Rugby World Cup 2015 - Nigel Yalden: Northern Hemisphere criticism insulting

The Ireland team, right, lines-up for the anthems before the start of the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between Ireland and Argentina. Photo / AP.

Opinion

The reaction to the Rugby Championship nations securing the four semi-final spots at the Rugby World Cup has been a predictable one.

Wide spread lamenting of the state of Northern Hemisphere rugby and the disparities of skills of the players were a couple of common threads.

Those reactions are insulting especially to Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The failings of two large rugby nations, splintered by the combination of wealth and egos, does not equate to a drop in standards across an entire rugby playing hemisphere.

The problems that England and France have are of their own doing and should be critiqued separately from those nations who have worked hard to build a competitive national rugby team that encourages the utilisation of the skills and talents their players have.

Wales, Ireland and Scotland each made mighty contributions to this tournament.

The Welsh encounters with England, Australia and South Africa were three high quality and enthralling test matches with Warren Gatland's men playing a great style of aggressive, combative and positive rugby despite being hit hard by numerous injuries.

Likewise Ireland, whilst not as creative the other sides, they also looked to build phases, varying attack from challenging in close to playing with width in order to stretch and test opposition defences.

And as for Scotland, well the way they kept the ball alive at times during the quarter-final against Australia is the prime example of Coach Vern Cotter's philosophy of using the wonderful array of skills he recognises his players possess, rather than inhibiting them.

It's not like England and France, or Italy for that matter, isn't capable of the same.
Earlier this year, the media up this way were in fits of delight, writing rapturous prose about "possibly the greatest day in Six Nations history".

Saturday 21 March, the final day of the 2015 tournament saw three games produce 221 points including 27 tries, some of which were breathtakingly spectacular.

Yes, there were certain competition elements that require points to be scored, but it proved that Six nations' teams can play positive and invigorating rugby when they have to.

Sadly only half choose to do so every time they play.

Two years ago England were heading down that path to self-expression rugby, led by coach Stuart Lancaster, an overt admirer of the way rugby is played in the South Hemisphere.

History will show that Lancaster diverted from that course to his and the team's detriment.

However those positive aspects from the early years of Lancaster's tenure is the reason why he should be reappointed and be allowed to correct the mistakes of the last 24 months.

Stuart Lancaster's love of all things Southern Hemisphere should be encouraged by his employers.

Do you think Wales, Scotland and Ireland would be playing the same way if they had didn't have New Zealanders as their head coaches?

Doubt it.

Is it also a coincidence that Wales, Ireland and Scotland have a system that, like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and now Argentina, is tailored around the national team?
I think not.

And finally, do Wales, Ireland and Scotland deserve to be tarred with the same brush as England and France solely because of graphical proximity?

That answer too is an emphatic no.

NIGEL YALDEN IS RADIO SPORTS RUGBY EDITOR AT RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015