Theres been a couple of good games so far. The All Blacks destroying everyone in front of them. A completely different starting 15 from the Welsh game started the Irish game, and they still won by a mile. Great team

What about the wallabies, beating by the French and now by a very average England team. Crisis in Australian Rugby?

Scotland have to play the All Blacks, and after the Welsh and the Irish games, it seems if we only loose by twenty points its a good result, which is crazy. The Welsh only narrowly beat Fiji on Friday night, so they seem to have fallen from grace.

It's quite an exciting time in Rugby at the moment

you mean the Blacks destroying everybody is exciting times for rugby?

i would prefer more disputed matches...

Nope, thats not what I meant King. Exciting on several fronts. Can Scotland with a new coach and captain get back to a competitive level. Are the Welsh a one season wander, or will they again be great this season. England, after winning the world cup in 03 have a loosing record. Will they recover. Australia, for so long a dominating force, seem to be struggling. Are the players all getting old together, do they need a change of personnel. For me, all these things make the game of rugby union exciting at the moment

that's better... and france? it's looking more like the 2007 world cup will be a showdown between them,being at home and such, and the blacks... unless england and australia can put their acts back together... i haven't followed south african rugby recently, how are they these days and why aren't they in europe this autumn?

I tend not to mention the French team because I don't like the French much No, in all fairness they've got a good side, and are generally a solid bet for the Six Nations every year. You're right, they are probably the best competitor for the All Blacks right now. As for the Boks, they are playing the Welsh this Saturday (19th). Based on what I've seen this year with the Tri-Nations, they're up there with the French and the All Blacks too. They've got a younger team by and large, so they too look good for the future

yeah, it kinda sucks the world champions not so long ago are hitting the fan. they were riddled with injury a few months back and still havent come right by the looks of things.

and as for the all blacks, we're developing more depth as a side with each coming game this season. scary shit... is south africa the only team who can come close?

Yeah, I think the Boks are the closest at the moment. What is good for New Zealand rugby, and bad for the rest of us, is the strength and depth. The starting 15 against the Irish was a completely different starting 15 to the starting team against the Welsh. They won both games comfortably. When some of the teams struggle to find 15 good international players, the Kiwis have 30+. Frigthening

Cusiter is back for Scotland on Saturday. We need a win to avoid following further down the world rankings. We play Samoa, so I'm hopeful of a victory. Of course if it hadn't been for that controversial penalty try against Argentina we'd have won last week already.........

scotland just scraped in against samoa and the all blacks are being called cheaters by the english press after beating them 22-19.

we had 3 players sent off. did you see the game? was the reff crap?

I didn't watch the game, no. But when England loose they tend to bitch and moan. I think three sin bins would be a bit harsh. It says more about the English than it does about the Kiwis. If they can't beat them when they play for the guts of thirty minutes with a man advantage, well, that says a lot about their game.

Very apprehensive about this weekend, what can Scotland do about the All Blacks. Based on other results, if we score a try and loose by less than 20 minutes it would be a good result for us, which is a sad thing to have to say. If we did that, it would put us ahead of the Welsh and the Irish, which is a realistic aim for next year I think

absolutely. the "tug-o'-war" between Wales, Ireland and Scotland is always entertaining. when is the six nations? i try to catch as many northern hemisphere games as i can. its a completely different ball game and the standard is being raised all the time.

The matches normally take place from mid-February to early April. I'm going to the Scotland games in Rome and Cardiff next year, so I'm looking for two wins. I've been to Dublin before, and Paris twice, and not seen a Scotland win. The year 2006 will see an away victory!

No chance buddy... Your not going to win down here! Seriously though, Wales will be back in form by then... We should beat the Wallabies today. Neigh, have to beat them If England can do it...

Can't wait for the six nations defence either...

I'm looking forward to Cardiff. I was there for the Lions game in the summer, and the atmosphere and the bars were great. I'm told it's even better for a six nations game, so it should be great. We've definetely got more chance against the Italians, but after the result against NZ yesterday I am encouraged for the coming season

Dear Eddie Jones and George Gregan: I have a gift for both of you.

As much as I dislike Gregan, he's still one of the best scrum halves in the world, and Australia would be poorer without him. Remember, he's only as good as the pack in front of him.

Doesn't help when he plays what I call crab-style. Walk sideways for a while, wait for the opposition to push up, then deliver the ball to the fly half and see the poor guy crunched. Repeat for however many times he gets the ball from the breakdown.

You gotta feel for Gregan... The Aussie forwards are so poor. He's still one of the best though... Although he's going to get the blame for their form, it's more the deep rooted problems for Aus.

Wales destroyed their pack on Saturday, Gregan was helpless in that respect...

But NZ have excelled so far ahead of everyone this year, its not even funny

i admire gregan's playing ability. he has been around forever, constantly kicking ass... but can someone tell him to please shut the fuck up? there is only one ref. on the paddock, and it isnt georgie.

The guy's our leader. Our captain. When we keep giving away penalties, it's up to the captain and the coach to lay down the law. It's been happening for a while now, and it doesn't feel as though they're doing anything about it.