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**finbar** · May 8, 2003, 07:43

Originally posted by Havak
And in such ways do a whole generation need therapy in later life.

The little girl, unfortunately, grew up to be schizophrenic.

Not that the experience had any effect on that. The kids loved it at the time. They even used to ride the dog.

Nothing wrong with a dog with the sense to make a tactical withdrawal.

There's a bit of a downside to his cowardice, though. Sometimes, out of sheer fear, he tries to nip first. Luckily, he's such a boofhead that none of the other dogs take him seriously. He's perfectly relaxed and comfortable with a number of the dogs at the park - one of his best mates is a 70kg Bordeaux Mastiff who likes to sit and roll on him - but he's very wary of newcomers. Fascinating animals, dogs. I worked on a series of dog-related telemovies a couple of years ago and did a lot of research into them, their ways and means and habits.

My last dog was a mongrel with Cavalier blood and it was nuts ? loved people but hated other dogs and would go for them without hesitation ? regardless of size.

Thankfully Dermott isn't like that.

Interesting idea the shoot outs ? how often are we likely to see them though? Unlike s***** Rugby tends not to finish level too often.

True. But it will be interesting to watch if it happens. How many players can kick drop kicks these days? Steve Larkham, under pressure, aside?

Oh, and that other person who shall remain nameless!

As is traditional Eddie Jones has started the psych wars early praising England for their expansive style but criticising them for reverting to a tight route one game when under pressure. Um, excuse me Eddie but all teams that come under pressure will tighten up the game and try to retain the pill for an extended period ? the Wallabies included. Whats the point in stating the b******* obvious like that?

*On the basis that it worked so well, Eddie buys another packet of the same bait*

So which Kiwi team likes eye gouging then? Personally I would like to see any player who does this banned for life automatically ? it is stupidly dangerous.

I know the player's name, I forget the team. I'll check. He gouged Waratah prop Matt Dunning. Dunning thumped him and copped a yellow card. The citing judiciary decided, um, there was insufficient evidence to pursue the gouging charge. It was plainly evident on the video replay.

Oh, and Matt Burke has announced that he's turned down various NH post-WRC offers and will finish his career here. He has a young family, I don't think he wants to uproot.

**TheStinger** · May 8, 2003, 07:50

The aussies all ways say stuff to wind the english up, if the aussies win it is masterful psychology if they lose it is forgotten. The only time it may have worked was for the world cup final in 91 when they goaded the english into throwing the ball about at every opportunity.

**Havak** · May 8, 2003, 09:07

Well I'm all for blaming the Aussies where they deserve it but that one was entirely our fault as it happens.

A surprise tactic cooked up by Cooke and Carling I believe.

**TheStinger** · May 8, 2003, 09:33

Originally posted by Havak
Well I'm all for blaming the Aussies where they deserve it but that one was entirely our fault as it happens.

A surprise tactic cooked up by Cooke and Carling I believe.

It was bloody stupid whatever it was. We should have kept the ball and and bored tehm to death.

**Caligastia** · May 8, 2003, 19:32

Originally posted by finbar
I know the player's name, I forget the team. I'll check. He gouged Waratah prop Matt Dunning. Dunning thumped him and copped a yellow card. The citing judiciary decided, um, there was insufficient evidence to pursue the gouging charge. It was plainly evident on the video replay.

Must have been someone in the Highlanders. I vaguely remember the incident.

**finbar** · May 8, 2003, 20:53

Originally posted by Caligastia

Must have been someone in the Highlanders. I vaguely remember the incident.

The Hurricanes. Their lock, Paul Tito.

**Tamerlin** · May 8, 2003, 21:16

I have missed the creation of the new thread...

The day I am not receiving any e-mail to warn me of a new post means a new thread has been opened.

About England's and France's games against the SH, I would say I am too busy here with my dear old Stade Toulousain, with the coming H-Cup final and the current French Championship Play-Offs, to care about games that will be played in a few months...

How goes the future mascot of the Tigers?

When I was younger, my parents had a Boxer named Pyrrhus who was protecting the children that came at home. He was following them everywhere they go, head straight, all senses in alert... I think he would have checked my ID Card if I had came close to the kids. Though people are often frightened by Boxers these dogs are among the kindest of all.

**finbar** · May 9, 2003, 02:22

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I have missed the creation of the new thread...

Keep up! No seats on this train for slow people!

The day I am not receiving any e-mail to warn me of a new post means a new thread has been opened.

It's a conspiracy!

About England's and France's games against the SH, I would say I am too busy here with my dear old Stade Toulousain, with the coming H-Cup final and the current French Championship Play-Offs, to care about games that will be played in a few months...

Very wise. Over there, you've got a 50% chance of winning. Over here ...

How goes the future mascot of the Tigers?

He's had his little mate Buster in from next door yesterday and today with a sleepover last night. They've been charging around the house, wrestling, Buster's been trying to fit his head inside Dermott's mouth ending up covered with slobber ... such innocent exuberance has been almost enough, but not quite, to convert me from a cynical hard-hearted bastard into just a hard-hearted bastard.

When I was younger, my parents had a Boxer named Pyrrhus who was protecting the children that came at home. He was following them everywhere they go, head straight, all senses in alert... I think he would have checked my ID Card if I had came close to the kids. Though people are often frightened by Boxers these dogs are among the kindest of all.

Yes, Boxers are like German Shepherds, they have an unfortunate reputation they don't (generally) deserve. A well-bred Boxer is one of the nicest-natured dogs around.

**Havak** · May 9, 2003, 03:55

The little girl, unfortunately, grew up to be schizophrenic.

Life is a bit of a lottery I’m afraid – such things regrettably happen. Friday morning philosophy for you.

Luckily, he's such a boofhead that none of the other dogs take him seriously

Dermott does sound like the perfect stress relieving pet. Must be quite therapeutic when the old writers block hits?

How many players can kick drop kicks these days? Steve Larkham, under pressure, aside? Oh, and that other person who shall remain nameless!

I shall not name him then.

There are a few up here who can handle drops – O’Gara, Humphries, Murphy, Jones, Hodgson, Grayson, even *gulp* Healey. Even Neil Back come to that. I suspect it’s a more integral componenet of the UK game than it is the Aussie one?

*On the basis that it worked so well, Eddie buys another packet of the same bait*

Seemed to fail him last time? I recall his side getting into a commanding position over England and then losing it – not something normally associated with Australian sides?

Or did you mean the time before where he got the little explosion from Woodward post game?

The citing judiciary decided, um, there was insufficient evidence to pursue the gouging charge

Change his surname to Johnson – then they’ll act.

Matt Burke has announced that he's turned down various NH post-WRC offers and will finish his career here. He has a young family, I don't think he wants to uproot.

I wish him well then. Given what I recall of his tact and diplomacy it might be for the best?

I actually think there are too many looking this way post RWC – remember the English and French players will be heading home too – only the cream of the senior Wallabies will find slots up here – and mainly backs (have you heard any rumours of forwards thinking of retiring up here – I haven’t)

I am too busy here with my dear old Stade Toulousain, with the coming H-Cup final and the current French Championship Play-Offs, to care about games that will be played in a few months...

Pride comes before a fall as they say.

Sadly English rugby continues to shame itself in some ways – check this out.

Promotion mess

Peter Wheeler is our Chief Executive - I'm disgusted he voted this way.

Bath are lying bottom, on balance of play they deserver to be there. Rotherham have blitzed their league the second year running - let the former go down and the latter come up.

English Rugby ltd really bug me at times!

**TheStinger** · May 9, 2003, 04:01

The promotion thing is a disgrace, as far as I can tell the fans accept relegation its the owners and managers who moan about it

**Caligastia** · May 9, 2003, 04:26

Got up at 3:30am (weeeee... ) so I could watch Blues v Hurricanes adn Crusaders v Brumbies live...is anyone else watching? Finbar...?

**finbar** · May 9, 2003, 04:30

Big night of S12 tonight. Blues -v- Hurricanes, followed by Brumbies -v- Crusaders, with the latter potentially deciding fourth spot. If the Brumbies win, they finish fourth, and that's it.

Halftime in the Blues -v- Hurricanes match:

Blues 19
Hurricanes 10

Carlos Spencer is back firing again, thus the Blues are firing again. The Hurricanes haven't done a lot wrong, but the Blues look capable of blowing them off the park at any point. If Carlos keeps this up, I really don't know how the AB selectors can leave him out. He created one astonishing try - about 10 metres out, a short kick over the top angled almost back behind himself for Howlett to run onto and score. Very high quality, imaginative rugby.

Edit. Mmmmmm. Carlos just scored one himself within about 30 seconds of the kick off for the second half.

**Caligastia** · May 9, 2003, 05:20

Blues 29 - Hurricanes 17

The Hurricanes really came back in the second half, but they spoiled it for themselves by losing a lot of their own lineout throws. The Blues defence was fantastic, but they really gave away far too many penalties. Lucky for them most of them were not within kicking distance.

On to the Brumbies v Crusaders!

**Caligastia** · May 9, 2003, 05:21

Originally posted by finbar

The Hurricanes. Their lock, Paul Tito.

He's a great player, but of course there is no excuse for eye-gouging. He should have been out for the rest of the competition for that.

**Havak** · May 9, 2003, 06:26

…as I can tell the fans accept relegation its the owners and managers who moan about it

Relegation is a commercial disaster for any club – but that’s what sport is all about. Neither Brownsword nor Pearce have moved my heart in any way with stories of the cash they have selflessly pumped into Bath and Bristol. Neither team has performed on the field so – tough.

He should have been out for the rest of the competition for that.

No one should lose their sight just because they love playing rugby.

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