Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar

You've nicked up to Paris and cleaned out their warehouse!

Though I am not a writer there are still some things I can do as a reprisal:

"Les Australopithèques vont dérouiller, j'te l'dis moi, une vraie raclée."

[Alexander's Horse]

I wonder what odds I can get on the wallabies - I think I'll have a bet.

But take Johnnie for first points

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
And does she change her hair colour three times a week at home?

Her hair colour generally changes with the final phases coming.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
I wonder what odds I can get on the wallabies - I think I'll have a bet.

But take Johnnie for first points

Wallabies are around $2.20 with the online agencies, England around $1.80. The margin is 2.5 points start for Australia.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Her hair colour generally changes with the final phases coming.

She's what is known in this neck of the woods as a wally.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
NZ 40 - France 13

So is there any word from the French camp as to why Michelak(sp?) was left on the bench until the 65 minute mark? By then the horse had bolted, died of old age and the stable door had been replaced at least once.
I would've thought he'd have been on at the start of the second half at the very least.


I guess the dummy-of-the-match award would have to go to Mr Androu(sp?) - or rather Mr "ripping the ball away in the tackle gets you possession as long as you don't mind giving away 3 (or 4) penalties for every successful attempt", as he may otherwise be known.

Blimey - the ABs just used a maul to build for their latest try!

Well, All-Blacks run out of puff too ... sometimes.


Can somebody tell me what on earth Eddie (aka Oliver Hardy) was trying to accomplish with that press conference last night? .
Apparently his latest bizarre 'mind game', and I use the word 'mind' with reservation as I doubt such a game would work on my rubber plant let alone the opposition, seems to be to challenge the English team to play on his terms under the guise of presenting an "entertaining match" to the rugby public.
It doesn't really take a genius to know how he'd react if the roles were reversed so why would he bring up something so plainly foolish?
It was almost as though he'd run out of things to say and then just kept going in some strange attempt to stay in the spotlight ...

[finbar]

John Mitchell has effectively been sacked from the ABs' coaching job. His contract expires in December, but the position has been declared vacant and applications have been called for. Mitchell can reapply if he feels so inclined.

Oh well. Graham Henry has just taken over at the Auckland NPC team, so he's in the country. And he comes highly recommended by Havak.

[Alexander's Horse]

I put $10 on Australia to win $20.50.

If I understood the form correctly Wilkinson is $4.75 for first scorer - surely that can't be right. Worth a bet if true.

[TheStinger]

The amazing thing is that the Aussies (players, commentators, coach) have managed to annoy alot of Welsh and Scots that some are supporting England.

Now that takes talent.

[Havak]

In International terms Australia are probably the only side as widely disliked as England are. More so maybe.

Excellent work Tamerlin. Finbar needs to know Swing Low so he can tell the barmies when they are getting it wrong.

Actually some of the Aussie parodies are pretty funny: “So Low, sweaty charlatans, coming for the kick a drop goal”. The Achilles heal is they can’t, with the exception of a minority like Finbar, turn it inward. The same wag writing the parody above would probably be outraged if you did the same to Waltzing Matilda. I can recall almost getting into a fight after we sang “Waltzing O’Driscoll” in Melbourne because it was apparently disrespectful. This with a guy who whistled through Irelands Call. The beauty is most Aussies can’t even spot the double standards they employ in this way – Finbar will comment if he thinks I’m being unfair.

Oh and if anyone needs a lesson on the appropriate places for loosing wind and scratching your arse let me know – I’m something of an expect.

Consider yourself collateral damage in the pursuit of perfection.

I’ve been collateral damage in several post match pursuits of the bar – but never in a pursuit of perfection. Oh no hold on – there was that girl who played fly half for the lasses team – I think the stampede in her direction rolled over me several times in the club house…

Couldn't agree more. I can only think they didn't want to sully his name and reputation with the word "deliberate". Yet they virtually penalised him for same.

In many ways the game still can’t crawl above the amateur. Disciplinary panels seem the classic example of this. The lad was either guilty of deliberate foul play – or he had nothing to answer. How can you legislate for ‘imprudence’? Only in Union.

I don't think he's a huge fan, but the Canberra Raiders are his local club. At least his foals play U-7 and U-9 rugby.

There is hope for the Horse clan yet then.

I've just worked out Tamerlin's problem. M'lle Labit is from Toulouse. Appalling taste and judgement is obviously catching.

It can’t be – for Tamerlin is showing great taste and judgement at the moment.

Here is where I can reveal that he was born in Canada.

That does explain the rather un-Australian niceness of his quote. Still maybe we should play a game of spot the Aussie born player? At which point I’ll saunter away quietly and not mention Kieran Bracken was born in Dublin….

He tried the field goal because everyone else does - expecting it to miss. It didn't.

You don’t need me to tell you it’s a little unusual for a front row player though?

The playing conditions should be pretty good, if incredibly humid.

The humidity will not help us. You know – all those old legs that are supposed to collapse any moment.

Oh and why is Horse saying a duster costs $120?

Got to envy Dermott at the moment. Whatever happens tomorrow – whilst we may be having kittens and you may draw his attention to your agitation – he’ll just roll over and go back to sleep?

Well, All-Blacks run out of puff too ... sometimes.

I was genuinely impressed – I didn’t realise the maul still resided in their locker.

Eddie and the “we will do our bit for spectacle” speech. Yes just classic Eddie trying to influence Clive and Andre Watson (he also said the ref would need to do his bit). Water off a ducks back. At least he didn’t explain in detail what Mr Watson should be policing this time. Still there is a day left.

Oh well. Graham Henry has just taken over at the Auckland NPC team, so he's in the country. And he comes highly recommended by Havak.

If you want another twenty years without an AB RWC win appoint the King of Patterns and shape (and lack of imagination). Eddie will eat him alive time and time again.

I’m glad Horse is confident enough to bet – I haven’t clue how this one will pan out myself.

I see the Sydney Daily Telegraph has a plan to achieve Aussie victory – incite the whole of Sydney to stand outside the English hotel in manly over night making a huge racket. That will resonate with the AB fans who remember 1995?

Clive was asked about it at the press conference Friday and reported he had heard crowds outside the hotel Thursday night chanting “boring”. His response? “I was in bed with my wife”. He seems very relaxed – I wonder if he can remain that way?

England has received good luck messages from the Welsh and Irish camps. Clive said he was sure the Scottish one was ‘in the post somewhere’ – yes he really was in quite good form at this one.

Oh and Finbar – am I the only one whose finds it amusing that Bob is accusing England of being “blatant law abusers”. When he joined Leicester what do you think was the first change he made to our style of play? And what does he think makes George Smith such a thorn in opposition flesh? That’s right – to slow down opposition ball in the tackle area. Bless him for the jovial old hypocrite he is.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The beauty is most Aussies can’t even spot the double standards they employ in this way – Finbar will comment if he thinks I’m being unfair.

There are always nongs. I think there are more who aren't.

Oh and if anyone needs a lesson on the appropriate places for loosing wind and scratching your arse let me know – I’m something of an expect.

That's probably why you didn't stand a chance with the girlie fly half referred to below anyway:

Oh no hold on – there was that girl who played fly half for the lasses team – I think the stampede in her direction rolled over me several times in the club house…

At which point I’ll saunter away quietly and not mention Kieran Bracken was born in Dublin….

With a name like that? What a surprise.

The humidity will not help us. You know – all those old legs that are supposed to collapse any moment.

It's raining! And it seems to be setting in! It will be water polo tomorrow night!

Got to envy Dermott at the moment. Whatever happens tomorrow – whilst we may be having kittens and you may draw his attention to your agitation – he’ll just roll over and go back to sleep?

After a fart and a scratch of his arse. Oh, and he can't sing either. You two would get on famously.

Oh and Finbar – am I the only one whose finds it amusing that Bob is accusing England of being “blatant law abusers”. When he joined Leicester what do you think was the first change he made to our style of play? And what does he think makes George Smith such a thorn in opposition flesh? That’s right – to slow down opposition ball in the tackle area. Bless him for the jovial old hypocrite he is.

Yes, Bob taught you lot very well. And you've taken it to even greater heights. I think it only fair, though, that André now shows you the error of your ways.

[Havak]

There are always nongs. I think there are more who aren't.

I think I have mentioned before my suspicion that the shirts I was generally wearing tended to attract the ‘nongs’ like bees to nectar.

That's probably why you didn't stand a chance with the girlie fly half referred to below anyway:

Some of the girls in that team (mainly the forwards) could give lectures on the same subject area.

With a name like that? What a surprise.

Water polo = excellent. I’m sure we have more experience of mud bath games.

You two would get on famously.

I don’t doubt it – though I can sing. Maybe not in tune but I can belt them out.

Yes, Bob taught you lot very well. And you've taken it to even greater heights. I think it only fair, though, that André now shows you the error of your ways.

I just can’t see a Bok referee taking any notice of Australians crying ‘foul’ to be honest.

We are well matched in this area anyway – Pugface and George are no angels in the tackle area.

Surely the lack of a traditional blindside – a hard charging man clearer and ball carrier – has to tell against you at some point. Please let it be us that exploits it.

I’ll be honest with you I’m looking forward to the Johnson-Kay to Sharpe-Harrison clash. Both combinations seem to have a man on form and a man who is not so (Kay for us – Sharpe for you?). Once again our cover is Martin Corry for the back five – having Giffen on the bench maybe gives you an edge there (I rate Corry – but mostly as an 8 or blindside). And Lyons v Dallaglio – young gun versus old stager – and the only man on the England side who certainly knows where that white line is (I know you’ll get this one).

But the tastiest player on either bench has to be Roff – I can’t believe he doesn’t warrant a start these days?

[kiwiman]

Problem at England's final training run.

Part way through final training run the English players were concerned to find a suspicious looking white powder on one part of field. Clive Woodward suspended training and called authorities to investigate citing concerns with player safety.
After careful investigation Woodward was informed that white powder was the tryline and that Englands training could continue as they were unlikely to be there again.

[TheStinger]

I bet if we had problems with a flanker they'd just put Tindle in there and put Catt on. Tindlle plays with all the finesse of a wing forward.

[Havak]

He could certainly do a job there yes.

The try line gag is pretty old

Matt Rogers speaking about that tackle from Josh Lewsey in June:

"One of the ribs he broke set in a slightly higher position than before and I can't lie comfortably on a surfboard any more because my rib sticks out.

"It was an old injury but he flared it up. Now when all the boys go surfing I have to go swimming because I can't lie on my board.

"I have copped a few good ones in my time but that was right up there."