The alternative Six Nations Awards
Can it really be over so soon? With 11 months to wait until the next slice of Six Nations action, only one task remains: the now-traditional alternative tournament awards.
I'll start us off with a few suggestions, you come up fast on the outside and take it on from there. Over we go.
Player of tournament
Never an easy one, this, but two men stand out for me - even if only one of them by head and shoulders. For his game-management, place-kicking and old-fashioned scrum-half mouth, the precocious Morgan Parra gets the nod; for his dynamism, forward rumble and old-fashioned no.8 nous, Imanol Harinordoquy joins him on the rostrum.
Most thrilling try
We almost need three sub-categories here. For a score born of team-work and interplay, David Wallace's consolation for Ireland in Paris. For individual brilliance, . And for sheer I-can't-believe-it thrills, Shane's stoppage-time match-winner to snatch victory from under Scottish noses.
Best match
For the most complete performance, we must stand and ovate France for their display against Ireland. But for drama? Easy. - tries, sin-binnings, great forward rumble and running in the backs, a see-saw scoreline and a finish that no-one who saw it will ever forget. For better or for worse, Mr Robinson.
Worst match
If it didn't quite touch the lows of England v Argentina in November, it did its best. A day for fans of fluid rugby to despair. Of any rugby to despair.
Angriest man
Won last year by Martin Johnson for smashing his own thigh after Danny Care was yellow-carded in Dublin, the award is shared this time around by two men: Andy Robinson, for his rages in the Murrayfield greenhouse as England drew with Scotland, and 91热爆 commentator Brian Moore for his reaction to referee Bryce Lawrence's interesting interpretations as France squeaked past England to seal the Grand Slam. Former England forward, former England forward, former England forward - there's a theme here...
Most boring technical malaise
Last year it was the endless kicking. You have it. No you have it. No, you have it back. Honestly - it's yours. This year, it was all about the scrum re-sets. Crouch, touch, pause, start all over again. Not helped by some of the southern hemisphere refs, who went for wagging fingers and final warnings when cards would have done the trick.
Most costly error
Who said putting Steve Borthwick in charge of stirring team-talks? You'll get your chance. We should be grateful, seeing that it produced the greatest finish of the season, but what was Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair thinking when he opted not to kick the re-start straight into touch as time ran out against Wales, with his side down to 13 men and the scores tied?
Quote of tournament
Three contenders again. First up, Irish Independent columnist Vincent Hogan on Warren Gatland: "He's as snappy as a menopausal warthog". In second place, that man Borthwick, with his reaction to England's dismal display in Rome: "Obviously we want to win all our games by as big a margin as we can, but we did some fantastic stuff." And our winner? Marc Lievremont, knackered and emotional after his France side seal the Slam: "It is a very nice baby, even if the birth was quite difficult."
**** START OF SPECIAL ANDY POWELL SECTION *
Most nutritious post-match snack
. Is there a less desirable sandwich than a service-station sandwich? Had he already eaten the Toblerone in the mini-bar? Do hotels not do room service any more?
Biggest misjudgement
"At five o'clock in the morning that seemed to be the best option."
Biggest understatement
"I've done stupid things before when I've had too many sherbets, but nothing like this."
Best other rumoured story about Andy Powell
The one about returning from Beziers and unplugging his TV set from his home in Brecon "so he could watch British telly back in France".
Best attempt to put Andy Powell in the shade
JPR and his coin trick when stopped in his red Audi (registration plate: JPR) for being two times over the legal drink-drive limit. You're supposed to spend a penny in that scenario, JPR, not .
**** END OF SPECIAL ANDY POWELL SECTION *
Biggest disappointment
Riki Flutey. Sensational last season, a stand-out in his few showings for the Lions... and then nothing. What happened to the whiz and the bang?
Lazarus award for most impressive comeback
Come on - who predicted Dan Parks would win three man-of-the-match awards and become the darling of the Murrayfield crowd?
Eric Cantona Memorial Plate for best use of leg in the tackle
Honourable mention to Alun Wyn Jones for his trip on Dylan Hartley. 10 minutes in the bin, 17 points on the scoreboard. Ouch. The clear winner? Jerry Flannery for trying to boot Alexis Palisson into orbit. Referee Wayne Barnes let him off with a warning. Work that one out.
Comment number 1.
At 23rd Mar 2010, G_K___ wrote:I propose a further category - team manager whose head bears the strongest resemblance to Mr Bean's head pumped full of custard.
I nominate Martin Johnson - though of course others may disagree.:
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 23rd Mar 2010, SwannyWilkinson wrote:Loving the Andy Powell section!
How about the epic fail award for epic failure?
Flannery trying to scythe Alexis Palisson legs off is pretty high up as is Brian Moore commentry during the French game and of course Powell driving a golf buggy down the M4 is good but Powell has his own catagory so is exempt so my choice is Paul O'Connell trying to gain himself a promotion to the Irish captaincy by attempting to kick Brian O'Driscols head off.
Anyone else think of anything that belong on that list of youtube moments?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 23rd Mar 2010, richardcopping1 wrote:Love this! Really funny. Agree that you need a section for 'the coach' : stay or go. Martin leave the building please. I've never channel surfed more than during England's 2010 campaign. Rotten stuff.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Theosportsfan wrote:Tom - how about most football (i.e. Soccer) like behaviour on a rugby pitch award. The title is a bit long winded but there are two clear contenders. In second place Mr Steve Borthwick for gesturing to the ref in the England v Italy game that he should issue a card. But the clear winner is Mr Lee Byrne who collects this special award for his Didier Drogba like dive in the dying minuets of the Wales v Scotland game.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 23rd Mar 2010, WillyGilly wrote:Ah the alternate awards are back, good job Tom.
Kearney has to join Fluety in the biggest dissapointment section. Stop advertising for Nutri-Grain and learn how to run a few decent lines! Possibly add Sexton to this as well. Billed as the new wonder kid of Irish rugby, and ended up with a kicking rate of 37%, while ROG? 100%. Bad times.
Award for Blindingly biased comments/commentary, one of rte contributors and some of my fellow irishmen for claiming Flannery didn't mean that kick on Palisson. Excuses ranging from: his reactions are slow, when he started the kicking motion Palisson hadn't picked up the ball, Palisson ran into Flannery's boot. If his reactions are slow how come he managed to reach around and catch Palisson before he hit the ground. Fantastic. Oh and probably any Welsh comments directed at Shane Williams. Great player still, terrible tournament though, like a lot of home nation players.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 23rd Mar 2010, WillyGilly wrote:Oh also Mr Powell isn't the only 6N player with a colourful history when it comes to mixing golf carts and alcohol...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 23rd Mar 2010, mawsley7 wrote:Post Lions tour blues make a contribution to the lower standards for Ireland and Wales.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Carnage wrote:The why wasn't he seleceted award -
Clearly got to be Ben Foden as a winner
The follow the party line award -
Anyone in an England shirt
The settling old scores award -
Special mentions to Andy Robinson who I half expected to come out with a Keeganesque rant before the England game, also Harinordique would was subtle enough to just come out with I want revenge.
For me the winner was big Lawrence Dallagio who has had a pop at everything about the English camp all six nations...not sure who upset him!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 23rd Mar 2010, NonReturnableBottle wrote:Best 606 line....
'Shane Williams runing around like a demented Corgi with a chilli up its B*m.'
Nothing against Shane but what an image. Made me chuckle
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Sourdust wrote:The "We Didn't Come Here To Play Rugby" Award: France in Cardiff. Can anyone recall them mounting an attack?
The "Give Up On The Drop Goals, Mate!" Award: Craig Gower. Trinh-Duc against England would get an honourable mention, only somehow it went over?!?
The "Golden Donut" Award: Wales, for the first half against France. (Runners up: France, second half against England)
The "How Many Times Do You Want It On A Plate?" Award: Italy, versus England.
The "Let's Make It Interesting..." Award: Wales, against England. And Scotland. And France... [sigh]
The "Where Were You When I Needed You?" Award: Gavin Henson.
The "Quarterback" Award for Best Forward Pass: Jonny Sexton to Brian O'Driscoll.
The Bj酶rge Lillelien Award for Comedic Objectivity Failure: Jonathan Davies, during Wales' last attack against Scotland.
The "Ed Wood" Award for Worst Cinematography: Those ****ing overhead cameras, that surgically remove all sense of what is actually going on.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 23rd Mar 2010, fibar o barack wrote:POC for the 'Hey everyone I am at Glastonby and I am people serfing award' For his ludicrous people serf V France.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 23rd Mar 2010, snakespan wrote:How about shortest ever Six Nations? Aurelian Rougerie coming on, making two of possibly the biggest tackles in the tournament only to be brought off injured 3 minutes later
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 23rd Mar 2010, diddyt01 wrote:The "Ed Wood" Award for Worst Cinematography: Those ****ing overhead cameras, that surgically remove all sense of what is actually going on.
Haha, agreed!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Buckers wrote:The Kevin keegan award for being a false messiah: Mike Tindall, does anyone expect him to be fit for next years 6 nations.
The steamroller award: Beattie for running over several Ireland defenders on his way to a cracking try
The hero to zero award: has anyone in their career been lauded and then criticesed as much as Jonny Wilkinson. His manager is probably second.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Rhodders10 wrote:Favourite commentary quote of the 6N:
Irish RTE commentator as the camera shifts to a shot of the helicopter camera above... "I hope Andy Powell's not driving that!"
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 23rd Mar 2010, No time for questions wrote:The "I don't know what I'm doing" award goes to Martin Johnson; there's quite a bit to choose from but specifically:
1 - Game 4. Lewis Moody dropped. Game 5. Lewis Moody captain...urmm?
2 - Mike Tindall hauled off against France for the crime of running incisive lines and providing the forwards with a target enabling quick ball for 2nd phase attacking rugby. John Wells must have been in tears by half time.
3 - And finally for the quote along the lines of: "In hindsight it's easy to say that not picking Foden & Ashton earlier was a mistake". Everybody in the country wanted them picked in the autumn. EVERYBODY. Aggghhhh.
Still, people learn from their mistakes so at his current rate by 2015 we're going to have the best coach in the world.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 23rd Mar 2010, ieuanhuw wrote:Award for 'Attempt at being a fully grown rugby player' - The 5 foot 5 body of French winger Marc Andreu.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Sam Whiting wrote:"Most costly error
Who said putting Steve Borthwick in charge of stirring team-talks?"
It definitely wasn't Butch James....
'Johnson's decision to appoint Steve Borthwick as England captain for the tour to New Zealand was greeted with acclaim at Bath, his club. Butch James, who won the World Cup with South Africa last autumn under John Smit, described Borthwick as the best captain he had played for. 鈥淗e has all the attributes,鈥 James said. 鈥淎s a leader and a motivator he is special, as he is as a player. Smit was a fine captain, but Steve is something different. You can come into Bath on a match day chilled out, but once you've experienced one of Steve's team-talks you are flying.鈥'
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)
Comment number 19.
At 23rd Mar 2010, riley_ives wrote:I don't know why but all of the players seem to really rate borthwick as a captain.
sourdust, I disagree with your award to France for "we didn't come here to play rugby award" as England deserve that for their performances in both Rome and Edinburgh!
Whilst Andy Powell has provided the most comedy value this tournament check out the controversy section on craig gower's wikipedia page, he makes AP seem like a choirboy!
Johnsons treatment of moody was certainly baffling,
Complain about this comment (Comment number 19)
Comment number 20.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Carnage wrote:Robbo277 - Safers have always had a funny sense on humour - he was probably worried about England as a decent force and thought supporting him would hinder us!
A bit of theft from the Guardian but:
Most ironic moment of the 6 Nations -
Foden scoring Englands best move of the 6 nations by a country mile and possibly saving the coaching staff he criticised for not picking him in the Autumn!
Worst punch of the 6 Nations:
Delon Hartley vs Scotland, it was a limp effort at best.
The i'll get my big brother on you award:
Mirco Bergamasco for being a little S*** constantly through every game.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 20)
Comment number 21.
At 23rd Mar 2010, CotlandswickCrusader wrote:Best Commentary moment
=======================
I was stuck in the car whilst I was listening to Ian Robertson and Gavin Hastings describing the last 5 minutes of Wales v Scotland.
Its the closest I have come to hearing two men crying on air . Robertson was rambling in disbelief and Gavin's montone voice seemed to just die out in the back ground as he buried his head in his hands.
It was torture !!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 21)
Comment number 22.
At 23rd Mar 2010, BIBRUM wrote:Am I the only fan of rugby who cannot see the logic or fairness or consistency in the ridiculous rule allowing the player at the back of the ruck to be impervious to access? It is ludicrous to allow a player to monopolise the ball without anyone being able to touch him. I thought rugby was a contact sport! Not in this special dispensation. His teammates can lawfully obstruct the opposition from getting to him. In open play this is deemed "crossing". In a scrum setting the scrum half can track the ball through the pack. No-one can do this in a ruck. Who knows where the ball is apart from the one who has it? If a player runs into his own side in open play that is offside: not in a ruck. This rule needs to be scrapped. Anyone else feel as stongly as I do?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 22)
Comment number 23.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Rulechangecrazy wrote:Idiot award for the backroom boys who still insist the best thing for the 6Nations is to impose rule changes just before it starts so even the refs dont understand the game.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 23)
Comment number 24.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Rulechangecrazy wrote:BIBRUM
The rules have to be put back to pre ELV ie2003 and left alone. Only then can the supporters who love the game have their game back. Rugby Union has been taken apart and bits lost so now it no longer works.
Sir Clive Woodward tried to warn us but no one listened.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 24)
Comment number 25.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Scrum Badger wrote:Italy / England as worst match? Nah. You forgot Scotland / England.
At least Italy had a bit of a go.
Can't blame you for blocking Murrayfield from your mind though; if there was ever a game where you wished the rules allowed both teams to lose, that was it.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 25)
Comment number 26.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Tregaskis wrote:It's not the rule changes that have messed up the game of rugby. It is the IRB ruling to referees to be stricter at the breakdown. Attacking teams are scared witless about losing possession on the whim of the ref's whistle. Let's give the attacking team more opportunity to maintain momentum. Suggestion: tackled player does not have to release ball when tackled. Adopt maul laws and give the attacking team, say, five seconds to continue moving forward or "use it or lose it".
Complain about this comment (Comment number 26)
Comment number 27.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Ste Thomas wrote:Spectator of the Year: Ibanez's Mother in Law!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 27)
Comment number 28.
At 23rd Mar 2010, WillyGilly wrote:Another rival for quote of the tournament Bothwick vs Ireland. After repeated Irish infringements at the scrum the ref eventually awards England the penalty and brings both captains in, and tells BOD to tell his front row to stop collapsing. Bothwick looks at Brian and with no irony goes 'Yea tell them it's really dangerous'. What a pillock...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 28)
Comment number 29.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Chad Gething wrote:Definitely Ibanez's mother-in-law for best spectator!
Brian Moore should win the "Obviously watching a different match award" for most of his commentary, especially his one-eyed rants against the referee in France v England...
...although, Steve Borthwick may have him beaten with his "...we did lots of fantastic work" comment after Italy and England failed to play rugby for 80 minutes.
Jonathan Davies wins the "Audible only to dogs" award for his final minutes of commentary on Wales v Scotland and Andy Robinson could win the "Sour grapes" award for his claim that Lee Byrne had dived in the same match (watch th replay, Andy).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 29)
Comment number 30.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Indian Runner wrote:Carnage, I agree with you about Bergamasco: so new category Best Slaphead Of The 6N 2010? (except I wouldn't deliver the award by hand).
What about:
Best Tackle
Biggest Bleeder
Best Crowd
Best Comment (although I can't remember who said it before the France Vs England game: "I think we may have a bit of a fight between the two teams today." No kidding!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 30)
Comment number 31.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Tregaskis wrote:The Gerald Ford Award to Martin Johnson for failing to see any value in a player that can carry a rugby ball and run at the same time.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 31)
Comment number 32.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Scotrugby wrote:20) "The i'll get my big brother on you award:
Mirco Bergamasco for being a little S*** constantly through every game."
That is absolute gold carnage.
How about the "oh no I've made a prat of myself" award:
1st place for me goes to Alun Wyn Jones for his trip in the England game. 2nd place for me goes to Scott Lawson's attempt to join the Welsh team by climbing over the top of the ruck to meet them and get himself sin-binned. 3rd place goes to Martin Castrogiovani for just generally being an a**e.
And The award for the least impartial commentator:
Only one winner. Mr Jonathan Davies for screaming "Come on" during various welsh attacks in both the Scotland game and the France game.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 32)
Comment number 33.
At 23rd Mar 2010, randalthor1812 wrote:Best live text ...Ben Dirs?
Bastareaud is taken down by Tindall, who's is all over his opposite man like bubble-wrap, but Flutey is pinged for being off his feet. Parra slots his second penalty from bang in front. That woman sitting in front of Martin Johnson wants to watch herself, she could find herself engaged in a spot of knuckles if she carries on celebrating like that.
Typical Dirs gotta love it.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 33)
Comment number 34.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Joseph11 wrote:The Panglossian award for the team 'going in the right direction' goes to...
It's a tie between england and wales!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 34)
Comment number 35.
At 23rd Mar 2010, osprey2k5 wrote:If you are looking for a player suffering a Lions hangover look no further than Jamie Roberts he did nothing for Wales all tournament he looks a one trick pony at the moment
Complain about this comment (Comment number 35)
Comment number 36.
At 23rd Mar 2010, superhoffy wrote:The Opting for "experience" over talent award goes to Warren Gatland for picking Gareth Cooper. We could have just played R.Howley for god's sake.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 36)
Comment number 37.
At 23rd Mar 2010, lawros_moustache wrote:How about most over-hyped player of the tournament by the British Press - winner: Bastareaud. He ran in 2 tries against scotland and slipped one pass out of a tackle against BOD. That's it. Even the french sports "bible" l'Equipe didn't place him in the team of the tournament (Hook and BOD in the centres in case you were wondering).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 37)
Comment number 38.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Matt_Lacey12 wrote:"Why didn't they hire me to ref this game?" - Award goes to Brian Moore for constant reminders that he is now a qualified ref. Described all the technical refereeing faults of the game but not really any play.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 38)
Comment number 39.
At 23rd Mar 2010, amgriffiths wrote:"we must stand and ovate France"
"Ovate"?! Please leave the poor English language in peace. First we had "to medal". Now "ovate" - which, according to my dictionary, means "egg-shaped, as a solid, or in outline; oval". Which is entirely appropriate to a rugby ball, I suppose.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 39)
Comment number 40.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Charles wrote:@rulechangecrazy, nobody listened to Clive Woodward because he brought up the most boring rugby ever! If I was to make the game exciting again, he would be the last one on a very long list I would listen to.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 40)
Comment number 41.
At 23rd Mar 2010, Charles wrote:@amgriffiths, English is not my mother tongue but I think he means ovate from ovation as opposed to ovulate from the "egg-shaped" thingy you were talking about...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 41)
Comment number 42.
At 23rd Mar 2010, dk359 wrote:Most costly error Mike Blair keeping it in play? He gets too much stick for this; if he kicked it straight out, it would have been a penalty to Wales on the half way line, straight in front of the posts. This should have been the case when Michalak did the same, as it is considered the same as delibrately throwing the ball out of play. At 24-24 I would have kept it in play as well and hoped for the best, rather than giving Stephen Jones that chance to make it 27-24.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 42)
Comment number 43.
At 24th Mar 2010, howiwroteelasticman wrote:best crowdsurfing in a six nations match - Paul O'Connell v France
best team - italian forwards + welsh backs
best moments - shane williams whenever he gets the ball, jonny wilkinson pentalty just as he came on v france, brian moore commentary, start of rugby league season
Complain about this comment (Comment number 43)
Comment number 44.
At 24th Mar 2010, amgriffiths wrote:@Charles Absolutely he does - but you can't just create a verb from a noun and hope it exists. The word 'solution' exists, but you can't 'solute' something!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 44)
Comment number 45.
At 24th Mar 2010, Deep-heat wrote:#40 - "nobody listened to Clive Woodward because he brought up the most boring rugby ever! If I was to make the game exciting again, he would be the last one on a very long list I would listen to."
Nonsense. Woodward played winning Rugby (wouldn't we all like a bit of that every now and again?) and played to the strengths of his team. On occasions this may not have meant flinging the ball around at every opportunity, but on many other occasions it was a joy to watch. Best examples that spring to mind are the tests in the Southern hemisphere in 2003: When the forwards needed to put in the hard yards against NZ they did so and we claimed a memorable victory. When the game was there to be played against Australia we did so again and tore them apart. That game also included a 40m rolling maul that was an absolute joy to watch despite the fact we never saw the ball. In the 6N from 2001-2003 England got the balance between being brilliantly entertaining and brilliantly efficient spot-on.
Soor, just had to get that off my chest!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 45)
Comment number 46.
At 24th Mar 2010, whackercarthy wrote:Suggest amendment to the "crouch, touch, hold, engage" call from ref to include: "waitforit,waitforit,waitforit," between "hold" and "engage."
Obviously the ref.s would need to attend a training course, held by a British Army RSM, to develop the manic scream necessary for compliance.
Encouraging ancillary words like: "You'orriblelittleman" ,or, "doyouwantmetogetthedettolan'thewirebrush,you'orriblelittlebleeder?" etc etc. coud be added. Any more suggestions?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 46)
Comment number 47.
At 24th Mar 2010, BaldGog wrote:How about the "Where is Andy Powell When You Need Him?" award...
Scotland v England, 2 men injured (Kelly Brown and Ugo Monye) and a broken golf buggy needed for the stretcher. Surely Andy could have got it moving?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 47)
Comment number 48.
At 24th Mar 2010, realist7 wrote:I absolutaly believe that the RFU should awarded the "Ostrich in the sand award" on two accounts;
1) by believing that we can produce a world class England side from a Premier League that has probably has less than 20% of its players eligable to play for England (it sais it all when 2nd rate journey men from the s Hemisphere who cannot make it at home, here to top up their pension funds, are still better than their English counterparts!
2)believing that they control English rugby...everybody knows the premier league does!!
Where to from here fellow bloggers?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 48)
Comment number 49.
At 24th Mar 2010, Steve wrote:Lots of predictable anti-English awards in this article, and lots of 'aren't wales amazing' patting them on the back in equal measure.
Very dull awards as well.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 49)
Comment number 50.
At 24th Mar 2010, chris wrote:some good stuff here chaps.
my suggestion would be
the "who are you and why are on tv" award....
The little blonde woman who came close to getting a slap from Johnson in the France game.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 50)
Comment number 51.
At 24th Mar 2010, njt221 wrote:The Bi-Polar award obviously must go to our brothers north of the wall
Lose to Italy - beat Ireland
Go figure
Complain about this comment (Comment number 51)
Comment number 52.
At 24th Mar 2010, paul wrote:award for most tedious, biased commentry goes to Brian Moore.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 52)
Comment number 53.
At 24th Mar 2010, gammyknee wrote:realist7 - firstly, it's called the Premiership, not the Premier League, and secondly, I don't know what the % of English qualified players is in the Premiership but it is certainly more thatn 20%. That would amount to three English players per team. I'd welcome an example when that has ever been the case.
chris - my vote for 'who are you and why are you on television' award goes to the guy sitting next to Austin Healy when he does his video analysis. What an enigma...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 53)
Comment number 54.
At 24th Mar 2010, G_K___ wrote:I'm already looking forward to the 2011 awards, now that MJ is confirmed as sacrificial hippo to lead England into the Rugby World Cup.
"Manager most likely to bring back Wade Dooley at lock" ?
You heard it here first...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 54)
Comment number 55.
At 24th Mar 2010, orangedrink wrote:the kicking the ball directly to touch deliberately thing. I don't think it's a penalty offence. But like you say, in other instances where you deliberately do something that accidentally results in a scrum to the opposition, it's a penalty. Like a deliberate knock on or deliberately throwing the ball into touch. Probably something that needs looking at and clarifying. There is an argument to be made that as the ball has never actually re-entered play legally the opposing captain should be able to ask for the kick off to be taken again, even if 80mins is already up. It also seems to be me referees aren't consistent here, I'm pretty sure a couple of years ago the positions were reveresed. Wales were leading the Aussies and the Aussies had just scored. 80mins was up by the time the kick off was to be taken and Stephen Jones asked the referee if he could kick the ball straight into touch. The referee told him no. So he kicked it live.
France's kick off wasn't a legal kick off either, it didn't go 10 metres. Denying the crowd a bit of potential excitement. I guess that's the thing, you're selling a product these days, the Scotland Wales game will go down as one of the best finishes ever in International Rugby. The France/Wales game could've been right up there too potentially. It's not a rule I've seen come into play too often but it could be a rule change they can look at. Makes the game more exciting at the death.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 55)
Comment number 56.
At 25th Mar 2010, buster_boy wrote:Matt_Lacey12 (#38), you beat me to it.
I was going to suggest the "I'm a qualified referee now, don't you know? - award" for Mr Brian Moore.
But judging by the number of times in his commentary that he has to admit that his initial assessment was wrong and the on-field referee was right is rather scary. Thank goodness he isn't actually taking the field!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 56)
Comment number 57.
At 25th Mar 2010, Will wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 57)
Comment number 58.
At 25th Mar 2010, Doctor Possum wrote:The "Inexplicable Refereeing" award goes to Bryce Lawrence, for England v France.
The "Impartial Commentating" award, I give to Brian Moore (joke).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 58)
Comment number 59.
At 25th Mar 2010, ScotsSevensNutjob wrote:The most Brutal One-on-one Face Off in the Entire Six Nations:
Never mind, Monye vs Brown...
Watching Martin Johnson get grilled by Sonia McLoughlin after every England game, is like watching the cop in Reservoir Dogs being tortured by Mr Blonde. The way England have been playing recently makes it probably the most entertaining, barbaric, gruelling part of any of their games.
She's like a lioness picking up her unruly cub by the scruff of the neck, then dropping it down the toilet and flushing it out to sea.
If the interviewer was male, MJ would probably dump tackle him or choke him with his own tongue, but Sonia being an attractive blonde woman, as well as the bravest person on these islands, is the kryptonite to his beefcake bravado.
By the France game, MJ had clearly cottoned on that the only way to deal with Sonia, was to give answers so long, she didn't have enough time to flay his hide with the razor-like barb of her tongue.
What a woman...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 59)
Comment number 60.
At 26th Mar 2010, Only1Kean0 wrote:Ste Thomas wrote: Spectator of the Year: Ibanez's Mother in Law!
On a similar note, how about the 'Person I'd Most Like to Smack in the Entire Championships' award for Ibanez's mother-in-law. As ever, there was a lot of beer flowing that night and I thought my missus was going to tear the pub's screen down at one point. How we wanted to win just to see that lady's face! Oh well.
Possibly a bit harsh, but I'd also recommend the 'Most Anonymous Lock' award for Lewis Deacon.
Or the 'Captain Caveman Award for Person who Most Looks Like Adam Jones' going to Martin Castrogiovanni.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 60)
Comment number 61.
At 26th Mar 2010, janjo195 wrote:The 'Serve you Right' Award must go to the many Welsh spectators who left the ground 10 minutes before the end of Wales v Scotland, enough said!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 61)
Comment number 62.
At 26th Mar 2010, Only1Kean0 wrote:The 'Arsene Wenger Award for the Team who is Never Beaten, but Sometimes Scores Fewer Points than the Opposition' goes to Wales!
Only kidding Welsh supporters! I much prefer watching you lot.....
Complain about this comment (Comment number 62)
Comment number 63.
At 29th Mar 2010, oggy57 wrote:"Least opposition friendly facilities" Murrayfield
From the Scotland v England coverage Robinson et al seemed to be in a nice spacious conservatory, Johnson et al in a telephone box!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 63)
Comment number 64.
At 29th Mar 2010, stuzzman wrote:The "My God! How many empty beer tins are in my living room award" goes to me......... for the Wales v Scotland game. Come to think of it, the Wales v England game, Wales v France, Wales v ..... (you get the picture)....
Complain about this comment (Comment number 64)
Comment number 65.
At 30th Mar 2010, greenravens15 wrote:Another one for the Andy Powell section - On the Wales U18 Youth tour to Edinburgh he managed to flood the bathroom at the hotel when he filled the bath up to the top and then couldnt understand why it all poured out when he got in!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 65)
Comment number 66.
At 30th Mar 2010, Kevin Thornton wrote:Worst Accent by a Commentator
Eddie Butler very time he did his Allo Allo when France were playing
Complain about this comment (Comment number 66)
Comment number 67.
At 2nd Apr 2010, Canonmills wrote:" ... what was Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair thinking when he opted not to kick the re-start straight into touch as time ran out against Wales"
Possibly he was thinking that had he done so the game would not have ended but rather would have continued with a free-kick to Wales ...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 67)
Comment number 68.
At 2nd Apr 2010, Canonmills wrote:See IRB ruling to this effect:
Complain about this comment (Comment number 68)