Rugby - Ball's Out!

[finbar]

Speaking of Darren Lehmann. He got to 129 and was chasing runs for a declaration. He took an almighty swipe at Murali, knocked it two miles straight up in the air, eventually to be caught. They don't turn down the pitch microphones on cable TV. Lehmann watched the ball sailing into the air and was heard to utter a weary: "Awwwwwwww f********cckkk me".

[Havak]

Which kind of says it all really. I would expect nothing less from a Headingly alumni.

After the first day I just cannot believe the target Australia have been able to set!

I'm not sure what not touring there will achieve. It won't get rid of the lunatic. It worked against apartheid but only in concert with a massive number of other measures.

I don’t really care about change in Rhodesia. They made their bed and they can now lie in it for me – it’s the safety of our boys whilst over there that’s worries me. Far better they didn’t go - and sod the ICC.

Mental strength, belief in themselves. That which, unfortunately, manifests itself in unpleasant ways from time to time.

Are we talking your lot – or Clive?

So who is there?

With Charisma? Not Vickery that’s for sure - and he seems likely to be the next skipper. Wilko? Naaaa!

If he ever recaptures form maybe Ben Kay – he is very quiet but then so was Jonno at a comparative age. The Lions tour of 97 produced the Jonno we came to love (or hate?). Maybe Lions 05 will make Kay the man for four years or so?

A long shot could be Chris Jones – I don’t think he is ready yet for the side even but he is a very smart, humble and polite young man just like Martin was at 20 (yes I am serious).

It’s a difficult thing to try and guess – when Jonno became our club captain at 26 he replaced the most revered skipper we had ever had to that point (Richards) and we all said “I’m not sure about this”. Shows what we knew doesn’t it?

I know Telstra were happy to stump up very big money without wanting the jersey

A dream of a sponsor then – O2 definitely wanted our shirt fronts (and ruined them).

I have incidentally bought a few choice shirts from the RFU in preparation for visiting Paris and meeting Tamerlin’s and LDiCesare’s countrymen. They are subtle understated things for the most part – perhaps referring in modest lettering to a certain RWC win. I plan to enjoy the weekend whatever happens you see.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I suspect they weren't ready for the overtly satirical tone of it. At the same time, they probably hadn't realised that all his films to that point had been satirical to varying degrees. They hadn't seen past the gentle humour.

I think you are right, I have always considered every Tati's movie to be a kind of chronicle about time passing by, changes and values thrown out by the windows in the process. But in every Tati's movie you can find a poetry and an incredible tribute to those that can stay true to themselves... even if the price to pay is really hard. But I suppose it is easier to say now that those movies are fourty years old or more. Some could say they are old, but they are still very modern, including Jour de fête.

I love Traffic. Though I think his tiredness - sadness, whatever - is plainly obvious in it.

I would say that Traffic seems a bit more fatalistic or more disenchanted, as if progress would sign the end of all hope. But this movie is also telling us that adventure is never far away and that you can have a great and yet simple life if you take the time to or if you just look at a few things in a different way... which is still very optimistic.

Apparently he also did something for television after Playtime that also failed.

Yes , he made a Téléfilm for the Belgian television called Parade, this is the only movie I have never seen.

Check this website: www.tativille.com

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Which kind of says it all really. I would expect nothing less from a Headingly alumni.

It was nice to see Lehmann's success, particularly under such circumstances, for another reason too. He was the late David Hookes' best mate. He was on the spot when the killer punch happened. The whole thing traumatised him very severely. Apparently he's still not over it. The knockabout boofhead was seen to take a long look at heaven when he got to his ton.

After the first day I just cannot believe the target Australia have been able to set!

They let us back in with negative tactics that backfired. Mental toughness, discipline and self-belief carried the day.

I don’t really care about change in Rhodesia. They made their bed and they can now lie in it for me – it’s the safety of our boys whilst over there that’s worries me.

Fair point. Though I think they're perfectly safe. The thugs are on Mugabe's side, and Mugabe isn't going to let them loose on visitors who are, he would claim, legitimising him by being there. Which they're not.

With Charisma? Not Vickery that’s for sure - and he seems likely to be the next skipper. Wilko? Naaaa!

If he ever recaptures form maybe Ben Kay – he is very quiet but then so was Jonno at a comparative age. The Lions tour of 97 produced the Jonno we came to love (or hate?). Maybe Lions 05 will make Kay the man for four years or so?

A long shot could be Chris Jones – I don’t think he is ready yet for the side even but he is a very smart, humble and polite young man just like Martin was at 20 (yes I am serious).

It’s a difficult thing to try and guess – when Jonno became our club captain at 26 he replaced the most revered skipper we had ever had to that point (Richards) and we all said “I’m not sure about this”. Shows what we knew doesn’t it?

You see, I think back to that match last year against the ABs when you were a couple of men down. J**** almost singlehandedly lifted you and drove you. Physical skill, mental strength, and whatever it is that lifts others and carries them. It can't have arisen from nowhere overnight in 1997. I think Wilkinson probably has it in him, but whether his game needs the extra burden is another matter. It's been fascinating watching George Gregan playing without captaincy matters distracting him. The clock has been wound back.

I have incidentally bought a few choice shirts from the RFU in preparation for visiting Paris and meeting Tamerlin’s and LDiCesare’s countrymen. They are subtle understated things for the most part – perhaps referring in modest lettering to a certain RWC win. I plan to enjoy the weekend whatever happens you see.

There are some very amusing bits and pieces circulating after the Ireland win. I watched the F1 Grand Prix on Sunday. Eddie Jordan, Irish team owner, did some last minute painting on his cars. On the back wing: the Ireland-England score, and "For Sale: One Chariot". Luckily Eddie has a sense of humour, acknowledging that if his cars failed, the joke would be on him. They did, and it was.

There's also the job lot of merchandise now available: "FOR SALE: 100,000 Grand Slam T-shirts, ties and scarves - unused (choice of 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2003/2004)".

Last year it was our turn, this year it's your turn. And the ABs are still awaiting their turn.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I think you are right, I have always considered every Tati's movie to be a kind of chronicle about time passing by, changes and values thrown out by the windows in the process. But in every Tati's movie you can find a poetry and an incredible tribute to those that can stay true to themselves... even if the price to pay is really hard. But I suppose it is easier to say now that those movies are fourty years old or more. Some could say they are old, but they are still very modern, including Jour de fête.

They might be forty years old, but they remain relevant. I think that's the key. They're dealing in human nature, which never really changes.

I would say that Traffic seems a bit more fatalistic or more disenchanted, as if progress would sign the end of all hope. But this movie is also telling us that adventure is never far away and that you can have a great and yet simple life if you take the time to or if you just look at a few things in a different way... which is still very optimistic.

True. I just find a greater degree of melancholy than in the others. Who could blame him?

Yes , he made a Téléfilm for the Belgian television called Parade, this is the only movie I have never seen.

No, I haven't seen it either. I wonder if it has ever been released on video.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Check this website: www.tativille.com

What an amazing site!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
True. I just find a greater degree of melancholy than in the others. Who could blame him?

Certainly not me!

No, I haven't seen it either. I wonder if it has ever been released on video.

Yes, it has... at least in France. I don't know if it can still be found though.

What an amazing site!

Isn't it?

[Havak]

And in the end an easy win for Australia has been sealed.

Mugabe isn't going to let them loose on visitors who are, he would claim, legitimising him by being there. Which they're not.

The problem is I doubt his sanity these days. A rational man would behave as you say – but the current Mugabe?

It can't have arisen from nowhere overnight in 1997

It clearly didn’t – but until the matter was tested the qualities were not evident. Our hope is that there is a young player in the mix who is yet to be tested. I think Wilko would suffer hugely under the pressure – he lacks the iron shell that J has about what other think of him.

That 13 man period against the ABs comes across as even more remarkable on repeated viewings – there simply isn’t anyway we should have kept them out.

It’s good to see George on form – the world game can only benefit from it. I’d have moved mountains to get the pre-skipper Gregan come to Tigers.

Luckily Eddie has a sense of humour, acknowledging that if his cars failed, the joke would be on him. They did, and it was.

Eddie is a great bloke I am reliably told. And the Irish deserve to make the most of last weekend – it was a deserved victory. I’m cool with the whole thing.

Last year it was our turn, this year it's your turn. And the ABs are still awaiting their turn.

Well they slammed the tri-nations last year – but so what as that really just means beating Australia twice now and they are going to do that every so often? Apart from that I would say they are much larger under achievers than either of us? I’d be interested to hear what the Kiwi’s think?

The tri-nations will be interesting. You know what I think of Henry and even with him gathering Smith and Hansen back into the fold I still think he is a backwards step – I suspect Eddie will be the one laughing this year?

Oh and those T shirts – did you know about the ones saying “World Champion Wallabies 2003” entered into the same sale?

Now on a different note – are France totally dismissing Scotland as a threat? Not only are they playing the worrying Yachvilli at scrummie but his cover is actually the Fly Half Michelak (nothing on the bench). Can we cling to the small hope that this backfires on them? Some loose forwards can do a job at scrummie but it isn’t the strength of the rampaging French back row right now.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
And in the end an easy win for Australia has been sealed.

The Sri Lankans took one look at the cold steel and didn't like what they saw. There was some fine bowling from Warne and McGill, but it was the same pitch on which we made 500+. Impressive mental and physical effort from us, but the Sri Lankans aren't a top team. A couple of handy bats and one bowler on whom they rely too much. I want to see the Australians do the same thing in India before I'm convinced about our merits in the sub-continent.

The problem is I doubt his sanity these days. A rational man would behave as you say – but the current Mugabe?

I think he knows exactly what he's doing. And he wants touring teams there because he can claim it legitimises him. Which it doesn't.

That 13 man period against the ABs comes across as even more remarkable on repeated viewings – there simply isn’t anyway we should have kept them out.

And if you look back to the early World Cup matches where you struggled, J**** wasn't firing in those matches. Yes, I know you won those matches, but that was more the failings of the oppo than England coming to any mid-match realisations and acting upon them.

It’s good to see George on form – the world game can only benefit from it. I’d have moved mountains to get the pre-skipper Gregan come to Tigers.

You never know what he might do at the end of this season. Although he has burgeoning business interests here - if you can call a chain of coffee shops a burgeoning business interest.

Well they slammed the tri-nations last year – but so what as that really just means beating Australia twice now and they are going to do that every so often? Apart from that I would say they are much larger under achievers than either of us? I’d be interested to hear what the Kiwi’s think?

On the world stage, they have to be the under achievers of all time, I'd've thought.

The tri-nations will be interesting. You know what I think of Henry and even with him gathering Smith and Hansen back into the fold I still think he is a backwards step – I suspect Eddie will be the one laughing this year?

The Tri Nations will be very interesting. The Kiwi S12 teams are all struggling and now, to ice the cake, the injuries have hit. How long will it take Henry to implement whatever plans he has?

I'd also be very interested to see the results graph for teams that have turned over coaches every couple of years.

Oh and those T shirts – did you know about the ones saying “World Champion Wallabies 2003” entered into the same sale?

All one of them. John O'Neill's.

Now on a different note – are France totally dismissing Scotland as a threat? Not only are they playing the worrying Yachvilli at scrummie but his cover is actually the Fly Half Michelak (nothing on the bench). Can we cling to the small hope that this backfires on them? Some loose forwards can do a job at scrummie but it isn’t the strength of the rampaging French back row right now.

Face it. Tamerlin and LDiCesare could take on Scotland together and beat them. If Tamerlin ever passed the ball to LDiCesares.

[LDiCesare]

Face it. Tamerlin and LDiCesare could take on Scotland together and beat them. If Tamerlin ever passed the ball to LDiCesares.

Well, if the 13 other players were those who played last week, it might even be true. Scotland are at their lowest. The pack is too weak to be a problem, and they have lots of difficulty in the backs department too.
About Michalak being the backup for Yachvili, that's not really a problem. Dominici once played 9 when he played in Toulon, and I think he was better than Dimitri tends to be with France. But then Dimitri behind a strong pack might play well. I didn't check who is the fly half replacement, I guess it is Peyrelongue?
It's a real pity for Elissalde, though. He showed great skill, but, surprisingly, his passes to Michalak weren't very good.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Now on a different note – are France totally dismissing Scotland as a threat? Not only are they playing the worrying Yachvilli at scrummie but his cover is actually the Fly Half Michelak (nothing on the bench). Can we cling to the small hope that this backfires on them? Some loose forwards can do a job at scrummie but it isn’t the strength of the rampaging French back row right now.

After Jean_Baptiste Ellissalde wound I suppose Bernard Laporte does not want to imperil Frédéric Michalack's health.

Be that as it may Frédéric Michalack would be better than Dimitri Yachvili even if you tied both of his hands in his back.

[Tamerlin]

Finbar, I have just downloaded an album I have tried to find for almost ten years, a vinyl I bought something like twenty years ago and that I had not listen for ten years... a pure gem. It's called What's Next and the band is Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush... fourty minutes of extasy.

[finbar]

Mmmm. Never heard of it or them. I'll look into it and them.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
Well they slammed the tri-nations last year – but so what as that really just means beating Australia twice now and they are going to do that every so often? Apart from that I would say they are much larger under achievers than either of us? I’d be interested to hear what the Kiwi’s think?

About Ireland's win? ****ing sweet!

[Caligastia]

I can't remember which year it was, but when the Brumbies won the Super 12 no NZ teams made it to the playoffs. Hopefully this is not another one of those years.