Rugby - See You In Ten!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I could have explained it myself...

I'm sure you could have. I was halfway through the post when I decided to check the dictionary.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Gee, les grenouilles are fond of a bell, aren't they?

France was once a very religious country and that can explain the high number of colloquialisms related to the bells, the church was the center of the village or the town. When you are visiting a village or a town in France you will often see that the old historical center and/or the wealthy medieval houses are around a church... hopefully this has changed.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


France was once a very religious country and that can explain the high number of colloquialisms related to the bells, the church was the center of the village or the town. When you are visiting a village or a town in France you will often see that the old historical center and/or the wealthy medieval houses are around a church... hopefully this has changed.

Yes, now that you mention it, I remember the churches formed the hearts of the villages and towns. Same as in Italy, for the same reason.

[Havak]

Shock you? Don't forget I backed these bastards before I discovered their forwards weren't the bees' knees!

That has been pretty obvious to myself and Tamerlin for a while – that they failed to take the win against a badly misfiring England pack was a key indicator to me.

I think their biggest problem is what you pointed out some time ago – the reliance on Carlos. He has a break now and he also has a history of coming back from breaks with a different personality. They rely on him so much that if he comes back in October slightly off the boil you can forget them as favourites for the cup I think.

Mmmm. Well, there is a team that has won two WRCs, both in foreign climes, but you've always dismissed them as lucky.

Perhaps somewhat unfair of me – I do however firmly believe they were not the best side in the tournament either time they won it. Nor were the Boks. That’s cup rugby for you? I don’t recall much of the 87 Kiwi side but that does seem the occasion when the best side did prevail?

And the site was down again this morning. That's every day this week between 8am and about 11am (my time), and usually longer.

Whilst I am fast asleep then. Is there a connection?
I am down to my last few post before September – so how does everyone else feel the England second line will do in Wales – and how mnay points will they beat France by next weekend too?

Havak retires having lit the blue touch paper that sets off Tamerlin’s infinite supply of

[Andydog]

Finbar was right – you pretty much nailed it all. It’s hard to see our forwards playing so poorly against you a second time – and we will pressure the line out.

We shall see. I still believe our forwards still have room for improvement, and I think they will improve before we meet Australia and England. Look how far they've come since last November, when our youngsters narrowly lost against a full strength England squad. Against Australia last Saturday there were some very good phases of forward play and they were unlucky not to score toward the end there. And lets also not forget how their defensive game has improved.

Mitchell knows it will come down to possession, and I'm sure he'll have Mealamu (who has always been known as a great around-the-field type hooker, but this season he has really improved his lineout throwing and scrummaging skills) and Chris Jack working very hard over the next month or two at their lineouts.

If we can get the pill flick flick flicking through our backs we will cut through your defences like always. England struggles in a defensive game - it's only the pressure you exert through your forwards and the boot of Johnny Wilkinson that wins you matches (and I'm sure the Kiwis have some special treatment reserved for him, he he he).

[Havak]

We weren't even close to full strength then - and your forwards looked what they were - second best. Only individual brilliance from some of the backs kept you in that game.

There defensive game has improved - but the English pack will maul them the length of the field as even the Wallabies managed some small mauling successes against you.

Your lineout will come under huge threat - all the English locks in the squad match Jack as a ball stealer (our domestic game is strong in set piece play remember).

But fair point - your backs can cut through any defence in the world. Similarly our forwards can smash holes in any team for the girlies to stroll through.

And wilko? He is a tough lad and frankly I rate him higher than I do Carlos for more than just kicking - he tacjkles a storm and your player targetting him may end up more badly hurt than Jonny does.

It's a huge clash of styles - I am so looking forward to it.

[Andydog]

I think you're right about Spencer. He is my biggest worry - he can sometimes take wrong options, he struggles with penalties and conversions, and he is prone to the old 'lack of focus' syndrome. He is our most risky player, and I agree we rely on him too much - just as England rely on Johno.

What I'm getting at is that I see England at their best at the moment but the AB's still have room for improvement - and they ARE improving - I think we will start answering the questions in the tight games to come.

Have at you!

[Havak]

I have constantly answered the ascertion that England have somehow peaked with the very simple response of "no they haven't". I know it's hard to believe but they haven't played that well against the ABs in the last two victories - nor did they convert an overwhleming superiority over the Wallabies into a big win.

They are still improving all the time - so what we face here is the prospect of two continually improving sides going head to head whilst both are on good form.

As I say - it's a mouth watering prospect.

As for relying on Jonno - yes that is a huge problem for us. They just are not the same side without him. Maybe your guys should target him?

[Havak]

And just for Finbar here is the second string for tomorrow:

England: D Scarbrough; J Simpson-Daniel, J Noon, S Abbott, D Luger; A King, A Gomarsall; J Leonard (capt), M Regan, J White, D Grewcock, S Shaw, M Corry, L Moody, J Worsley.
Replacements: D West, W Green, S Borthwick, A Sanderson, A Healey, D Walder, O Smith.

Players back from injury that Clive is watching carefully for RWC duty are Luger, White, Moody, Smith and a certain Mr Healey.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Andydog
I still believe our forwards still have room for improvement...

I hope so... for New Zealand's sake.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
I am down to my last few post before September...

Don't worry, I am here to watch over this bunch of heretics.

... – so how does everyone else feel the England second line will do in Wales – and how mnay points will they beat France by next weekend too?

Poor wales...

About France, well, you know how can the french players be unpredictable... it is all or nothing. Where is the game played?

Havak retires having lit the blue touch paper that sets off Tamerlin’s infinite supply of

The s are stored and used after the games only...

[Havak]

Keep up the good work Tamerlin

The game on 30th August is in Marseille - you don't lose there often. I am hoping England give you cause to roll out a few icons.

The Planet Rugby computer gives England to win by 48 points tomorrow - but of course it can't allow for the fact it's a second string. The Hack gives Wales by six points. I think he is an optimist. Sure it's a second string but it's full of lads playing to make to RWC cut and it is still a damn good side - England second strings have overcome Argentina and the Maoris and both are better than poor Wales - I can't see us messing this one up.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
All the English locks in the squad match Jack as a ball stealer

They have to. Their hooker can't throw either.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Don't worry, I am here to watch over this bunch of heretics.

Good grief. The biggest lunatic takes over running the asylum.

[Andydog]

Just remember Havak... ... that we have McCaw. He is quick - he will get under your English mauls quick as lightening and bring them down. It will then turn into a ruck and so will get spun out to your backs who will then face our backline Magicians, as Finbar put it, who made some crunching tackles on the Aussies last weekend.

Also, it will be a hard ground in Aussie at that time of year. That will suit Spencer to a tee, and sorry but Johno relies on his kicking.. Spencer has that killer instinct and he loves to run it when he can.

Dam I’m starting to drawl!