Rugby - Ball's Out!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Hmm, dodgy stuff – given what happened to the Welsh guards down there (remember the landing ship that was bombed?).

I also remember the Argie ship that was sunk. And the headline in that rag of a newspaper.

For the lads maybe – not for me. I have no illusions what it means. It simply means the West Indies no longer have a bowling attack nor any batsmen in form.

Oh well, the Sri Lankans have busily butterfingered their way out of the third Test. Lehmann dropped on 10, going on to a ton. How many chances does their first slipper have to botch before they shift him?

They won’t win it there (it was sorted out for the Wales game surprisingly enough).

As was pointed out earlier, the Welsh lineout doesn't rate alongside the Irish. Or the French, for that matter. Ruggertubby, under pressure, will blow it again.

France are red hot favourites – but with a history of blowing the big games. Remember the most impressive sides going into the RWC semi finals? Neither appeared in the final.

Tamerlin, kicked in the nuts, howls in agony. LDiCesares, kicked in the nuts, reckons it tickled compared to how he felt after his last match.

[Havak]

I also remember the Argie ship that was sunk. And the headline in that rag of a newspaper.

Not defending that. Inside the exclusion zone would have been different in terms of the sinking. The Sun? Jingoistic trash all the way.

How many chances does their first slipper have to botch before they shift him?

At least one more?

As was pointed out earlier, the Welsh lineout doesn't rate alongside the Irish. Or the French, for that matter. Ruggertubby, under pressure, will blow it again.

Most effective lineout in the tournament (according to BBC summariser last weekend)? Scotland. Speaks volumes for the rest of their game doesn’t it?

Ireland’s line out was appalling against Italy – the wind was a factor sure but the absence of the youngster Paul O’Connell was probably the main cause – the boy is a future Lions captain in the making.

Ireland’s opening try against Italy has to be seen. Defensive Italian line out on the 5M line – Italian hooker preparing to throw but no one on his side looking at him at all – Malcolm O’Kelly seemingly nods at the hooker who then immediately throws the ball to him and O’Kelly then runs through the still away-with-the-fairies Italians to score. It’s highly enjoyable viewing – I would love to know what the Eyetie hooker was thinking!

And yes if Thompson is pressured he will fall apart – just like Michelak the model does.

Tamerlin, kicked in the nuts, howls in agony. LDiCesares, kicked in the nuts, reckons it tickled compared to how he felt after his last match.

Havak, recycling his most effective playing skill, keeps the low blows coming.

Paris here I come...

[flipside]

Ho hum.

Ireland’s line out was appalling against Italy – the wind was a factor sure.

Dear Mr Havak,

It has come to our attention that your television has been accidentally rotated through about 85 degrees to the left. This along with the level of throwing that you come to expect from the English hooker may have caused you believe that there was merely a light breeze blowing in the recent Ireland- Italy game.
We would like to assure you that if you were to rotate your television back to the correct position that the touchflags lying parallel to the in goal area are a more correct indication of the wind strength.
Yours thankfully

The Televisual Enjoyment Society.

Ireland’s opening try against Italy has to be seen. Defensive Italian line out on the 5M line – Italian hooker preparing to throw but no one on his side looking at him at all – Malcolm O’Kelly seemingly nods at the hooker who then immediately throws the ball to him and O’Kelly then runs through the still away-with-the-fairies Italians to score.

A truly beautiful eye for the try scoring pass that boy.

Paris here I come...

Have a nice time.

[Havak]

Trust me.

Yes the wind was a huge problem for the Irish - I'll admit that. I still think their forward power in the tight game they then had to play should have got a bigger margin?

It's looking like Shane Byrne versus Thommo for Lions Hooker next year - with the Leinster lad the favourite right now I guess?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


Accidentally? You accidentally typed "Plastic Surgery For Fun and Profit The Argentinian Way" into Google?

Actually I was searching for "eye guage".

I think the owner of the fingers is just remembering the Falklands, don't you?

Sore loser eh?

[Havak]

Practicing:

"Six Grand Pression svp".

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Practicing:

"Six Grandes Pressions svp".

Just ask: Six "Magnifiques", je vous prie.

You could be surprised by the size of the drinks (if the bar keeper is educated enough and knows what a Magnifique is of course... You will be in Paris after all).

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Most effective lineout in the tournament (according to BBC summariser last weekend)? Scotland. Speaks volumes for the rest of their game doesn’t it?

Does a bit. Their lineout was the strongest part of their game in the WRC. With most teams, a strong lineout is a platform for other good things. Not so the Haggis Eaters. Strange.

Ireland’s opening try against Italy has to be seen. Defensive Italian line out on the 5M line – Italian hooker preparing to throw but no one on his side looking at him at all – Malcolm O’Kelly seemingly nods at the hooker who then immediately throws the ball to him and O’Kelly then runs through the still away-with-the-fairies Italians to score. It’s highly enjoyable viewing – I would love to know what the Eyetie hooker was thinking!

The Eyetie hooker threw to the Irishman? God bless the Eyeties. I love 'em.

Havak, recycling his most effective playing skill, keeps the low blows coming.

"Squirrel Grip" Havak?

Paris here I come...

The Parisian Riot Squad, with memories of 1968, head for the hills.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
It's looking like Shane Byrne versus Thommo for Lions Hooker next year - with the Leinster lad the favourite right now I guess?

Hopefully not. I'd much prefer to see ruggertubby bungling it, thanks.

[Tamerlin]

I have just read a serie of four interesting articles in the Midi Olympique about the way to win against England, a few French coaches have given their opinion about the tactics that should be used in order to do so.

Most of them are saying that dynamic mauls and penetrations in the deep axis (this one is rather difficult to translate) could unbalance the English team as Grayson is lacking some defensive skills and because the French are supposed to be better at collective phases.

Kicks and lineouts are believed to be two important keys as the firsts would allow to play behind Tindall's back (provided the kicks are well executed and far from Robinson) while the seconds would take advantage of Thomson's "relative" lack of experience at the international level. Laurent Seigne is adding that the French lineouts should be reduced in order to use our forwards in attack.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I have just read a serie of four interesting articles in the Midi Olympique about the way to win against England, a few French coaches have given their opinion about the tactics that should be used in order to do so.

The Midi Olympique? The august journal that you cited as claiming that Australia wanted to change the laws to stop contested scrums?

Most of them are saying that dynamic mauls and penetrations in the deep axis (this one is rather difficult to translate)
could unbalance the English team as Grayson is lacking some defensive skills and because the French are supposed to be better at collective phases.

I'd've thought that dynamic mauls would unbalance any oppo. Could you have a go at translating "deep axis"?

Kicks and lineouts are believed to be two important keys as the firsts would allow to play behind Tindall's back (provided the kicks are well executed and far from Robinson) while the seconds would take advantage of Thomson's "relative" lack of experience at the international level. Laurent Seigne is adding that the French lineouts should be reduced in order to use our forwards in attack.

Sounds to me like: (1) put the ball behind England and chase like buggery; and (2) put pressure on ruggertubby's throws. Sounds fair enough to me.

Oh, and Havak should just about have arrived on French soil. Did you remember to buy shares in every French brewery?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
The Midi Olympique? The august journal that you cited as claiming that Australia wanted to change the laws to stop contested scrums?

This only proves that this journal is honestly reporting any information related to Rugby.

I'd've thought that dynamic mauls would unbalance any oppo.

I just wonder why England did not used them to unbalance the Welsh defense when their forwards were largely dominating their opponents... especially in the second half.

Could you have a go at translating "deep axis"?

Though LDiCesare would certainly be better at explaining it I think that this refers to the attacks launched around the rucks and scrums in order to penetrate the defense while the forwards are still locked in the said rucks and mauls.

Oh, and Havak should just about have arrived on French soil. Did you remember to buy shares in every French brewery?

I should have...


My step father told me a few hours ago that he received five tickets for the France vs. England game. Though I would have not made the trip alone I am sure I would have found four friends to go to Paris with me if I had been warned earlier.

[EDIT] [/EDIT]

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar
Sounds to me like: (1) put the ball behind England and chase like buggery; and (2) put pressure on ruggertubby's throws. Sounds fair enough to me.

Worked for us.

[flipside]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Most of them are saying that dynamic mauls and penetrations in the deep axis (this one is rather difficult to translate) could unbalance the English team as Grayson is lacking some defensive skills and because the French are supposed to be better at collective phases.

I have a piece of bad news and a piece of good news.
Bad news- Grayson is not playing.
Good news- Olly is.
Straight swap as he's the goal kicker in the team.
Once Monsieur Betsen has tackled him, Catt comes in at FH and Dawson kicks.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


This only proves that this journal is honestly reporting any information related to Rugby.

Except you were never able to produce the evidence, remember?

I just wonder why England did not used them to unbalance the Welsh defense when their forwards were largely dominating their opponents... especially in the second half.

Because the two-thirds of their team - he of the Lantern Jaw - who retired prior to the tournament is no longer in the team. They are now leaderless. Apart from missing his great skills.

Though LDiCesare would certainly be better at explaining it I think that this refers to the attacks launched around the rucks and scrums in order to penetrate the defense while the forwards are still locked in the said rucks and mauls.

Fair enough. So the sum total of the article about how to beat England is: (1) attack around the rucks and mauls; (2) kick deep and chase like buggery; and (3) put pressure on ruggertubby's throws. Gee, the Midi Olympique's chockers with earth-shatteringly original thinkers, isn't it?

My step father told me a few hours ago that he received five tickets for the France vs. England game. Though I would have not made the trip alone I am sure I would have found four friends to go to Paris with me if I had been warned earlier.

Go anyway!