A year that promises everything

2016 WAS A wonderful year for rugby. The All Blacks played the beautiful game week in, week out, Antipodean coaches dropped northern hemisphere teams back into contention, and Ireland buried a bogey at last. And 2017 promises even more.

This month’s mag focuses on Super Rugby – by the time you get to this article you’ll be Super Rugby’d out [the format, travel, timings, number of teams have already exhausted me before it’s even started. Bring back a Super 12, four NZ teams, four South African, three Aussie, and one Argentinian, home and away, semis and a final. Period. And a development division for the Pacific Islands, USA and Japan to play in].

Back to the five things I am looking forward to:

1 The best Lions team – and tour – since 1971

Remember 1971? Carwyn James brought over the best back division we’d ever seen. Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Mike Gibson, Gerald Davies, David Duckham, JPR Williams, John Bevan under John Dawes’ astute captaincy. And they brought a forward or two as well… Ray McLoughlin, Ian McLauchlan, Willie John McBride, Gordon Brown, Fergus Slattery and Mervyn Davies.

They won the series 2-1 and galvanised a revolution in New Zealand rugby from forward dominance to an all-round game based on pace, fitness and 15-man handling skills. 2017 promises fireworks in a similar vein. An experienced coaching team of seasoned pros Andy Farrell, Steve Borthwick and Rob Howley – winners versus the Wallabies in 2013 – led by Warren Gatland who understands New Zealand rugby inside-out, will bring a team of players all of whom have been keenly coached by top Antipodean coaches [Eddie Jones, Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter] who know our mentality, our techniques and our tactics. Imagine a touring party including: Back three: Stuart Hogg, Rob Kearney, George North, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Liam Williams.

Centres: Owen Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Jonathan Joseph, Elliott Daly.

Halfbacks: George Ford, Dan Biggar, Jonny Sexton, Ben Youngs, Connor Murray, Rhys Webb.

Frontrow: Mako Vunipola, WP Nel, Gethin Jenkins, Rory Best, Dylan Hartley.

Locks: Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Devin Toner, Jonny Gray.

Backrow: Billy Vunipola, James Haskell, Chris Robshaw, Taulupe Faletau, Nathan Hughes.

They’ll be tough. And they’ll need to be with the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders in seven days – with two tests at fortress Eden Park on the agenda. A proper rugby tour. Mouth watering.

2 The best Six Nations for years

The Six Nations is the best annual fan experience in world rugby – the rituals, the stadia, the mateship… shame about the rugby. But this year promises terrific rugby, big matches, big performances with a place on the Lions tour an additional incentive, and big scores to be settled.

France are sore. They’ve had a bad spell but now have a coach, Guy Novès, with flair, panache, belief and confidence. Les Bleus were solid against the All Blacks in November.

Whilst they do not always travel well, they will be keen to rain on the Rustbif’s parade and halt Eddie Jones’ unbeaten run at Twickenham. They have world class talent in Wesley Fofana and Louis Picamoles, an excellent kicking game, two fast powerful Fijian wingers and a solid South African fullback. French flair with international seasoning.

England under Eddie Jones are a formidable force. The attitude is right; standards are high; leadership is settled and evident on the field throughout the team and Itoje, Farrell and Vunipola are world class.

As Vince Lombardi said, “Winning is a habit” and England 2017 are reminiscent of England 2003…but perhaps without the magic of Jason Robinson and Will Greenwood in attack at the moment. A team on a mission. To be the best in the world… but…

Ireland could win the tournament. Joe Schmidt to my mind is second only to Steve Hansen as a world-class test coach. He has built a support team led by Andy Farrell which can do the business.

On the field he has real talent in Rob Kearney, Robbie Henshaw, Sexton and Murray, Sean O’Brien and an inspirational leader in Rory Best. The best place in the world to be at 5pm on March 18 will be Aviva Stadium to watch Ireland play England – who could be playing to break the All Blacks record of most consecutive test win, and it could be the Six Nations decider.

And now on to Scotland. A resurgence is underway. Talent is breaking through and with Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray they have X-Factor players who can win games.

I fancy Scotland to have their best tournament in recent memory – in performance terms at least. Let’s hope for the editor’s sake they translate this into results.

Wales will struggle. They’ve peaked. Their coach is absent on Lions duty.

Italy – Sergio Parisse apart – are not up to it.

The ingredients are there for a cracking couple of months. The southern hemisphere sides [New Zealand apart] have gone backwards since the 2015 RWC semifinal monopoly. The Six Nations, under their Antipodean coaches, have moved forward.

Let’s hope the weather is kind, the referees open minded and the players deliver.

3 The rise and rise of the All Blacks

What a great year following RWC 2015 and the loss of McCaw, Carter, Smith, Mealamu and Nonu. One hiccup in Chicago with retribution following in Dublin.

In 2017 we can look forward to: • the return of Sonny Bill • the return of Nehe Milner-Skudder • the rebirth of Aaron Smith • the growth of Anton Lienert-Brown • the power of Retallick and Whitelock • the maturing of Cane and Coles • the resurgence of captain Kieran • Beauden adding goalkicking to his World Player of the Year repertoire • A couple of Super Rugby bolters • Steve Hansen baiting Cheika and Gatland as only an ex-detective can do.

4 A Wallaby revival

We need a strong Wallaby side. They have some new young talent, Cheika is competent, Folau can change a game, Foley and Genia can manage matches… come on lads!

5 And finally, more recognition for Jonah

In December, I attended a black tie dinner to raise money for Jonah’s two sons. The dinner was held in London where Jonah is revered as a transformational force who transcended New Zealand and rugby – think Mohammad Ali in boxing, Michael Jordan in basketball and Pelé in soccer. The dinner was attended by rugby greats from every nation and the great and good of London’s business world. More than £250,000 plus was raised for the boy’s trust fund. Brilliant.

And now Steven O’Meagher of New Zealand’s Desert Road Production Company has acquired the rights to make a movie of Jonah’s early years – from boyhood to the Hong Kong Sevens, which launched him onto the World Stage. Steven’s putting the financing together now. If you want to help take Jonah’s story to the world, give him a call.