March 2019 – CodexCaster's Contribution

Rugby Union: Six Nations 2019: Wales vs Ireland

Wales 25 – 7 Ireland

In what was to be Warren Gatland’s last Six Nations game in charge of Wales, his team utterly smashed Ireland to win their third Grand Slam in 11 years under his guidance. No other coach in five/six Nations history has won three Grand Slams. Ireland were rocked early by a Hadleigh Parkes try from an Anscombe chip over the defence and then punished by penalty after penalty. The water-tight Welsh defence only cracked after the full 80 minutes had elapsed and the game was sealed. In this victory, Wales claim their spot as the second best team in the world rankings, behind only the All Blacks.

Wales dominated Ireland so completely, that they never looked like scoring. As a fan I wasn’t really nervous, whenever Ireland did get the ball they gave away penalties or made mistakes that swung momentum back in Wales’ favour, which more often than not added just a few more points to the board through Anscombe’s boot. Not many outside of that Wales team saw this result coming. Wales have relied on a herculean defence all tournament and not really fired in attack. Surely Ireland were going to figure them out, but it never came.

With the forwards unable to win the collisions and provide Murray with quick ball so key to Ireland’s game, Sexton was unbalanced. He was forced into more kicking than he’d like and made uncharacteristic errors. On two or three occasions, huge kicks were straight into touch handing Wales amazing field position. The one attack that Ireland did make was covered brilliantly by a Hadleigh Parkes tackle and they never really threatened after. What was particularly impressive was that Wales never eased, they never looked like the game was in the bag and they played the full 80 minutes. I thought it noteworthy that with Biggar on the field, Gareth Anscombe kept the kicking duties. It will be good for his development to have had that exposure to finishing off a game.

From this, Wales are in an amazing position going in to the World Cup. They have beaten South Africa and Australia and secured the Grand Slam. They have the mentality to endure patches of opposition momentum by trusting their defence and are incredibly patient in attack. They are equally comfortable in attacking through the forwards as they are through the backs. They run the ball from 9 through their patient attack with the forwards, allowing the Fly-Half to sit back and watch for gaps to then call for the pass and attack. With Biggar/Anscombe and Liam Williams/Halfpenny they have the personnel to change the way they play. In the time before the World Cup I would love Wales to work on breaking down defences more and securing their own lineout – two weaknesses so far. As a fan I still can’t get over the potential of this team, they won a Grand Slam but playing pretty poorly for a lot of it.

Against France Wales were gifted two tries through mistakes, they limped past Italy and Scotland. They weathered the storm against an England side who refused to change tactics and kicked them possession all game, and then dominated Ireland. If they can build an attack as effective as their defence, I can see them getting deep in the World Cup. Perhaps even avenging ‘The Red Card of 2011‘ and setting up a World Cup final with the All Blacks.

Those Wales players are professionals in every sense, lead by the mesmeric, talismanic, herculean (yet humble) Alun-Wyn Jones. Huge congratulations to everyone involved. Thanks also to Warren Gatland. The man who took Welsh rugby from a pretty depressing place to where it is today, a global force.

Rugby Union: Six Nations 2019: Wales vs Scotland

Wales 18 – 11 Scotland

There is an old adage in the NFL “Offence wins games, defence wins championships”, that is certainly a good description of Wales this Six Nations. This game also. Wales scored points to be ahead and then waited to see if Scotland would score enough to force Wales to reignite their attack or just contain Scotland and press for victory.

It was clear in the second half that Wales switched off and Scotland roared to life, maybe Wales had one eye on the Grand Slam already and suffered for it. They reverted to their structure and just absorbed Scottish pressure, there was a period of Scottish attack where they lost about 20m just by being hammered backwards. The Scottish try was stunning from a lightning quick inside ball from Finn Russel, an area where Scotland attacked Wales fairly often through the game. It was my personal favourite try of the tournament thus far. It was a shame for Scotland that the damage was done in the first half and striking once wasn’t enough to put them in position to win the game.

Andy Nicol, the Scottish representative on the analyst desk was challenged by Guscott for taking the positives out of the game and I’m inclined to agree with the latter. Scotland do that too much, the bottom line is for all their positives they will finish 5^th in the Six Nations. They have a host of injuries yes, but they also created enough opportunities to beat teams and were too inaccurate to convert them into points. Even Italy managed to score two great tries against England. No one has really been on top form so far and Scotland could have been in a far stronger position heading into their match against England.

This Welsh defence needs a special mention. It’s build around players trusting each other to do their jobs so they don’t swamp the breakdown often leaving 13 players in the defensive line with only a full-back in the back field. The core of this team have been together so long that each man knows the strengths and habits of those outside him. The players get off the floor quickly and are able to get back in line so there is always a red wall. Also the ability of players like North being able to get over the ball and secure turnover means attackers have to stack the ruck to prevent the ball carrier getting isolated. Tipuric and Navidi topped the tackle charts at 24 and 23 respectively, and Wales made something like 200 tackles in the game, showing the herculean effort.

I’m glad that Wales had this defensive test against Scotland, I think it will help them far more than had they stormed to an easy victory. Looking forward to Ireland, they will probably provide the sternest test to Warren Gatland’s red wall. Their forwards are huge and unused to taking backward steps and the backline are far more clinical and effective than Scotland’s. They are a team used to winning the big game and being as strategic as their opponent. I’m fascinated to see who can implement their game plan and how the game will take shape. It really is too close to call and the home crowd demanding a Grand Slam may just be enough to sway me into predicting a Welsh win.

I’m getting excited now, come on Wales!

CS:GO: Astralis win IEM Katowice 2019

Astralis defeated ENCE 2-0 to win IEM Katowice 2019. This marks the third Major win for the Danish team and their second in a row. Such a feat amidst the scenes most competitive era has many pundits now cementing them as the best team in history.

In the first map, heroically, ENCE understood the need to take the fight to Astralis and play with tempo, knowing that to play the game Astralis wanted to play would be suicide. Unfortunately, a few clutch moments stifled ENCE’s momentum and then they were strangled by the overwhelming pressure that the Danish line up can impose. Astralis are amazing at gaining control of the game and implementing their game plan. Across world sport that is a marker of a truly great team, to not only win but to win through control. The utility play on “Fortress Inferno” was a great example of that with H.E grenades constantly chipping away at health and effective smokes preventing ENCE from having any way into the game. Astralis are now unbeaten in 15 straight games on Inferno.

ENCE had been on a bit of a miracle run, getting to the final by beating Na’Vi and Liquid. ENCE had an all round level that was higher than Na’Vi. S1mple was playing like a god but the players around him were too inconsistent, ENCE’s level was lower but more even with different members of the team being able to contribute at different times. They will take huge confidence from this despite being swept aside by Astralis. There is no shame in being beaten by the best team in the world, none at all. It bodes well for the game to have such a competitive scene, despite the absolute dominance of the number 1 slot.

It’s a huge mark of professionalism that Peter “dupreeh” Rothmann was able to compete so strongly at this event having only just recently lost his father. Of course the game is a team game, but to be able to focus and perform with that extra horrible distraction is a testament to the professionalism of esports players. It also put extra impact on the heart-warming team hug upon their victory. He gave an emotional interview, where he explained his father’s last wish was for him to win. He dedicated the victory to his father.

There are some among the CS:GO community that find the dominance of one team to be boring, it’s not really something I understand. The New Zealand All Blacks have been the dominant force in world rugby for decades. Watching them play is an honour, because their skill level is so much better than yours that they are able to play the game perfectly, and its awesome (in the true sense of the word) to watch. If CS:GO fans are getting bored imagine what its like for my country Wales to not have beaten the All Blacks since 1953. It adds an extra element to the games because at some point all records will fall and even the best teams lose. It’s a truth of sport that its hard to improve when you’re the best, and with everyone analysing the way you play it’s only a matter of time before someone works out a counter. It’s a fascinating process to watch.