Rugby - Advantage Over!

[MikeH]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Who says England play boring rugby?

The people who only judged us on the All Blacks and Maori games.

[finbar]

Originally posted by MikeH


The people who only judged us on the All Blacks and Maori games.

First, smug and gloating; now he's added glib to his repertoire. He's found a home here.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


*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.

Sorry...should I have asked you first?

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.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
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.

Stunning. A great individual try. The best England try I've seen in a long time. Bear in mind that I didn't see any 6 nations games though.

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.

As far as I'm concerned, England were the complete package against Australia. I get the feeling that you wouldn't admit to England playing at their best unless the game was completely flawless - dream on.

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

I don't really get to see the tigers play.

[Alexander's Horse]

hey finbar, you still on civ strike? I'd like to know what's going on - please reply to my thread on the civ II forum at PROT.

[Caligastia]

Sorry, he's too busy watching rugby.

[Alexander's Horse]

ha ha, very droll (not)

[Havak]

Tamerlin I am sure I remember hearing that Laporte was never capped. I somehow persuaded myself from that he never played.

It’s a Friday – so it must be time to harangue Finbar about the Aussie Civ night?

On more important matters Duncan McCrae was formerly with Saracens up here – where Timmy Horan spent almost four years (and played nearly twenty games maybe) . He became surplus to requirements when they signed Caistegnede I think…

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.

He did trade off that one lineout steal and never really back it up afterwards. You are right in that he has the athleticism, he has the skills. Maybe this problem with his occasional red mist is holding him back. Pack him off to Tigers – Wellsy and Deano will sort him out if it is possible to do so.

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

But, and it is a huge qualifier, could they win there with the 30 first choice players not involved the same way Mallinders A side is so doing? Canada in particular offer a stern test in the forwards - I’m sure they would ask a few questions of the Wallaby front row right now?

First, smug and gloating; now he's added glib to his repertoire. He's found a home here.

I like the concise nature of it as well.

I’d have been trying to score points by saying it’s not our fault if the opposition can’t handle a winter sport where it’s raining. That kind of thing.

Stunning. A great individual try. The best England try I've seen in a long time. Bear in mind that I didn't see any 6 nations games though.

There were some very good tries in the 6N – but nothing against that quality of opposition. After all England can’t score from first phase ball isn’t that right?

I get the feeling that you wouldn't admit to England playing at their best unless the game was completely flawless - dream on.

Oh that’s the best I’ve seen them play this year I think. Dublin came close. However I do think some of the decision making behind the pack was suspect at times. And crucially Wilko had two very average games by his own high standards. So I honestly do believe we could improve on that. Had Wilkinson been sparking behind that pack it could have been a true all time classic game?

I don't really get to see the tigers play.

But you do benefit from my glowing (and totally unbiased) appraisals of them?

[Havak]

I must have tempted fate when I mentioned McCrae's former club - I've just discovered this morning that they have sacked Buck Shelford as coach after a season where they won only 8 of 22 League fixtures.

You have to feel sorry for Wayne - Saracens owner is Nigel Wray and lets just say he doesn't have a 'nice guy' reputation. It is amusing though - he has spent a fortune, lured a veritable foreign legion through the doors in the last 8 years and all they have to show for it is one domestic knock out cup way back in 98. Shame!

[ravagon]

NZ-France game screens at midnight tomorrow - Western standard time. I didn't think it would because there isn't an Australian match on but those nice people on channel 7 do have a heart it would seem.

I'm tempted to ask whether or not anybody wants to put civ gold on it but it might be more interesting to bet on how many smilies Tamerlin will use when mentioning the ref in his post-match summary? - Regardless of the outcome naturally.


In other news, ravagon thought for a moment that he'd run into one M. Johnson whilst wandering downtown during his lunch-hour today, but a readjustment of his sunglasses revealed none other than the ANZ building.
A quite understandable mistake really, given their general similarity in size and the ease with which one is able to bring them down in a tackle...



Well, I thought it was funny...

Anyway - Go All-Blacks! (Although a match half as entertaining as Aus-Eng last week would almost suffice).

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by ravagon
NZ-France game screens at midnight tomorrow - Western standard time. I didn't think it would because there isn't an Australian match on but those nice people on channel 7 do have a heart it would seem.

The game is broadcasted live at 9:30 am in France...

I'm tempted to ask whether or not anybody wants to put civ gold on it but it might be more interesting to bet on how many smilies Tamerlin will use when mentioning the ref in his post-match summary? - Regardless of the outcome naturally.

A little hint for the bookmakers, the worst the defeat and the referee, the shorter the post that follows...

Anyway - Go All-Blacks! (Although a match half as entertaining as Aus-Eng last week would almost suffice).

Don't expect France to be able to play as well as England...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
He did trade off that one lineout steal and never really back it up afterwards. You are right in that he has the athleticism, he has the skills. Maybe this problem with his occasional red mist is holding him back. Pack him off to Tigers – Wellsy and Deano will sort him out if it is possible to do so.

I think concentration and not (yet) wanting enough to take it to the next level could be his big problems. Remember he only took up the game when at Uni - the Rugby Club offered free beer - so he doesn't have any sort of history to measure against. I think his move to the Waratahs will prove a few things one way or the other.

But, and it is a huge qualifier, could they win there with the 30 first choice players not involved

Actually, I'd've thought the question was whether Les Grenouilles could win there with a full first-choice squad?

I’d have been trying to score points by saying it’s not our fault if the opposition can’t handle a winter sport where it’s raining. That kind of thing.

I'll leave that sort of stuff to ravagon, thanks.

Oh that’s the best I’ve seen them play this year I think. Dublin came close. However I do think some of the decision making behind the pack was suspect at times. And crucially Wilko had two very average games by his own high standards. So I honestly do believe we could improve on that. Had Wilkinson been sparking behind that pack it could have been a true all time classic game?

I happened to be watching some of the highlights again late last night. I hadn't realised that the England throw into the lineout - leading up to the try in the far corner where the ball went through all those hands at the speed of light - was so crooked that the England jumper nearly dislocated his shoulder reaching for it. You've got the tape, have a look at it. Had McHugh been doing his job it couldn't have been a true all time classic try?

But you do benefit from my glowing (and totally unbiased) appraisals of them?

I notice that Denis Thatcher kicked the bucket. Now there's an opening for you.

Interesting to note that Jeremy Paul has been dropped from the Tri-Nations squad. Now that's what I call a wake-up call.

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon

NZ-France game screens at midnight tomorrow - Western standard time. I didn't think it would because there isn't an Australian match on but those nice people on channel 7 do have a heart it would seem.

Get Foxtel, you cheap bastard. It's being screened live at 5.30pm our time, meaning you'd be watching it at 3.30pm. They're also covering all the Tri-Nations matches live. Raid your superannuation, sell your children, whatever.

I'm tempted to ask whether or not anybody wants to put civ gold on it but it might be more interesting to bet on how many smilies Tamerlin will use when mentioning the ref in his post-match summary? - Regardless of the outcome naturally.

Apparently MarkG and DanQ - co-owners of this site - PMd Tamerlin and told him stop using the angry smilies because he's just about exhausted the supply.

In other news, ravagon thought for a moment that he'd run into one M. Johnson whilst wandering downtown during his lunch-hour today, but a readjustment of his sunglasses revealed none other than the ANZ building.
A quite understandable mistake really, given their general similarity in size and the ease with which one is able to bring them down in a tackle...



Well, I thought it was funny...

If you'd typed - "A quite understandable mistake really, given the similarity of their personalities" - it could have been funny.

That'll be $500 for consultancy, thanks. My minimum daily rate.

[Havak]

Don't expect France to be able to play as well as England...

If they can’t raise their game for the All Blacks then they should give up.

I think his move to the Waratahs will prove a few things one way or the other.

Truly make or break. That signing up story is really quite touching.

I'd've thought the question was whether Les Grenouilles could win there with a full first-choice squad?

Ask that again after tomorrow. I am expecting a much improved showing from them. They are playing badly, coming off a run of losses and being given no chance by the bookies. Tailor made for them to turn over New Zealand I think?

You've got the tape, have a look at it.

I’m guessing you don’t mean he had to lean through your line to get it?

I’ll have a look-see over the weekend.

I notice that Denis Thatcher kicked the bucket. Now there's an opening for you.

I’ll pass only because I have learnt he was a Union referee. I don’t want to suggest the Thatcher disaster in the UK was all the refs fault.

Interesting to note that Jeremy Paul has been dropped from the Tri-Nations squad. Now that's what I call a wake-up call.

Lets hope he heeds it. Grey gone as well I see?

If you'd typed - "A quite understandable
mistake really, given the similarity of their personalities" - it could have been funny.

I thought it was quite funny myself. But he could have nailed it by saying he realised his mistake when he actually got a civilised conversation out of the ANZ building.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I’ll pass only because I have learnt he was a Union referee. I don’t want to suggest the Thatcher disaster in the UK was all the refs fault.

It would have been a more lenient period under a SH ref.

Lets hope he heeds it. Grey gone as well I see?

As I said, Paul is capable of much more than he's been doing. Yes, Nathan gone, too. Not a surprise. He was pulled off the bench to replace Flatley, now Flatley is back, as is Larkham. As also is Matt Burke, so that meant no room for Nathan. The Burke option will take a lot of pressure off what has been a very stretched #s 11 to 15.

The other interesting choice for the squad is Matt Dunning, the rolypoly Waratah prop famous for intercept tries, drinking too much and breaking his teammate's nose. Eddie was on the TV rugby show tonight. Said he thought Dunning was the most improved prop in S12 this season, and they wanted to give him some experience at a higher level - training if not yet playing - to see how he handled it. At least they're looking beyond the current crop of pretty average incumbents.

But he could have nailed it by saying he realised his mistake when he actually got a civilised conversation out of the ANZ building.

Gee, ravagon, there's another $500 invoice in your in-tray. Looks like you'll have to put off getting Foxtel for a while longer.