Rugby - Advantage!

[Tamerlin]

I had a little doubt about Goscinny, I am glad to know he is french...

The problem is Goscinny was the brain behind the Asterix comics and though I like Uderzo drawings the adventures are not funny anymore since Goscinny left us.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Easy going and full of flair? Relaxed and unhurried? Or
stubborn in his viewpoints?

Obviously the first choice...

And here’s to a great four hours of concentrated rugby – that’s how every Saturday should be.

I will have to wait until tomorrow as the England vs. New Zealand game is broadcasted at 17:30 french time and the France vs. Argentina at 20:30.

Go, England, go!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
And also why repeating it has proved so hard in a way? Can lightning strike twice?

It helps to have the same team in place.

Only if you are France facing the Pumas.

I just had an email from God. He's got the lightning bolts ready. They have an appropriately Bleu tinge about them. Oh, and He uses a Mac, BTW.

Give it a ‘burl’ as your countrymen would say – I’ve been quite pleased with it myself.

I'll check it out.

Logic at this time of the morning? Are you tea total Finbar?

I'm never a huge imbiber, but I was modest in my intake because I had to get up early this morning. Which, in fact, I didn't. But I've just stuffed and rolled the Beef Fillet ready for roasting for tonight, the garnishes for the Grilled Swordfish are done and the Swordfish itself will be grilled just before it's served, the Zucchini Soup starter is done, and I'm tackling the Roasted Pears for dessert next. So I'm well on the way to an uninterrupted viewing of England -v- ABs.

All fair points – but give Civ 3 a stab, say on one level below your Civ 2 favourite (Deity) and see how quickly the AI hands you your ass. They really did make it a very good cheat indeed in some ways.

I think they probably had to. The AI in Civ 2 was so quickly proved to be hopeless. I have no doubt human players will eventually reduce the Civ 3 AI to the same hopeless state.

Easy going and full of flair? Relaxed and unhurried? Or
stubborn in his viewpoints?

Obviously the latter. Despite his claim to the contrary above.

And here’s to a great four hours of concentrated rugby – that’s how every Saturday should be.

Go the All Blacks!

[Havak]

Oh the irony of my sneaking in the next post after that.

Good grief that was breathless stuff! What a huge game.

I think what surprises me most is that England simply did not play that well. The defence was awesome and I have to admit defence won the game. I’m sure the Kiwi press will use that to lay into us but at the end of the day the boys no longer need to care about that?

Carlos failed that first examination on stepping up to the big arena – and whilst his counterpart also had a quiet game the difference between them was Wilko could compartmentalise his kicking. Carlos should have kicked several of the chances he blew.

As for Mr Howlett – well I want him at Tigers is all I can say. What a player. I think Caligastia may need to conceed when he does see it that there was somewhat more than a hint of offside leading to his try though.

‘Rocky Cocky’ seemed to struggle with the step up to test level – but there is raw speed there.

The Kiwis really bossed the first half and England did very well to get back on terms in the second. The defining moment for me – when we were down to 13 men and yet came good for a three point credit in that period. Fifteen should punish 13 every time – particularly in a side with the pace the Kiwi backline had. I think what pleased me most was that they were camped on our line in an offensive scrum as we put six men up against eight and they failed to make it tell – eventually conceding the penalty through frustration. That give Mitchell something he really needs to think about – as good as some of his young forwards are the claims they were already the match for the Old England work horses has been shown to be a little too optimistic. I expect changes in the Kiwi pack for the Welsh game.

After that a thoroughly entertaining Wallaby game. Wales gave it their all and if only they could have converted that early pressure it might have been a closer contest – but in the end the gulf in class showed with the Wallabies finishing ability just way ahead – and Sailor of all people breaking the Welsh with those two early scores. However the Aussies did look strangely indecisive at times and I think they have work to do for next weekend.

Oh and the young Welsh scrummy had a great game in adversity don’t you think Finbar?

I see the Kiwi lock Williams has been cited for rucking Lewsey’s head. I saw it but was going to save it for later discussion. It was very dangerous – the ABs already had the penalty for Lewsey not releasing smartly – I suspect Williams will struggle to defend it. However please note the independent official did the citing – we have not complained.

And as I write this 25 mins into the Bok game Scotland are making a damn good show again – leading 13-6.

[Tamerlin]

As Havak wrote it before the two english halves played under their real values, especially Bracken I found rather slow and unable to give a direction to the game, this task went to Wilkinson only who experienced some trouble with his kicks.

Once again the English players proved they are masters at holding the ball under all circumstances.

What amazed me was the leniency of the referee as far as decoy runners and violent rucks were concerned. Though the english players are certainly not angels some of the AB rucks were simply unacceptable and should have been sanctionned more often.

Once again Finbar the Doomed has proved he is casting the Evil Eye on the bandwagon he is jumping in.

Obviously the latter. Despite his claim to the contrary above.

Stubborn... Who, me Sir?!?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I just had an email from God. He's got the lightning bolts ready. They have an appropriately Bleu tinge about them. Oh, and He uses a Mac, BTW.

The use of tools incompatible with at least 90% of the world could explain the mess on earth...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Oh the irony of my sneaking in the next post after that.

I timed it deliberately for you.

Good grief that was breathless stuff! What a huge game.

I think what surprises me most is that England simply did not play that well. The defence was awesome and I have to admit defence won the game. I’m sure the Kiwi press will use that to lay into us but at the end of the day the boys no longer need to care about that?

Carlos failed that first examination on stepping up to the big arena – and whilst his counterpart also had a quiet game the difference between them was Wilko could compartmentalise his kicking. Carlos should have kicked several of the chances he blew.

I thought England were mighty strong and mighty courageous and the ABs pretty disappointing in a scrappy game. England's defence did win it for them along with some sub-standard AB ball-handling. Obviously the former contributed to the latter, but with the ABs' massive territory and possession advantages, particularly in the first half, they should done a lot more. And, as you note elsewhere, failing to capitalise when two men up, particularly from the attacking positions they had set up, was telling. I also noted that England has learned from what I'm told is the exclusively SH habit of deliberate time-wasting. There's nothing like contrived stoppages to speed the return of binned players.

Carlos' goal kicking under pressure has long been a worry. He should have slotted just about all of them. Goal kicking aside, I thought he contributed more than Wilkinson did for England, consistently finding holes and his acceleration exposing some lumbering defence.

J****, I have to say, was outstanding. He just about singlehandedly drove the team while the two were in the bin. I now see what you mean. What is England ever going to do without him? I was also impressed by Dallaglio's effort.

Oh, and Ben Cohen could easily be called a Rugger Tubbie.

I don't know who else had the Kiwi FoxSports commentors including Murray Mexted. I've never heard so much bilge talked about a referee. Yes, the ref penalised - a lot - but the infringements were all there. Both teams consistently infringed, often obviously deliberately, and, with the ref having issued at least two general warnings, the cards were warranted. I thought J****'s behaviour through it all was less than exemplary, blatantly ignoring the warnings, presumably preferring to count on his team's defence to stand up when the inevitable yellow card or cards happened. Or didn't he think the ref was serious? Poor captaincy, I thought. As it happened, the team's defence did stand up.

What did the match mean? Beyond the achievements on the day? I would expect big improvement from the ABs playing their first Test for seven months - better ball-handling, more fluidity, meaning better use of the backs. If England can improve on that performance, and if J**** and Wilkinson stay fit, which I think is the key, they have as good a chance as anyone of lifting the WRC. As to our chances, see below.

As for Mr Howlett – well I want him at Tigers is all I can say. What a player. I think Caligastia may need to conceed when he does see it that there was somewhat more than a hint of offside leading to his try though.

I missed that bit and the replay!

‘Rocky Cocky’ seemed to struggle with the step up to test level – but there is raw speed there.

He did struggle, but it wasn't a winger's game. OTOH, Tests often aren't, which is one of the diffs between S12 and Tests.

After that a thoroughly entertaining Wallaby game. Wales gave it their all and if only they could have converted that early pressure it might have been a closer contest – but in the end the gulf in class showed with the Wallabies finishing ability just way ahead – and Sailor of all people breaking the Welsh with those two early scores. However the Aussies did look strangely indecisive at times and I think they have work to do for next weekend.

Face it, if the Welsh had anyone with an ounce more speed or experience or talent on the outside, they would have scored several times. I climbed into bed last night after the dinner party - which went rather well, the Beef Fillet Stuffed With Pancetta, Parmesan, Olives and Parsley was a triumph, if I do say so myself - and watched the tape of the match. And how I despaired. Somehow, typically, the Wallabies took a large step backwards from last week against Ireland.

I don't know the Welsh team, apart from their abysmal record, so I don't know whether they played way above themselves, but they too frequently had us scrambling. Take out our couple of very soft tries and it becomes a narrow win. We lacked concentration, intensity and strategy. The only comfort I took was the strong showing by Nathan Sharpe and the workrate of young David Lyons who could be anything if he worked harder. I would also expect Matt Rogers to appear at least on the bench next week.

Oh and the young Welsh scrummy had a great game in adversity don’t you think Finbar?

Good little player. And I mean little. Looks like he belongs in Toy Story 3. If they had his athleticism and skills outside him, they would have scored several times. Very unlucky not to score himself. Gee, he's quick.

I don't know who your commentators were, but we had ex-Wallaby prop Dan Crowley doing special comments. He's proving to be a bit of a find with some astute observations. He fears for our scrum against any half-decent NH team. As do I. We battled against the Irish, we struggled last night. Crowley points out that it's not just about brute strength, that a half-decent NH front row leaves us for dead in craftiness.

Frankly, given what I saw from the Wallabies last night, and if England can back up from last night, we could get hammered next week. Obviously we will rise to the challenge - that's our history, we did it last November at Twickenham after the debacle against Ireland - but if we do, one really needs to ask where the intensity was last night. The WRC is obviously a potential graveyard for teams who rely on rising to a challenge.

I see the Kiwi lock Williams has been cited for rucking Lewsey’s head. I saw it but was going to save it for later discussion. It was very dangerous – the ABs already had the penalty for Lewsey not releasing smartly – I suspect Williams will struggle to defend it. However please note the independent official did the citing – we have not complained.

J**** complained, justifiably, on the field and the ref quite rightly pointed out that neither he nor the assitant ref saw it - they couldn't, it was on the other side - and it would be followed up on video. Which it was. It was silly and excessive by Williams.

And as I write this 25 mins into the Bok game Scotland are making a damn good show again – leading 13-6.

But it wasn't to last. The Boks came back to win. I only saw about 20 seconds of it while I was loading the Wallabies -v- Wales tape into the VCR.

But I've just heard Les Bleus went down to the Pumas 6-10. My only comment is to ask if anyone remembers the mid-late 1960s single by Lou Christie called "Lightning Strikes (Me Again)"?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


The use of tools incompatible with at least 90% of the world could explain the mess on earth...

OTOH, it finally proves that Bill Gates isn't God.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
What amazed me was the leniency of the referee as far as decoy runners

I agree. Both teams pushed obstruction to the limit.

Once again Finbar the Doomed has proved he is casting the Evil Eye on the bandwagon he is jumping in.

And I was on Les Bleus bandwagon against the Pumas. Who's laughing now?

[finbar]

Oh cripes. Elton Flatley missed a "recovery session" this morning and has been dropped from the team against England next week for "disciplinary reasons". Flatley was our back-up 5/8 playing in place of Steve Larkham. Lord knows who the back-up to our back-up is supposed to be. As far as I know, we don't have one.

[Havak]

J****, I have to say, was outstanding. He just about singlehandedly drove the team while the two were in the bin. I now see what you mean

I'm about to go out for Sunday lunch but I just had to tell you I'm framing this bit!

You were right however - Jonno failed to stop the infringements after clear warnings - not his best captaincy although Dally did admit he made the call on his error as J had warned him to be careful.

Eddie really is tough isn't he - it seems insane to drop Flatley?

I will catch up with the rest of the detail in your posts tomorrow. We took the channel 7 feed for the Aussie game btw so i may have heard the same connetary team - Budda and Poido were there as part of a four handed team anyway...

[LDiCesare]

J****, I have to say, was outstanding.

Now I know finbar is ill. The English captain (from Leicester) must really have been astounding.

I didn't see any match, thanks to our great TV channels here. I read that the French had been unable to score despite lots of opportunities, notably because of ball-handling errors. That, a try which was refused (although being said valid by even non French sites), and poor goal-kicking, seem to have spelled the doom of our team. Plus taking a try in the opening, this tends to prove that the players were not prepared correctly for this match. I hope they'll do better next match.

[Tamerlin]

I saw both England and... (aaaaaargh!) Argentina victories. Havak and LDiCesare's comments have already summed up the games.

However, once again, I would like to insist on Mister Steve "Pitiful" Lander performance. How can a referee ignore such basic laws like offsides and especially turned scrums. This is unbelievable. Though the Pumas' defense was heroic, and they must be praised for this, they have been greatly helped by the numerous french knock ons and by Mr Steve "Pitiful" Lander refusal to consider they could be offside. Moreover, around 9 Argentinan scrums out of 10 (especially in the second half) were turned by the french forwards without any turn over decided by the referee... and while the french forwards were dominating they were sanctionned at critical moments...



Many of the fouls actually signaled by Mr Steve "Pitiful" Lander against the Pumas were sanctioned after Fabien Galthié (half-scrum) showed them to the referee.

[Myrddin]

Ali Williams has been cleared by the disciplinary panel on the grounds that stamping on Lewsey's head was incidental and inadvertent

Unless the disciplinary panels take this seriously, then things will get really nasty onn the pitch


At least when the Welsh pack took on Waugh for trying to kill the ball, they went nowhere near his head (probably because the last sending off for head-stamping may have cost Llanelli the Heineken cup)

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
Now I know finbar is ill. The English captain (from Leicester) must really have been astounding.

Martin Johnson's performance has really been impressive even if the whole pack must be credited for a great game (especially the forwards).