Rugby World Cup 2003 - Crunch Time!

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak

Name another team for me that would have prospered more on that wet (and very poor) surface (thanks to your witch doctor)? Is Subiaco an Aussie rules pitch? The turf looked awful.

It is an AFL field unfortunately and was last used fairly recently to boot.
Incidentally, on behalf of all WA residents, I would like to thank the English team for bringing their weather with them. A spot of rain was much needed.
Oh, and apparently they played some rugby too.
It's even worth the extra few potholes (due to one M. Johnson stomping around town no doubt) that have mysteriously appeared of late.

To be honest I was rather impressed with Georgia, particularly in the first half hour or so before things got away from them. If they'd managed to keep a hold of the ball (and if the ref had called some of those English passes that looked suspiciously not-backwards ) when they had it they might've done a thing or two.
At any rate I don't think the final score reflected their capabilities. Nor did the general attitude (media-wise) towards their chances before the match resemble the effort they put in on the field.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
*edit* Finbar it's a monday morning for me, and I am tired after yesterday, but did I read you have been buying tins of duck fat??

Yes he did and you can't imagine all the delicacies you can cook with that.

[Havak]

Incidentally, on behalf of all WA residents, I would like to thank the English team for bringing their weather with them. A spot of rain was much needed.

Will it go down as well when they bring that same ‘English weather’ to Queensland at this time of year?

It's even worth the extra few potholes (due to one M. Johnson stomping around town no doubt) that have mysteriously appeared of late.

Andydog would reckon that’s down to Thompson stomping around town looking for a few more burgers.

If they'd managed to keep a hold of the ball (and if the ref had called some of those English passes that looked suspiciously not-backwards) when they had it they might've done a thing or two.

The forward passes were our homage to the conquerors of Italy. Don’t tell Clive but we definitely used decoys/blockers too.

Georgia did play well – I doubt that will make anyone give England a single inch for putting 80 points on them - but it remains a fact. They were a strong physical outfit and their fitness (or adrenalyn?) lasted very well. But I think the key thing is that they didn’t manage to keep hold of the pill. At all. And without the pill you can’t play attacking rugby. Can you recall any action whatsoever in the England 22? There wasn’t even much in our half! I fail to see how you thought they might have posted more points?

At any rate I don't think the final score reflected their capabilities

It didn’t reward the work they put in – but it did accurately reflect their capabilities I’m afraid. An important distinction.

*edit* Tamerlin I never thought I would see 'duck fat' and delicacies in the same sentence.

[finbar]

Duck fat is one of the great cooking mediums! You haven't had roasted potatoes till you've had them roasted in duck fat!

Anyway, the main reason I bought it is to make a Duck Confit on the way towards making Tamerlin's Mum's Cassoulet!

And hearing the news about VD has made my night!

Ooops, I might have got carried away there ... hang on ...

[Havak]

No need to explain - if you like duck fat thats all that matters.

Our butchers bill is growing a bit too large for my liking - Hill has Hamstring trouble and Grewcock stubbed his toe in the warm up Sunday (so never came off the bench).

Ben Kay got Planet rugbys call as man of the match btw - and it was a promising performance...

[finbar]

I've given up on Planet Rugby. Every time you go there, the page loads, prior to a massive bloody advertisement sweeping across the page and blocking most of it!

Oh, and that was intentional.

As the grounds get harder, I suspect there are going to be more and more injuries for everyone.

[Havak]

Sadly I am sure you are right.

Yes I am not a fan of those page blocking adds - particular ones that hide the close button...in fact I too am going to infringe on Tamerlin's trade mark about them

[Tamerlin]

[kiwiman]

Greetings from Kiwiman in Melbourne. Finbar kindly informed me about this enlightened forum. News this morning is that Umaga is out with his knee for the tournament and that Caucau got 2 match suspension.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak
Can you recall any action whatsoever in the England 22? There wasn’t even much in our half! I fail to see how you thought they might have posted more points?

There was a lot of action in the England 22. Every single kick-off Georgia put it there.
Every. Single. Time.
If they'd dropped it a bit shorter and been able to contest the play before England had it under control ...
well, nothing too remarkable about 20/20 hindsight I suppose.
Oh and I wasn't going to mention those decoy runners of yours but now that you've brought it up ...


Welcome kiwiman. You're not the only Kiwi here.

[finbar]

Originally posted by kiwiman
Greetings from Kiwiman in Melbourne. Finbar kindly informed me about this enlightened forum. News this morning is that Umaga is out with his knee for the tournament and that Caucau got 2 match suspension.

Welcome kiwiman!

For the benefit of the thread, I ran into kiwiman in another forum I frequent - a forum dedicated to another of the three obsessions in my life - and I invited him here. I suggested he bring a sense of humour. I also provided him with pen pictures of the posters here. Luckily, just about all of you have posted on this or the last page, so kiwiman is now marvelling at the accuracy of my descriptions.

Be aware, though, kiwiman, that Tamerlin believes he holds copyright over the smilie and will attempt to collect royalties from those who use the smilie. Remember I mentioned Tamerlin to you? Il se fait des illusions.

Anyway, back to business. Yes, bad news about Umaga. But at least it appears not to be career-threatening. And Caucau was lucky to escape with two matches, IMHO. I mean, for crying out loud, the forearm was his second crack at the Frenchman. His first crack - a punch - missed!

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon
Welcome kiwiman. You're not the only Kiwi here.

He knew that. I invited him to shore up the defences against the NH barbarian hordes.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
He knew that. I invited him to shore up the defences against the NH barbarian hordes.

Remember Finbar, YOU are the barbarians, WE are the guardians of the Noble Game...

Welcome Kiwiman...

I have seen the first half of New Zealand vs. Italia this morning and I have been really surprised Tana Umaga's injury could be so grivious. Though it is a pity we won't see this player again for the World Cup I have been impressed by the player replacing him, I am not sure the future opponents of the All Blacks are earning a benefit from this replacement.

[Frozzy]

I'll see to your and play you a

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin

Remember Finbar, YOU are the barbarians, WE are the guardians of the Noble Game...

Tamerlin's been at the Absinthe again!

I have seen the first half of New Zealand vs. Italia this morning and I have been really surprised Tana Umaga's injury could be so grivious.

Yes, it was dead unlucky. Collateral damage, in fact, falling over Carlos. But you could see the knee hyper-extend as he went down.

Though it is a pity we won't see this player again for the World Cup I have been impressed by the player replacing him, I am not sure the future opponents of the All Blacks are earning a benefit from this replacement.

Ma'a Nonu is his name. Very talented. Sort of a pocket-sized version of Umaga. He's Umaga's centre partner in S12. You can imagine the rampages they go on together. They just about carried the Hurricanes into the S12 semi-finals this season.