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Harry Jones

Expert

Joined August 2013

1.51m

Views

432

Published

30.7k

Comments

"Never confuse motion with action."

Published

Comments

Expert

Expert

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

Pack strength in sufficient depth is a prerequisite to get to a semifinal in the Rugby World Cup. Then, magic and nerve is needed…

2d

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

Expert

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

2d

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

Expert

Expert

Packs Power Rankings: Boks' 'bomb squad' edges France, injured Wallaby who Eddie can't replace

The best combined and powerful talent, deeply cohered into a wise plan, bolstered by ready substitutes, with just the right magic, will win the…

4d

Packs Power Rankings: Boks' 'bomb squad' edges France, injured Wallaby who Eddie can't replace

Expert

Packs Power Rankings: Boks' 'bomb squad' edges France, injured Wallaby who Eddie can't replace

4d

Packs Power Rankings: Boks' 'bomb squad' edges France, injured Wallaby who Eddie can't replace

Expert

Expert

World Cup Top 10 Power Rankings: Wallabies' missing piece, ABs still possess super power, and why France edge Ireland

Ten days before the Rugby World Cup and nerves are jangling. All hat and no cattle? We are about to find out if teams…

6d

World Cup Top 10 Power Rankings: Wallabies' missing piece, ABs still possess super power, and why France edge Ireland

Expert

World Cup Top 10 Power Rankings: Wallabies' missing piece, ABs still possess super power, and why France edge Ireland

6d

World Cup Top 10 Power Rankings: Wallabies' missing piece, ABs still possess super power, and why France edge Ireland

Expert

Expert

Weakest links, not superstars, often decide World Cups: So where are the fatal flaws in the top 10 contenders?

Eight finals spots await ten contenders in France, where the proud hosts, all four prior World Cup winners, the three Celtic nations, the Flying…

2w

Weakest links, not superstars, often decide World Cups: So where are the fatal flaws in the top 10 contenders?

Expert

Weakest links, not superstars, often decide World Cups: So where are the fatal flaws in the top 10 contenders?

2w

Weakest links, not superstars, often decide World Cups: So where are the fatal flaws in the top 10 contenders?

Expert

Expert

ANALYSIS: Is Tom Hooper a Test quality flanker? How he's fared so far and the biggest hole in his game

There is no excuse for leaving a fit Quade Cooper out of a 33-man 2023 Wallaby squad. Any flyhalf takes a long time to…

3w

ANALYSIS: Is Tom Hooper a Test quality flanker? How he's fared so far and the biggest hole in his game

Expert

ANALYSIS: Is Tom Hooper a Test quality flanker? How he's fared so far and the biggest hole in his game

3w

ANALYSIS: Is Tom Hooper a Test quality flanker? How he's fared so far and the biggest hole in his game

Expert

Expert

What three hours in a bar taught me about RWC contenders - including the 'most confident 0-4 team on the planet'

A three-hour delay sent nine of us into a bar in Boston’s Logan airport; infants had invaded the lounges. The man at the end…

3w

What three hours in a bar taught me about RWC contenders - including the 'most confident 0-4 team on the planet'

Expert

What three hours in a bar taught me about RWC contenders - including the 'most confident 0-4 team on the planet'

3w

What three hours in a bar taught me about RWC contenders - including the 'most confident 0-4 team on the planet'

Expert

Expert

It's not Eddie's first rodeo, but old school methods could leave behind a trail of broken bodies

It was my first rodeo. The idea was to have untrained cowboys from other sports compete in the traditional events. A young middleweight boxer,…

Aug

It's not Eddie's first rodeo, but old school methods could leave behind a trail of broken bodies

Expert

It's not Eddie's first rodeo, but old school methods could leave behind a trail of broken bodies

Aug

It's not Eddie's first rodeo, but old school methods could leave behind a trail of broken bodies

Expert

Expert

'F-word the D-word': Eddie needs to flip the message, because nagging about ill-discipline is the enemy of success

Chaos cries for clarity. Rugby is not life or death, but it is win or lose, in or out, and in the end, stay…

Jul

'F-word the D-word': Eddie needs to flip the message, because nagging about ill-discipline is the enemy of success

Expert

'F-word the D-word': Eddie needs to flip the message, because nagging about ill-discipline is the enemy of success

Jul

'F-word the D-word': Eddie needs to flip the message, because nagging about ill-discipline is the enemy of success

Expert

Expert

'Murderers’ row of confidence busters' awaiting Wallabies: The wider view of the task facing Eddie in France

The long shadow of the silver gilt Cup hangs over every match, each injury and all the cards. France has quelled riots in the…

Jul

'Murderers’ row of confidence busters' awaiting Wallabies: The wider view of the task facing Eddie in France

Expert

'Murderers’ row of confidence busters' awaiting Wallabies: The wider view of the task facing Eddie in France

Jul

'Murderers’ row of confidence busters' awaiting Wallabies: The wider view of the task facing Eddie in France

Expert

Expert

ANALYSIS: Boks own the pack, ABs reign out back - why this battle between old foes is too tough to call

One of the worst ways to predict a match between two relatively equal teams is to try to select a composite. If one team…

Jul

ANALYSIS: Boks own the pack, ABs reign out back - why this battle between old foes is too tough to call

Expert

ANALYSIS: Boks own the pack, ABs reign out back - why this battle between old foes is too tough to call

Jul

ANALYSIS: Boks own the pack, ABs reign out back - why this battle between old foes is too tough to call

Expert

Expert

Fresh meat: Loftus Versfeld smells like an abattoir. Tom Hooper and co were skewered and thrown on the braai

Burning meat, brandy and coke and flamed Wallaby was on the menu in Pretoria

Jul

Fresh meat: Loftus Versfeld smells like an abattoir. Tom Hooper and co were skewered and thrown on the braai

Expert

Fresh meat: Loftus Versfeld smells like an abattoir. Tom Hooper and co were skewered and thrown on the braai

Jul

Fresh meat: Loftus Versfeld smells like an abattoir. Tom Hooper and co were skewered and thrown on the braai

Expert

Expert

'Split squad', 'novice Bok 10': Why this is the Wallabies' best chance to 'exhume the Loftus graveyard'

The Wallabies have a powerful new jersey and a new vibe. Try to rip this armour off the quick strike tank the general is…

Jul

'Split squad', 'novice Bok 10': Why this is the Wallabies' best chance to 'exhume the Loftus graveyard'

Expert

'Split squad', 'novice Bok 10': Why this is the Wallabies' best chance to 'exhume the Loftus graveyard'

Jul

'Split squad', 'novice Bok 10': Why this is the Wallabies' best chance to 'exhume the Loftus graveyard'

Expert

Expert

The Wallaby 15 should be more Burke than Folau: Eddie can win or lose the World Cup on his 'lone wolf' call

Canis lupus: the gray wolf. When I dream of being a beast, I am a wolf running down prey. They live and hunt with…

Jun

The Wallaby 15 should be more Burke than Folau: Eddie can win or lose the World Cup on his 'lone wolf' call

Expert

The Wallaby 15 should be more Burke than Folau: Eddie can win or lose the World Cup on his 'lone wolf' call

Jun

The Wallaby 15 should be more Burke than Folau: Eddie can win or lose the World Cup on his 'lone wolf' call

Expert

Expert

'Bullet train Koroibete' and a 'true conundrum': How Eddie must find the 'angel' in heaven for World Cup glory

Last week I was in the backseat of a shuddering Matamoras taxi driven by a man named Jesus. My mission was to know and…

Jun

'Bullet train Koroibete' and a 'true conundrum': How Eddie must find the 'angel' in heaven for World Cup glory

Expert

'Bullet train Koroibete' and a 'true conundrum': How Eddie must find the 'angel' in heaven for World Cup glory

Jun

'Bullet train Koroibete' and a 'true conundrum': How Eddie must find the 'angel' in heaven for World Cup glory

Expert

Expert

'Baryshnikov with a Kalashnikov': Perfect blend of poise and firepower that makes Wallaby one of the world's best 13s

We have covered the monk, the golfer, the mastiff, the towers, the bouncer, the bankrobber, the bear, the jockey, the frontman and the enforcer.…

Jun

'Baryshnikov with a Kalashnikov': Perfect blend of poise and firepower that makes Wallaby one of the world's best 13s

Expert

'Baryshnikov with a Kalashnikov': Perfect blend of poise and firepower that makes Wallaby one of the world's best 13s

Jun

'Baryshnikov with a Kalashnikov': Perfect blend of poise and firepower that makes Wallaby one of the world's best 13s

Expert

Expert

Australia has the world's best player in the 'death wish' position - but what happens if his hamstring pings?

The twelve. The inside man. The second five-eighth. The back plucked from the pack. The third flank. The missing link between league and union.…

Jun

Australia has the world's best player in the 'death wish' position - but what happens if his hamstring pings?

Expert

Australia has the world's best player in the 'death wish' position - but what happens if his hamstring pings?

Jun

Australia has the world's best player in the 'death wish' position - but what happens if his hamstring pings?

Expert

Expert

The most indispensable player for Eddie's WC run: No.10s are like rock 'n' roll front men, and that makes Quade the Boss

Bands can jam but they don’t hit the big time without a legitimate front man. He may not be the best musician. He may…

May

The most indispensable player for Eddie's WC run: No.10s are like rock 'n' roll front men, and that makes Quade the Boss

Expert

The most indispensable player for Eddie's WC run: No.10s are like rock 'n' roll front men, and that makes Quade the Boss

May

The most indispensable player for Eddie's WC run: No.10s are like rock 'n' roll front men, and that makes Quade the Boss

Expert

Expert

Surviving as the smallest man in a game of brutal collisions? Only fools and horses scorn rugby's riders on the storm

I was steering a maul. My posterior proud and jutting like the bow of a Viking longboat or a cart horse. My scrumhalf wanted…

May

Surviving as the smallest man in a game of brutal collisions? Only fools and horses scorn rugby's riders on the storm

Expert

Surviving as the smallest man in a game of brutal collisions? Only fools and horses scorn rugby's riders on the storm

May

Surviving as the smallest man in a game of brutal collisions? Only fools and horses scorn rugby's riders on the storm

Expert

Expert

Grizzly discovery: The four men vying to be Eddie's 'boss bear' at the World Cup

Coaches throw out so many metaphors that some are intercepted. An eighthman I was, more than any other role in rugby, and the coach…

May

Grizzly discovery: The four men vying to be Eddie's 'boss bear' at the World Cup

Expert

Grizzly discovery: The four men vying to be Eddie's 'boss bear' at the World Cup

May

Grizzly discovery: The four men vying to be Eddie's 'boss bear' at the World Cup

Expert

Expert

Every country has a position that defines its rugby soul. For the land of Ned Kelly, look no further than No.7

Pilfer (verb). To steal things of little value or in small quantities, especially from the place where you work. Thus saith Oxford. Synonyms: filch,…

May

Every country has a position that defines its rugby soul. For the land of Ned Kelly, look no further than No.7

Expert

Every country has a position that defines its rugby soul. For the land of Ned Kelly, look no further than No.7

May

Every country has a position that defines its rugby soul. For the land of Ned Kelly, look no further than No.7

Older Submissions

NZ still the faves (10th time in 10 Cups). France at home. Ireland #1. Boks are 4th fave

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

I think he’d be forced to if QF/SF looms and, for example, CG can’t hit kicks and has the yips.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Boks have been living off the counter (and Willie’s assists).

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

And Scotland, quietly, has continuity from 2019 in the pack (it’s just that it didn’t even work then against Japan).

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Willie and Polly?

Top 10 playmakers at Rugby World Cup - and why the Wallabies' young gun has the game's toughest gig

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1d

He has the most caps in the Youth 10 list (which is very short!)

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Terminator, the selection and treatment of potential 9s and 10s rolling through Australia are really mysterious. R. Lonergan seems the perfect third 9 to take to a Cup, but never got a roll. Q. Cooper also tailormade to be player 23 or starting 10 depending on the foe; a mentor when not on pitch. More tested Noah L (or fiery Tane Edmed) seem better than Ben to me, but here is Ben.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

If we had a ranking of hybrid teams .. FIJI #1

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Toonie and Finn’s relationship has come a long way. We always mad at the kid who is most like us.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

All Kiwi boys learn to love the pass. Saffa boys love to tackle. Irish love the clever kick. French love French.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

BBBBB is still BBBBB. For a while, he became BBBB and then BBB, but never just BB.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

I pondered that. I actually think Fiji is hard to distinguish (backs from pack) and may be the most hybrid of all. They could do a 7-1.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Thank you Jimbob. It’s a pleasure to write for you (and Jacko and Tooly!)

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Well, I think there’s significant individual talent, but I agree, what keeps them out of the top 4 is no gel

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

cheers, Ken!

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Add Quade to the mix and the backline shoots up 2 places.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

The way the draw works, Ireland, SA, NZ, and France really don’t care THAT much about their head-to-head matches. The big match in Pool B is Scotland v SA. Once that’s done, it becomes IRE v Scotland. Essentially, IRE v SA becomes academic then.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

I see Mt Smart as more of an anomaly than Twickenham because of the bounce of the ball and little kicks being the key to the former, whereas the Boks could and should have got to 57 with the time they camped down in the AB 22 and it seemed like NZ could do nothing to stop it.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

The thing is some of them (besides Sexton) are quite shy or quiet. But really good. Hugo Keenan, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, JGP. These are excellent all-round players.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Correct.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

I was looking at the last year or so. Ireland’s backs have not been beaten by anyone (sometimes the pack can be neutralised as by Rennie’s WBs or SBs in Dublin) but the backs still find a way.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

There is also a size issue (horses for courses) so if you have a back 3 of Willemse-Moodie-Mapimpi, you aren’t worried about being rolled over. If you run out Willie-KLA-Kolbe, it’s quick-quick.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Defence and attack: but just the backs. Ireland is very cohesive

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

Gracias

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

I’ll be watching him closely, Nobes.

RWC Backs Power Rankings: 'Cohesive, smart' Ireland edge ABs, the glimmer of hope for unproven Wallabies

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2d

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