Rugby

Watching Andy Farrel play reminds me of a story I read as a child. A man buys a racehorse for a milion pounds. When it arrives its a donkey. Furious at being tricked the man sends the donkey to the knackers yard. (or, possibly not, since it was a childrens book. But he got rid of it somehow). Turns out it was the fastest donkey ever & the man was a fool. Unfortunately, the million pound Andy Farrel is not the fastest donkey ever. He is a very ordinary donkey. Trip to the knackers yard must be iminent.
The rest of the England team were a lesson in mediocrity. Ok, Robinson, for the first time in recent history, had a half decent game at fullback. And there were one or two nice moves from Saki. But on the whole you got the impression that most of the team simply didn't want to be there. Scored nothing. Never looked like scoring. Didn't much seem to want to score. I have seen more passion from a collection of white goods.

Contrast that with Argentina's incredible defending in their suprise turn over of France. Or Wales verses Australia. OK. Wales completely out classed by an Australian side that bordered at times on brilliant. But boy they fought. And showed some magic hands and real Welsh grit. And little amature Portugal scored a try against the mighty all-blacks. Ok, lost by a hundred points. But could walk off the pitch with pride. Then Georgia took on a lackluster Ireland and against all odds damn near beat them. Deserved to beat them.
There has been some magic rugby out there. Rugby of skill, rugby of passion. Men digging deep and exceeding all expectations. Sadly, none of it has been played by the English.