Rugby - Ball's Out!

[Frozzy]

Stormers. Cats suck as usual. Not sure on the Bulls. Terrible in week one but very good versus the Highlanders in week 2.

This season I cannot forsee a NZ team winning.

[finbar]

Yes, I saw some of the Bulls -v- Highlanders replay. They did well. The question is, can they travel?

Hard to know what's going on with the Kiwi teams. Crusaders are all over the shop. They're traditionally slow starters, but not quite as slow as this. The Blues are yet to hit their straps. I heard someone speculate that there might be some post-WRC hangover.

[Tamerlin]

Stade Français 26 - Club Athlétique de Brive 28

This is the big surprise of the week-end, the Stade Français beaten at home and eliminated from the final phases of the French Championship.

Well, I should not... but I can't help...

The unidimensional nature of the Stade Français, as suggested by Havak, was Paris' downfall. The players proved unable to adapt themselves to their tenacious and enterprising opponent. Without the help of the referee and a bit of luck the Stade Français would have fell heavily earlier in the game. I would only say that recruiting a flock of talentuous players is not enough to build a team and the SF was unable to react as a team yesterday.

The Association Sportive Béziers-Hérault won at home by one point against the Stade Toulousain, I have not seen the game but my step-father told me that the Stade Toulousain missed many penalties (Michalack was in a very bad day) and that the referee helped the Héraultais a lot. The referee certainly does not explain the loss as Fabien Pelous, interviewed right after the game, badly criticized the behavior of his team mates...

Another suprise is the heavy loss of the Union Sportive des Harlequins de Perpignan in Narbonne. It seems that the USAP is facing the same problems as the Stade Français, recruiting stars is not enough...

[Frozzy]

Originally posted by finbar
Yes, I saw some of the Bulls -v- Highlanders replay. They did well. The question is, can they travel?

Yeah... I'm not sold on them away from Loftus either

Hard to know what's going on with the Kiwi teams. Crusaders are all over the shop. They're traditionally slow starters, but not quite as slow as this. The Blues are yet to hit their straps. I heard someone speculate that there might be some post-WRC hangover.

Crusaders look under-prepared. Blues are just relying on individuals, haven't gelled yet.

I'm not sold on the Highlanders, and the Hurracanes are in the biannual year of absolute crap rugby.

Having said that, the Chiefs don't look too bad this year. If we're lucky they may push for play-offs.

Speaking of crappy teams... the Cats still suck

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
The Association Sportive Béziers-Hérault won at home by one point against the Stade Toulousain, I have not seen the game but my step-father told me that the Stade Toulousain missed many penalties (Michalack was in a very bad day) and that the referee helped the Héraultais a lot. The referee certainly does not explain the loss as Fabien Pelous, interviewed right after the game, badly criticized the behavior of his team mates...

Mmmm. Well, from what I've seen of Toulouse in the two HC matches, which might or might not be a fair sample, they seem extremely erratic to me.

Another suprise is the heavy loss of the Union Sportive des Harlequins de Perpignan in Narbonne. It seems that the USAP is facing the same problems as the Stade Français, recruiting stars is not enough...

They've gone backwards since spending all that money!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Frozzy
Having said that, the Chiefs don't look too bad this year. If we're lucky they may push for play-offs.

Not from what I saw on the weekend.

Speaking of crappy teams... the Cats still suck

They have some talented players. Just not enough of them.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
True. And if Carlos' speculator across the goal face hadn't found its mark? And the Crusaders had strolled in for a try?

If I remember correctly the score was still a few points in the Blues' favor at that point, so anything could still have happened.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Mmmm. Well, from what I've seen of Toulouse in the two HC matches, which might or might not be a fair sample, they seem extremely erratic to me.

Yes, they are!

They've gone backwards since spending all that money!

Replace the strong willed Catalans of the team by foreign international players and the team lose its soul.

[Caligastia]

The Highlanders were pretty crap this weekend too. They got off to a good start against the Stormers, but only because the Stormers were playing like schoolboys. Once the Stormers hit their stride the Highlanders were impotent to stop them.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia
If I remember correctly the score was still a few points in the Blues' favor at that point, so anything could still have happened.

That's the point. The Blues were two points up. The Crusaders butchered a try by knocking on. From the scrum, about 10 metres out, Carlos heaved it 30 metres or more straight across the goal face to, I think, Caucau. But there were Crusaders in the very near vicinity. Yes, they ended up scoring a try from it, but hardly the position - so close to their try line, already leading by two points - for such a gamble. Still, as I said, when it works he's a star. When it doesn't, he's an idiot. I thought Carlos' performance throughout the game constantly verged on arrogant.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


That's the point. The Blues were two points up. The Crusaders butchered a try by knocking on. From the scrum, about 10 metres out, Carlos heaved it 30 metres or more straight across the goal face to, I think, Caucau. But there were Crusaders in the very near vicinity. Yes, they ended up scoring a try from it, but hardly the position - so close to their try line, already leading by two points - for such a gamble. Still, as I said, when it works he's a star. When it doesn't, he's an idiot. I thought Carlos' performance throughout the game constantly verged on arrogant.

Very true. Carlos' risky pass could easily have been as disasterous as Caucau's. In Carlos' case arrogance was the reason for the risktaking, in Caucau's case he simply wasn't being aware of the players around him. Giteau was almost right in front of him when he made the decision to pass. Caucau will hopefully improve in this area as he matures as a rugby player.

[Havak]

If he does end up with you, it will be fascinating to see how things mesh.

It couldn’t be more cardiac arrest inducing that watching VD play at 10?

I’d like to see Carlos with us – I think he could make a talented back line (on paper) finally show it’s class. And he plays club rugby – unlike Wilko who is now England only.

If Mehrtens doesn't start this week, well, you really have to wonder what he's doing there.

Despite the odds against him he clearly hasn’t given up on the black shirt?

I think Mr Cullen finally started a game for Munster last weekend by the way…

Oh, and Leicester -d- London Irish 22-9. Strange match report on the BBC site. Reading the text, you'd think London Irish had won.

A match actually played on 20th February…
Newcastle knocked the Exiles out the Powergen cup on Saturday.

Yes, he kicked, mainly grubbers and chip kicks. It must have been a team tactic because they were all doing it. He's really struggling with the tempo of S12.

What do you expect when last term he played for Borders in Scottish domestic competition?

He is also way past his best.

What a shame to see Stade Francais losing. :lack of sincerity:

Caucau now believes he is Fijian again doesn’t he? Although the BBC report did qualify that with “under current eligibility regulations, Caucau cannot switch countries because he has played for Fiji in both sevens and full internationals. But a review of International Rugby Board rules, backed by New Zealand and Australia, may see them re-written.”

What a surprise that the changes are being backed by the usual suspects!?

Did any of you clock the Wasps result in the cup? Gatland fielded a team mainly bereft of first team players and got beaten at home by Pertemps Bees. Who you say? Exactly! Bees lie third in National League One (and hail from Birmingham and Solihull). Gatland has now instantly put himself under huge pressure after things seemed to be going so well.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
It couldn’t be more cardiac arrest inducing that watching VD play at 10?

You reckon? Have a look at Carlos' effort in the last minute of the match on the weekend.

I’d like to see Carlos with us – I think he could make a talented back line (on paper) finally show it’s class. And he plays club rugby – unlike Wilko who is now England only.

Who knows until it actually happens - if it happens - but Carlos works best in a specific context. As has now been proved, he needs plenty of time and space, with the blinding speed and unpredictability of Howlett, et al, a vital part of the package. Deprived of his context, as has been proved, Carlos is pretty much impotent.

Despite the odds against him he clearly hasn’t given up on the black shirt?

Presumably not, but polishing the pine isn't going to get him back his shirt. I suppose it depends where Graham Henry's preferences lie.

A match actually played on 20th February…

Ah! So that's the one you drew attention to last week. I'd still like to know why the BBC report, the opening para aside, reads like the other team played all over Leicester.

He is also way past his best.

He looks it. Unless he suddenly discovers - or rediscovers - speed of foot, hand and mind, the team has made a dud buy.

Caucau now believes he is Fijian again doesn’t he?

This is for the combined Pacific Islands outfit? Lord only knows what that match means in terms of qualification.

Did any of you clock the Wasps result in the cup? Gatland fielded a team mainly bereft of first team players and got beaten at home by Pertemps Bees. Who you say? Exactly! Bees lie third in National League One (and hail from Birmingham and Solihull). Gatland has now instantly put himself under huge pressure after things seemed to be going so well.

Any team with the name Pertemps Bees deserves to win for their originality alone.

[Havak]

You reckon? Have a look at Carlos' effort in the last minute of the match on the weekend.

I haven’t seen it yet – hopefully will do so before the weekend.

Deprived of his context, as has been proved, Carlos is pretty much impotent.

With Geordan Murphy and Neil Baxter in the back line we have the direct equivalent of two Howletts for him to spark with.

Presumably not, but polishing the pine isn't going to get him back his shirt. I suppose it depends where Graham Henry's preferences lie.

One has to suspect he comes ahead of Carlos for a man who thinks nothing but structure – but who knows for sure.

I'd still like to know why the BBC report, the opening para aside, reads like the other team played all over Leicester.

Although it is unattributed I suspect it was drafted by Nick Mullins – he simply doesn’t like Leicester. I don’t know the background to it. When Ulster blanked us he wrote a special opinion piece on how good it was for Irish rugby. The next week when we destroyed them at our place he was utterly silent. I suspect he is a Munster fan and has a problem with the 2002 final still.

He looks it. Unless he suddenly discovers - or rediscovers - speed of foot, hand and mind, the team has made a dud buy.

Five years ago he was a solid player with that little spark of unpredictability that suggested he could be more. It was never realised. He hasn’t looked good to me since he left Saints (also about five years ago). But consider this – Scotland have not picked him regularly for four years. Why would you buy him given that context? It defeats me – he must have a good agent!

This is for the combined Pacific Islands outfit? Lord only knows what that match means in terms of qualification.

The Fijian coach claims Caucau is now happy to pull on the white shirt again…somehow I doubt it. He thinks by showing some loyalty again it might make the IRB think he is being less of a mercenary prat in seeking the black shirt perhaps??

Any team with the name Pertemps Bees deserves to win for their originality alone.

Sadly Pertemps is the name of the job agency that sponsors them I believe…in reality they are Birmingham and Solihull which rather lacks the same originality. A plus mark for them is they are in a soccer stronghold there in the west midlands – so good on the lads!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I haven’t seen it yet – hopefully will do so before the weekend.

You will groan. I know I've detailed it before but I shall again. One minute to go. His team two points up, the oppo has just butchered a try by knocking on within sight of the line, he gathers the ball from the scrum, heaves it thirty metres straight across the goal face to Caucau, who barely avoids the oppo, makes it out of the 22 before he's pulled down, gets a pass away, resulting in a try to the Blues. Why would you do it? Two points up? Get the ball out of there, sure. Heave it thirty metres across the goal face? I'd've liked to have seen his face if it had cost them the match.

With Geordan Murphy and Neil Baxter in the back line we have the direct equivalent of two Howletts for him to spark with.

Of course. And, in the same fantasy vein, they would never be in front of him when he kicks.

Although it is unattributed I suspect it was drafted by Nick Mullins – he simply doesn’t like Leicester.

A knighthood for him!

Why would you buy him given that context? It defeats me – he must have a good agent!

Apparently he was putting himself around. He wanted to try himself out in S12. They fell for it.

The Fijian coach claims Caucau is now happy to pull on the white shirt again…somehow I doubt it. He thinks by showing some loyalty again it might make the IRB think he is being less of a mercenary prat in seeking the black shirt perhaps??

Those qualification rules aren't going to change. Nor should they. He probably knows it.

Sadly Pertemps is the name of the job agency that sponsors them I believe…in reality they are Birmingham and Solihull which rather lacks the same originality. A plus mark for them is they are in a soccer stronghold there in the west midlands – so good on the lads!

Birmingham? A minus mark is that they'd be totally unintelligible.