Rugby - Truck and Trailer!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Carlos may have a life line. You picked it up yourself Finbar but it was staggering, having read you saying how he had improved somewhat in this area in S12, to see Merhtens prove utterly useless in defence.

No, I said Mehrtens was attacking the line more in S12 rather than just passing the ball and fleeing to fullback. At least that's what I meant to say. Still, his defence in S12 was better than the dismal stuff he produced on Saturday. Still, again, he had some mates. There was sloppy AB defence all over the park compared to how they performed against us.

What does Henry do? Carlos has no plan B, Merhtens has no tackle. Is Carter the man he should try? I know nothing about the lad but the Bok commentators seem to think he may be the next man tried in the great Graham Henry merry go round.

Carter doesn't look it, but he's a tough little bugger, not afraid to tackle. I think the first thing G. Henry has to do is try something other than that flat backline. As I said last week, modern defences are so fit and so well drilled that it makes the flat attack not only difficult but dangerous. Turnovers are waiting to happen. I had a look at the BBC website forum. One Kiwi poster was attacking G. Henry for rendering a great attacking backline impotent. Anyway, playing deeper would benefit either Carlos or Mehrtens.

The temptation to say ‘told you so’ about Mr H is proving almost irresistible.

Let's see what happens next. In fact, I when do they play next?

What really concerns me is what this all says about the squad England took down south – I think in retrospect it was worse than I thought at the time – and that is terrifying! Still next time they come up to HQ, in five or six years time, we might have a strong aggressive defence again. You never know.

And in five or six years, they'll have a new coach - they'll probably have had several new coaches - and they won't be suspect in the face of strong defence.

*Edit* Wilko is due to play his first rugby of 2004 tomorrow in Falcons friendly against Galway. It's essential to Englands autumn hopes that he holds up to the test.

Galway, huh? Nothing like diving in at the deep end.

[Havak]

At least that's what I meant to say

Caught out again. I really should look back at what you actually said rather than what I thought you might have.

Anyway, playing deeper would benefit either Carlos or Mehrtens.

I don’t consider G.Henry good at reviewing his gameplans. I seriously doubt if he will abandon the flat approach just yet. I will be watching with great interest.

Let's see what happens next. In fact, I when do they play next?

A traditional AB tour – two patsies followed by one real test. They face Italy, Wales and then France in November. Lose to Wales and the coach will have to go I suspect. I rather expect they may lose to France – but it all depends which French team turns up.

And in five or six years, they'll have a new coach - they'll probably have had several new coaches - and they won't be suspect in the face of strong defence.

Yes but we will perhaps be World Champions again by that point.

Galway, huh? Nothing like diving in at the deep end.

I think it needs to be gentle first run out – a few tackles to test the shoulder then bring him off and wrap him up in cotton balls again. He is pivotal to our chances of sneaking past ...... Canada before facing you guys and the Boks – numbers one and two in the tri-nations perhaps?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


Caught out again. I really should look back at what you actually said rather than what I thought you might have.

Don't bother. I know what I said. My qualification was a rare foray into humility. I found it vastly overrated. I shan't bother with it again.

I don’t consider G.Henry good at reviewing his gameplans. I seriously doubt if he will abandon the flat approach just yet. I will be watching with great interest.

I still can't fathom why he's even pursuing the flat plan. He has the three most devastating runners in rugby and they are, effectively, manacled. Still, as you've said once or twice, he's a tad suspect as a coach.

A traditional AB tour – two patsies followed by one real test. They face Italy, Wales and then France in November. Lose to Wales and the coach will have to go I suspect. I rather expect they may lose to France – but it all depends which French team turns up.

Nothing before that tour? Cripes, what an empty season.

Yes but we will perhaps be World Champions again by that point.

Nuh. Boks, if they continue to improve, or us.

I think it needs to be gentle first run out –

But, honestly, Galway? He'd have a bigger test bouncing off the sofa at home.

[Havak]

My qualification was a rare foray into humility. I found it vastly overrated. I shan't bother with it again.

What is humility?

Still, as you've said once or twice, he's a tad suspect as a coach.

I may have hinted at it.

A lot was written about some of his coaching decisions on the last Lions tour – it might be worth you reading back on some of it (not the Healey or Dawson parts) as it gives a flavour of a man who is totally convinced he is right – and unwilling to change when evidence appears to the contrary. Thus far his AB tenure is shaping the same way.

Nothing before that tour? Cripes, what an empty season.

Don’t forget they are about to launch into their beloved NPC. That fills the gap between 3N and tour nicely. Rabeni is not joining us until October because of it. So a month and a bit for Mr Healey to make the wing his own (we bought a scrummie in the close season to back up Ellis so VD is now ‘Utility Back’).

Nuh. Boks, if they continue to improve, or us.

Well the Wallabies always have a chance however dire their form in the build up. But you will be the dads army next time in at least one position – scrummie. George may be staying on too long? Is the understudy lad (whittaker?) getting any game time at all? The improvement in the Boks has been a joy to watch – can they maintain it?

The favourites are still France though. They are very difficult to beat over there – particularly away from Paris. Draw then in Marseille and you should book your tickets home. Lucky then that both you are the ABs will play them in Paris in November where they are fallible. Poor Argentina face them in Marseille.

But, honestly, Galway? He'd have a bigger test bouncing off the sofa at home.

I think this is the general idea – its meant to be little more than an opposed training session. Then again Falcons are a poor side so who knows?

*edit* Rotherhams huge financial gamble to join the top flight has reached it's almost inevitable end after they lived (and failed) the dream last year - unless a buyer comes forward before Friday they are going into liquidation. It's hard to break the clique of the Premiership - lets see if Duckworths money can do it for Worcester.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


What is humility?

I'm too modest to say.

A lot was written about some of his coaching decisions on the last Lions tour – it might be worth you reading back on some of it (not the Healey or Dawson parts) as it gives a flavour of a man who is totally convinced he is right – and unwilling to change when evidence appears to the contrary. Thus far his AB tenure is shaping the same way.

Does J**** cover it in his book? I might lash out. But only if you extract 50% of the purchase price from him and forward it to me.

Don’t forget they are about to launch into their beloved NPC. That fills the gap between 3N and tour nicely. Rabeni is not joining us until October because of it. So a month and a bit for Mr Healey to make the wing his own (we bought a scrummie in the close season to back up Ellis so VD is now ‘Utility Back’).

You see, in this country, a utility - called a "ute" - is a vehicle used by tradesmen, usually full of crap. Quite apposite, really.

Well the Wallabies always have a chance however dire their form in the build up. But you will be the dads army next time in at least one position – scrummie. George may be staying on too long? Is the understudy lad (whittaker?) getting any game time at all? The improvement in the Boks has been a joy to watch – can they maintain it?

George is signing on again for next year. He talks about the next World Cup, but whether he goes that far is another matter. He certainly won't if age starts to catch up with him. He has increasing business interests and he wouldn't hesitate to give it away. Poor old Chris Whitaker certainly won't be around at World Cup time. Young Brumbie Matt Henjak will probably step up to the bench next season and, if George does give it away, all being well, Henjak will be wearing #9 at the World Cup. Very talented young player, contemporary of Matt Giteau's, similar skills.

Look, unless internal Bok politics blow up again, this Boks' coach seems to be the real deal. Intelligent, shrewd, and, apparently, a good people manager. There's some terrific young talent in that side - though I suspect Percy will be found out again sooner or later - and I can see them getting better and better. Their centres certainly did their job on the weekend instead of head-hunting, and their back row could finish up the best in the world.

The favourites are still France though.

Can you imagine Tamerlin if they won?

*edit* Rotherhams huge financial gamble to join the top flight has reached it's almost inevitable end after they lived (and failed) the dream last year - unless a buyer comes forward before Friday they are going into liquidation. It's hard to break the clique of the Premiership - lets see if Duckworths money can do it for Worcester.

Yes, I read on the BBC website, I think it was, that Rotheram were going to court, or thinking of going to court to keep out Worcester. They've caught the Big Boys' disease. Poor bastards. It must be so difficult to compete - on and off the field - against the established units.

[finbar]

Almost forgot. Our updated Bank A/c after our last transactions on the Wallabies -v- All Blacks match the weekend before last:

Andydog 322.50 - 30 = 292.50
Bearcat 80.5
Caligastia 50.5
finbar 2.5 - 15 + 33 = 20.5
Frozzy 124
Havak 73.05 + 22 = 95.05
Journeyman 122.5
LDiCesares 152.3
Mickeyj 143.5
NeoStar 114
ravagon 121.25
redbull 80
Tamerlin 59.3

Any thoughts on this weekend anyone?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Can you imagine Tamerlin if they won?

[finbar]

How predictable!

[ravagon]

Having been run off my feet for the last 3 weeks I finally start to catch my breath and then I find that I have to go house-hunting. Flippin' heck.



That didn't get nearly enough of it out.



There, much better.


I only caught a few scraps of the Wobblies-Boks game (two?) weeks ago but that was enough to give up on the 3N this time around. Never thought we'd have much of a chance winning in SA.
Quite honestly, unless the Boks go back to their old tried'n'true tactics this week I don't think there's much of a chance of them losing this one either.
Given their narrow losses and last weeks fairly comfortable win they really ought to take the cup this year.
I'd put the Boks as favourites by at least 9-10 points - possibly a dozen or more.
I think a better question might be whether their expected winning margin is larger than the expected number of lumps that Rathbone chap will cop in the process?
I wouldn't like to be in his shoes this weekend.

I see that English chap (the one who continually posts all of that Kiwi-bashing nonsense - really! Kiwi's here vote one way so therefore those who share similar views elsewhere must also be Kiwi's? I have actually found, much to my surprise of course, that there are in fact, those possessed of a fair degree of intelligence and insight themselves, who aren't actually Kiwi's. ) has become far more cunning of late. How did he manage to win another chunk of the world's most prized resource without risking any of his own? (Sorry Havak).

[Tamerlin]

Sorry for the bad news Ravagon, hope you will solve the problem quickly.

Yesterday, the Stade Toulousain lost its first game of the new French Championship away from home against the Section Paloise 28 - 16. Though the Toulousains played rather well with the forwards, they were clumsy in attack, loosing a lot of balls, and were not very good in defence... as last season.

[finbar]

Did you go to the match?

[Havak]

Been insanely busy with work - will try to read back on what I have missed.

Ravagon those polls are great fun to watch -as the globe moves from anitpodean daytime to Bok and European daytime the percentages change very dramatically.

As for Kiwi bashing I see it as my function in life to keep the number one side in the world grounded in reality. So breath easy as my artillery is probably about to switch to Australia.

There are no confirmed fixtures with the ABs and England on the radar so expect the Boks and Wallabies to share my flack as we lead up to beating them in November. One or two changes may be needed for us to do so, my suggestion:

Different players wearing shirts 1-22.

[Havak]

I'm too modest to say.

A modest writer? It may not be an oxymoron but it probably should be!

Does J**** cover it in his book?

He does touch on it – but in his usual pragmatic way. He mentions how some of the boys were unhappy and why – but concludes they should have got their head down and got stuck in. He refuses to overtly criticise Mr Henry but does acknowledge his approach was ‘new’ to all of the Lions squad players and not readily embraced. You can’t read it of course as I’ll never extort that kind of money from the man – he has a Kiwi wife remember.

VDs book is the one to get a flavour of Henry the man manager (pick on one player at random on the training field). If you can swallow the bile a while it also gives his reasoning on upsetting a nation – and why he refused to apologise. It will not change your view – but it may help you understand what you see as his major character faults.

As for Ute’s – all I can remember from my student days is that all middle class professional people in Melbourne seem to drive them – that’s Neighbours for you.

Very talented young player, contemporary of Matt Giteau's, similar skills.

It is amazing how you keep finding the right replacements. Fingers crossed it doesn’t last.

Their centres certainly did their job on the weekend instead of head-hunting, and their back row could finish up the best in the world.

We will beat them in November. I am confident.

Can you imagine Tamerlin if they won?

I can. It is quite an image.

It must be so difficult to compete - on and off the field - against the established units.

Close to impossible now. A real shame.

There should be a margin for Saturday – it’s two in the world (soon to be one?) versus five. Then your record there is poor. 4 points for the Boks?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
VDs book is the one to get a flavour of Henry the man manager (pick on one player at random on the training field). If you can swallow the bile a while it also gives his reasoning on upsetting a nation – and why he refused to apologise. It will not change your view – but it may help you understand what you see as his major character faults.

I refuse to outlay money that will flow into the d*ckhead's pocket!

:light bulb flashing:

I'll shoplift it!

And recycle it as Sorbent when I've finished with it!

It is amazing how you keep finding the right replacements. Fingers crossed it doesn’t last.

We have them all over the place. Everywhere except the front row!

There should be a margin for Saturday – it’s two in the world (soon to be one?) versus five. Then your record there is poor. 4 points for the Boks?

Four points start for the Boks? Or the Boks to win by four, hence four points start for the Wallabies? Well, 4.5, for the purposes of betting.

[Havak]

I'll shoplift it!

Good idea! I would send you my copy but as I am sure you realise it is one of my most prized possessions.

We have them all over the place. Everywhere except the front row!

Even so that should find you out more than it does – it is something of an enigma.

I take it you are following the cricket and saw the Windies blow a good position to lose at Old Trafford and now fail to make something from three good early wickets at the Oval.

Freddie has just past a small landmark of getting 50 (or more runs) in eight consecutive tests. Amazing for an Englishman?

A start for the Boks Finbar – i.e Wallabies to win by 4.5 or more. You will have to work hard to convince me it should be the other way around!