Rugby 2019

Depending on how many games are included, then the top hammering could actually account for the whole decrease.

If there's 5 games - and I don't know what the sample is - then going from 142-0 to 63-0 in one game reduce the 2003 average from -45 to -29. Then in 2007, reducing one game from 108-13 to 63-0 reduces the average defeat margin from -39 to -30. In 2011, 87-0 to 63-0 over 5 games reduces the margin from -38 to -33.

So in that case - and again, there's probably more than 5 games involved - it'd just be one hammering reducing, and everything else staying the same. Even if there's 15 games, it would account for a good chunk of the reduction.

Is there a Tier 3 at all? Or is Tier 2 everyone from Japan to Russia?

24 Tier 1 v Tier 2 games in the current 20 team format. It's not an exact science but shows a general trend - not much movement in last 4 years.

The 10 teams in the six nations / Rugby Championship are considered Tier 1 - the rest are considered Tier 2 but that’s really more for discussion purposes as only the top 10 teams in the world get regular guaranteed competition against other Tier 1 nations - World Rugby doesn't classify teams as such AFAIK.

Ok, 24 is a lot more than I'd have thought. So getting rid of the absolute whippings will help, but it's a valid trend overall. Albeit, as noted, one that indicates little more than better defensive organisation

The knives out yesterday and this morning. Ireland were shocking, even if New Zealand were their usual selves. It was rather like that English game in the 6N this year I thought, in that the Irish were bullied from the moment the game began, and never recovered.

Wales/France was a great watch I thought. Crazy elbow for the red, and it was nice and tense up to the end. Wales got away with it.

England showed the All Blacks up. It can be done.

Totally comprehensive too. Well deserved.

Surely Munster have the rights to field of Athenry

First away win in New Zealand in over 100 years apparently. Well not quite as Ireland only first played in New Zealand in 1976 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histor...nd_New_Zealand Still, a victory worth recording.

From winning none of the first 22, to four wins from the last seven game.
Still haven't won two games in a row against them, and it's rare enough that New Zealand lose two games in a row, so a win on Saturday would be bigger IMO
Big psychological victory ahead of probably facing them in the second round of the world cup next year too.

Some win this morning.

Some win at 3am over here! Unreal performance. Thought we were going to throw it away but the spirit and quality in the last 15 minutes was incredible. That defence was at times unbelievable. Amazing performance. Historic achievement.

There’s only One Johnny Sexton.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SkStu

Some win at 3am over here! Unreal performance. Thought we were going to throw it away but the spirit and quality in the last 15 minutes was incredible. That defence was at times unbelievable. Amazing performance. Historic achievement.

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I thought it was the kiss of death from Rob Kearney when he said at half time, he expected more of the same in the second half! It was always going to be who got the next score and as it happens NZ got the next three tries but fair dues to this team they struck back when previous Irish teams might have folded.