Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[Havak]

He's built his protective shell and he's staying inside it.

The lad is quite amazing. He hardly drinks. After the final he was grabbed by Matt Dawson and told “Right. You ARE going to party”. He later said he had a few drinks “but that was more for squad solidarity than anything else”.

Had I won a world cup final I’d still be drinking now!

You couldn't change your squad except for injury

I was suggesting Eddie might have abused this by having the lad ‘fall over’ in training.

But they have to be ticked, relatively speaking, as the achievers of the event.

The ‘most improved’ side by some distance I agree.

Whatever, I'm not going to let up.

I wouldn’t expect you to.

On the one hand, it's scary that people can be so stupid. On the other hand, it's scary to realise the power one has over those people.

I’m sure I have seen the Sullivans at some point. Your point is well taken – when I think about it I find it scary that so many people cannot separate reality from fiction. I feel sorry for the actors who play ‘unsympathetic’ characters in soaps – I think they have some rare experiences in public at times.

Against the NH players? Only if they had rights, which, given that Australia is a different country, they don't

I see the point – but given that we haven’t been able to secure our own leagues against SH players I think there must be a wriggle somewhere. It could be affiliation to the IRB perhaps? Never the less my point is the stampede of UK players wanting to head south is not going to run you down – and as we know cash seems to be the cause of it.

Funny you should mention Caucau – more on that later.

What they're policing is the boot action - requiring a backwards motion with the foot rather than the stomp.

Unfortunately it has been translated almost universally here as if you use your boot you will concede a penalty. It’s been too Draconian and therefore lying on the ball has become a huge problem in our domestic game again.

As I've observed before, bogus tries come home to roost.

It’s so long ago I can hardly remember the controversy. The First of the five game winning run I believe.

Exactly. And arrogance can't be put aside, because arrogant is what it is.

I meant only I didn’t wish to get involved in analysing the arrogance of the decision but wanted to look at the consequences. I cannot argue with the fact it’s arrogant of the NZRFU.

I'd've thought a first - and less complicated - step would be to develop a game strategy beyond unstructured attack.

A new forwards coach, a few changes in the pack and they could be a formidable side indeed even if they stuck with plan A. What they need to begin with is a front row in my opinion.

Oh, and I notice the Leicester scrummy copped 10 weeks for a Liverpool Kiss. Havak's obviously been down at training handing out tips again.

Harry Ellis – young scrum half and very much in the England frame in the next few years. The club is appealing of course. I was at the wrong end of the ground so didn’t catch the finer details but the guy he ‘kissed’, Steve Hanley, towers over him so whilst I have to condemn foul play a small part of me says good on the lad for standing up.

It’s all change at tigers – Dan Lyle has been finessed out the door, the Bok RWC fullback is apparently on his way just for this season, Josh bows out on Saturday and we have secured the services of the Welsh hooker we have on short term loan for the rest of the season – he looks very promising. With Westy returning that makes our third hooker Chuter seemingly dead weight – he has blown his big chance when just three years ago he was though a future England prospect not just Tigers – it’s a fickle game.

Still with Ellis out it means the Irish lad Tom Tierney or My Healey will play scrummy. Austin has been covering fullback with Stimpson released early and Murphy still crocked.

The big question is will the return of RWC players help us? I hope so.

So – Caucaunibuca has quit Fiji with the aim of pursuing an AB contract? Hmm – that isn’t currently possible under the eligibility regs. Lets dig deeper – oh look at that, a review of eligibility regulations has been requested by both NZ and Australia. What a huge surprise!

Say what you like about players being entitled to choose who to represent – that’s one argument – but once you have represented a side at full international level that is it surely – and I trust the IRB will nip this nonsense in the bud.

What next – Wendell Sailor wants to play for England? The Horror!!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The lad is quite amazing. He hardly drinks. After the final he was grabbed by Matt Dawson and told “Right. You ARE going to party”. He later said he had a few drinks “but that was more for squad solidarity than anything else”.

What a Nancy! I was surprised to read that he has a girlfriend. I shall say no more.

Had I won a world cup final I’d still be drinking now!

Yes, but you're a drunk.

I’m sure I have seen the Sullivans at some point. Your point is well taken – when I think about it I find it scary that so many people cannot separate reality from fiction. I feel sorry for the actors who play ‘unsympathetic’ characters in soaps – I think they have some rare experiences in public at times.

They deserve it. Most actors are turds.

I see the point – but given that we haven’t been able to secure our own leagues against SH players I think there must be a wriggle somewhere.

I thought you had a quota on foreign players - by which I mean, from outside the EU. County cricket certainly has.

Never the less my point is the stampede of UK players wanting to head south is not going to run you down – and as we know cash seems to be the cause of it.

They wouldn't be allowed here anyway. New Zealand might be different.

Funny you should mention Caucau – more on that later.

Yes, indeed.

Unfortunately it has been translated almost universally here as if you use your boot you will concede a penalty. It’s been too Draconian and therefore lying on the ball has become a huge problem in our domestic game again.

That's silly. It was allowed in the RWC. The only times I saw it pulled up was when it wasn't a rake.

It’s so long ago I can hardly remember the controversy. The First of the five game winning run I believe.

Four legitimate wins.

Harry Ellis – young scrum half and very much in the England frame in the next few years. The club is appealing of course. I was at the wrong end of the ground so didn’t catch the finer details but the guy he ‘kissed’, Steve Hanley, towers over him so whilst I have to condemn foul play a small part of me says good on the lad for standing up.

Presumably he will call the step ladder to give evidence at the appeal.

It’s all change at tigers –

Still with Ellis out it means the Irish lad Tom Tierney or My Healey will play scrummy. Austin has been covering fullback with Stimpson released early and Murphy still crocked.

Welsh, Irish, Italian ... your Tory attitudes don't extend to club football, I notice.

So – Caucaunibuca has quit Fiji with the aim of pursuing an AB contract? Hmm – that isn’t currently possible under the eligibility regs. Lets dig deeper – oh look at that, a review of eligibility regulations has been requested by both NZ and Australia. What a huge surprise!

I'd be surprised if he were allowed. He shouldn't be. I didn't know requests had been made. I must check them out.

Edit. I just read the article. Bit of a beat-up. There's no reference to a request to rewrite the eligibility rules. Anyway, there's no chance of them being changed to the extent that they would need to be changed for Caucau to become an AB. Even if Australia and NZ voted in favour - and Australia shouldn't! - the NH nations would outvote them.

Say what you like about players being entitled to choose who to represent – that’s one argument – but once you have represented a side at full international level that is it surely – and I trust the IRB will nip this nonsense in the bud.

Hopefully. And if they do, and Caucau is denied the chance to play for the ABs - as should happen - what becomes of Caucau? A stateless rugby player? The chappie has well and truly made his bed ...

What next – Wendell Sailor wants to play for England? The Horror!!

I'd suggest you take him but it's hardly worth wasting the precious ether to do so.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Andydog
Any bets on when Woodward gets knighted?

I suppose this is the English equivalent of the French Légion d'Honneur, though these times this award is sometimes given to anybody (French S***** World Champions for example)...

[finbar]

Is that when the French President gets to pin a chook to a person's chest and stick his tongue down the person's throat?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Is that when the French President gets to pin a chook to a person's chest and stick his tongue down the person's throat?

No, the said President only stick a red pin called the "Boutonnière" and kiss the receiver though he does not give him a French kiss... the Russians do.

[Havak]

News years honour list Andydog. The government keeps a close eye on public opinion and I think this is all but done and dusted therefore. The more worrying rumour is that Jonno is apparently in line for the same whilst still playing.

And here come England let out by ‘Sir’ Martin Johnson. It’s a throwback to empire times!

What a Nancy! I was surprised to read that he has a girlfriend. I shall say no more.

Yes, but you're a drunk.

Only when I’m awake.

I managed to forget you probably have experience of actors.

I thought you had a quota on foreign players - by which I mean, from outside the EU. County cricket certainly has.

A quota yes – but not a bar. I think it is three to a match day squad. Where it falls down is that a lot of non UK players qualify via EU status – Pasta kiwis and all that.

They wouldn't be allowed here anyway. New Zealand might be different.

Protectionism! This means no more ‘Clives’ can ply their trade down there!



And if you get a fourth franchise who are you going to play in it incidentally?

That's silly. It was allowed in the RWC. The only times I saw it pulled up was when it wasn't a rake.

That’s the problem – our best refs went down there believe it or not. We got left with the Maybanks and the Rowdens and rucking has been a nightmare with them.

Four legitimate wins.

Five according to the record books.

Presumably he will call the step ladder to give evidence at the appeal.

From what I actually saw (and I was up the wrong end of the ground) it was an off the ball after tackle incident on the floor.

Welsh, Irish, Italian ... your Tory attitudes don't extend to club football, I notice.

Naturally. You haven’t named a single foreigner there anyway.

Edit. I just read the article. Bit of a beat-up

Yes I know – sorry, just couldn’t resist stirring the old subject up with it.
Do you really think all the NH nations would all vote against it. I can see Scotland licking their lips at the thought of turning the likes of Mehrtens Scottish.

what becomes of Caucau? A stateless rugby player? The chappie has well and truly made his bed ...

As you say – never burn bridges behind you until you know a safe route forward.

I'd suggest you take him but it's hardly worth wasting the precious ether to do so.

To be honest I couldn’t handle the newspapers if he came this way – “Hello Sailor!”.
Did you notice the Planet Rugby awards – a special mention to Big ‘Dell for disappearing for 70 minutes in the final?

Knighthoods are rather strange. For a start to use the honorific ‘Sir’ you must be British – but you can still be awarded a KBE (knighthood) if you are foreign. Most knighthoods even now are rewarded to ‘faceless’ people as opposed to ‘famous’ – for centuries it was a regular perk of senior civil service.

But then don’t get me started on British class system and the legacy of ‘bought’ titles and meaningless honorifics.

Not until I’ve stopped laughing at Finbar’s last post anyway.

[finbar]

Hey Tamerlin. I'm getting a bit worried about my Petit Ophrys. Haven't heard another word from French Amazon. I might forward you the email I got from them which, as far as I can tell, just confirms the order. Maybe you can check it to make sure I wasn't asked to confirm back again or something?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I managed to forget you probably have experience of actors.

Most actors are basically children. And, unfortunately, the better the actor, the bigger the child.

Protectionism! This means no more ‘Clives’ can ply their trade down there!

They could in club rugby if they chose. Which he did. I gather he was working in a bank or something here at the time.

Do you really think all the NH nations would all vote against it. I can see Scotland licking their lips at the thought of turning the likes of Mehrtens Scottish.

I think enough would vote against it.

As you say – never burn bridges behind you until you know a safe route forward.

Very drastic step he's taken, isn't it.

Did you notice the Planet Rugby awards – a special mention to Big ‘Dell for disappearing for 70 minutes in the final?

Spot on. He's saying that he will stay with rugby. Here till 2005, then a couple of years in Japan, then retirement.

Knighthoods are rather strange. For a start to use the honorific ‘Sir’ you must be British – but you can still be awarded a KBE (knighthood) if you are foreign.

I think we still have knighthoods here along with the OAs or AOs or whatever they are. If you're gonged with a knighthood here, you're a "Sir". And a poonce.

Not until I’ve stopped laughing at Finbar’s last post anyway.

I thought he took it rather well, too. But what does he have against Russians? Apart from his chum Napoleon's total and abject failure in that neck of the chilly woods?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I thought he took it rather well, too. But what does he have against Russians? Apart from his chum Napoleon's total and abject failure in that neck of the chilly woods?

I have nothing at all against the Russians except if one of them is trying to greet me like their officials do as they are kissing themselves on the lips, history will tell us if they have sometimes used their tongue or not in special occasions... perhaps the Prince of Wales knows the answer.

[Havak]

Most actors are basically children. And, unfortunately, the better the actor, the bigger the child.

That Russell Crowe is a terrific actor isn’t he?

They could in club rugby if they chose. Which he did. I gather he was working in a bank or something here at the time.

He was a ‘Merchant Banker’?

I think enough would vote against it.

I suspect you are right.

Very drastic step he's taken, isn't it.

All…or Nothing?

He's saying that he will stay with rugby. Here till 2005, then a couple of years in Japan, then retirement.

Known as doing a Kefu? Where is Toutai by the way – I thought we might get some more ‘tongue in cheek’ reaction from him? As in ‘who wears red coats before a game?’

If you're gonged with a knighthood here, you're a "Sir". And a poonce.

I’m sorry you are quite right – Commonwealth citizens can use the title too. I was thinking of people like Geldof (Irish) and the various Yanks who have got them (and I always think that is very funny given the Constitution apparently notionally prevents you assuming such titles?)

I am of course ‘Lord Havak of the most noble order of the booze cupboard’ myself.

I thought he took it rather well, too

And expertly turned your follow up to point to the Prince of Wales!

Am Empire is ruled by an Emporer, a Kingdom is ruled by a King, A Principality is ruled by a Prince, and Countries are ruled by...?

(John Howard, Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac?)

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
perhaps the Prince of Wales knows the answer.

Thanks very much! I've just brought up my breakfast!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


That Russell Crowe is a terrific actor isn’t he?

I've denounced him here before, have I? Boorish twayt.

Known as doing a Kefu? Where is Toutai by the way – I thought we might get some more ‘tongue in cheek’ reaction from him? As in ‘who wears red coats before a game?’

He had his fun. I'm amazed anyone took it seriously. I expect he's now off taking Sumo classes, or practising his Tea Ceremony etiquette, or fathoming how to tackle 5' 2" oppo without getting charged with murder.

Am Empire is ruled by an Emporer, a Kingdom is ruled by a King, A Principality is ruled by a Prince, and Countries are ruled by...?

(John Howard, Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac?)

Oldie but a goodie. A bit like the line about the singer - insert any appalling country singer - who put the (you know what) back into country music.

Speaking of which, I notice Rik Mayall has a new TV series in which his character is called Cnut. Will the boy ever grow up? Speaking of which, I recall, many years ago - 1980 or 1981 - I was living in Adelaide for my sins. In those days they had a wonderful Arts Festival, subsequently rendered infirm by political and funding squabbles. Anyway, one of the acts I saw was the then largely unknown (here, anyway) Comic Strip. Alexi Sayle was MC, with Mayall, Ade Edmonson, Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson, French & Saunders, et al. It was a couple of years prior to "Young Ones", and quite a few years prior to French and Saunders' fame. The unfortunate thing is that I recall absolutely nothing about the show apart from Alexi's MCing, which was, um, colourful.

[ravagon]

Hmmm ... I'd like to know exactly what happened to that moral high road the English supporters were supposed to be taking?

I got a bottle of this in my e-mail last night.

[finbar]

If their rugby were as sophisticated as their wit, they'd've lost to Uruguay.

[finbar]

Just in case Havak was hoping no one would notice. Despite Leicester bringing back all their WRC chaps either starting or on the bench, and despite the oppo losing a player to a red card:

Bath 13 -d- Leicester 12

Thus it can said with complete accuracy, at this point in time, that the WRC was the last match J**** ever won.



Edit. Oh, and the Leicester scrummy has had his suspension for Liverpool Kissing reduced from ten weeks to seven on appeal. This from the RFU appeal guy:

Jeff Blackett, the RFU disciplinary officer, who heard the appeal as an arbitrator, said: "I accepted the finding of the panel that it was not a deliberate act but that it was reckless.

"He did not intend to inflict injury on any other player and it was not a case of head-butting but the less serious offence of striking an opponent with his head in a reckless manner."

So the obfuscation that makes a mockery of the international judicial system is alive and well in the English system too.