Shane Williams column My tips for the 2021 Six Nations...and the Lions
As we get ready to kick 2020 into the history books (thank heavens for that!) and prepare for a brighter 2021 I thought I should hand out a few end of year awards. There has been little or nothing to shout about for my old teams, the Ospreys and Wales, but in between the stop, start rugby we have seen around the globe there have been a few magical moments.
Here is my version of the Rugby Oscars for 2020:
MOST MEMORABLE GAME
You wait and wait, and then two come along at the same time. Late in the year we had a glut of great games in the Champions Cup and one of them hit me between the eyes – Bristol Bears v ASM Clermont Auvergne.
What a game, what attacking intent, what spirit. There were 12 tries, 59 points and two teams who were out on their feet by the end of 80 minutes. They both emptied their tanks and served up a remarkable match.
Clermont have always been a team who can run you off your feet from the start, but tend to either fade away or get bored. That can make them vulnerable, as we saw last weekend against Munster, and Bristol stormed back into a brilliant contest to take two priceless points.
It was the game in which we marvelled at the skills of Japanese international Kotaro Matsushima. More of the same as the tournament moves on in 2021 would be a joy.
TRY OF THE YEAR
It is up there as one of the greatest ever scored by an England wing... Jonny May’s second try against Ireland at Twickenham in the Autumn Nations Cup is my pick. It took his international tally to 31 and showed why he is one of the most lethal try scorers in the world.
A moment of inaccuracy from Ireland at a lineout in the England 22 gifted the home side a turnover and it was moved wide to the left to allow May to showcase his skill and speed. By the time he received the ball he was 80 metres away from the Irish try-line, but 14 seconds later he had shattered Irish dreams with a mercurial try at their posts.
There was a swerve around Chris Farrell, and a dart inside Keith Earls, to carry him out of the 22 and into clear water. Just before halfway he put the ball onto his left foot and kicked ahead. Jamison Gibson-Park now had the unenviable task of trying to keep up with him.
Reaching the 22, May used his left foot to hack the ball on. The fact the ball then bounced up kindly into his
arms over the line was a bit fortunate, but your skill in those moments creates your own luck.
It was a moment to savour, a wonderful wing try and something that showed why May has to play for the British & Irish Lions this summer.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
The scenes at the end of Argentina’s historic first win over the All Blacks. There was so much emotion wrapped up in that game for a team that had been in quarantine for the best part of four months and hadn’t played a Test match for 402 days.
The skill and technique of Pumas skipper Pablo Matera earned him some remarkable turnovers, but it was his pride and passion that really stood out.
When the All Blacks tried to intimidate his team he was in their faces. When he was being told off by the Aussie referee Angus Gardner pushing and shoving in a general melee he replied: “I play for my country, they need to show us respect.”
The 25-15 victory in Sydney was Argentina’s first in 30 attempts against New Zealand and came against a side that had been beaten by Australia in their previous match. It meant it was the first time the All Blacks had lost back-to-back games
since 2011. Nicholas Sanchez may have provided all the points, but the heartbeat of the side was, and is, Matera.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
England won the Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup and Leinster once again dominated the PRO14. But you can’t look past the achievements of Exeter Chiefs in completing the greatest double of them all, the Champions Cup and their domestic league title.
Their continued rise since joining the elite ranks of the English Premiership in 2010 has been one of the sports stories of this century. The bookies would have given you odds of 1000-1 or longer to do what they have done when they first came out of the Championship.
Hats off to Rob Baxter and his backroom staff for what they have achieved. What has always impressed me is that he can identify talent others have overlooked and turn it into international quality.
These days the biggest names in the game all want to play for Exeter Chiefs.
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Rob Baxter is an obvious candidate, as is Pablo Matera. Eddie Jones deserves praise for backing up England’s World Cup final appearance with two trophies this year. Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe is another stand-out performer for me over the year, but I’m going to stay closer to home for my choice in this section.
Alun Wyn Jones became the world’s most capped player in 2020 as he overtook the record set by the incredible Richie McCaw, who is arguably the greatest player to play the game. It is a shame that Big Al topped the pile in 2020 rather than 2019, when he led Wales to a Grand Slam and took them into the World Cup semi-finals.
But even in tougher times this year he has stood tall and revealed his true character and class. Having made his debut in Argentina in 2006, he is still going strong 14 years on and looks set to take the cap record way beyond the 152 mark he sits on.
Will he make a fourth tour with the British & Irish Lions in the summer? He may be 35, but he is still as good as anything out there and Warren Gatland knows all about his inspirational qualities, as a leader and player.
There are still a few unwritten chapters left in his incredible rugby story and I salute him for everything he has achieved in the game.
BIGGEST HOPE FOR 2021
For the world to get back to some kind of normality and to see my son, Carter, playing with his mates once again at Amman United. The professional game has done wonders in keeping rugby in the public eye, but what we all want to see is the base of the playing pyramid getting back to training and playing... safely!
2021 PREDICTIONS
Champions Cup – Exeter Chiefs are going to have to go some to make up for their Covid-hit campaign. If they can reach the quarter-finals then perhaps they can defend their title. If not, then look out for Leinster. Unbeaten this season, what they did to Montpellier in France was awesome.
PRO14 – The new format announced last week has played into the hands of the leading Irish provinces with the final being a straight shoot-out between the top teams in each Conference. Munster v Leinster was postponed this weekend due to Covid but I see that being the final – with Leinster just coming out on top.
Premiership – Tough to look past Exeter, although Wasps got close last season and still have a real sting in their game. There hasn’t been enough consistency in many of the other teams. Northampton have fallen away, Gloucester and Harlequins are blowing hot and cold and Sale haven’t hit their straps yet. It has been interesting seeing Newcastle starting so well, but the Chiefs are the favourites.
Six Nations – We all saw the potential in the new team emerging in France and this is going to be a big season for them. Are they ready to take the next step? Perhaps, but if I were a betting man I’d be placing my money on England again. Their strength in depth is incredible and they will have the luxury of three home matches. They will feel confident about coming to Cardiff and winning, but heading to Dublin in the final round will be a real test for them. The Irish are an ageing team, but are definitely not over the top.
British & Irish Lions Tour – What happened in 2009 still hurts, so I’m going for a 2-1 win for the Lions to make amends next summer. I really hope the Covid situation eases to allow the tour to get full travelling support. It won’t be the same without the army of Lions fans. They help to make any tour. The Springboks are once again the world champions and have a wonderful squad of players. Warren Gatland, however, has a huge array of talent to pick from and knows what it takes to blend the different tribes. What a series it looks like being!