Rugby - Advantage Over!

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Tamerlin

I don't think France can be qualified as being a great team these days...

I wouldn't write them off just yet. IMO they've always been a little ... unconventional may not be quite the right word ... but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. ie: They can surprise one even if they aren't in good form.


Something I missed yesterday ... John Eales seemed to think rather a lot of England/Jonno's performance last Sat. Havak might get a kick out of this.

"Renowned as a great leader and almost as fundamental to this team as [fly-half] Jonny Wilkinson, he [Johnson] emphatically took charge of the match,"

http://www.planetrugby.com/LATEST_NEWS/story_28868.shtml

[Caligastia]

I'm finally getting to see the England/Australia game. I've watched the first half so far...

Fantastic passage of play by England leading up to that first try - how many phases? Brilliant! Awesome ball handling. In the 18th minute Australia butchered a certain try when Roof went streaking up the touch line but threw a bad pass. The second try from England was even better than the first - great vision from Wilko and great ball skills. Quite something to watch! Who says England play boring rugby?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I am not angry against Mr Cole because France lost the game, they deserved to, but because he spoiled this game.

So if you'd won the game, you'd still say he spoiled it?

I don't think France can be qualified as being a great team these days...

:in mourning:

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon


I wouldn't write them off just yet. IMO they've always been a little ... unconventional may not be quite the right word ... but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. ie: They can surprise one even if they aren't in good form.

Yes, but they seem to be getting the fundamentals wrong at the moment. You can't surprise the oppo if you can't hang onto the ball.

Something I missed yesterday ... John Eales seemed to think rather a lot of England/Jonno's performance last Sat. Havak might get a kick out of this.

The Sainted One Himself has always spoken very highly of J****.

[Caligastia]

Well, England really played like a complete team - best in the world, no doubt about it. They're so strong in the breakdown area, they reminded me of the Brumbies of old.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia
they reminded me of the Brumbies of old.

*Havak chokes on his Marmite toast*



P.S. Cal - I'm perfectly happy to feature in your sig because I've backed them to win the WRC. Which is to say, I don't think England can get any better, and have to come back from a spell in the same form; and I think the ABs can get considerably better.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
So if you'd won the game, you'd still say he spoiled it?

Yes... a good game of Rugby requires more than a mere victory.

:in mourning:

:cryinglikeababy:

[Havak]

The final will, of course, be won by New Zealand.

There I must ask that we agree to differ.

So if the French do catch a plane to Austria who will Bernard blame then? The ref?

I'm surprised the IRB let it happen. Then again, I'm probably not.

That was my first reaction. Well that and feeling sorry for the guy. Me feeling sorry for a referee – that is how bizarre this was!

Though a coach just to the West of Laportes - and another one a very long way South-East - have been known to indulge themselves on the odd occasion from time to time.

Or even, occasionally, target range.

Occasionally? And don’t hold off shooting those ducks please.

My constant, utter contempt for J**** - increasing as I saw more of him - should have been indicative.

I think, on balance, it probably was.

Some handle such things better than others.

I actually dread to think what he will toss about should we win the World Cup – it even worse should we lose the final.

It's amazing what you can read between lines if you try hard enough.

Not least when the real intent is being flagged like a traffic signal for all to see?

I don't know those guys, but I thought our Rod Macqueen trod a reasonable line.

He did yes. He only let himself down once that I saw did Rod – and it was very unfortunate at that. And that’s the silly little quote after the thirds Lions test where he said “damn good to be an Australian” rather than “damn proud of my team”. It left an unfortunate jingoistic taste in one’s mouth. A corresponding quote from Clive after last week would have brought the Aussie nation down on him like a ton of bricks (especially as the same happened simply because he didn’t say ‘well played Australia’?)

Contemplated it, dismissed it as unworthy.

Oh it produced what I was hoping for thanks.

Did we double it from the original 50? I remember suggesting it.

I don’t recall accepting. I was mindful I needed some funds for the tri-nations!

That's a classic example of bad news followed by very good news followed by blissful news, isn't it.

Ouch.

I don't think France can be qualified as being a great team these days...

It’s still a great squad of players and we all know, leg pulling aside, that they can really turn it up from where they are now. They remain the huge threat to us in next years six nations – especially as it’s Paris (but why the hell have they made it an 8pm kick off???)
What bothers me is I have never really bought Laporte as national coach. It all came together for him last year and I started thinking I was wrong – but this year he has reverted to criticising his players in public again. It’s very bad of him and destroys team spirit. Is it true Tamerlin that he never played the game at first class level?

Havak might get a kick out of this.

Absolutely! Thanks for the pointer :b

I remember hearing whilst down in Aus that J**** and Ealesy have always got on fairly well so it’s no real surprise.

Who says England play boring rugby?

Markedly different form the dual stuttering performance of the England-AB game isn’t it? Can’t wait to see what you thought of the Cohen try.

Which is to say, I don't think England can get any better, and have to come back from a spell in the same form; and I think the ABs can get considerably better.

I agree with you about the ABs. Shocked? But you are wrong about England – they can play better. The final execution let them down even against Australia. That can and I hope will improve for RWC.

And I know Caligastia meant well – but comparing us to ACT? Tigers are a better target reference!

[Havak]

Oh great news today

The thuggish Duncan McCrae has signed for Gloucester!

So Jonno and he will get to renew their acquantance after the World Cup.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
So if the French do catch a plane to Austria who will Bernard blame then? The ref?

Or Niki Lauda.

Okay, so it's a clumsy gag because it raises the confusing possibility that it's actually an airline gag. I just couldn't think of any other famous Austrians. I suppose there must be some. Dead WWII German madman Feuhrers aside.

And don’t hold off shooting those ducks please.

I'm actually looking without much success for a nice (dead) duck at the moment. I need to confit one before I can get on with making Tamerlin's Mum's Cassoulet.

I actually dread to think what he will toss about should we win the World Cup – it even worse should we lose the final.

Yes, the latter, especially, is a terrifying thought. Helmets on and duck - there's that damn confit problem obsessing me again! - for cover.

“damn good to be an Australian”

Yes, well, he's now back working in Big Business and still a Liberal voter.

I don’t recall accepting. I was mindful I needed some funds for the tri-nations!

I thought you did. But I might wait till around WRC semi-final time before making up my mind.

I agree with you about the ABs. Shocked? But you are wrong about England – they can play better. The final execution let them down even against Australia. That can and I hope will improve for RWC.

The improvement on the first half performance could only be very marginal. Or, put another way, very few teams - if any - ever play the perfect match of rugby.

And I know Caligastia meant well – but comparing us to ACT? Tigers are a better target reference!

I think if he'd meant a clapped out, over-the-hill bunch of leg-weary former title holders, he'd probably have mentioned the Tigers.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Oh great news today

The thuggish Duncan McCrae has signed for Gloucester!

That's interesting. I hadn't heard. I'm not surprised. He was very ticked off about being dropped from the Waratahs towards the end of the S12 season. It also explains the article in this morning's paper about the Waratahs pursuing the Brumbies' Matt Giteau.

Oh, and our mate Justin has left the Brumbies - where he was third in line behind Vickerman and Giffen - for the Waratahs.

[Havak]

I just couldn't think of any other famous Austrians.

I’m guessing you are not a huge fan of the body of work of the ‘Austrian Oak’ aka Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Oh Ralph Moeller is Austrian too – not bad in Gladiator but best forget pretty much everything else he has done.

Dad duck can be found in almost every back lane shop as one walks around Paris – though I’m not surprised it’s harder to come by in NSW.

The improvement on the first half performance could only be very marginal

I don’t expect huge improvement – I’d like to see the percentage of chances nailed increased though. To come away from that maul with nothing was ridiculous for example.

I think if he'd meant a clapped out, over-the-hill bunch of leg-weary former title holders, he'd probably have mentioned the Tigers.

You meant Bath surely?

Strangely with Jonno, Westy and Backy all with England this autumn (as well as the younger Kay) Tigers pack in the new season will be significantly younger but still looking fairly solid.

There’s no new on Moody yet but if his shoulder is anywhere near fit I expect to see him back in an England shirt some autumn. I feel he could have made harder for Waughy than Hilly did last Saturday.

He was very ticked off about being dropped from the Waratahs towards the end of the S12 season

He is going to the wrong club then – Nigel Melville doesn’t shirk from such decisions either.

I hope Justin can recover his career at Waratahs. Seems a nice chap off the park. I think it’s totally fair to say he is well behind the three specialist locks currently with the Wallabies (even though I’ve only seen Sharpe at his worst myself.)

Having said that post RWC I don’t expect Giffen to stick down south so who knows – he may be back yet.
Really looking forward to Saturday’s game. No not that little fracas in Kiwiland (though I will enjoy that too) but the Churchill cup final. Had I mentioned the A side is undefeated in the Americas including those two games that took place on the same day as the senior games?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


I’m guessing you are not a huge fan of the body of work of the ‘Austrian Oak’ aka Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Or, as someone once described him, The Condom Filled With Walnuts. Yes, he's Austrian, but he wouldn't have fitted the bill for the gag. Too identified now with America.

Oh Ralph Moeller is Austrian too – not bad in Gladiator but best forget pretty much everything else he has done.

Too obscure. That's the trouble with Austria, very hard to find anyone who publicly identifies themselves with the place. Not surprising. Very clean, very dull place, I thought. Bit like that place with all the lakes and mountains that's so boring I keep forgetting its name.

Dad duck can be found in almost every back lane shop as one walks around Paris – though I’m not surprised it’s harder to come by in NSW.

Quality ones are the problem - free range and organic stuff. There are specialty shops around but I haven't had time to check them out.

You meant Bath surely?

I know what I meant.

He is going to the wrong club then – Nigel Melville doesn’t shirk from such decisions either.

Who did he play with last time over there? I remember he spat the dummy quite a few years ago when he was being overlooked for the Waratahs team and nicked off. History repeats itself.

I hope Justin can recover his career at Waratahs. Seems a nice chap off the park. I think it’s totally fair to say he is well behind the three specialist locks currently with the Wallabies (even though I’ve only seen Sharpe at his worst myself.)

That's why Justin has moved. He was on the bench for most of the second half of the season. Doesn't do your game any good. Regardless, he wasn't really producing the goods earlier in the season, which is why he landed on the bench. He just doesn't do the job often enough for a man his size with his mobility and general skills. Maybe he never will. Maybe he was never really up to it.

Had I mentioned the A side is undefeated in the Americas including those two games that took place on the same day as the senior games?

Good grief. Les Grenouilles would probably even win in the Americas. Subject to the ref, of course.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
So if the French do catch a plane to Austria who will Bernard blame then? The ref?

Of course...

Is it true Tamerlin that he never played the game at first class level?

He won the French Championship with the Club Athlétique de Bègles, won the French Championship with the Stade Français as coach of the said team and I think he has played some games with the French XV (though I am not sure as I don't remember having seen an international game with him).

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Good grief. Les Grenouilles would probably even win in the Americas. Subject to the ref, of course.