Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Strewth that Randwick team must have been formidable!

I checked. In 1988, they took on the All Blacks and went down two tries to one. They're the country's outstanding club and Wallaby nursery. Here are some stats:

They've only missed the NSW club SFs 5 times since the 1950s. They've won more than a quarter of all the NSW club premierships since the 1920s. They've produced 91 Wallabies and 9 Wallaby skippers. Eddie's an old Randwick boy, as is Bob Dwyer.

[Havak]

Now the internationals are back home the serious things are about to start.

For the benefit of our SH friends this means the European Cup kicks off in a fortnight.

Needless to say it, even if we lose we have to show the English the team they have faced during this World Cup was not the "real" French team.

We look forward to the challenge.

This is another reason why we have to beat England in Paris...

Ah yes – he did miss France out as well didn’t he.

Looked and sounded like a lot of s***** supporters welcoming them home.

Sadly some of them were probably supporters from the London clubs.

Dean Richards welcome home phone call to Neil Back was more interesting. “Welcome home Neil. Well done. See you at training on Wednesday”. Not that’s the rugby way to do things.

Obviously Plank doesn't have kids. Probably wise. One of him is enough.

Wonder if he can make the shirt his own now?

Tinsel doesn't come in white!

You can buy red in bulk…

You mean they're plotting to promise the earth only to end up delivering nought?

I couldn’t possible comment – over to Mes Amis.

Anyway, you can't defend against the drop goal in the situation they were in.

True. And the grounds on which certain people want it done away with. Suffice to say I disagree with them.

Please stop trying to draw me into defending Woodward – I don’t really want to.

It gets better. I forgot to mention the Ella brothers

Yes, that was some omission I guess!

A-ha. It's not cruel and destructive. It's called having a lend. I'm sure the public school humour is cruel and destructive.

So tell me – with that little piece of rather finely finessed hook work on my part was I finally quite subtle enough?

O'Driscoll was talking about wanting to try S12, for example. It would defeat the whole purpose of S12.

I think he would do well there to be honest. The problem with restrictions is that eventually a player is going to sue you – and probably win –on grounds of restraint of trade. More a problem in the EC perhaps – but must be an issue there?

The biggest problem with S12 is that Ear biter Yates had several ‘successful’ seasons there – that’s going to put off the better players from considering it seriously.

Particularly after the senior IRB bods were seen to be very loudly supporting England throughout the match. The IRB really hasn't got a clue, unfortunately.

Well much as I don’t have a personal problem with them supporting England , in terms of being a supposed governing body it was certainly bad form to show it. There’s a history of strife between O’Neil and the IRB isn’t there?

I hope the players get an apology.

How about this for an idea? Take the chooks off their chests and put the chooks on the field. Peck 'em to death!

They do. A Chook will be loosed upon the field before the game by the French supporters. It’s one of those NH traditions. He might as well play fly half.
Oops! Accidental low blow!

And how loudly would the English clubs scream?

You would hear it in Sydney.

I am with yourself and Tamerlin – it needs to be smaller. I await the details with interest. I think we may have seen speculative journalist maths (3N+6N = 9N).

As for the old 3 test series – I loved them and would love to see them back. I think they are consigned to history sadly – it seems easier to market multi team series to the casual fan. I still think a one game (rotating home and away fixtures) tri nations followed by a rotating series of Aus v Bok or AB (with the non involved team heading north that year for pre season club pleasing tests with UK teams) has some mileage.

As I have said before it’s the single fixture and rotating venue nature of the 6N that gives it the flavour I love.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
That said, the ABs were only competent. Several of their tries were dodgy, particularly the one from the throw in that went barely 2 metres. And why was the hooker allowed to throw - more than once - straight into the stomach of the man at the front of the lineout? That isn't throwing the ball in straight!

They were still playing the style of game that lost them the semi - throwing wild, reckless passes - but were allowed to get away with it against a second-string french team. If they had actually beaten Australia in the semi, England would have taken them in the final.

I think Mitchell needs to include Carter in a prominent kicking role in future.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by 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.

This is bad news IMO. I don't think Mitchell had a bad year.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
You mean they're plotting to promise the earth only to end up delivering nought?

as always...

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
What? Madamoiselle Labit will seriously contemplate purple tips in her hair?

Purple? The colors of the Stade Toulousain are red and black Mister Finbar.

This why he is tinting his hairs in... blonde.

Gee, there's a lot of imposters getting about in blue jerseys with chooks on their chests.

CHOOKS!?!

OK, put the Dermotties on the "teams to beat" list, please.

How about this for an idea? Take the chooks off their chests and put the chooks on the field. Peck 'em to death!

We will grind them first.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
For the benefit of our SH friends this means the European Cup kicks off in a fortnight.

YES! Along with the French Championship... the Stade Toulousain is playing against the Racing Club de Narbonne at home this week. This means I will see some "live" Rugby this week end and...

We look forward to the challenge.

So do I!

Ah yes – he did miss France out as well didn’t he.

Yes, he did it!

A CD Player is playing the Marseillaise in the background...

One day, we will show you, we will show the whole world we are the best...


... one day!

I couldn’t possible comment – over to Mes Amis.

The Entente Cordiale I suppose...

A Chook will be loosed upon the field before the game by the French supporters. It’s one of those NH traditions. He might as well play fly half.
Oops! Accidental low blow!

No, this a very low blow... I am even wondering if this is not a dirty blow.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

Dean Richards welcome home phone call to Neil Back was more interesting. “Welcome home Neil. Well done. See you at training on Wednesday”. Not that’s the rugby way to do things.

Yes, Andrew Blades was talking about saying the same thing to Wilkinson.

Wonder if he can make the shirt his own now?

He'd better. If Giffin doesn't go on, he becomes the senior lock, which is a terrifying thought. Vickerman didn't progress as much as people hoped. I'm waiting to see the Eales protege Daniel Heenan given a chance.

You can buy red in bulk…

Of course. But Wales didn't make the final.

True. And the grounds on which certain people want it done away with. Suffice to say I disagree with them.

Regardless of Saturday night, I think there's an argument for reducing their value. I've never been able to fathom why they're worth as much as a penalty, or, for that matter, 3/5th of a try. Good grief, even Matt Dunning potted one.

Please stop trying to draw me into defending Woodward – I don’t really want to.

He is your coach and guiding light. Oh well, if you want to be beholden to a psychotic, so be it.

So tell me – with that little piece of rather finely finessed hook work on my part was I finally quite subtle enough?

Sorry, I took it, justifiably, as yet more Pom ignorance of this part of the world. There's a lot of it.

I think he would do well there to be honest. The problem with restrictions is that eventually a player is going to sue you – and probably win –on grounds of restraint of trade. More a problem in the EC perhaps – but must be an issue there?

I think S12 would suit him down to the ground, but that's another matter. Restraint of trade has never arisen. I don't think it ever would. The restriction isn't unfair or harsh, which it would need to be to become restraint of trade in this country. In fact, the restriction works both ways - the only reason Graeme Bond quit S12 for your part of the world was that he was told he didn't figure in Eddie's Wallaby plans. And he's not the only one.

The biggest problem with S12 is that Ear biter Yates had several ‘successful’ seasons there – that’s going to put off the better players from considering it seriously.

Which ear biter Yates?

Well much as I don’t have a personal problem with them supporting England , in terms of being a supposed governing body it was certainly bad form to show it. There’s a history of strife between O’Neil and the IRB isn’t there?

They hate him. They're still a Celtic-based old boys' club and he's an upstart. They've never forgotten - nor, probably, will the ARU ever let them forget - that they strongly opposed the World Cup concept, the best thing that ever happened to the game. The IRB needs a massive overhaul. Not that it will ever happen.

I hope the players get an apology.

Fat chance.

A Chook will be loosed upon the field before the game by the French supporters. It’s one of those NH traditions. He might as well play fly half.

Tamerlin will only complain that the "real" chook didn't turn up on the day. Oh, and it will probably have purple tips in its feathers.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia

I think Mitchell needs to include Carter in a prominent kicking role in future.

I think playing McDonald in front of Carter was a major error. Not that it would have changed anything.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia

This is bad news IMO. I don't think Mitchell had a bad year.

Statistically, he had one bad game, but the evidence was that his strategy was flawed, yet nothing seemed to be done about it. As much as anything, I think he's paying for his attitudes along the way - no apologies, not inclusive, and so on. He said there's no such thing as loyalty in professional sport. As the old saying goes, if you live by the sword, you die by it.

OTOH, while I'm not that familiar with the domestic NZ coaching scene, I don't know that there's anyone better available. Graham Henry is talking about bidding for the job, and the NZRFU would be insane to take that backward step. Mitchell's an obviously intelligent bloke capable of learning from what happened. I think they should have stuck with him. I suppose there's always a chance that, should he reapply, he could be the best available.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin





as always...

Still in denial? *heavy sigh*

[Tamerlin]

No, the French team is the only one able to give birth to a fantastic hope and to slip badly on the next step.

[finbar]

Yes, but look on the bright side - you are the home of Cassoulet!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Yes, but look on the bright side - you are the home of Cassoulet!

Yes!











Prout! *




* Try to pronounce it like a French and it should "sound" self-explanatory.

[finbar]

Oops! I overlooked this one!

Originally posted by Tamerlin
CHOOKS!?!

OK, put the Dermotties on the "teams to beat" list, please.

Look, even Les Grenouilles could beat the Dermotties. This morning, their skipper, having already established that he's terrified of the vacuum cleaner when the cleaning lady uses it, bolted when she produced the mop.

Edit. Just to clarify Dermott's courage in terms that Havak would appreciate - Dermott makes Dan Luger look brave.