" status, alright?

The Foot of God

RWC 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Best Game

Japan v South Africa, by a country mile, if only I had watched it live or even taped the whole game. Japan's patience and accuracy under pressure in that last 5 mins to score the winning try was impressive - other countries should watch and learn.

Best Player

A toss up between many Kiwi's, Argentinians, a few South Africans and Aussies, but I think David Pocock was the most consistent performer and put his head and limbs in places few would.

Ouch..

Best Comeback

I think statistically it was Romania against Canada, but I personally want to give this to Scotland, who having conceded five tries against the Aussies, scored under the posts with seven minutes to go take the lead. Marvellous stuff, despite the dodgy penalty decision a few minutes later.

It's raining, don't you just love rain...

Biggest Choke

Apologies it has to be England against Wales, who, having been so dominant in the first 65 mins of the game, only to fall behind to a great Welsh try, then contrive to ignore a penalty to draw the game (which would have been good enough to get out of the group) and mess up the lineout 10 yards out. So, the Welsh may have cheated slightly to get the ball out of play, but the decision to throw the ball to the front was always a risk and easy to defend.

Biggest "Out Of Jail" Moment

There were many, including Australia winning and kicking that penalty against Scotland, but I think New Zealand's ability to constantly slow the ball down at the breakdown, and not get penalised by the ref is admirable. Even in the final, McCaw, Kaino and Read were always slow to roll away from the breakdown, or interfering with the scrum half, sometimes causing Genia to climb over them like a kids playground, losing balance, before passing the ball away. Nigel Owens, like all the refs, obviously wants to keep play flowing, but as NZ know they will get the benefit of the doubt, they do it everytime without sanction, with the result that Australia, or any team playing NZ, never get quick ball and put them under pressure. This has to be looked at - McCaw has only been carded three times in his whole international career, once during this tournament, for a deliberate trip. The refs have to grow bigger balls and deter this cynical behaviour by penalising it immediately, regardless of the offender. Only then will teams get the quicker ball everyone wants to see, put defences under real pressure and score more tries (even against the All Blacks).

Remember Ritchie, support your own weight

ROVING REPORT: AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND (THE FINAL)

Okay, I was not at the match but I did watch it live in an Irish bar and have watched the highlights again since.

New Zealand victorious, the top ranked team in the world, the team that has only lost three games since RWC 2011, with all their best players fit and on form, deservedly won RWC 2015 beating a spirited, brave Australian team, which has improved immeasurably in the year that Cheika has been coaching them.

The first half really decided the game. Australia were strangely nervous, muted and inaccurate, whereas New Zealand, with Carter at his most calm, clinical and ruthless were unsurprisingly dominant and led by 13 points at half time. The NZ try by Milner-Skudder in the corner summed up why they have been the best team by far over the last eight years. There was a hint of obstruction leading up to the last phase, but he simply walked over the tryline untouched to score, as a result of the ability of the men inside him fixing defenders and creating space for others. Both forwards and backs were involved, all playing heads up rugby and nobody taking the ball on too far, always executing the timing of the pass perfectly, committing the defender to make the tackle, and not taking contact. As a coach, it was breathtaking, it looks simple, it isn't.

Look no defenders...

Australia then conceded a second try to Nonu's individual brilliance, running the ball in unopposed, with four defenders failing to lay a hand on him. This left Oz with a mountain to climb, but, thanks to heroics from Pocock and Hooper in the back row, they started to dominate the contact area, retain possession, build pressure and go through the phases, and after Smith was unnecessarily sin binned for a tip tackle (the first yellow ever in a final), they scored tries through Pocock and Kuridrani to cut the gap to just four points and it was game on.

NZ has always that ability to soak up pressure and find that sixth gear to seize the initiative back from teams that get close to them on the scoreboard. Dan "Superman" Carter did just that, stroking a drop goal over from the 10 yard line and then kicking over a penalty from inside his own half. As Australia chased the game, bodies tired and the play became more open, Mitchell turned the ball over in the NZ 22, and the best counter attacking team ever, funny enough delivered the coup de grace by scoring a breakaway try to seal the win, and their place in history as the first team ever to win consecutive World Cups.

It was a great contest, especially in the second half, and all credit to Australia for getting back to within once score (very few teams would have done so), but the best team (probably ever) won and, despite losing some superstars to retirement, who would bet against them retaining the trophy in Japan in four years time.

When will we see their like again?

INTERVIEW: BRAD DAVIS - WHO WILL WIN RWC 2015

Unsurprisingly, Brad is tipping Australia to win today by one score, but they will need Pocock/Hooper to secure them quick ball and Foley will need his kicking boots on. He thinks Australia will have the edge in the set piece, especially with Sio back in the front row. New Zealand will seek to put width on the ball, to bring in their back three of Smith, Savea and Milner-Skudder, so Australia's line speed in defence will have to be up the levels it was in the Wales and Argentina games.

STAR INTERVIEW: BRAD DAVIS

OATH Star Interview with Australian, Brad Davis, Wasps Defence Coach and ex Rugby League Star

Brad popped into OATH HQ for a chat pre-RWC final about who will win tomorrow, England's early exit and Sam Burgess. More details to follow.

Brad in his early years

FINAL REVIEW: NEW ZEALAND V AUSTRALIA

So RWC 2015 comes down inevitably to the top two teams in the world, possibly the two best international squads there has ever been in the game. Certainly, Australia's backline is the best since the Welsh one of the 1970's, and New Zealand's backline comes very close. The prospect of Carter, Nonu, Smith and Savea against Giteau, Folau, Ashley-Cooper and Mitchell is mouth watering. The fact that Sonny Bill and Kurtley Beale are to come off the bench indicates the strength both teams have out wide.

But which team will win quick ball to unleash such weapons? Australia's set piece at scrum and lineout is greatly improved, and have the double threat of Pocock and Hooper at the breakdown. But any NZ pack with the experience of Whitelock, Coles, Read and Kaino will be a serious challenge, especially with Richie McCaw leading the charge. This guy has won 137/148 of his international games, a quite incredible statistic.

What a prospect!

To highlight the skills on show, one thing stood out for me in the New Zealand v South Africa semi-final - Brodie Retallick, the Kiwi second row received the ball in open play, attacked the space between two defenders and then threw a flat accurate pass 20m off his left hand to put a colleague in space through a gap - it's this skill level from 1 to 15 which every mini or youth player should watch during the final on Saturday to learn how to play the game properly.

Australia team: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.

New Zealand team: Ben Smith; Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.

BURGESS TO RETURN TO LEAGUE

Strong rumours that Sam Burgess may be about to leave Union and return to Sydney to rejoin Russell Crowe owned Rabittohs in League. That will be a shame if true, but unsurprising as he must have felt like a lab rat being experimented on at centre for his country rather than back row where he has been learning the game for his club. How England and Bath got it so wrong is a mystery. I have been a coach. I know how difficult it is to select the right player in the right position and achieve a balanced side. But this is the highest level and a RWC is not the time to experiment with players or positions. Surely Mike Ford and Andy Farrell had many discussions about Sam (there sons virtually grew up together), but how they finally concluded that he would be a better centre option than Eastmond or Burrell is beyond me. And this is not hindsight, everyone qualified to do so was casting doubt as soon as squad was announced. Stop England's obsession with League and focus on growing young Union talent.

WINNERS*

Owen Slot has written a brilliant article in the Times saying that as there is deep suspicion surrounding Saracens inability to keep within the PRL salary cap that last year's Premiership win should always have an asterisk next it to - bravo, someone prepared to stick their head above the parapit and shout that the Emperor is naked. It appears that some clubs threw such cash behind the best lawyers that the PRL could not compete and agreed to settle - shocking!

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/rugbyunion/article4596858.ece

I think if Australia win on Saturday, their RWC victory will be a fantastic achievement, having won the Group of Death and beaten a much improved Argentian side in the semi-final, but as they should not have won the Scotland game their name on the William Webb Ellis Trophy should have an asterisk next to it as well ;)

Go Australia*

OWENS GETS TOP GIG

Nigel Owens, the best referee in the world has unsurprisingly been given the opportunity to referee the RWC 2015 final on Saturday. He has the toughest of tasks, and will need to decide which of Australia and New Zealand (both masters of the dark arts) is breaking the law the most. Both teams has had the rub of the green referee wise in recent games. NZ still seem to be able to concede numerous penalties without the sanction of a yellow card, and that pass on Saturday to Kaino for their first try was definitely forward. Likewise, Australia benefitted from a clear forward pass on Sunday by Mitchell for Ashley-Cooper's last try, and also constantly cheat to slow down opposition ball without a yellow card. Mr Owens will card someone on Saturday, will it be McCaw in his last game, Kaino (the lazy runner) or Pocock/Hooper (Pooper), the dynamic Oz breakdown duo? What is guaranteed is that if Mr Owens has an important decision to make in the last two minutes to decide the result, (unlike poor Craig Joubert) he will seek help from the TMO, big screen or his line judges.

The referee is always right