Rugby - See You In Ten!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I heard an esteemed French author and philosopher on the wireless this afternoon talking about the wrongness of the current approach to Islam. From his turn of phrase, I could've sworn it was Tamerlin. Our Man in Toulouse is hiding his not inconsiderable light under a rather large bushel, methinks.

Alas, no! I am nor esteemed nor an author or philosopher or any kind. The only things I am writing are adventures for my fellow role playing gamers which can hardly be considered as litterature... though it is generally very entertaining.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
You meant France-Australia surely Tamerlin?

Are the Aussies so desperate?

I should cheer for France I know – but I may have to jump ship on Tamerlin here – I’d certainly rather draw the US in the semi final than France – if we get that far (and fun exchanges aside I’m not assuming anything there).

False brother!

Are you truly surprised the Boks have held off the enquiry? It simply can’t help the team performance to have it before the tournament. And anyway their coach believes the incident has helped ‘bond’ the squad. I really am starting to wonder what planet the guy lives on?

A few decades ago it was called Propaganda!

His command of English is of course better than most Brits possess!

OK, I have finally understood... you both have something to ask to me!

[Havak]

Um...you mean like "Can you lend me a tenner (make that twenty euros)?"

[finbar]

Read this for some very unpleasant detail of what's been going on within the Springbok squad.

[Havak]

Very disturbing stuff - though it is rather pleasing to see Kempson and Krige come out of it with some positive personal integrity.

[spartak]

Awful.

[Caligastia]

I just don't see what all the fuss is about, and why everybody thinks it's their business. If the Springboks have players with racial prejudices, then obviously that's going to cause problems with team unity. It's up to them to either get the player to confront his prejudices or get rid of him.

Another factor in this is the institution of racial quotas. It must be hard enough to get white players who were raised under apartheid to accept playing with non-whites even without racial quotas. There must be huge resentment towards players who are promoted because of their race, not their ability.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Just for that I hope they will be slaughtered...

They probably will be, but you can't blame me for cheering them on. After all, I do live here, so I have an interest in supporting US rugby.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
You know I probably will – I get rather sad around RWC time and watch almost any game.

Do you sad as in pathetic? Well call me pathetic then because I will probably do the same. As I said - my wife will miss me.

Ireland – minus the noted injured players – destroyed Scotland last weekend. Behind the scrum Scotland look woeful. The forwards are solid but if the Eagles can match them up front they have every chance I would say.

The Eagles have been doing better than they historically do. They managed to beat Canada quite convincingly. Normally Canada would easily roll them. As I have said before, rugby is growing here.

Remember however we are talking about an Eagles side that was destroyed twice inside a week in June by an England XV that didn’t include any of the 30 players touring in Aus and NZ – that doesn’t speak much for the current strength of the Eagles to me?

Perhaps not, but I think the same England team the Eagles faced probably could have beaten Scotland.

The Eagles are capable of suprising. Last year they played a Springbok team that was a mix of first and second string players and only lost by 20. They were actually ahead for the first half.

[spartak]

If the six nations were played on the merit of the teams would the England A, B and C size deserve to play instead of Wales Scotland and Italy?

[finbar]

Originally posted by spartak
If the six nations were played on the merit of the teams would the England A, B and C size deserve to play instead of Wales Scotland and Italy?

I'd imagine a two-man team of Clive Woodward and Will Carling would deserve a place in front of Italy at the moment.

[finbar]

Brisbane weather update. Last night they played an AFL semi-final in Brisbane. Yesterday's max was 34C. It was 26C during the game. Players donned ice vests in the breaks between quarters and when on the interchange bench.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Very disturbing stuff - though it is rather pleasing to see Kempson and Krige come out of it with some positive personal integrity.

As I've said before about Krige, there's a lot to admire about the man. If only he didn't let himself down with some appalling onfield behaviour.

[Frozzy]

Waikato -d- Otago 27-15

Top of the table clash sees Waikato move to the top of the NPC. Waikato score 4 tries to none. Only Willie Walker's penalties kept Otago in the hunt... Very very interesting stats at the end of the game.

Possesion WAI 37% OTA 63%
Rucks/Mauls WAI 61 OTA 121
Handling Errors WAI 5 OTA 15
Scrums won WAI 9 OTA 1

[finbar]

Originally posted by Frozzy
Waikato -d- Otago 27-15

Top of the table clash sees Waikato move to the top of the NPC. Waikato score 4 tries to none. Only Willie Walker's penalties kept Otago in the hunt... Very very interesting stats at the end of the game.

Possesion WAI 37% OTA 63%
Rucks/Mauls WAI 61 OTA 121
Handling Errors WAI 5 OTA 15
Scrums won WAI 9 OTA 1

Interesting stats indeed. Otago had heaps more ball but obviously coughed it up heaps more. And, with no tries, they obviously had trouble finishing. Or, to put it the other way, Waikato made the very most of their opportunities. Incredible ruck/maul imbalance too.