Rugby World Cup 2003 - Crunch Time!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog

That sounds intriguing. What exactly do you do for Channel 5?

I'm not actually involved with 5, I'm a freelance writer. The series - described above - was a co-production between Channel 5 over there and the 9 Network here. Everyone loves it, and there's a massive market for children's films, so they want to make a feature based on the series. I've already told them they'll be competing with all the Disney/Pixar stuff, but they want to push ahead regardless. So I have to come up with a story that will sustain for 90 minutes, entertain all ages from 7 to 70, and not cost more than $4 million to make.

How did you veal & fish turn out btw?

Came up well. The veal was nice and moist. I couldn't get Wild Barramundi, so I had to settle for Blue Eye Cod, which I roasted with some chopped herbs. I did a roasted potato, pumpkin and garlic mash, which was pretty yummo too.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog
I think the Aussies have a card or two up their sleeves that they didn't show us in the tri-nations. As I've said before, they love to pull it together and impress the pants off everyone when nobody expects them to do particularly well.

I wish. Frankly, they've been struggling for the last 18 months. Eddie inherited a team just past its peak. It's taken far too long for him to blood the new talent. Yes, we had a raft of injuries, but we had just about everyone back during the Tri-Nations except for Stirling Mortlock. Leaving aside our already well documented problems in the forwards, whenever we got the ball, there was a massive breakdown between Gregan and his backs. Time after time. Most of you saw it - often it was as if they'd never met. What really worries me is that they're talking about Mortlock's return fixing the problems - because he can break a line. So much bullsh*t. The problem has been getting the ball from Gregan to the backs with anything approaching a plan. And I don't know why that problem hasn't been solved after 18 months. It has, after all, been one of the Wallaby strengths over time. I think it's partly Gregan's fault - he's simply not, for whatever reason, what he was - and I have to say I'm reserving judgement on Eddie Jones. Because a top flight coach should have sorted these problems by now.

It will be very, very interesting to see Gregan's backup - Chris Whitaker - get a start during the tournament. He's a great little player - beautiful pair of hands - who has never had an opportunity. Given Gregan's performances this year, he would show him up a treat.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak


In all seriousness the reason the Romanian sides of the late 80s were competitive is that the players were all full time military and actually fitter than most of the players from ‘bigger’ teams that they came up against.

Exactly my point, under communism rugby in Romania was financed by the government.

Their rugby is now sadly in dire straights indeed – the Union is practically bankrupt and most of the players have to tout their services abroad (similar in fact to the state most of the Island nations are in?). The last time we entertained them at HQ they were like kids in a candy store – really pleased that we had invited them – but the game was a horrendous mis-match giving us our highest margin of victory ever at 134-0 if memory serves. How far will they get in RWC – not very I would suggest.

Unfortunately.

I wasn't aware of how good Romania were back then until recently. It's a real shame to see them fall so far.

[Myrddin]

As for Wales – I really worry for them. It’s feasible they will not win a game I’m afraid. Much as I might be English first and foremost – even I don’t like to see how far they have fallen.

The Welsh domestic game is looking up this season after the re-organisation - we're even winning in Munster

In the past it has been patchy, with clubs like Llanelli able to crush Leicester (ask Martin Johnson about Stradey Parc) but a lot of other 'professionals' taking easy money and not performing.This has made the step up to internationals too far for most players and so seasons of poor results.

My worry is now about the coach and tactics - a few years ago you scored by endless recycling and wearing down the opposition. Today tries are more likely to come form set-piece possession, combined with handling skills and pace, but Welsh tactics still seem stuck in the past

[flipside]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Is it because of the accent or because of the content of the song?

content

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by flipside
content

Which is...


:wary:

[flipside]

Sorry modem internal server problem and so double post .

Actually "The Wild Rover" is just a drunken singalong song.

The Wild Rover

[flipside]

Originally posted by Havak
Flipside may be able to confirm but I think Mollie Malone is primarily a Leinster song (the Dublin connection). Munster tend to start with Fields of Athenry as I recall. Nobody knows what Connacht sing as they never get into Europe - and Ulster sing different songs altogether.

Ummmmm.........

I'm an Ulster boy.

You would be better of asking a Gloucestershire fan what Munster sing.

[flipside]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Which rugby minnow would you guys most like to see do well in the RWC? I'll have to go with the USA. Seeing as I live here.

I'd also really like to see Argentina do really well. I don't see them beating Australia, but if they could get into the quarter finals that would be great.

The problem with the minnows, is that, other than Argentina ( who if they can exploit their strengths MAY beat Australia), is that some of their best players are not going to play in the competition for financial reasons.
The timing of the competition at the start of the NH season does not help, the higher pay for English club rugby than "minnow" international rugby adds to the problem, and let's not even begin to talk about the lack of resources and how NZ abuse their "feeder" sides.
Oh and btw Ireland. Fester reckons we might shock the lot of you.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by flipside
Actually "The Wild Rover" is just a drunken singalong song.

The Wild Rover

Very pleasant song...

But I wonder if I have not missed something as I don't see why it is especially funny if a French is asking someone to sing it.

[Havak]

It's called "Snobs" - about a boy and his dog, aimed at the under 12s - and I think it starts on Channel 5 in the next couple of weeks

Must keep an eye out for it – sounds just about pitched right for me.

So no sign of Fat Cow making the trip here then?

The Feature Film sounds like a challenge for you.

On the rugger front Eddie has claimed he will play the first XV every game right? So the only way Whitaker gets a start is if Eddie makes him number one scrummy. That could be interesting.

I wasn't aware of how good Romania were back then until recently. It's a real shame to see them fall so far.

It is indeed – particularly as the last time we saw them in 2001 it was clear the passion they have for the game still burns brightly.

ask Martin Johnson about Stradey Parc

Don’t need to.

It’s a hugely intimidating place – no English team like visiting Welsh grounds. But Llanelli never crushed us – but it was a good win for them down there.

In the final analysis of course ,when something was actually at stake, Stephen Jones reverted to schoolboy form, the normally majestic Scott Quinell made no ground at all and then apparently wobbly goalposts knocked them out of Europe. Llanelli are whingers I’m afraid – and their coach Jenkins is the least gracious whiner I have ever heard after a game – and I have both been to Australia and had to put up with Healey for five years

But lets not look at Tigers record in Wales – lets look at Welsh successes at Welford Road shall we?
Scotts brother Craig of course is one of the easy money takers you mentioned – such potential wasted, he simply never got or kept himself fit.

My worry is now about the coach and tactics

And he is a Kiwi of course – so the Kiwi posters may be better placed to debate his merits.
Ah the Wild Rover – Flipside is dead right it’s a tour song best sung when legless. Didn’t realise you were an Ulster boy – no rebel songs on your tours then?
Do I need to ask Gloucester? Munster destroyed us at home in the QF last season – I know what they sing I can assure you.

Of course Tamerlin’s mob then ruined their party a little…

I can almost hear the Kiwis groaning at you raising the ‘North North Auckland’ issue again!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Of course Tamerlin’s mob then ruined their party a little…

Did we?



The songs they sang during the semi-final were really pleasant and I would like ours to be so colourful. The French supporters' songs are boisterous and generally don't have any traditional background. There are exceptions such as the "bet ceu" (not really sure of the orthograph) from Pau or the "Ce Canto" from Toulouse but the later is unfortunately not widely known and thus not sang by the crowd.

[flipside]

It's not just the "North North Auckland" issue though.It is things like Dan Bough not being able to get insurance, of Leota saying he wants the 20 grand from Wasps rather than represent Samoa, , of Raiwalui receiving a plea from Fiji and wondering if it's worth coming out of retirement.It's about teams like Georgia and Romania, whose basic passion for the game is being smothered.

[Havak]

But they are different issues surely? The state smaller unions are in is a seperate issue to just how large NZ can be when they wish it to be surely?

The issue of NZ naturalising anyone they feel like who shows a talent for rugby has been covered here before. We raised it when Rokocoko (Fijian) was unveiled as a new AB superstar this season. I am totally against it - as far as I can recall none of the kiwis see any problem with it at all. I don't think it troubled Finbar much either - but then the Australians indulge in it too of course.

Its not a debate that will go anywhere - the sides are too entrenched.

Tamerlin - it's quite an experience hosting an Irish team isn't it? I bet the club house was still full hours after the game finished?

*edit* Finbar may like this. Quoted from an interview Krige gave to a Bok newspaper:

"Martin Johnson is one of the dirtiest captains in world rugby. He is a good player and he gets his team behind him. For that you have to respect him."

Dear pot - kettle calling!

And even better:

"I have never played like I did at Twickenham since then. I said sorry to the people I needed to."

He said sorry. Oh thats all all right now then!!

Brilliant stuff from the Bok skipper.

[Andydog]

Originally posted by Havak
If we may be serious it’s actually very unfair – and might indicate a fundamental mis-understanding of England by the players quoted (and that in turn may be good for us). This England team can and does adapt it’s game – more so than any other England team ever has.

I think it was just Ruben and Dougy having a playful stir of the poo pot. I don't think any of the NZ side are under any illusions about the England team, especially not after the Wellington game. Anyway, the context was planning the game against England - they were saying it was easier to plan their strategy against England than France, not actually play against them. Clive, on the other hand, said Aussie are more of an overall threat to England than NZ. Which is a strange thing to say given that the only way England will play Australia is if they beat us in the semi.

Originally posted by Finbar
So I have to come up with a story that will sustain for 90 minutes, entertain all ages from 7 to 70, and not cost more than $4 million to make.

That does sound challenging. Good luck!

I wish. Frankly, they've been struggling for the last 18 months.

So what do you make of Nick Farr-Jones' comments, who rates your chances?

So what is the basis of my confidence? If you break down our somewhat convoluted game it is about winning ball, advancing the ball and retaining the ball. In the first and third area, the Wallabies this year have performed surprisingly well. At scrum and line-out they have been well organised, and in using the two fliers in George Smith and Phil Waugh in the back row, the breakdown has been rewarding. But they have struggled to advance the possession, cross the advantage line and get in behind opposition lines. It is not that they do not possess gifted individuals, it is just that the combinations have not yet gelled.