The East Terrace Annual Awards - Part 2
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Albi - Worst Kit of the Year 2006 |
Kit of the Year
The 1906 inspired French Kit worn in the Second Test against New Zealand. Classic.
Worst Kit of the Year
This was the most difficult award decision we made. Virtually all rugby kits are getting pretty ugly now. But for some reason the French, who for so long were the epitome of cool when it came to rugby shirts (and are one of the few national teams to have a clean, sponsor-free national kit), have a domestic league full of nothing but nasty kits.
The French domestic league is almost to disgusting to watch from a fashion point of view. But Albi (see image) pip out a multitude of other domestic offenders.
Runner-up:
Either of the current Welsh kits, but particularly the change one. Have a cry by looking at the kitshere.
Biggest threat to the future of the sport
It isn’t television money, it isn’t injury concerns, it isn’t proposed scrum law changes, it isn’t even player burnout, it’s the football style material/collar/design being increasingly being used for rugby jerseys (see Wales/ almost any French League team).
If the fans stop buying them, they’ll stop making them. Simple. It’s YOUR fault.
We don’t want to hear anymore ‘But I have to support my team’ nonsense. If the kit is awful, then you shouldn’t buy it. End of story.
If you have no taste and need to clarify which kit is acceptable, then email us webmaster@theeastterrace.com. We’ll put you straight.
Most idiotic supporters in rugby
Anyone who has bought a football style rugby jersey and, thus, increased the chances of us having more of them in the future.
Most Relaxed, Laid Back, Casual Defensive Play of the Year
Biarritz - European Cup Final against Munster .
Any team that has the confidence in a European Cup final to defend a 5m scrum, near the touchline by moving their scrum-half AND blind-side winger infield deserves our full respe…oh, hang on? Whoops.
Best display of irritatingly waving hands in the air in despair/anguish/horror/outrage and appealing to the referee whilst ball still in play
Peter Stringer
Haircut of the Year
Jerry Collins (please note if you are reading this Jerry, we mean this in a good way, honest).
Why don’t Guinness sponsor him?
Rugby broadcasters with most ridiculous, inappropriate choice of camera angles in live rugby coverage
BBC
Rugby broadcasters with the most annoying habit of missing live action by showing overlong replays of unimportant incidents
BBC
Rugby broadcasters with the most annoying habit of missing restarts, kickoffs and lineouts and scrums with irritating crowd shots
BBC (see our columnists view on the matter).
Rugby broadcasters with most over-excited, over hyped and biased commentary teams
SKY
Rugby Broadcasters with most annoying habit of zooming in on muppets in the crowd during anthems rather than on the players
BBC
Rugby broadcasters with least knowledge of player names
Setanta Sports
Journalist of the Year
Neil Francis - The funniest read in rugby. This man should be working for The East Terrace. A consistent source of amusement every Sunday.
Despite being paid to write and talk about Irish rugby, he admits he can't even be bothered to watch all four of the professional Irish sides.
A dedicated pundit, you could say.
Not read him?
Follow this link link and enjoy.
You may also catch him on Setanta televison. Even funnier when his words are set to visuals.
Ask him about Gavin Henson, go on. He loves talking about Gavin Henson.
Best Six Nations’ Championship of 2006
2006 Six Nations
The East Terrace Fantasy Rugby Autumn Series Winners
C-Wood - Managed by Michael Orr
The 2006 East Terrace Digital Champions
England (see round up here)
The East Terrace Book of the Year
A Game for Hooligans by Huw Richards
A wonderful look at the game’s history and essential reading for all students of the sport (see review).
The East Terrace Biography of the Year
Ring Master: The Incredible Story of Welsh Rugby's Clown Prince by Mark Ring and Delme Parfitt. Tacky, tabloidy and great fun to read. A guilty pleasure (see review)