Tag Archives: coaches

Lionel Messi didn"t vote for Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d"Or 2013 – full voting analysis

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Messi can't bring himself to vote for Ronaldo in tactical Ballon d'Or picks while Rooney is popular only in Georgia and North Korea

-bycountry.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Click here to see how the international captains, coaches and media voted

With an astonishing and record-breaking 91 goals in the calendar year, it was perhaps a foregone conclusion that Lionel Messi would collect a fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or last night.

But that didn't stop international captains and coaches employing some political voting tactics to try and get their friends, compatriots or teammates further up the leaderboard – or at least block their rivals from winning.

With national team captains, coaches and a selected journalist from each FIFA nation eligible to vote, the annual award seems to have become football's answer to the Eurovision Song Contest in terms of tactical voting.

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Top of the world: Lionel Messi scooped a fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or trophy last night, receiving 41.6 per cent of the votes from international coaches, captain and journalists

Top of the world: Lionel Messi scooped a fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or trophy last night, receiving 41.6 per cent of the votes from international coaches, captain and journalists

Messi had a vote as captain of Argentina and picked Andres Iniesta as his first choice, Xavi as his second and Radamel Falcao as his third pick.

This could be interpreted as returning the favour to his two Barcelona teammates after setting up so many goals for him this year, but it's interesting that his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, is left out.

Ronaldo is Portugal captain but chose to hand over responsibilities to Bruno Alves, perhaps as a way of getting round the rule that voters can't pick themselves.

Ronaldo is on record as saying that he would vote for himself if he could. 'I am what I am,' he said in the run-up to the award announcement.

But he could rely on Zenit St Petersburg defender Alves to exclude Messi from his voting and put the Real Madrid star, naturally, at the top.

Not his night: Cristiano Ronaldo looked the part, but was a distant second behind Messi, despite delegating his voting rights to Portugal teammate Bruno Alves

Not his night: Cristiano Ronaldo looked the part, but was a distant second behind Messi, despite delegating his voting rights to Portugal teammate Bruno Alves

Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella
had no room for Ronaldo though and went for Messi and his international
teammate Sergio Aguero, with Falcao, the third choice for quite a large
number of voters, completing his selection.

Paulo Bento, the Portugal manager, was a little more sporting, giving Messi his third pick.

The international coaches are proud and parochial, with many selecting players from their own squad despite them having little chance of scooping the main prize.

Germany's Joachim Low was pretty left-field with his picks, choosing Mesut Ozil first, Manuel Neuer second and Xavi third, while Italy's Cesare Prandelli opted for Andrea Pirlo, who was admired by a number of coaches around the world.

Keeping it in the country: Germany Head Coach Joachim Low picked Mesut Ozil as his first choice

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil

Keeping it in the country: Germany Head Coach Joachim Low (left) picked Mesut Ozil as his first choice

Spain's Vicente del Bosque can be excused for picking Iker Casillas, Xavi and Iniesta but it's a damning indictment of the state of the English team that Roy Hodgson just went for Messi, Ronaldo and Falcao.

Wayne Rooney's only two votes came from Georgia and North Korea, suggesting he has quite a following in those countries, while Mario Balotelli wouldn't have been too happy to learn his only vote came from Palestine.

Voting pact: Wayne Rooney's (right) only votes came from Georgia and North Korea, but plenty gave Robin van Persie (left) a pick

Voting pact: Wayne Rooney's (right) only votes came from Georgia and North Korea, but plenty gave Robin van Persie (left) a pick

And Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have scored one of the goals of the year, with his audacious propeller kick for Sweden against England, but just two voters – the captain of Djibouti and the Niger coach – thought him worthy of the top prize.

There are also plenty of examples of players going for teammates, former teammates or even those who play in the same position.

Hugo Lloris, of France and Tottenham, selected Casillas as his first choice and, randomly, had Didier Drogba third.

Goalkeeper's Union: Hugo Lloris (left) gave his winning vote to fellow custodian Iker Casillas

Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas

Goalkeeper's Union: Hugo Lloris (left) gave his winning vote to fellow custodian Iker Casillas (right)

Dutchman Wesley Sneijder opted for free-scoring Robin van Persie for his first pick, while Gianluigi Buffon and Casillas also went for national unity with Pirlo and Sergio Ramos respectively their first choices.

Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher chose former Manchester United man Ronaldo ahead of Messi and also included Van Persie third.

VIDEO: Messi's boot supplier, adidas, team up with illustrator Richard Swarbrick to celebrate the Argentina ace's latest Ballon d'Or success

Super League coaches Brian McDermott and Richard Agar give controversial proposed rule changes thumbs up

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Super League coaches give thumbs up to controversial proposed rule changes

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UPDATED:

16:40 GMT, 27 December 2012

Super League coaches Brian McDermott and Richard Agar have given their 'thumbs up' to the experimental rule changes trialled on Boxing Day, although the Rugby Football League have been criticised over their introduction.

The changes were formulated by the RFL's laws committee and put into practice during the Leeds-Wakefield festive challenge at Headingley, as well as the Batley-Dewsbury derby.

The option for teams to reduce the numbers in a scrum was largely ignored at Headingley, where one man was sent off and four others were sin-binned, and there was no instance of the ball being kicked dead from before halfway, which would have resulted in a 40-metre restart.

Controversial: The proposed changes were trialled during Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Wildcats on Boxing Day

Controversial: The proposed changes were trialled during Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Wildcats on Boxing Day

PROPOSED CHANGES:
Teams with scrum feed can leave the loose forward out of the pack to create an extra man.
Tackle count does not reset with a charge-down. If the ball is kicked dead from a team's own half the opposition receive a 40-metre tap.

However, there was a clear example at Leeds of the proposal to continue the tackle count in the event of a charge-down and Wakefield scored one of their tries after being given the advantage to play on following a handling error by their opponents.

Wildcats boss Agar was full of praise for Danny Cowling's speculative kick, following a loss of possession by Leeds on halfway, which set up a score for full-back Richard Mathers.

'It's a free shot and a terrific example of how it's going to work,' Agar said.

'It's a rule I feel should be a positive one.

'It could get messy sometimes with play coming back 50 or 60 metres and slowing the game up but in terms of trying things and producing more attacking rugby we should give it a go.

'Rugby league has always been a sport that is not afraid to put its neck on the line and be a bit innovative and I'm all for that.'

Leeds boss McDermott said: 'I like the new rules. The punishment for a charge-down if it doesn't come off has always been heavily weighted towards the team with the ball.

'The added man from the scrum will take some getting used to. I don't think there is a play out there just yet that will get the defence.'

Friendly There was clearly no festive cheer during this exhibition match

Friendly There was clearly no festive cheer during this exhibition match

Agar claimed his club was not told of the experimental rules until just before their final training session and, therefore, did not have enough time to prepare for them.

'We didn't know about them until Friday,' he said. 'We would have tried some things around them had we had more time.

'Certainly I applaud the RFL for trying them and this was the right game in which to do it but the way it was communicated was wrong.

'We should know, then the players could have a say and the fans should know a bit earlier than they did so they could go away and debate it.

'There's a lot of senior, highly-paid management at the RFL who forgot to tell us which I find a bit disappointing.'

The RFL say details of the experimental changes were presented to the autumn meeting of the RL Council and their impact will be assessed in the new year before any decision is taken on their future implementation.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood, who chairs the laws committee, said: 'Christmas friendlies are the perfect opportunity to trial changes such as these and I would like to thank all four clubs for their willingness to participate in the experiment.'

Gay football players should have no fears about coming out, says David Bernstein

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There's no reason to be afraid! FA chief Bernstein says gay players should have no fear about declaring their sexuality

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UPDATED:

00:13 GMT, 21 December 2012

Football Association chairman David Bernstein has insisted that no player should be afraid of coming out as gay after the governing body agreed an action plan to tackle discrimination.

Under the plan agreed by the FA Board clubs will face sanctions for failing to deal with racism and discrimination by players, coaches or their fans.

The FA also says it will strive for at least 10 per cent of referees and level one coaches coming from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Safe: David Bernstein believes no footballer should fear coming out

Safe: David Bernstein believes no footballer should fear coming out

Players and coaches arriving from abroad will have to undergo mandatory induction lessons to ensure they are aware of the 'British cultural environment'.

The plan, which will now be submitted to the Government, follows a Downing Street summit called in February after the Luis Suarez and John Terry racial abuse cases.

Bernstein said: 'This is a very important day. Ensuring the game is inclusive and combats discrimination has been – and remains – at the top of my agenda.

'There remain challenges ahead in this area and all of football would agree we need to find more ways of developing more black and ethnic minority coaches and creating pathways for them.

'Equally, no football player should fear coming out as gay at the risk of suffering discrimination and we continue to strengthen our support programmes to ensure the game is open to all regardless of their sexuality.

'The over-riding message remains that there is simply no place for any form of discrimination in football.'

The action plan has been agreed by the FA, Premier League, Football League, Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), the League Managers' Association (LMA) and referees' bodies.

Decision: An action plan was formed after racial abuse cases involving Luis Suarez (pictured left) and John Terry

Decision: An action plan was formed after racial abuse cases involving Luis Suarez (pictured left) and John Terry

Both the PFA and LMA say they would be in favour of players and managers having it made clear in their contracts they would face action for racist language.

The plan states the organisations would support 'standard clauses that address discriminatory language and behaviour, in managers and coaches' contracts.'

In relation to possible action against clubs, the plan states the FA would work 'with the Premier League and Football League to sanction clubs who repeatedly fail to sanction their employees, who breach their contract or code of conduct, or deal inadequately with fans in relation to discriminatory language or behaviour.'

The action plan should be implemented immediately, say the FA – and certainly underway by next season.

The FA will set up an 'Inclusion Advisory Board' to oversee the action plan, and will also call 'on UEFA to consider minimum standard codes of conduct' as part of the European governing body's club licensing system.

There have been suggestions that a miminum five-match ban will be brought in for racism but that is some way down the line – it will be considered by a working group.

Backed: Culture secretary Maria Miller agreed with the FA chairman

Backed: Culture secretary Maria Miller agreed with the FA chairman

The action plan states it will 'review the sanctions regime to ensure that it is timely, appropriate, proportionate and effective at all levels'.

It also calls for the recruitment process for managers and coaches to be reviewed with a voluntary code set up.

Culture secretary Maria Miller welcomed the action plan.

She said: 'While we have made significant progress in this area over the last two decades, recent incidents have shown a need for concerted action.

'We want to see this action plan implemented and the football authorities to show strong leadership on anti-discrimination at both the professional and grassroots levels of the game. The sports minister will continue to work with the football authorities to make progress in this area.'

Miller said she was 'encouraged' by the proposals to improve the ethnic diversity of coaches.

British and Irish Lions tour 2013: Warren Gatland unveils coaching team

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Gatland announces Lions coaching trio of Farrell, Howley and Rowntree for Australia tour

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UPDATED:

12:23 GMT, 12 December 2012

When Warren Gatland announced this morning the coaches who will work with him on the Lions tour next summer, the biggest talking point was the omission of Shaun Edwards.

For the Kiwi head coach, who fills the same role with Wales, the decision to overlook his long-standing coaching side-kick will have been particularly difficult to make. Telling Edwards will have been an even tougher exercise.

This is the man who has enjoyed so many
successes with him on behalf of Wasps and Wales – the former rugby
league icon whose blitz defence was such an integral part of two Grand
Slams, four successive Premiership titles and a Heineken Cup triumph.
This is the man who also worked alongside Gatland under the command of
Sir Ian McGeechan on the 2009 Lions tour and who came home enthused by
the whole experience, but so stung by the series defeat that making
amends in 2013 became a stated personal ambition.

Scroll down to watch former Lions reliving their favourite tour memories…

Lionhearts: (L-R) assistant coach Andy Farrell, head coach Warren Gatland, tour manager Andy Irvine, assistant coaches Rob Howley and Graham Rowntree

Lionhearts: (L-R) assistant coach Andy Farrell, head coach Warren Gatland, tour manager Andy Irvine, assistant coaches Rob Howley and Graham Rowntree

Lionhearts: (L-R) assistant coach Andy Farrell, head coach Warren Gatland, tour manager Andy Irvine, assistant coaches Rob Howley and Graham Rowntree

Now, for Edwards, the hope of being
part of a successful Lions campaign has been deferred, maybe forever,
certainly for four years. While Gatland is understood to be open to the
notion of adding further man-power to his management team before
departure for Hong Kong in late May, his preference is for a tight-knit
coaching group to oversee preparations to face Australia.

It would appear that the omission of
Edwards reflects a late change of heart on the part of the head coach.
Until recently, it is understood that his name was in the frame, while
Rob Howley was destined to miss out on the trip, with the sizeable
compensation of continuing to deputise for Gatland in charge of Wales,
with a view to one day succeeding him. It was thought that Howley and
Robin McBryde would lead Wales on their summer tour of Japan, while
Gatland and Edwards were away with the Lions.

Left out: Edwards (above) had been hoping to embark on another Lions tour with Gatland (below left)

Left out: Edwards (above) had been hoping to embark on another Lions tour with Gatland (below left)

Left out: Edwards (above) had been hoping to embark on another Lions tour with Gatland (below left)
How they compare…

Andy Farrell for England in 2012:
P9 W6 L3 Pts Against 140
Tries against 11

Shaun Edwards for Wales in 2012: P12 W5 L7 Pts Against 229
Tries against 15

But two issues emerged to alter the
plans. First, Howley struggled to ignite the Dragons when he was at the
helm for two recent autumn Tests, against Argentina and Samoa, which
both ended in grim defeat – leaving doubts about his ability to one day
assume the figurehead role. Secondly, Andy Farrell returned to the
England coaching fold and soon started building on his sterling work at
the start of the year. While the victory over New Zealand at Twickenham
on December 1 surely came too late to influence Gatland’s thinking, it
illustrated his contribution as a defensive co-ordinator and supreme
motivator.

The up-shot has been bad news for
Edwards and the appointment of a well-balanced Lions coaching team.
Farrell will fill the role that his one-time Wigan and Great Britain
rugby league team-mate would have coveted – as defence guru, while also
having responsibility for other fundamental areas such as the kicking
game and kick-chase routine which became a staple in his time at
Saracens.

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Pointing the way: Gatland has opted to take Farrell to Australia with him

Pointing the way: Gatland has opted to take Farrell to Australia with him

FIXTURES

Click here for all the fixtures for the 2013 tour of Australia

For Howley, any future concerns about
his suitability for the Wales head coach job can be set aside in the
summer as he seizes the opportunity to once again mould the Lions into a
dangerous attacking force. It will be a reprisal of his role in 2009,
when a 2-1 series defeat against the Springboks was not down to any
absence of craft or guile or adventurous intent. McGeechan’s side played
an audacious game – perfectly illustrated by stunning tries for Rob
Kearney in the second Test and Shane Williams in the third.

Graham Rowntree will take charge of
the forwards, as an expansion of his brief from 2009, when he was scrum
coach – in keeping with his enhanced England duties since the last World
Cup. He emerged with credit from that debacle of a campaign in New
Zealand. In addition to being technically astute, the former Leicester
and Lions prop is also a popular, engaging figure, respected by players.
Like Farrell, he is a man with strong motivational qualities.

Scrum's the word: Rowntree will be responsible for coaching the pack

Scrum's the word: Rowntree will be responsible for coaching the pack

This trio will form the core, if not
the entirety, of Gatland’s management group. In time, the Kiwi may bring
other specialists on board, but this half-Welsh, half-English line-up
brings a blend of Lions experience, big-game Test pedigree and
complementary qualities. While Farrell has not been involved with the
iconic touring team before, his background with Great Britain in league
provides a useful reference point. Howley’s morale may have been knocked
of late, but with the Kiwi in charge, he can focus on his area of
expertise Down Under.

These are surely the right men. There
are few other attack coaches of note who would have come on to
Gatland’s radar. Joe Schmidt, the Kiwi in charge of European champions
Leinster, was name-checked as a candidate, but there would have been an
appetite among the Lions hierarchy to avoid having two overseas coaches
in prominent positions, even if both are based in these islands.

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Neither Scotland – who are currently
searching for a new head coach to replace Andy Robinson – nor Ireland
offer strong candidates who have been overlooked. For England, being
without two of their four front-line coaches for the summer tour of
Argentina is far from ideal, but Stuart Lancaster sees the prestige
involved in contributing to the Lions, so he will accept this as a badge
of honour.

Finally, there may be a knock-on
consequence of these appointments when it comes to the identity of the
captain. A Scot, Andy Irvine, is tour manager and Wales and England
dominate the coaching team, so what price an Irishman to lead on the
field

Last time out: Paul O'Connell led the Lions in South Africa in 2009

Last time out: Paul O'Connell led the Lions in South Africa in 2009

The coaching team

ANDY FARRELL

Born: May 30, 1975 in Wigan, England.

Tests (as player): 8 (all in 2007).

Position: Centre.

Club(s): Saracens, Wigan RL.

Coaching career: Saracens (from 2009), England (2012-).

Lions background: none.

Other: Made Great Britain rugby league debut at age of 18 and was youngest-ever captain at age of 21. Won five championships and four Challenge Cups in successful Wigan side. Former world Player of the Year in league.

Crossed codes in 2005 but missed a whole season through injury. Part of England (union) squad which reached Rugby World Cup Final 2007.

ROB HOWLEY

Born: October 13, 1970 in Bridgend, Wales.

Tests (as player): 61 (from 1996-2002).

Position: Scrum half.

Club(s): Wasps, Cardiff, Bridgend.

Coaching career: Cardiff Blues, Wales (from 2008).

Lions background: Toured South Africa in 1997, but injury ended his tour early. Toured Australia in 2001, playing in two Tests. Served as attack coach under Sir Ian McGeechan in South Africa in 2009.

Other: Captained Wales 22 times in 1998 and 1999. Welsh Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997. Famously won 2004 Heineken Cup for Wasps with last-gasp try against Toulouse at Twickenham.

GRAHAM ROWNTREE

Born: April 18, 1971 in Stockton-on-Tees, England.

Tests (as player): 57 (from 1995-2006).

Position: Prop.

Club(s): Leicester.

Coaching career: Leicester, RFU national academy, England (from 2008).

Lions background: Toured South Africa in 1997, but unable to break into Test squad. Toured New Zealand in 2005 and played in two Tests. Served as scrum coach under Sir Ian McGeechan in South Africa in 2009.

Other: Part of the 2003 Grand Slam-winning England squad but overlooked for World Cup. Played 398 matches for Leicester from 1990-2007, winning two Heineken Cups and four Premiership titles.

Official ticket, travel and accommodation packages are available from Lions Rugby Travel starting from 2,199– contact www.lionstour.com or call 0844 788 4070.

Richie McCaw, Dan Carter . . . your boys took one hell of a beating!

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Richie McCaw, Dan Carter… your boys took one hell of a beating!

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UPDATED:

21:13 GMT, 1 December 2012

Fifteen minutes after the final whistle, four or five young men in white shirts came shuffling down the Twickenham tunnel.

As they reached the touchline, another group in white hurried to join them. For a few moments, they gathered on the halfway line, waving shyly at the almost empty stands.Then they sloped off on a self-conscious lap of honour, unable to believe what they had just achieved.

There were no extravagant celebrations from England's players, nor from those who had watched them.

Swing low sweet chariot: Owen Farrell (left) hoists yet another deadly penalty kick to put England 12 points ahead at the break

Swing low sweet chariot: Owen Farrell (left) hoists yet another deadly penalty kick to put England 12 points ahead at the break

Instead, there was a collective inability to appreciate the size and significance of one of the most remarkable victories in the history of English rugby.

For nobody had seen this coming, nobody had sensed or smelled it.

Sure, the England coaches would later speak of gradual improvements over the course of the autumn internationals, of a heightened ability to live with pressure, of an increased confidence in dealing with the might of the Southern Hemisphere.

But nobody could place hand upon heart and declare their long-held conviction that Twickenham would yield a scoreline reading England 38, New Zealand 21.

And what made it so extraordinarily impressive was the fact that the English triumph was so richly deserved.

There were no ifs, no buts, no might-have-beens.

To their credit, New Zealand sought no excuses. They were beaten up front, overwhelmed at the breakdown and run ragged behind.

In surrendering a 20-match unbeaten run, they sustained the kind of battering they have so often inflicted. The longer the match progressed, the worse their humiliation became.

Small wonder that even the staunchest English patriots were doubting the evidence of their eyes.

For this was New Zealand being hammered.

Get Carter: All Blacks Dan Carter finds no way through Tom Youngs' block (above), and below Carter is left wondering where it all went so wrong for the odds-on favourites

Get Carter: All Blacks Dan Carter finds no way through Tom Youngs' block (above), and below Carter is left wondering where it all went so wrong for the odds-on favourites

Get Carter: All Blacks Dan Carter finds no way through Tom Youngs' block (above), and below Carter is left wondering where it all went so wrong for the odds-on favourites

This was the best team in the world, the nation that sets the standards, the side whose name is a synonym for excellence.

When you play the All Blacks, you play their looming legend. You do not merely encounter the daunting present of Dan Carter and Ma'a Nonu, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.

No, you are required to face their ghosts; Wilson Whineray and Pinetree Meads, Don Clark, Ian Kirkpatrick, Sid Going and the rest.

As Brazil are to the round ball game, so New Zealand are to the oval ball.

Small wonder so many are cowed by their aura, beaten before they begin.

Nothing had suggested that England could avoid their traditional fate when the pre-match rituals were observed.

The fearsome haka was met, first in silence and then by a blast of Sweet Chariot. You could almost see the patrons exchanging worried glances: 'What have we done Hope we haven't made them angry.'

So apprehensive were the Twickenham watchers that they let slip their customary courtesy and whistled Carter when he took an age with his early penalties.

There were guilty blushes when the finest flyhalf in the game missed both of them. But Owen Farrell was not missing.

Instead, he was striking the ball sweetly, smoothly, unerringly. /12/01/article-2241591-164D074F000005DC-563_634x472.jpg” width=”634″ height=”472″ alt=”Provoked: Julian Savea goes over to score a try ” class=”blkBorder” />

Provoked: Julian Savea goes over to score a try

And then, provoked by yet another Farrell penalty, they suddenly began to play like All Blacks. Julian Savea's try in the corner was the reward for a move involving a flutter of flickering hands.

The next, a couple of minutes later, was even better, with Cory Jane securing the break, the brilliant Conrad Smith providing the link and Read loping over in the corner.

A point down, you might have bet the ranch on a New Zealand victory at that stage. But then we were into miracles and wonders.

Worth the wait: Chris Ashton (right) scored for the first time in a long time

Worth the wait: Chris Ashton (right) scored for the first time in a long time

Burns night: Freddie Burns was hot

Burns night: Freddie Burns was hot

First, there was the hectic conspiracy
involving Brad Baritt and Tuilagi down the left touchline, which
concluded with an offload from Tuilagi which quite belied his
reputation.

Another superbly destructive Tuilagi break allowed Chris Ashton a clear run to the line for his first try in an age.

True, he could not resist a self-indulgent swallow dive, but we bit back our peevish disapproval as the game became completely insane.

A yawning interception by Tuilagi saw him literally stroll over after trotting from halfway without a challenge in sight, and a grimly intense international had turned into a Sevens tournament.

Another try by Savea – possibly the best of all – arrived far too late to influence the outcome, for by now Freddie Burns, the substitute fly-half, was kicking goals for fun on his debut.

Then it was over, a victory for the ages, a triumph far beyond England's most intemperate dreams. The Chariot was sung again; mildly at first, then with swelling fervour.

And the All Blacks shook English hands and stumbled away into the night, awaiting the welcome which awaits them back home.

Whisper it in Wanganui, speak it not in Silverdale … your boys took one hell of a beating.

England v New Zealand 2012 preview – Chris Foy

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Go out there and do us proud! Lancaster's men have to show more progress against mighty All Blacks

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UPDATED:

22:00 GMT, 30 November 2012

It’s not quite mission impossible, but it is not far off. As an indication of what Stuart Lancaster’s callow side are up against on Saturday, it is useful to consider how difficult even England’s greatest team found it to crack the All Blacks.

The squad assembled and honed into world-beaters by Sir Clive Woodward twice managed to lower the Kiwi colours in Test combat, once at home by three points, the other away by two. Aside from a draw in 1997, those two wins represent the only English success against New Zealand in the professional era.

All smiles: Chris Ashton (left) shares a joke with Danny Care in training on Friday

All smiles: Chris Ashton (left) shares a joke with Danny Care in training on Friday

The countries have clashed 16 times in
that period and the All Blacks have prevailed on all but three
occasions. Saturday afternoon’s QBE International at Twickenham presents
Steve Hansen’s team with the opportunity to extend the winning sequence
in this fixture into double figures – in addition to the small matter
of finishing 2012 unbeaten and as peerless world champions who have
raised their game.

Lancaster and his assistant coaches frequently highlight the gulf in experience between their side and the opposition. This time the comparison is staggering: England have a tally of 206 Test caps in their starting XV and New Zealand have 788.

Those two professional-era victories came when Woodward was able to send out a side armed to the teeth with Test pedigree and nous, a side finely-tuned over several years at the sharp end of the game. Even then, they were pushed to the limit by rivals with an engrained aversion to taking a beating in the iconic shirts which serve as a focal point for their country’s identity.

This is how it's done: Ben Cohen dives in during England's 31-28 victory over New Zealand in 2002, the last time they beat the All Blacks at HQ

This is how it's done: Ben Cohen dives in during England's 31-28 victory over New Zealand in 2002, the last time they beat the All Blacks at HQ

The backdrop to Saturday’s contest suggests it will be no contest at all. As per annual tradition, New Zealand have swept aside Scotland, Italy and Wales, while England come into this match on the back of defeats at the hands of Australia and South Africa. New Zealand are ranked No 1 in the world, England are fifth. New Zealand are settled, have most of their leading men available and bring with them momentum and belief. England have chopped and changed their selections, are without a number of leading players and also without the confidence born of recent success.

Most of their side do not know what it is to face the All Blacks, let alone beat them. Yet, the lack of expectation among the capacity crowd could work in their favour. The script says England will lose. The bookies have them down as 6-1 underdogs and are giving them a 15-point handicap.

Strong favourites: Richie McCaw leads the All Blacks out at Twickenham on Saturday

Strong favourites: Richie McCaw leads the All Blacks out at Twickenham on Saturday

Experience up front

The New Zealand front row have won more caps (239) than the entire England team…

ENGLAND

Team caps: 206. Pack caps: 99. Ave per man: 13.7.

NEW ZEALAND

Team: 788. Pack: 470. Ave per man: 52.5.

All week, coaches and players have declared that this is no lost cause, that the men they will face are mere mortals, that they are vulnerable, beatable. Of course, there is truth in this upbeat out-look, but there is wishful thinking, too. If Hansen’s men hit their stride, England cannot match them, but they can emerge with credit, nonetheless.

After having to contend with stifling pressure in the games against the Wallabies and Springboks, that element is absent this time.

So the mind-set should be different, as flanker Tom Wood claimed. ‘To some extent the pressure’s off us,’ he said. ‘It would be a huge scalp and would salvage what has been a disappointing campaign in terms of results. We’re going to play without fear, meet them head-on and make sure that, win or lose, they know they’ve been in a game.’

In that sense, Chris Robshaw and Co should take their cue from the England team who took on the All Blacks in November 2005.

While the visitors wound up as 23-19 victors, captain Martin Corry and the rest of the pack, in particular, rose to the occasion to such an extent that the Kiwi forwards were almost blown away.

No pressure: Wood (centre) believes that England have nothing to lose

No pressure: Wood (centre) believes that England have nothing to lose

Watching brief

Kick-off: 2.30pm at Twickenham.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland).

TV & Radio: LIVE on Sky Sports 1
from 1.30pm, highlights on BBC3
from 7pm. BBC Radio 5 Live from 2.30pm.

In the closing minutes the result was in the balance and there was an overpowering sense of an England side, supposedly inferior to their opponents, defiantly refusing to bend the knee.

That is the minimum requirement on Saturday. ‘Hopefully after this game they will think of us as a highly-skilled, competitive, determined side,’ said Wood. ‘The best way to combat all their skill and flair is to have the ball and play it our way. We believe we can win and we’re going to absolutely throw our hearts and souls into it.’

Ultimately, sheer spirit and endeavour won’t suffice. Up front, England need to surpass the intensity they reached in trumping South Africa’s vaunted pack.

New Zealand are not so imposing in their tight five that the hosts can’t steal a minor edge in the scrum and tight collisions, although the great Richie McCaw will be a familiar spectre at the breakdown. If he is to be nullified, the likes of Wood and Joe Launchbury must keep hitting rucks with the same ferocity as they did a week ago.

Key role: Launchbury (centre) was outstanding last week

Key role: Launchbury (centre) was outstanding last week

After all the over-zealous criticism of Robshaw, England will be alert to every nuance of their decision-making, but this can’t turn into a box-ticking exercise. It remains a fine balance but Ben Youngs should still be encouraged to tap-and-go, with the onus on Chris Ashton to revive his handy knack of tracking any half-break and capitalising. While Lancaster’s team need to be precise, that must not translate into a cagey approach or their slim chance of an upset will fade to nothing.

What England cannot hope to match is the All Blacks’ ability to strike from deep with their lethal counter-attacking game, conducted by superstar stand-off Dan Carter and his cunning right-hand man in the creative department, Conrad Smith.

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Even if Brad Barritt can orchestrate the greatest defensive rearguard action produced by the national team in years, it is unlikely to be enough. The best hope of England responding in kind lies in giving Manu Tuilagi front-foot ball at full throttle and keeping Alex Goode busy in the line, but that will require the collective effort to click in a manner not seen so far in this difficult month.

The danger lies in England falling between two stools – veering uncertainly from daring to damage-limitation, from cavalier abandon to caution.

They surely will not win, but the manner of their performance in defeat will say much about whether they are heading in the right direction, as they claim, or not really heading anywhere at all.

NFL viagra secret: Chicago Bears star Brandon Marshall reveals on-field boost

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Why are NFL stars so pumped up They take VIAGRA, claims Chicago Bears ace

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UPDATED:

11:49 GMT, 30 November 2012

Professional sportsmen have been glugging Red Bull and popping caffeine pills for some time now in a desperate attempt for a last-minute pick-up before a match.

But it seems American footballers have taken that drive for peak performance to a new level, at least according to one player.

No wonder, he's smiling: Chicago Bears star Brandon Marshall claims NFL players take Viagra to boost their on-field performance

No wonder, he's smiling: Chicago Bears star Brandon Marshall claims NFL players take Viagra to boost their on-field performance

NFL Viagra secret revealed

Chicago Bears’ Brandon Marshall claims NFL stars are taking Viagra before games to boost on-field performance.

Marshall told the Mirror: ‘Some guys will do whatever they can to get an edge. I’ve heard of some crazy stories.

‘I’ve heard of guys using Viagra, seriously. Because the blood is supposedly thin, some crazy stuff.

‘It’s kind of scary with some of these chemicals that are in some of these thins, so you have to be careful.’

Up for it: Viagra is legal in the USA, provided it is prescribed by a doctor

Up for it: Viagra is legal in the USA, provided it is prescribed by a doctor

From a sports science perspective, the pills would work in a similar way as they do in the bedroom. The pills relax and widen blood vessels, in turn speeding the flow of oxygen to the muscles and boosting performance.

Viagra is legal in the USA provided it is prescribed by a doctor — it is even advertised on American television by former NFL coaches.

Andre Villas-Boas notepad can"t stop Tottenham losing to Arsenal

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AVB uses 5.99 coach's notepad… but is there a page on what to do when you're down to 10 men during north London derby

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UPDATED:

13:31 GMT, 19 November 2012

AVB does not settle for any old tatty notebook when it comes to working out Tottenham’s latest formation, or who should play up front. He actually uses one impressively labelled ‘Football Coaches Notepad’. It is described by one retailer as ‘the professional planning tool for all football coaches.’ It can be bought for only 5.99 from a website called precisiontraining.uk.com.

Taking note: Villas-Boas (left) consults his notepad during Saturday's defeat at Arsenal

Taking note: Villas-Boas (left) consults his notepad during Saturday's defeat at Arsenal

Why is it so special

Each double-page spread not only has one page with ruled lines to scribble notes on, the other has, wait for it, a football pitch diagram for accurate tactical drawings. There is a full-range of them, and it is not inconceivable that he has the full set with the ‘Football Session Planner’, ‘Football Coach Organiser’ and ‘Football Club Planner’. Rumour has it they are soon to bring out a ‘Players I want to sign Wishlist’…

How long has he used them for

A long-time student of the game, AVB has been known for carrying a notebook around with him since his school days, in which he jotted ideas about tactics and statistics on players.

Under pressure: Tottenham have struggled in recent weeks

Under pressure: Tottenham have struggled in recent weeks

Under pressure: Tottenham have struggled in recent weeks

He and the pad go way back then

It’s
become something of a defence mechanism for him. Whenever his team are
playing badly he always goes back to it for comfort — frantically
thumbing through it or scribbling notes. Whether there was a page on
Emmanuel Adebayor’s tackling technique remains to be seen…

So, he’s used it often this season then

Yes, and he might want to revise some of his ideas – whatever it told him to do at 1.03pm on Saturday afternoon didn’t work. They were torn apart by Arsenal and conceded five goals. And he hasn’t appeared to make any notes that Spurs struggle when they play Jermain Defoe up front by himself, yet he’s done that regularly since he took charge with three attacking midfielders behind him.

Steal: The notepad can be bought for just 5.99

Steal: The notepad can be bought for just 5.99

It is a bit unusual though, isn’t it

The Portuguese is quite an obsessive character. When he was in charge at Chelsea he sometimes slept at the training ground in a Japanese-style sleeping pod and became a workaholic often working 12-hour days there. Some days he monitored the arrival time of players at training from the balcony of his office. He seems to like taking notes on everything. When he’s in training it’s not uncommon for him to be walking around with a clipboard.

Five-star: Arsenal made light work of Spurs

Five-star: Arsenal made light work of Spurs

Are any other managers known for their pen and paper sideline antics

Terry Connor, who took over as manager at Wolves at the end of last season, is known as ‘Clipboard Connor’. His didn’t work much either – they lost nine and drew four of his 13 games in charge while the club were relegated rock bottom of the league. He is yet to get another managerial post.

Andre Villas-Boas notepad can"t stop Tottneham losing to Arsenal

Posted on by

AVB uses 5.99 coach's notepad… but is there a page on what to do when you're down to 10 men during north London derby

|

UPDATED:

11:43 GMT, 19 November 2012

AVB does not settle for any old tatty notebook when it comes to working out Tottenham’s latest formation, or who should play up front. He actually uses one impressively labelled ‘Football Coaches Notepad’. It is described by one retailer as ‘the professional planning tool for all football coaches.’ It can be bought for only 5.99 from a website called precisiontraining.uk.com.

Taking note: Villas-Boas (left) consults his notepad during Saturday's defeat at Arsenal

Taking note: Villas-Boas (left) consults his notepad during Saturday's defeat at Arsenal

Why is it so special

Each double-page spread not only has one page with ruled lines to scribble notes on, the other has, wait for it, a football pitch diagram for accurate tactical drawings. There is a full-range of them, and it is not inconceivable that he has the full set with the ‘Football Session Planner’, ‘Football Coach Organiser’ and ‘Football Club Planner’. Rumour has it they are soon to bring out a ‘Players I want to sign Wishlist’…

How long has he used them for

A long-time student of the game, AVB has been known for carrying a notebook around with him since his school days, in which he jotted ideas about tactics and statistics on players.

Under pressure: Tottenham have struggled in recent weeks

Under pressure: Tottenham have struggled in recent weeks

Under pressure: Tottenham have struggled in recent weeks

He and the pad go way back then

It’s
become something of a defence mechanism for him. Whenever his team are
playing badly he always goes back to it for comfort — frantically
thumbing through it or scribbling notes. Whether there was a page on
Emmanuel Adebayor’s tackling technique remains to be seen…

So, he’s used it often this season then

Yes, and he might want to revise some of his ideas – whatever it told him to do at 1.03pm on Saturday afternoon didn’t work. They were torn apart by Arsenal and conceded five goals. And he hasn’t appeared to make any notes that Spurs struggle when they play Jermain Defoe up front by himself, yet he’s done that regularly since he took charge with three attacking midfielders behind him.

Steal: The notepad can be bought for just 5.99

Steal: The notepad can be bought for just 5.99

It is a bit unusual though, isn’t it

The Portuguese is quite an obsessive character. When he was in charge at Chelsea he sometimes slept at the training ground in a Japanese-style sleeping pod and became a workaholic often working 12-hour days there. Some days he monitored the arrival time of players at training from the balcony of his office. He seems to like taking notes on everything. When he’s in training it’s not uncommon for him to be walking around with a clipboard.

Five-star: Arsenal made light work of Spurs

Five-star: Arsenal made light work of Spurs

Are any other managers known for their pen and paper sideline antics

Terry Connor, who took over as manager at Wolves at the end of last season, is known as ‘Clipboard Connor’. His didn’t work much either – they lost nine and drew four of his 13 games in charge while the club were relegated rock bottom of the league. He is yet to get another managerial post.

Football Lab of Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid REVEALED

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REVEALED: The Football Lab that Arsenal hope will create a new generation of stars

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UPDATED:

16:54 GMT, 15 November 2012

There was a time when wannabe footballers honed their technique and reactions by kicking a tennis ball against a coal shed or a dustbin.

Today, things have moved on leaps and bounds, with the top clubs investing in the latest technology to gauge their proteges’ potential to within a fraction of an inch or second.

There’s the hi-tech ‘Footbonaut’ at Borussia Dortmund which is fine-tuning Jurgen Klopp’s almost unplayable passing game to perfection.

Secret weapon: Many of Europe's elite clubs are using a new Football Lab training device

Secret weapon: Many of Europe's elite clubs are using a new Football Lab training device

Secret weapon: Many of Europe's elite clubs are using a new Football Lab training device

And Sportsmail can reveal another top-secret weapon used by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid to keep their stars at the top of their game.

The Football Lab, developed by Danish company Munin Sports, is the world’s first fully interactive training pitch. It is an enclosed patch of Astroturf fitting with the company’s unique m-station PRO rebound boards on each wall and laden with LED tracker lights, loudspeakers and motion sensors.

Jamie Redknapp tests the 'Footbonaut'

Sportsmail sent an expert to check out Borussia Dortmund's revolutionary training device – click here to read what Jamie Redknapp made of the Footbonaut

The player stands in the centre and must pass the ball off whichever rebound board is flashing in the quickest amount of time. It’s a real test of reactions, agility and passing accuracy.

And to add to the space age feel, every movement of player and ball is mapped by the sensors, with the data instantly available to download to an iPhone app.

While the top clubs use the Lab to sharpen the skills of their youth players, it is open to anyone and so the tracking software adds a competitive element between friends and teammates.

Club coaches can, of course, monitor the stats to see which areas can be worked on.

VIDEO: Inside the Football Lab

The rebounders can also be used anywhere on the pitch and replicate the random movements of a ball on the field of play. They might be positioned, for example, on the edge of the penalty box in shooting drills to mimic the knock-downs from a tall target man. Or a goalkeeper might throw the ball at the board to test his reflexes.

The m-station PRO is used by Arsenal’s academy players at the club’s Hale End and London Colney training grounds.

Arsenal coach Carl Laraman said: ‘It’s a marvellous piece of equipment. I can use it for different elevations and you can use it as a rebound facility for passing and both defensive and attacking heading.

‘The players can also use it on their own for practice before and after training.’

VIDEO: m-station demonstration

It is also used at Manchester United for individual practice by first team coaches, and at AC Milan and Real Madrid for academy development.

Gianluca Angelucci, coach at the AC Milan Youth Camp, added: ‘This is a very important step forward and all Italian clubs will definitely benefit from it.

‘It allows you to work with very specific elements, especially when it comes to goalkeeping practice where you need to dive, catch the ball in the air or react on rebounds.’