Rugby - Truck and Trailer!

[Havak]

He of the not-so-subtle tackling technique. During the Lions tour if I recall?

Yes he made a bad tackle on that tour all right. And the Aussie media wanted him deported for it if I recall? Whereas McCrae was a national hero for launching a pre-meditated assault on O’Gara – and Nathan Grey entered folklore for turning a series when he tried to kill Richard Hill in Melbourne by separating his head from his body.

We will never agree on that tour Finbar. For me it was obvious from Perth that the Aussies sides had been briefed to cripple players in advance of the tests (and indeed through ‘robust’ play they sent a record eight players home before Brisbane) – and a spiral of violence started from that point. The Aussies blame the lions – but everyone there (not wearing free all yellow clothing) knew the truth.

Darcy? Or similar?

Ah yes D’Arcy. How could I forget the Irish rugby writers player of the year? Got injured in the first test which is why Maggs got fixed in my mind. He is a Leinster boy and yes he is a pretty good player. Quite similar to BOD though so Horgan is still a better contrast in a combination. He could easily be a Lion though.

and we shall revisit them at appropriate times in the future.

Well you have written them down in a unique editorial way (in that it doesn’t match what I actually said) but okay lets let it ride. Howlett is a great player but he may not return from injury in top form. By September Geordan will have the pin out of his leg and be back to full fitness for the new season.

Plus I have seen Ben Cohen out sprint Doug to the try line so my bet that Geordan can is not as wild as SH posters here might think (in fact given this it’s almost a certainty). Then again none of them have seen him and I’ve seen them both play quite a bit. I’m pretty confident on this one! Blimey Ollie Smith can out sprint Doug as well. Doug’s greatness is not based purely on straight line speed – it’s based on getting that 2 metre head start behind the defence.

Now that one has to make Ravagon bite surely?

He looks like an overweight 6' 1".

He plays his club rugby at Saints – with lardy. The club nutrionist must own a takeaway!?

As in flight? Flying away? Damn fine idea.

At the moment one would say you are safe – Clive has ignored him with England so logic dictates Lions chances are slim. However Clive just ***** up big time with his England selections so it is possible he will revisit other options. VD may return to plague you yet…

Current indications are that it could be another two or three years before their turn comes again

It’s the sudden significant nose dive that concerns. It shouldn’t happen. Drop away yes – but stay in touch. We have good young players. They won’t beat teams like the ABs and Aussies yet but I suspect the young lads in Canada would have come closer than Dallys mob did.

Still as you say it is cyclical and great things are being said of some youngsters – I thrust Deacon and Brown in your face continuously I know but it is worth considering that Dean Richards and John Wells are both on record as saying Deacon is better than Jonno age for age. Neil Back has a 20 year old protégé called Will Skinner breaking through (another who missed touring due to minor inury) and I think he is nearly there. And there are a stack of U21 and U19 England front rowers on Tigers books alone. The future has definite prospects – hopefully for 2007 we will have a good young side just as the ABs and Wallabies are fielding ‘veteran’ units on the cusp of retirement.

Seems to be an 8:30am start for coverage of the PI game with the ABs – must try to rise in time.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Yes he made a bad tackle on that tour all right. And the Aussie media wanted him deported for it if I recall? Whereas McCrae was a national hero for launching a pre-meditated assault on O’Gara – and Nathan Grey entered folklore for turning a series when he tried to kill Richard Hill in Melbourne by separating his head from his body.

We will never agree on that tour Finbar. For me it was obvious from Perth that the Aussies sides had been briefed to cripple players in advance of the tests (and indeed through ‘robust’ play they sent a record eight players home before Brisbane) – and a spiral of violence started from that point. The Aussies blame the lions – but everyone there (not wearing free all yellow clothing) knew the truth.

Gee, a bit of really really stinky old bait hauled in a whopper!

Ah yes D’Arcy. How could I forget the Irish rugby writers player of the year? Got injured in the first test which is why Maggs got fixed in my mind. He is a Leinster boy and yes he is a pretty good player. Quite similar to BOD though so Horgan is still a better contrast in a combination. He could easily be a Lion though.

Darcy. That's him. I haven't seen Horgan play in the centres - he didn't end up there against the Boks as he was going to - but, as I've said before, he's always looked more of a centre than a winger. Bit like Rathbone. Horgan and O'Driscoll would be a tough old combo to combat.

Well you have written them down in a unique editorial way (in that it doesn’t match what I actually said)

I'm a creative! Actually, I hoped you hadn't noticed the creativity.

Plus I have seen Ben Cohen out sprint Doug to the try line

Someone obviously dropped a pork pie crust somewhere close to the chalk.

Now that one has to make Ravagon bite surely?

Well, he operates on Perth time. We could have a new thread before he gets to that stinky bit of bait.

It’s the sudden significant nose dive that concerns. It shouldn’t happen. Drop away yes – but stay in touch. We have good young players. They won’t beat teams like the ABs and Aussies yet but I suspect the young lads in Canada would have come closer than Dallys mob did.

Yes, but bear in mind a couple of things. As I opined recently, you were beyond your best at the World Cup. The slide had already begun, IMHO. On top of that, take from the side the spirit and the glue that was J****, the experience and guile that was Back, the steel and commitment of Wilkinson (and his kicking, although losing that has been less of a factor than his other contributions to the team and on the field), along with the other experienced hands who disappeared, and I'd reckon you're left with - hazarding a guess - 33% of the team you had. Some Clive stupidity in the selection department might reduce it to 29%. Allow for improvement on the All Black and Wallaby front, and you have a rather seismic shift, I think.

Still as you say it is cyclical and great things are being said of some youngsters – I thrust Deacon and Brown in your face continuously I know but it is worth considering that Dean Richards and John Wells are both on record as saying Deacon is better than Jonno age for age. Neil Back has a 20 year old protégé called Will Skinner breaking through (another who missed touring due to minor inury) and I think he is nearly there. And there are a stack of U21 and U19 England front rowers on Tigers books alone.

Then someone should get those young players either onto the field or at least the bench. Get the buggers some experience. Eddie, to his credit, picked Matt Giteau for the last NH tour before he'd even played S12. Now, at barely 22, he could step into Larkham's shoes and do a pretty fine job.

Seems to be an 8:30am start for coverage of the PI game with the ABs – must try to rise in time.

Change the locks on Friday night!

[Havak]

Gee, a bit of really really stinky old bait hauled in a whopper!

Damn – didn’t even see the hook!

Horgan and O'Driscoll would be a tough old combo to combat.

There has to be a strong chance it will be the Lions pairing. D’Arcy, Tindall and Smith will all likely be there or thereabouts too.

Actually, I hoped you hadn't noticed the creativity.

Oh I’m quite capable of missing the blindingly obvious – just not consistently.

Someone obviously dropped a pork pie crust somewhere close to the chalk.

Very close to being drafted as my signature that!

Well, he operates on Perth time. We could have a new thread before he gets to that stinky bit of bait.

Perth time is like Dublin or Rome time then? Everything is due course so why worry?

Allow for improvement on the All Black and Wallaby front, and you have a rather seismic shift, I think.

Solid points although his selection accounts for more than 4% I think. Wrong skipper, wrong loose head props, wrong hooker(s), one wrong lock, wrong flankers, wrong centres and wrong wingers twice. Come on – that’s more than 4%?

November should see a significantly closer game as some of these are corrected and the injured lads return.

On which note I am pleased to report things now look better for Lewis Moody. He is training lightly and expects to make it for the start of our new season. I’d be delighted to see him ready for November that’s for sure.

Get the buggers some experience

Amen to that. I think the pressure to do so will become irresistible for Sir C to be honest. He is no longer the untouchable he became after the RWC – and the RFU cannot tolerate a poorly performing England side for long as it will skupper revenue.

One of Eddie’s strengths has always been throwing youngsters in. His pre-decessor shared it (e.g. with Smithy).

Change the locks on Friday night!

I am sorely tempted to.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Perth time is like Dublin or Rome time then? Everything is due course so why worry?

Not even that romantic. In Perth, they're still crossing their fingers for Lindbergh to cross the Atlantic safely.

Solid points although his selection accounts for more than 4% I think. Wrong skipper, wrong loose head props, wrong hooker(s), one wrong lock, wrong flankers, wrong centres and wrong wingers twice. Come on – that’s more than 4%?

In that case, England are in the red - minus 15% of what they were.

Forgive the extra mirth. I've just come back from that BBC rugby forum where someone asked everyone to mark the Nose out of 10 for his captaincy and playing efforts on the tour. Several gave him 9/10 for both.

One of Eddie’s strengths has always been throwing youngsters in. His pre-decessor shared it (e.g. with Smithy).

And Bob before him. Interesting cultural difference. We toss youth into most representative sports, England is reluctant.

[Havak]

conservative with a small c Finbar. It holds us back in most sports as you say.

I thought I had mentioned those forums are plagued with Bath/Wasps and Glaws fans (aka the mentally subnormal).

For anyone rational even if they marked his play highly (and I will concede he did try hard - if not too effectively so) his captaincy was non existent. Clenching your fist and balling at people does not a captain make. it does a Muppet make however.

And for Ravagon's benefit Lindbergh made it safely. before alledgedly turning into a Nazi.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar


Mmmm. Niqué sounds suspiciously like our "get nicked", a euphemism for "get f***ed".

You are right, the resemblance is indeed more than suspiscious.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I thought I had mentioned those forums are plagued with Bath/Wasps and Glaws fans (aka the mentally subnormal).

Phew! Lucky I've never been a Gloucester supporter!

And for Ravagon's benefit Lindbergh made it safely. before alledgedly turning into a Nazi.

Kind of you to put ravagon out of his misery. Now he only has to brood over the possibility that the Hun will discover the plans for a D-Day invasion.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


You are right, the resemblance is indeed more than suspiscious.

Heard an oldie but goodie joke this morning:

Q. How many surrealist painters does it take to change a light globe?

A: A fish.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar


Heard an oldie but goodie joke this morning:

Q. How many surrealist painters does it take to change a light globe?

A: A fish.

[Havak]

I think Rabeni will prove a good signing for us.

One question springs to mind - why does the kiwi commentator (not Jonesy the summariser - the guy who does the main commentary) keep adding letters into names that do not exist?

He refered to Rabeni throughout as RaMbeni and always calls Umaga UmaNga. I can't even work out what he calls Rokocoko.

Is it just that he can't spell?

I have to say I thought the Islanders were very unlucky - they played very well. Very fortunate for the ABs they had their own Fijian on the wing.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I think Rabeni will prove a good signing for us.

He didn't disgrace himself.

One question springs to mind - why does the kiwi commentator (not Jonesy the summariser - the guy who does the main commentary) keep adding letters into names that do not exist?

He refered to Rabeni throughout as RaMbeni and always calls Umaga UmaNga. I can't even work out what he calls Rokocoko.

That's how they're pronounced. It's like the airport city of Nadi in Fiji is pronounced Nandi (Nan-dee). A bit like, in England, Worcestershire is pronounced nothing like it looks, and the name Cholmondley is pronounced Chumley. Rokococo (note the two "c"s) is pronounced Roko-thoe-thoe. The "c" is pronounced as "th". The other winger, now departed for the NH, Caucaunibuca, is pronounced "Thou-thou-nibuca". Just think - you can be the first in the NH to know how to pronounce his name.

Is it just that he can't spell?

No, it's just that you're ignorant of the colonial ways!

I have to say I thought the Islanders were very unlucky - they played very well. Very fortunate for the ABs they had their own Fijian on the wing.

They played very well. Exposed some dodgy All Black defence. Interesting that the PIs forgot the headhunting - well, for the most part, after the first ten minutes - and decided to play some rugby. Unlike against us.

[Caligastia]

Well the Islanders really stepped up against the All Blacks this weekend. No doubt the conditions were more to their liking than in their game against the Wallabies. Minus the rain-soaked mudbath they were very dangerous on attack.

I take this match as a positive overall for NZ because despite the conditions favoring the Islanders we were able to win by the same margin as the Wallabies. It should actually have been more though because the last Islanders try came from play that should not have continued. Where was the touch judge? Picking daisies? The player that batted the ball out of the ruck was obviously not on his feet.

[Havak]

He didn't disgrace himself.

He made himself busy and looks like he has some skills. We can’t ask for more really.

Just think - you can be the first in the NH to know how to pronounce his name.

I appreciate the advice on the phonetics, I really do. But ultimately if you chaps are using our language you should abide by our conventions. It really is bad form to mess with the mother tongue.

You missed an obvious target of course – how does Leicestershire become Lester-shear.

No, it's just that you're ignorant of the colonial ways!

Our language – our rules.

Interesting that the PIs forgot the headhunting - well, for the most part, after the first ten minutes - and decided to play some rugby. Unlike against us.

The conditions must have influenced that. Good running ground.

So what happens next week? The Boks take on the PI’s - but do the Wallabies and ABs square off too?

Where was the touch judge? Picking daisies?

Dickinson seldom refers to touch officials does he? He missed a lot – incuding plenty of ‘art’ from the AB number 7 – Hollah was it?

The thing that worried me most for NZ is the TV kept cutting to piccies of Henry and Hansen in the gallery. The combination that took Wales right down the tube – how long will the honeymoon last I wonder?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
He made himself busy and looks like he has some skills. We can’t ask for more really.

In your current situation, he sounds ideal.

You missed an obvious target of course – how does Leicestershire become Lester-shear.

Nah, sorry, it was never a target. It's actually relatively logical. Unlike Cholmondley as Chumley and even Ralph as Raif.

Our language – our rules.

Yeah, Cholmondley as Chumley is a very sensible and obvious rule.

The conditions must have influenced that. Good running ground.

Perhaps. And, admittedly, they combined better than they did against us. I liked Tana Umaga's line - the Wallabies ran at the big defenders too much. Um, Tana, that wasn't the problem. It was their work off the ball that was the problem. Ask George Gregan how his neck feels after being spear-tackled off the ball.

So what happens next week? The Boks take on the PI’s - but do the Wallabies and ABs square off too?

Yes, the first Bledisloe match is in Wellington next weekend.

The thing that worried me most for NZ is the TV kept cutting to piccies of Henry and Hansen in the gallery.

No other country's TV coverage does it to the extent that the Kiwis do it. They're always showing the coaches of both teams.

[Havak]

In your current situation, he sounds ideal.

Best team in the country – all World cup winners rested all summer and raring to go? Yes he will fit right in!

Unlike Cholmondley as Chumley and even Ralph as Raif.

Where’s the problem there? Both are totally logical.

Ask George Gregan how his neck feels after being spear-tackled off the ball.

It is interesting how both the PI’s and the Boks have treated the games against the ABs very differently in recent years. It seems almost required to try and murder a few Wallabies. England of course proved the rule by being the exception – we played a reasonably niggle free match with the Aussies. The less said about the AB games the better (but I am sure it was all the fault of the England players anyway).

Yes, the first Bledisloe match is in Wellington next weekend.

This used to be a no brainer for me. I would back the Abs without thinking twice. But strangely this year I have a little devil on my shoulder that would like to see Henry crash and burn (there is a nasty vindictive side to my nature that two huge losses brings to the fore). Can I support the Wallabies? A painful decision awaits.

The other game is just as hard – the Boks played some great rugby against Ireland and it was free of the recent problems with discipline. But I guess I have to go with the side RaMbeni is with. Go Tigers!

They're always showing the coaches of both teams.

But why? Henry and Hansen are both very dour men. They show almost no emotion. It’s like watching paint dry?

Apparently Tigers have lost Neil Baxter, the young wing poached from league who showed promise before injury wrecked his season. He was offered a new deal but allegedly turned it down because he was not guaranteed the game time he desired. If true it may reflect the differences with league – Union squads seldom have ‘guaranteed starts’ in their deals. Shame though – still it means Healey has probably secured more time on the wing. He will make the Lions yet. Lets hope he finds time to visit Australia too and pick up his diplomatic work where he left off?