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You are in: Special Events: 2001: Six Nations |
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Wednesday, 11 April, 2001, 10:02 GMT 11:02 UK
ClubChat transcript: Italy v Wales
ClubChat went live after Italy v Wales
The ClubChat team were joined by our host Eddie Butler and guests Wade Dooley, Ray Gravell, Gary Teichmann and Dai Pickering to talk about Italy v Wales and England v France
BBC Host: Hello, and welcome to the BBC Six Nations ClubChat. Wade Dooley has just arrived to answer your questions. He'll be giving his views on England's record win over France and anything else you want to ask
ClubChat Wade: That's obviously come from an Englishman! It's going to be difficult, but the rule of thumb is to put 15 Englishmen in the side at the moment ... but it is a Lions side. So you need that ethos running through the side ... so Jenkins would be a close second in my choice. It's a Lions side - so they've got to take as many of the other nations as they can. It's a bit of a wind-up on the English side! Richard Evans: England look so clinical, especially second half v France, how much credit can the club coaches and fitness coaches take for this improvement? ClubChat Wade: I think certainly Premiership rugby is that much quicker. Clive Woodward and the team that he's built around him, the defensive coaches, the fitness coaches, the dieticians, the sport psychologist - everyone has to take some sort of credit - and, of course, the players themselves ... the level of intensity that they play at nowadays. But you could say that club level Premiership is far above anything that it was both in fitness levels and the technicality of the game
ClubChat Wade: I think we've just been unlucky - it's an act of god. I think we should finish it now. Very difficult to get a reading come September. So, I've got to agree on that. Next season will be so congested that it's difficult to ask players to pick up again where they left off Jayne: Is it me or do you actually think not that many English backs would come into the starting line up!! ClubChat Wade: I'm confused by the question ... I assume you mean the Lions. I've lost the plot of that one ! Gareth Davies: The Lions have a great pool of players to choose from - England have not looked bad for a while - they now have to keep this up - nobody has ever been permanently dominant ClubChat Wade: I find that hard to believe that England are playing in general - not just the backs. They're going from strength to strength ... I don't think they'll lose anything between now and the Lions trip
ClubChat Wade: As I said earlier, as far as I can see they're going from strength to strength. That is for me, if Clive Woodward has done nothing else, he's instilled youth in the side. In my day, players used to be brought on much later. Woodward is moving in the right direction by bringing in younger players at international level Adrian: What does the margin of victory today and England's margin of victory say about the standard of Welsh rugby? ClubChat Wade: That's got to come from a Welshman! Obviously, England are head and shoulders above the rest of the Six Nations, and I don't think that's arrogance - I'm being a realist. Their performances this year have just shown how far they've advanced and how far the others are lagging behind. They've destroyed everybody they've come up against and I can't see that changing .... not in the immediate future anyway BBC Host: Ray Gravell is joining us now - he's ready to take your questions VicEssed : If Italy had taken their chances - it could have been different story? ClubChat Ray: It could have been but I never felt that the conclusion was in any kind of doubt. I always felt that Wales would be comfortable winners. On the whole, it was a disappointing game but Graham Henry and the boys can be pleased with a victory away from home in trying conditions ... All in all I think they can be pleased with the win
ClubChat Ray: I thought that today's ref was over-anxious, didn't add to the flow of the game at all ... disrupted the game really. The incessant whistling and pettiness ... it is a spectator sport, unfortunately, the ref was not flexible at all Flogho : Should Clive Woodward be asked to hold coaching sessions, for the other 6 nations teams? Graham Henry has already been to see him for help ClubChat Ray: No, I'm friendly with Clive - I was on the same tour in 1980. He's a gent of a man ... and he's doing a damn good job with England - good luck to him. I think he's been unfortunate that he's not the Lions coach Ellamack: As Rupert Moon said - refs could blow for a penalty at every phase of play - so they do well to let the game flow as much as it does. But I don't know anyone who knows the rules with total confidence - and I play in the lower leagues in Wales ClubChat Ray: Our Rupert is a ref and he's speaking from experience ... referees have to be flexible and add to the game. They've got to help the players - it's frustrating enough for players when things don't go right. If it's a flexible referee he can help the players move towards a better game from the players and spectators' point of view Ben Morgan: What can be done about the appalling referees?? ClubChat Ray: I think that the governing body should look at the standard of refereeing and come to an agreement and set standards - adhere to a degree of competency that's acceptable by everyone. The good referees are the ones that you hardly notice on the field of play
ClubChat Ray: Well, there are three outside halves in contention, Jonny Wilkinson, Neil Jenkins and Ronan O'Gara... three to choose from there. Inside Centres, Scott Gibbs - rightly today's man of the match ... Stephen Jones is an accomplished footballer and one of the best tacklers I've seen in this modern game, and Dafydd James, the sooner he plays for Wales in the centre the better I think kev t: To RG, how do you feel Gibbs went today? ClubChat Ray: His defensive work was faultless, that was quite superb and he took his tries as only he can - from 20 yards out he's like an exocet missile tony jenkins: He will only go because of his vast experience. I would rather see running centres with pure skill not just the rhino charge from 5m out ClubChat Ray: Ultimately it's GH choice ... I'd like to see Stephen Jones, Dafydd James, Will Greenwood - there's an abundance of choice in the centre / three quarter play in British and Irish rugby at the moment - we're very lucky
ClubChat Ray: Well, rumour has it he's going to Bridgend although we would dearly love him to stay - as yet, he hasn't made a final decision. But he really is a class act. If he does go back to Bridgend I'd wish him the very best of luck because he served Llanelli well with dignity and style both on and off the field. He's a gent of a man ... Jill: What on earth was Craig Q yellow carded for? His reputation???? ClubChat: Apparently, Craig Quinnell stiff-armed tackled an Italian attacker ... or used his forearm in the tackle BBC Host: Gary Teichmann has joined us - he's ready to take your questions Gareth Davies: England are very good at taking chances and scoring 5 or 7 points, other home nations much less so ClubChat Teichmann: I feel that the English side at the moment are very confident. They're happy with the way they're playing the game. They've been involved with the Six Nations and none of the teams have seemed to given them a real tough game. All three teams in the Tri Nations are of similar standard. The defences are pretty tough John Evans: Why are we always noticing the referees in recent games then? Is the quality of refereeing decreasing? ClubChat Teichmann: No, I think that the way they're making referees professional will improve the standard. The rules are making it tough for the referees - the chopping and changing of rules
ClubChat Teichmann: I think Graham Henry's vision should be wider than that and probably Ireland would have been one of the teams to give England a run for their money. I don't think it will go against those players Chris Gary: How would you rate Scott Quinnell now against other 8s for the Lions test spot? ClubChat Teichmann: I think he's got as good a chance as anyone. The problem is that the English operate really well as a unit which GH might want to keep. He could well use Quinnell as an impact substitute BBC Host: Eddie Butler joins us now from Rome along with Graham Thomas, ready to take your questions now about Wales' victory over Italy Cowboy: Liked the commentary from Ed and Jon - what's the problem with man of the match? Scott Gibbs no doubt about it ?!!! Next - bring on the Aussie bar stewards ClubChat Eddie: Laughs!! We were worried that Italy might surge back and draw the game. Scott Gibbs was vying with Scott Quinnell and Jonathan just wanted to make sure Tim Evans How is Mark Taylor's nose? ClubChat Eddie: It's fine. He took a bit of a bash... but all seems well. No talk of him missing any Swansea games
ClubChat Eddie: We'll try and get hold of somebody at the end of the chat Ben Morgan: Eddie, I don't think I've heard a commentator be as vocal about the ref as you were today, was he the worst you've seen this season? ClubChat Eddie: He was very, very fussy and the Welsh camp is being very diplomatic but the feeling is he did not do anything to make it a good game Gareth Davies: Any feedback from GH on Wales's performance today? ClubChat Eddie: I've just spoken to Graham and he's very happy with the Welsh performance. Frustrated that the team couldn't cut loose but was not prepared to say anything about the referee - although his eyebrows did flicker! Chris Eddie: Who enhanced their claims for a Lions spot today? ClubChat Eddie: I think Scott Gibbs did his chances no harm. I think Darren Morris again put in a solid performance. Brad Johnstone said that Wales were the best front five that he's come across this season Rachael: Is Bergamasco really on his way to British rugby...? ClubChat Eddie: (laughs!) Not as far as we know. I think a lot of Italian players are looking for overseas jobs and Brad Johnstone has recommended that they play in Britain
ClubChat Eddie: All season there have been rumours that he is going. The latest rumour is that he will stay and continue the good work in Italy Gareth Davies: To EB, even after a bang what did you think of Rhys' game today? ClubChat Eddie: I thought he looked much more like his old self. He did take a couple of bumps, but there were a lot of players taking bumps as it was such a scrappy game Paul: Do Eddie and Jonathan think that Wales' season has been turned around by the superb advice given by JJ Williams to the Welsh camp through ScrumV. Without this Wales would surely have been looking at a whitewash !!! ClubChat Eddie: Laughs!!!! I'd love to think that the players took notice of the pundits but in my heart of hearts, I think that they keep us at arms length - and quite right too!!
ClubChat Eddie: And Andy Moore. I think in the last two games a lot of Welsh players have resurrected their chances of a Lions place Rachel Hubbard: I am pleased that Wales won today, but feel that there was no spark to the game - anyone else feel the same? ClubChat Eddie: The victory definitely produced a spark but everybody was conscious that it wasn't a very good spectacle Paul: Has Graham Henry restored his credibility as a Lions coach which had been questioned in some quarters? ClubChat Eddie: Yes, his reputation was dented by the defeat against England but he has fully re-established his credentials Huw: The Italians managed so many turnovers - were they doing so legally? ClubChat Eddie: There's always a lot of nonsense going on at the ground. Nothing is ever entirely legal in rugby - but if you get away with it you've done your job
ClubChat Eddie: The circumstances were different today. Scotland was a genuine collapse - today was all about frustration through the refereeing BBC Host: Wales team manager Dai Pickering joins us now from Rome Martin R : Dai Picks, congrats on a job well done. Wouldn't a coaching role in the Welsh set up suit a former Welsh captain and flanker?! ClubChat Dai: No, I'm not interested... I've enjoyed the position I've had. I've got a full-time career apart from this. I own several small companies and that is my main occupation which I find very rewarding BBC Host: What do you mean "had"? Are you standing down as team manager? ClubChat Dai: No comment Ben Morgan: Mr Pickering, is there any comeback for international referees who put in dreadful performances or will David McHugh and Colin Hawke and whoever the muppet we had today be allowed to carry on without censure? ClubChat Dai: The only thing I will say on the referee is that he was the same for both sides - no further comment on the referee
ClubChat Dai: I thought he played very well in his first appearance... he's a young man and he coped with the pressures admirably David Rees: Strength in depth... if we can replace Howley at short notice with a player with so much potential - we must be getting somewhere ClubChat Dai: Yes, there's been over three years we have pursued the policy to ensure improvement. We are in the top six of the world and must be beginning to break into the top five Welsh Devil: Who was your man of the match? ClubChat Dai: Scott Gibbs played very well and he won the award. I think Wales' outstanding player of the championship has been Scott Quinnell Moz: Dai do you know if the Italian number 7 has any Welsh blood in him and can we get him on board? ClubChat Dai: Laughs!!! We're very happy with our number 7 who has had another very good performance Gareth Davies: Apart from the score what were our strengths today? ClubChat Dai: We coped with frustrating circumstances which is a sign of maturity and never looked like losing
ClubChat Dai: (Laughs a lot !!!) I think he used to be a footballer !! BBC Host: Dai Pickering has had to leave us but says thanks for your all your fantastic questions. Eddie's back with us now Ben Morgan: Bergamasco - already the best number 7 in the world? ClubChat Eddie: I think he was until he dropped the ball over the line! He's a fine player - I saw him afterwards, and he was NOT happy... Chris: Dai said "I've enjoyed the position I have had," this is past tense, are you trying to tell us something? ClubChat Eddie: David was very much a part of the new revolution and many things have changed for the better in a short space of time. But, there's still a lot to do - and it's a shame that that sort of management continuity has been broken if he does go. He said he was not interested in one of the new three coaching roles so does he go outside the set up entirely, which would be a pity. It does look like there's going to be a big change all round - and I just hope they don't run into a brick wall of opposition. Graham Henry must be protected for the responsibilities of management, he must be allowed to coach. The role of manager as a cushion between the public and the team is a very important one
ClubChat Eddie: It is very different from all the others, it has obvious novelty value but it's a great place to come for a rugby weekend Jill : What on earth was Craig Q yellow carded for? His reputation???? ClubChat Eddie: He had a swinging arm on the tackle - but it was hard to spot on the replay Elfed celt : When Wales have a fowards, defence and attack coach in place - will the Great Redeemer revert to tea boy or wot???? ClubChat Eddie: Well, I don't think anybody would criticise the England system with Clive Woodward as a general overseer... there's enough work for five coaches, without anybody leaving to make the team ClubChat: Apologies for the repetitious question !!! ... technical fault ;-) Darcy F: English rugby is so dominant at the moment - we should be part of the Tri Nations competition, until the rest of the 6 Nations teams catch up ClubChat Eddie: No, in the past there's always been one team which may dominate but the Six Nations is in this together. It won't be long before someone catches up with England Eammon : Woodie for Lions captain ClubChat Eddie: Keith Wood you mean? It's a very difficult decision... the choice would be Martin Johnson or Keith Wood and I think that a straw poll of the players would decide it ClubChat: One very last question... Edwin : Playing Italy will always be a confidence booster for the 5 Nations teams - as they aren't up to it - YET - and therefore is the 'easy' game ClubChat Eddie: I think Italy have very quickly made the transition for Six Nations level and in five years time they'll be winning more games than they lost Non Rhys1: Aren't the English getting a little carried away with their recent success. They may have peaked too early for the World Cup ClubChat Eddie: New Zealand in the late 80s... Australia in the 90s... have to be very careful of being too good, too soon BBC Host: We're sorry we haven't been able to get more responses from the Welsh camp - technical difficulties have got in our way. Time for a final word from Eddie... ClubChat Eddie: It's a shame that the Six Nations have dwindled away. There's life left in it but it hasn't quite been the Championship we all thought it would be BBC Host: Thank you for all your questions, it's been a fantastic night. Bye for now...
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See also:
18 Mar 01 | Six Nations
05 Mar 01 | Six Nations
20 Feb 01 | Six Nations
04 Feb 01 | Six Nations
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