Rugby - Advantage!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Killing ball. You still lead the world in that – but we are learning.

That's been one of the big crackdowns this season with the refs pinging tacklers for not releasing the tackled player. I think you observed the same thing up there too. It's been fairly successful here in the uncomplicated breakdown situations. The problem remains with the stacks-on-the-mill breakdowns where a ref with x-ray vision would struggle to see what's going on underneath.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
On balance one of the very best refs in the world Tamerlin. Doesn’t take any nonsense from scrums though so I can see you not being happy with him.

I am all the more wary now...

I get the same problem with S12 – I’m too idle to watch them live in the early hours so I watch the highlights the next day. Perhaps it makes teams look good.

I will interest myself again in the S12 competition when they play by the rules of a game called Rugby...

Having said that H Cup rugby is of a terrific standard past the pool stages. Except for the French teams perhaps.

Killing ball. You still lead the world in that – but we are learning.

You could add:
- refusing to push and fight for the ball in a scrum
- entering from the side of a maul without being penalized...
- changing the rules from game to game by the whims of the referee...

Just some examples...

Leicester signed the England prop Julian White today. We do seem quite serious in strengthening the squad.

Good to see you are becoming more confident for the next season...

Tamerlin is biting its lip to refrain posting some naughty commentaries that would seriously endanger the cordial relationships between Leicester and Toulouse in this thread...






No way Finbar, I won't write them...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Tamerlin is biting its lip to refrain posting some naughty commentaries that would seriously endanger the cordial relationships between Leicester and Toulouse in this thread...


No way Finbar, I won't write them...

Coward!

[Tamerlin]

Yes...

[finbar]

BTW, I'll be right to play again next week. This week is more of the same old thing!

[Tamerlin]

OK, this week is not very appropriate for playing as far as I am concerned...

[Havak]

I'm running an installation at one of our Satellite sites today gents - but I'll catch up tomorrow hopefully.

Strangely we don't seem to have signed anyone yet today.

Edit: No sooner said than proved wrong - Daryl Gibson is at the ground signing as I write apparently.



At last a real quality centre.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I'm running an installation at one of our Satellite sites today gents -

Posting from outer space? Up there looking for an experienced centre?

Strangely we don't seem to have signed anyone yet today.

Edit: No sooner said than proved wrong - Daryl Gibson is at the ground signing as I write apparently.



At last a real quality centre.

You found Daryl Gibson in outer space? Good grief. Oh well.

So can we now dub the Tigers the "Foreign Legion"?

[Havak]

Nope. Pez isn't foreign as he is Italian and therefore and EC citizen - that counts as domestic for Rugby quotas.

Broadfoot and White are English. Morris Welsh.

Only Gibson counts as foreign.

Now to read what I missed yesterday...

[Havak]

I felt terrible this morning, but after calling in to say I couldn't make it I felt a lot better. Funny that.

It’s a feeling I’m sure we all empathise with – well those of us not self employed anyway.

Yeah, well I have seen teams get pinged for that quite a lot lately.

There are problems with how it’s being enforced down there and here. We need to get back to a point where killing ball gets you mobbed without the ref considering the mobbing the more serious offence. You know – like Rugby rather than s*****.

An incorrect inference was drawn? I think so.

I find it hard to believe.

Something to do with Mr White having ventured south of the equator and lost his rugby senses as a result.

He was tainted by the event. The first few club games on his return were shocking. He seems to have found a balance though and Tamerlin should still be grateful it’s not Steve ‘put the spotlight on me’ Lander.

I think you observed the same thing up there too

Indeed so.

I will interest myself again in the S12 competition when they play by the rules of a game called Rugby...

They won’t bite here.

To be fair what I’ve seen of S12 this season the standard has been good. One has to put aside the problems they have with the laws and look at the skills – and the pace of the games. Both have been quite impressive from most teams.

If they ever did take the competition phases of the game a little more seriously it really could be great rugby to watch.

Just some examples...

You forgot the classic of ‘not getting back to your feet quickly’ allowing you to saunter back onside just in time to get in the way of opposition ball.
(copyright ABs 1980s onwards? A frequently infringed copyright these days).

Good to see you are becoming more confident for the next season...

Less confidence than optimism really.

And don’t listen to Finbar – it took courage not to jump on the Tiger-bashing bandwagon.

Posting from outer space? Up there looking for an experienced centre?

We have buildings across the City. And there’s only one me. Thank goodness?

In fact Gibson was being courted by several clubs – chiefly Bath – but chose Tigers.

Lets see what he said:

"Tigers are a team packed with established internationals, and also a lot of young talent coming through, which should hold the club in good stead in future years. They have always been a team who have drawn comparisons with my home team, Canterbury, with the amount of success they have just about every season. The thought of playing in the same team as stars of the international scene like Martin Johnson and Neil Back gives me a real buzz.”
What a smart chap.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Nope. Pez isn't foreign as he is Italian and therefore and EC citizen - that counts as domestic for Rugby quotas.

How Irish is that? Just to toss another nationality into the equation. Damn EC and its idiotic homogenisation!

Only Gibson counts as foreign.

You mean another foreigner.

Now to read what I missed yesterday...

Good grief. So little to do? And life is so short.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
It’s a feeling I’m sure we all empathise with – well those of us not self employed anyway.

Yes, I often ring myself to tell me I'm ill and can't work. Trouble is, the phone's always engaged.

There are problems with how it’s being enforced down there and here. We need to get back to a point where killing ball gets you mobbed without the ref considering the mobbing the more serious offence. You know – like Rugby rather than s*****.

There's more rucking being allowed here this season. Some quite spectacular stuff too. It's rucking off the ball that's still pinged.

To be fair what I’ve seen of S12 this season the standard has been good. One has to put aside the problems they have with the laws and look at the skills – and the pace of the games. Both have been quite impressive from most teams.

If they ever did take the competition phases of the game a little more seriously it really could be great rugby to watch.

As someone said here very recently, S12 is about scoring tries, Tests are about winning. Whole different kettle of pigskin. That's why I wonder how much Carlos Spencer would be allowed to dominate in a Test match.

You forgot the classic of ‘not getting back to your feet quickly’ allowing you to saunter back onside just in time to get in the way of opposition ball.
(copyright ABs 1980s onwards? A frequently infringed copyright these days).

Speaking of which - I saw Sean on the sidelines last weekend. Now Auckland manager. Looks fit and well. Must have been all that sauntering, never over-extending himself.

And don’t listen to Finbar – it took courage not to jump on the Tiger-bashing bandwagon.

Put another way - there was no more room.

"Tigers are a team packed with established internationals, and also a lot of young talent coming through, which should hold the club in good stead in future years. They have always been a team who have drawn comparisons with my home team, Canterbury, with the amount of success they have just about every season. The thought of playing in the same team as stars of the international scene like Martin Johnson and Neil Back gives me a real buzz.”
What a smart chap.

And the Tigers PR man promptly put down his knib and even more promptly put up his hand for a raise, no doubt.

[Havak]

How Irish is that?

God bless the EC – it sure makes life interesting. This is just one minor way in which they confuse the simplest of issues.

You would not believe the storm it is causing that the Franco-German axis wants to introduce a revised constitution giving Brussels control over Foreign policy and Defence.

I wonder if they are on the right planet sometimes.

You mean another foreigner.

I actually meant the only foreigner in the new signings.

Out foreign contingent is very limited – a Samoan converted back from League, a Bok centre, and Aussie Stand off (long term future equals not good after the signings) and Josh of course. The squad is largely British outside that small core.

Looks like Josh will be leaving anyway – his legs give way to injury too easily these days and I suspect he’d like a quieter life for his last season or so.

Good grief. So little to do? And life is so short.

Plenty to do – but in terms of interest…

It's rucking off the ball that's still pinged.

And in a hectic ruck refs are getting this one wrong to my mind. A man on the wrong side should be fair game for rank stupidity – as long as they leave his head he gets what he deserves?

As someone said here very recently, S12 is about scoring tries, Tests are about winning. Whole different kettle of pigskin.

Nice mixed metaphor.
That would match my observation and even tend to support the criticism often levelled at S12 (play until someone scores). I am sure Tamerlin will jump on this one.

Who are NZ hosting – us I know about but Wales and France are down there in June too. Spencer could look very good indeed against Wales (their idea of closing the opposing fly half down is to have the pack sit on him at the earliest opportunity).

Must have been all that sauntering, never over-extending himself.

Great player. Canny too? I would imagin he never over exherted himself.

I see Graham Henry is back advising Auckland Rugby too – and ‘assisting’ the Blues coach. Clearly a man for SH rugby not NH.

Put another way - there was no more room.

True I guess!

And the Tigers PR man promptly put down his knib and even more promptly put up his hand for a raise, no doubt.

Yes but get this – the BBC web site used these quotes from the club statement as news. What do you think of such lazy journalism?

I left out the more sickly stuff anyway!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I actually meant the only foreigner in the new signings.

An Italian, a Welsman and a Kiwi? Sounds a bit like the start to an old joke, too.

And in a hectic ruck refs are getting this one wrong to my mind. A man on the wrong side should be fair game for rank stupidity – as long as they leave his head he gets what he deserves?

Fine line, I think. If he's making no attempt to get out of the way - fair enough.

That would match my observation and even tend to support the criticism often levelled at S12 (play until someone scores).

It was always designed as partly a marketing exercise, but mainly an chance to provide players a higher level of competition outside the limited international opportunities of Tri Nations. It's probably the equivalent, in those exposure terms, of the Heinken Cup. But I don't think anyone in their right mind would compare it to Test rugby.

I am sure Tamerlin will jump on this one.

Who? The name rings a vague bell.

Who are NZ hosting

Another vague bell rings.

Great player. Canny too? I would imagin he never over exherted himself.

Wonderful player. We loved to hate him. The nice thing is that he and Phil Kearns, once very bitter rivals and never friends, are now as thick as thieves. Damn hookers.

I see Graham Henry is back advising Auckland Rugby too – and ‘assisting’ the Blues coach. Clearly a man for SH rugby not NH.

Mmmmm. Cal will now be wetting himself re Saturday night.

lazy journalism?

Enough with the tautology already!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
You would not believe the storm it is causing that the Franco-German axis wants to introduce a revised constitution giving Brussels control over Foreign policy and Defence.

This introduction is the only chance we have to build a counterweight to the hegemony of the USA and IMO a matter of survival for the EC.

I wonder if they are on the right planet sometimes.

Are you talking about the Franco-German axis or about those that have created the said tempest instead of thinking and making some creative proposals?

I am sure Tamerlin will jump on this one.

I am now considering the SH is playing a different game of Rugby than the NH and is using a different set of laws. To the exception of the Tri-Nations (at least some of the times) the SH teams are interesting when they meet NH teams because of the opposing styles. The problem is that you can't play a game when the laws are not the same for everybody because the said game is no more fair.