Rugby - Advantage Over!

[Havak]

You can't improve on perfection, you know that.

But there’s the thing. He never quite pushed himself hard enough to match Jonno’s perfection.

…against their hedgerows and shoot them.

Strangely the Cottesmore hunt is currently in trouble because Animal Welfare people have filmed their employees transplanting Foxes into artificial sets on Sheep grazing land. That’s right the very organisation claiming it is efficiently controlling numbers is actually running a program to ensure there are decent populations on hunting grounds.

So if he goes if they lose the WRC, which I bet he will, what happens to their stability then? A really silly exercise all round, I'd've thought.

Well when you put it like that I would have to agree. If we win the World Cup I would imagine he’ll get a lifetime deal though.

I'm waiting with bated breath for the first you-know-what smilie, too.

I feel I am being insulted by a heretic.

Did that capture the flavour?

I think I passed on the rumours earlier in the season. It's all coming true.

You did alert us to trouble at t’mill as I recall. Bowman is a solid enough chap but the two ACT guys must usurp him – he can’t be happy? What we haven’t reminded ourselves is that Giffen has been constantly linked with a move to the NH after November. From surplus to bankruptcy for ACT?

He jumped for the Brumbies in his early days, under Eddie, and showed ability, apparently.

It’s a little unusual to use an openside flanker in the lineout as a jumper isn’t it? Loitering for ball sure but jumping? It doesn’t seem to play to Smithy’s strengths (guile and artistry around the ball). Not convinced here – but I guess I should wait and see.

The experts put it down to females in your country drinking more, and leading sedentary lifestyles. So what's it like to be a role model for the females in your country?

Feels pretty darn good actually. I can handle being a role model for young ladies. Of course I’d rather be something they aspired to instead.

It’s actually a growing problem here for sure. Binge drinking is a long established problem for young men but over the last twenty years the girls have really taken it up too. I would agree they now outdo the lads at it. There is certainly going to be a generation of grannies with interesting tattoos and a tendency to like vodka in their soft drinks.

As for Cullen, Mitchell is favouring Blair and Howlett is that right? I’d have thought Cullen could fight his way back in – but maybe the nick name speaks volumes there?

Don’t let Randell sign for Sarries – it would be a total waste. Tigers don’t really need him but if he did feel like visiting Leicester…

No news of Kronfeld by the way – no idea if he is staying.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


But there’s the thing. He never quite pushed himself hard enough to match Jonno’s perfection.

No, he didn't deliberately, pointlessly step on people and give away penalties, or anything like that.

Strangely the Cottesmore hunt is currently in trouble because Animal Welfare people have filmed their employees transplanting Foxes into artificial sets on Sheep grazing land. That’s right the very organisation claiming it is efficiently controlling numbers is actually running a program to ensure there are decent populations on hunting grounds.

It just occurred to me - Gillette and Wilkinson Sword and Schick, et al, would hate these people even more than I do. Without chins, they'd hardly buy more than a packet of blades every couple of years.

Well when you put it like that I would have to agree. If we win the World Cup I would imagine he’ll get a lifetime deal though.

I think he'll be at the dole office in November.

I feel I am being insulted by a heretic.

Did that capture the flavour?

Promising effort. Didn't quite have his Absinthe and Gauloise-saturated world-weariness, though.

You did alert us to trouble at t’mill as I recall. Bowman is a solid enough chap but the two ACT guys must usurp him – he can’t be happy?

He's probably not happy. He was heading overseas at the end of last season, from memory, and was talked into staying.

What we haven’t reminded ourselves is that Giffen has been constantly linked with a move to the NH after November.

You keep mentioning that but I haven't heard a peep about it.

It’s a little unusual to use an openside flanker in the lineout as a jumper isn’t it? Loitering for ball sure but jumping? It doesn’t seem to play to Smithy’s strengths (guile and artistry around the ball). Not convinced here – but I guess I should wait and see.

I think it was talked about in terms of playing both Waugh and Smith. Waugh openside, Smith blindside and jumping, in the same way that Finegan frequently does. So it's really only a theory.

Feels pretty darn good actually. I can handle being a role model for young ladies. Of course I’d rather be something they aspired to instead.

What? Ample, with a high forehead? Perish the thought.

It’s actually a growing problem here for sure. Binge drinking is a long established problem for young men but over the last twenty years the girls have really taken it up too. I would agree they now outdo the lads at it. There is certainly going to be a generation of grannies with interesting tattoos and a tendency to like vodka in their soft drinks.

Same here, too. A huge number of young females are drinking like fish and smoking like chimneys. I can afford to use these cheap metaphors while notre petite grenouille is out of cyber range.

As for Cullen, Mitchell is favouring Blair and Howlett is that right? I’d have thought Cullen could fight his way back in – but maybe the nick name speaks volumes there?

Blair and Howlett. And he's used Macdonald. I don't know where Macdonald is at the moment. And Cullen, while capable of wonderful tries, was prone to clangers. Mitchell seems to prefer the versatility. It was evident even last season, so that's why the move didn't surprise me.

Don’t let Randell sign for Sarries – it would be a total waste. Tigers don’t really need him but if he did feel like visiting Leicester…

I'll be interested to see whether Randell makes the squad. He really did have a fine S12 season. It wouldn't surprise me if it's his AB history that counts against him - he was skipper during some of the darker recent days, and Mitchell might want to cut that adrift. Still, he'll need to select someone better.

No news of Kronfeld by the way – no idea if he is staying.

And I did read here the other day that Pat Howard is going back to the NH. France, I think. Or had you already told me that?

[Havak]

No, he didn't deliberately, pointlessly step on people and give away penalties, or anything like that.

Glad you agree. I mean what kind of lock doesn’t do that?

Without chins, they'd hardly buy more than a packet of blades every couple of years.

Nice line.

I think he'll be at the dole office in November.

I see several teams that could beat us. I see none that should automatically or necessarily expect to. Clive may stay with us past November.

Promising effort. Didn't quite have his Absinthe and Gauloise-saturated world-weariness, though.

To directly quote our friend:

I am not a master!




I have not heard Bowman linked with any sides up here – but I suppose he could always head to Munster. Their door seems to be open as they’ve also signed a former AB centre – Steinmetz.

The Giffen rumour came from printed media a while ago (Express I think) – and I think it was bath he was linked with. Nothing may come of it but it’s now a well established pattern fro 30 somethings to retire here so I doubt either of us would be surprised?

Sorry I misunderstood about Smithy. I should have realised he would bump to blindside.

What? Ample, with a high forehead? Perish the thought.

A man has to have dreams.

I can afford to use these cheap metaphors while notre petite grenouille is out of cyber range.

Fair point.

The smoking thing is a real problem to. It seems as you say to have re-asserted itself amongst the young – especially the girls. Still it won’t be long before it gets banned in public places here and that will do for me – I hate smoke ruining my beer.

And Cullen, while capable of wonderful tries, was prone to clangers.

Yes I missed MacDonald – though he seems plagued by injury. As for Cullen have you seen the balanced opinion piece on Planet Rugby? Let me sum it up – “Mitchell is an idiot”. Only one mentioned his suspect defence and even they thought it had vastly improved.

It wouldn't surprise me if it's his AB history that counts against him - he was skipper during some of the darker recent days, and Mitchell might want to cut that adrift. Still, he'll need to select someone better.

It’s okay, Tamerlin is missing so you can mention he was skipper for the darkest day of all four years ago.

I’m surprised at Mitchell – a coach should pick on form before almost anything else – and it’s not like Randell was caught snorting powder now is it?

And I did read here the other day that Pat Howard is going back to the NH. France, I think. Or had you already told me that?

I had mentioned a while back that I had heard rumours of his going to Montferand. Shame he didn’t think of a move before we signed Gibson. Not that I’m sorry we singed the lad of course – he comes highly rated.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


Glad you agree. I mean what kind of lock doesn’t do that?

One who doesn't need to, obviously.

I see several teams that could beat us.

True.

I see none that should automatically or necessarily expect to.

True.

Clive may stay with us past November.

On balance, I think, only if he has hide thick enough to withstand the slings and arrows and bazookas he'll cop when they don't win.

To directly quote our friend:

I am not a master!

This is creepy! Either you're channeling him or he didn't stop at the seaside and continued on across the channel to Leicester!

I have not heard Bowman linked with any sides up here – but I suppose he could always head to Munster. Their door seems to be open as they’ve also signed a former AB centre – Steinmetz.

I think you might hear of Bowman linking up with someone up there. Steinmetz? An AB? Well, technically, by the skin of his teeth.

The Giffen rumour came from printed media a while ago (Express I think) – and I think it was bath he was linked with. Nothing may come of it but it’s now a well established pattern fro 30 somethings to retire here so I doubt either of us would be surprised?

I actually don't think he's that old. I'll check.

A man has to have dreams.

When you get to my age you'll realise they were a waste of brain space and regret not having better utilised the space for more important things like rugby.

Yes I missed MacDonald – though he seems plagued by injury. As for Cullen have you seen the balanced opinion piece on Planet Rugby? Let me sum it up – “Mitchell is an idiot”. Only one mentioned his suspect defence and even they thought it had vastly improved.

He was responsible for a couple of real clangers this S12 season. It's obviously his supporters who say he had a good S12 season, because I thought it was only average. He has, understandably, lost some of his brilliant acceleration, meaning he's less of a try-scoring threat. And, face it, Mitchell already has a couple of try-scoring threats in the team without Cullen.

It’s okay, Tamerlin is missing so you can mention he was skipper for the darkest day of all four years ago.

No, I'm sure Tamerlin only has to poke his finger into a power socket to connect to cyber space and monitor what I post.

I’m surprised at Mitchell – a coach should pick on form before almost anything else – and it’s not like Randell was caught snorting powder now is it?

Well, exactly. And Mitchell might pick him, but, given that he didn't appear in any of the three Tests, one has to wonder. Randell is a much improved player since those dark days. Some of his stuff this S12 season was inspirational - a tribute to him given that it has since been revealed that relations between coach and skipper and most of the team were pretty poisonous. So if he's not picked, I can only assume that Mitchell either thinks he's too old, or too much of a link with the past.

I had mentioned a while back that I had heard rumours of his going to Montferand. Shame he didn’t think of a move before we signed Gibson. Not that I’m sorry we singed the lad of course – he comes highly rated.

There's always the possibility that Pat considered returning to Leicester but preferred, instead, a team on the way up.

[finbar]

John "Knuckles" Connolly to take over at Bath with Mr Foley as his assistant. A very Queensland hue, with, presumably, the same degree of success Queensland had under them.

[Caligastia]

Posting from the in-law's place in Cleveland...

I'm not suprised by the Cullen thing. He was definitely on the way out. His rabid supporters are the kind of people who would still be clinging to the AB stars of the 95 RWC. Cullen's defence has been suspect as you guys mentioned, and personally I am tired of seeing him drop the ball in front of the try-line (or after crossing it! ). John Hart should keep his mouth shut, he doesn't have a clue. It was under him that the ABs had 5 consecutive losses for the first time in rugby history. All his successes were thanks to the team that Mains had built for the 95 RWC. If it wasn't for players like Fitzy and Zinzan his record would have been even more dismal. Mitchel's doing the right thing by selecting on form instead of choosing players that have made a name for themselves in the past.

[finbar]

The AB squad is out. No Taine Randell, no Anton Oliver. Oh well, if Christian Cullen had captained the team at some point, we could certainly finger Mitchell's logic - ex-skippers can nick off.

OTOH, Oliver's game was always suspect in several areas, so it's not a huge surprise. And Randell's omission has to be a generational thing.

Mitchell also said that Cullen's handicap is a lack of a kicking game. Which is fair enough, but I think he's being polite.

[Frozzy]

Mark Hammett is a good hooker, no doubt

Mitchell said Anton's omission was due to "lack of work effort" since returning from injury, which quite frankly in my opinion is a load of bull.

Cullen has picked his colours, and it's not black or gold. Good luck to the guy.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Frozzy
Cullen has picked his colours, and it's not black or gold.

Gold?! The horror! The thought of Christian Cullen playing for Oz is almost too horrible to bear!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Frozzy
Mark Hammett is a good hooker, no doubt

Mitchell said Anton's omission was due to "lack of work effort" since returning from injury, which quite frankly in my opinion is a load of bull.

I think the truth is that his lineout throwing is too unreliable.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia


Gold?! The horror! The thought of Christian Cullen playing for Oz is almost too horrible to bear!

Sorry, the Wallaby colour is wattle, not gold.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


Sorry, the Wallaby colour is wattle, not gold.

Gold = Namibia...?

[finbar]

Nuh. Sky blue, red and white.

[Frozzy]

I was talking about Hurricanes

[finbar]

Originally posted by Frozzy
I was talking about Hurricanes

He knew that. He was just trying to turn it into a Wallaby gag. Only he got the colour wrong.

So why isn't Taine Randell in the squad? Nothing I saw from the players picked in front of him for the recent Tests convinced me they're any better than Randell, who had a terrific S12 season under very trying internal club circumstances.