The Six Nations Championship trumps the Tri-Nations
by Mick Cleary | 02 February 2010 (13:03)
Which would you rather have, rugby fans – the Tri-Nations or the Six Nations ? Yes, I know, the Tri-Nations is a stronger competition in that its sides are routinely one, two and three in the world rankings. It’s hard, fierce and unrelenting. It can be innovative and exciting, too, with Super 14 players more inclined to take risk. But its format is tired, which is why it will be a great boost for all concerned when Argentina finally gets to join the big boys.
Three teams, three top teams, no less, is all very well but how often can you play each other in any one season without the eyelids beginning to droop and the snores beginning to rumble ? Home and away, and then home again. Or is it the other way around ? What’s more, it’s the same cast of characters that have been on parade through the three months of Super rugby. Same style, same temperament, same strengths and weaknesses. Good players, of course, but the same players. Todd Blackadder once told me that he relished playing in the Heineken Cup when he was at Edinburgh because he didn’t know what he was going to come up with from one week to the next. There was a whole mix of types of rugby on offer, a different menu of climate too from the frozen, dreak and dreary north to the sunny uplands of southern France.
But, for me, the thing that clinches it when elevating the Six Nations over the Tri-Nations is the fans. There are lots of them on the road, in Dublin, in Paris, in Rome or wherever. The great capital cities of Europe are thronged with the colours and noises not only of home supporters but, more importantly, of away fans. There have been great tales told for many decades of Welsh expeditions to Edinburgh. Even Graham Henry admitted to being stunned by the level of support in the first year that he took the Wales side north of the border. Drawing the hotel curtains back on the Saturday of the match, Henry looked down Princes Street to see but a sea of red.
You can transfer that scene to any of the venues. Rome has become a wonderful addition to the circuit. The Italians may be taking their time to get into rugby, although 80,000 at the San Siro in Milan to see the game against the All Blacks in November is an encouraging indicator of things to come, but away fans flock to the Eternal City, often scoring brownie points with wife, girlfriend ( or both ) in tow.
It’s not just good for the local tourist board that so many make the trip. It adds to the occasion, creates a sense of tribalism that will endure no matter what. That pressure, that sense of meeting the expectations of travelling fans, many of whom have forked out at great expense, adds to the pressure on players. That can only be a good thing. Twickenham celebrates its centenary this weekend. The place was packed 100 years ago as England surprisingly beat much-fancied Wales, 11-6. The stadium will be packed again on Saturday. Same backdrop. Same result ? That’s up for grabs. What is certain, though, is that the Six Nations championship has lost none of its appeal.
If you want to read more of Mick Cleary go to www.telegraph.co.uk
