Rugby - We need a proper Title! (temp)

[finbar]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
Finbar, you should try reading Stanislaw Lem's "His Master's Voice".

Okay, I'll check it out.

As for the 6 nations (sorry to be on topic), don't underestimate Wales this year. They showed good things in the World Cup and could beat any one of the big teams on a given match. But maybe I'm just dreaming.

It will be very interesting to see whether they can carry on from - indeed, hopefully, build on - their form in the WRC. They looked to have some talented young players.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin

Samurai Yoriki and their magistrate investigating the disappearance of another magistrate.

I turned on FoxSports this arvo and what do I see? A replay of Toulouse -v- Osprey from a couple of weeks ago. Good first half from Toulouse in terrible conditions, slack second half. That Baby person looks like he can play a bit. I shall say nothing about Mam'zelle Lab1tch's hair colour!

Edit. Sacking their coach has done Leicester the world of good. They actually scored 3 points this week against Sale, an improvement on the usual 0. Unfortunately for Leicester, Sale also scored 3 points. Mmmm. Reads suspiciously like a s***** scoreline, doesn't it? Maybe Leicester have tried using a different shaped ball in an attempt to win a match.

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar
It will be very interesting to see whether they can carry on from - indeed, hopefully, build on - their form in the WRC. They looked to have some talented young players.

When they have the ball.
If they were more professional, and can get enough ball in the forwards, they can do damage.
Can they get that platform?
I personally don't think they can, but for pure flair with the ball in hand they will be great to watch.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Tamerlin

Samurai Yoriki and their magistrate investigating the disappearance of another magistrate.

Let me guess, Samurai Yoriki gains XP according to the number of peasants heads he removes for the unpardonable sin of insufficient bowing and scraping?
All in character of course.

Originally posted by LdiCesare As for the 6 nations (sorry to be on topic), don't underestimate Wales this year. They showed good things in the World Cup and could beat any one of the big teams on a given match.

With a bit of luck there might be more than 3 nations in the 6N this year.
If they can retain some of the form they showed I could see them going a long way. I doubt they'd actually win it but I could see them reaching the final.



Not that it's worth winning of course.

[finbar]

What are you doing out of bed so early? Or have you moved to a sensible part of the country?

[ravagon]

Early?

We don't all work from home y'know. Some of us have to get in early to beat the traffic.

Besides which - getting in at 07:30 at ~19C is infinitely preferable to getting in at 08:30 at ~28C.

All rather depressing really.

[finbar]

It's 38C and 70% humidity here. Painful stuff.

[finbar]

Out: Neil Back

In: Henry Paul.

The smilie for this one is yet to be created.

[Havak]

Mmmm. NH Tri Nations, SH Tri Nations. There's little difference.

The quality of ours is probably higher – because no team struggles for motivation against England. Does RSA-Aus really fire the players or the public imagination anymore?

I look forward to seeing England taking on better oppo than Italy with half your team retired and the other half out with his shoulder injury.

I suspected Clive would pick an unusual side – and he certainly has.

To be even more honest finbar's homepage hosts a younger and even more exciting lineup.
Probably play better rugby too.

Come back to me when the ABs or Australia finally register a win against us. So June then?

Robocop doesn't even bear mentioning. :barf:

Heretic!!

I’ve also read such as Stephen Baxter (enjoyed Moondust particularly) and ‘classics’ such as the Foundation trilogy – does that meet your approval?

Maybe Leicester have tried using a different shaped ball in an attempt to win a match.

The game was played in absolutely torrential rain in Stockport. Parts of the pitch must have had an inch of standing water on it. I’m surprised two penalties were scored to be honest with you. Still two points is better than none I guess?

Out: Neil Back

In: Henry Paul.

The smilie for this one is yet to be created.

Bracken and Corry – both in the RWC final 22 – were also dropped. Is it the end of Back? Maybe…Clive is either looking to the future - or simply avoiding injuries amongst the seniors of the squad for the later bigger games.

Personally I think Clive is intent on proving that Jonno was the key to the RWC success rather than him – but I guess that is hardly the view of a neutral.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


The quality of ours is probably higher – because no team struggles for motivation against England. Does RSA-Aus really fire the players or the public imagination anymore?

My word it does. Particularly when played in SA.

Still two points is better than none I guess?

For you? These days? It's Christmas.

Bracken and Corry – both in the RWC final 22 – were also dropped. Is it the end of Back? Maybe…Clive is either looking to the future - or simply avoiding injuries amongst the seniors of the squad for the later bigger games.

My view: he's resting Bracken, and trying out the alternatives. Back, barring unforseen events, has had his day. All good things must come to an end eventually. I don't know enough about Corry.

[Havak]

My word it does. Particularly when played in SA.

But there was no sign of it last year? Just like the Wallabies hardly turned up for the home game with the ABs. I think in all honesty you guys play each other too much – it loses that special nature of the fixture.

For you? These days? It's Christmas.

Too true – and I accepting all gifts.

Back, barring unforseen events, has had his day. All good things must come to an end eventually. I don't know enough about Corry.

Knowing when to walk away – it’s a huge thing for a player. Note I am not disagreeing with you.
Corry played some part in all three Lions tests – see if you can catch the inevitable repeats. He is a very good player but suffers because he is versatile (can cover 4-8) and because he could never usurp Dally in Clive’s mind. In many ways he is the better player (IMO).
The team should be named for mid-day here – will let you know how radical it is!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I think in all honesty you guys play each other too much – it loses that special nature of the fixture.

Tri-Nations is home and away. Two Tests each. One more than you play in the 6 Nations.

Corry played some part in all three Lions tests – see if you can catch the inevitable repeats. He is a very good player but suffers because he is versatile (can cover 4-8) and because he could never usurp Dally in Clive’s mind. In many ways he is the better player (IMO).

After Dallaglio's efforts in the WRC, he's lucky to be in the team let alone captain, IMHO.

BTW, Dawson's canning of Graham Henry on the Lions Tour was quoted here. I think it's from his book. How the Lions were leading at halftime, Quinnell was playing a blinder, the coach said to stop leaving all the work to Quinnell and go through other channels. Dawson blamed that for the loss. That wasn't why they lost the match.

[Havak]

Tri-Nations is home and away. Two Tests each. One more than you play in the 6 Nations.

So you are playing twice as much as I think you should.

After Dallaglio's efforts in the WRC, he's lucky to be in the team let alone captain, IMHO.

No argument here.

Dawson blamed that for the loss. That wasn't why they lost the match.

Dawson is an okay scrummie – and an over opinionated young man as well.

Which is not to say there is no truth in it. Henry was a disaster back then. He had game plans that required learning in detail nine phases of play…patterns rather than unstructured offence…

If he does that to the All Blacks it will be a similar disaster.

Exploring other channels did not lose that series. Of far more direct influence was Jonny’s shockingly risky pass in his own 22 just after half time in Melbourne – oh and that absolutely heinous piece of foul play with the swinging elbow from Nathan for which he was never punished by the ARU – surprising absolutely no one in the UK. I am surprised Hill didn’t get cited by the Aussies for hurting Grey’s elbow though!

It now seems certain by the way that the Aussie TV companies actively helped the Wallabies crack the line out calls – Martin says he is certain Eales and Plank knew the calls as he made several fast switches and the Wallabies moved to counter as quick as he could call in Sydney. That’s what I like about Australia – winning means so much they will play 20 million versus 22 if need be.

*Edit*

Interesting selection.

England: I Balshaw (Bath); J Lewsey (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), J Robinson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton); P Grayson (Northampton), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), L Dallaglio (Wasps, captain).

Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Borthwick (Bath), C Jones (Sale Sharks), M Dawson (Northampton), O Barkley (Bath), H Paul (Gloucester).

Potentially a very dangerous backline. But Robbo is no centre - and the bench looks rather weak if things go badly up front. It's very possible they will lose this one.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
So you are playing twice as much as I think you should.

Which is not to say there is no truth in it. Henry was a disaster back then. He had game plans that required learning in detail nine phases of play…patterns rather than unstructured offence…

And nothing else when they didn't work. That's one of the problems with such highly structured play.

It now seems certain by the way that the Aussie TV companies actively helped the Wallabies crack the line out calls – Martin says he is certain Eales and Plank knew the calls as he made several fast switches and the Wallabies moved to counter as quick as he could call in Sydney. That’s what I like about Australia – winning means so much they will play 20 million versus 22 if need be.

But of course. If J**** thinks something, it must be so.

Potentially a very dangerous backline. But Robbo is no centre - and the bench looks rather weak if things go badly up front. It's very possible they will lose this one.

Obviously highly unlikely against Italy. We just have to wait to see whether these experiments continue against the stronger teams.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak

Come back to me when the ABs or Australia finally register a win against us. So June then?

I'll be sure to do that. After all, a Welshman might actually be a bit of a motivational advantage while your lot have King Clive at the helm.
It goes without saying, of course, that you won't see me for dust if it doesn't happen.


So who exactly is this Paul Grayson lad who's leaping into the breach to boldy go where Wilco went before ... yadda yadda yadda?
I don't recall his name coming up before.
More to the point, is he class enough to take the role of centrepiece about which the rest of the team revolves, or are they going to have to change their gameplan to compensate?


Almost missed this ...

http://www.planetrugby.com/News/story_34079.shtml

The former head of the ARU, John O'Neill, in his announcement upon taking up the reins of Soccer Australia ...

"I think anyone who supports Australian sport will tell you that they would love to see the Socceroos be successful and that's certainly what I would like to help achieve," O'Neill said.

"But I should say I'm not a miracle worker ... I don't have a magic wand.

"It takes time. It's a matter of getting the building blocks in place. Creating a good product and then the broadcasters come, and the sponsors come, and the fans come."

Hmmm. Sounds suspiciously like the same thing the last chap appointed to head up that auspicious body came up with.
He's right with the "it takes time" line but if I were you John I'd start looking around for a quality second-hand magic wand.
When the large majority of both your player base and your fan base consists primarily of the 10% of the population recently emigrated from Italy, Greece and the Balkans then you've got your work cut out for you.