Rugby - Truck and Trailer!

[Havak]

Totally off topic but I have been amusing myself this week with British Airways attempts to run a business – they have seemingly demoralised staff to the extent that actually have such a ‘churn’ rate now that they cannot staff check ins appropriately – when I saw their chief exec on TV trying to defend himself and the dulset tones were unmistakeable. It was Mr Rod Eddington, Aussie businessman and legend in his own lunch time. Now the name rang a bell – is this the same Rod Eddington who helmed Ansett Australia, that famously failed Aussie airline? One wonders if so what the hell BA were thinking in appointing him?

I wonder how he is tactically?

As soon as he is fit he will come straight back in – so give him the armband and lets see. It will also have the bonus of letting Umaga concentrate on what he is good at – playing.

Good thing too. Next, get rid of The Nose and, amongst others, that skinny winger who couldn't tackle to save himself. And find an aggressive scrum half who can mix things up a bit. I'll get back to you with more advice later.

Keep em coming – agree entirely on Dallaglio and Simpson-Daniel. There are already two scrummies in the system matching your requirement – Ellis was on the SH tour but Clive didn’t use him. Now Dawson has blown it his chance may be here. The other lad is Martyn Wood who went to Canada. Both are feisty scrummies and both have seen the disciplinary committee in the past.

I’m not exactly proud of it but Ellis got a ten match ban last season after an altercation with Sale winger Steve Hanley early last season. Now Ellis is typical scrummie build and Hanley is Ben Cohen build but when hanely got in his face the young lad mixed it up and then, exercising youthful poor judgement, stuck a ‘Glasgow Kiss’ on Hanley.

I can sympathise – last season when Sale did well early on Hanley and his wing partner Cueto (English despite the name) were a pain in the backside – winding oppo fans up and acting like petulant school kids – just like a Marshall or Healey in fact. Ellis should not have done it – but it was strangely fulfilling to watch.

The big question is – is a Glasgow kissing scrummie aggressive enough for you?

In all seriousness his club coach John Wells thinks not playing down south may have been good for him – he is still young and Wells says whilst he has strengths playing in games so thoroughly on the back foot would have exposed his weaknesses. He wants to see him acclimatised to England at HQ and given time to eliminate the weak areas.

I don’t mean to ruin the mood of introspection about Toulouse but you know I am sure I remember them winning the European Cup as recently as 2003? Truly a coach is only as good as his teams last result?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
I don’t mean to ruin the mood of introspection about Toulouse but you know I am sure I remember them winning the European Cup as recently as 2003? Truly a coach is only as good as his teams last result?

A tight victory against an USAP out of shape until the second half followed by a sound defeat against the Stade Français the next week in the Stade de France.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I'm sure you've told me before, but how long has this coach been around the club?

Guy Novès is coaching the Stade Toulousain since 1993...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Totally off topic but I have been amusing myself this week with British Airways attempts to run a business – they have seemingly demoralised staff to the extent that actually have such a ‘churn’ rate now that they cannot staff check ins appropriately – when I saw their chief exec on TV trying to defend himself and the dulset tones were unmistakeable. It was Mr Rod Eddington, Aussie businessman and legend in his own lunch time. Now the name rang a bell – is this the same Rod Eddington who helmed Ansett Australia, that famously failed Aussie airline? One wonders if so what the hell BA were thinking in appointing him?

Same Rod Eddington. Most of Ansett's problems arose after he left, after Air New Zealand bought the controlling interest. Although it could be argued that News Ltd hadn't spent enough on the airline when they had it and Eddington ran it. Air New Zealand were virtually bankrupt themselves when they bought Ansett and stuffed Ansett completely.

As soon as he is fit he will come straight back in – so give him the armband and lets see. It will also have the bonus of letting Umaga concentrate on what he is good at – playing.

Good idea. Won't happen, but it probably should.

The big question is – is a Glasgow kissing scrummie aggressive enough for you?

Put it this way. I don't mind a scrummie whom you'd think is capable of it. Take no prisoners, as it were. Without resorting to thuggery. Keeps the oppo on their toes, can lift the teammates' spirits.

I don’t mean to ruin the mood of introspection about Toulouse but you know I am sure I remember them winning the European Cup as recently as 2003?

Stop interfering with Tamerlin's introspection! I like Tamerlin in introspective mode!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


A tight victory against an USAP out of shape until the second half followed by a sound defeat against the Stade Français the next week in the Stade de France.

Break out the absinthe!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Guy Novès is coaching the Stade Toulousain since 1993...

Ah, that's right. Much too long. Fresh blood, fresh ideas.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar

Ah, that's right. Much too long. Fresh blood, fresh ideas.

IMO, it is far too long. Though Guy Novès' achievements are tremenduous, two H-Cups (1996, 2003), six Brennus' shields (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001) and two Du Manoir's Challenge (former French cup), I think that he is no more able to handle the new generation of players and build the game project of the future.

[finbar]

That's the problem with legends. They become embedded. Common sense can say that it's time for change, but it's interpreted as heresy.

[Havak]

A tight victory against an USAP out of shape until the second half followed by a sound defeat against the Stade Français the next week in the Stade de France.

File it away under ‘disappointing’ and then cheer as you beat them yet again this year. For we all know Stade Francais are only good about once every four seasons?

Air New Zealand were virtually bankrupt themselves when they bought Ansett and stuffed Ansett completely.

I got to sample the Air NZ Ansett era as I flew with both on my visit to your wonderful country.

Rod Eddington has pledged himself and the senior execs to work over this weekend (bank holiday) to try and help alleviate their problems. Should be fun.

Good idea. Won't happen, but it probably should.

It requires that same requisite as the flat back line – Graham Henry admitting he was wrong. Snowballs chance in hell of it happening therefore.

Keeps the oppo on their toes, can lift the teammates' spirits.

It was very out of character for Ellis when he decked Hanley – but then the Sale man was being insufferable. I think Ellis will do nicely for England in time. But again it is pre-requisites – Sir Clive needs to make that leap and pick on form rather than from the currently most successful clubs…

I like Tamerlin in introspective mode!

Only because it gives you enough material for a mini-series.


I hear the the Wallaby coaching staff is being shook up Finbar – Blades has gone hasn’t he? And Auckland have secured Nocifura. I still can’t understand ACT on that – you don’t sack winning coaches.

Ben Kay skippers the Tigers in the friendly with Cardiff tomorrow – Jonno shines the bench as he is nursing a slight knee injury. Kay himself missed last week with a back niggle. Neil Back is a doubt for a fortnight with a hammy strain. Nice to see this season is starting like all others!

At least Ollie Smith is fit after the groin oppo this summer – I hope this is his big break through season for England if only to spare you Will Greenwood in future. Will has incidentally stated this week he is as keen as ever and will fight for England selection. Clive really rates him so it will be goodbye Abbott and Waters and hello Greenwood and Smith hopefully.

*edit* Otago have released Rabeni early from NPC duty after he requested it. He plays his last game for them Friday and touches down at Heathrow on Sunday.

Now if you could have a word with Mortlock Finbar and send him the same way please? Latham will do at a push.

[LDiCesare]

Every game, I have the feeling that the players are trapped into a pre-determined way of playing and that individual actions are severely punished.

I think they have been using strict tactics for quite a long time. Toulouse had structure play and plans for almost everything since I remember seeing them play. Even a try like Charvet's against Toulon way back came from an unlikely phase of play that had been analysed by the coaches, although it looked like an individual feat.
I remember several Toulousains being bad in France team because the tactics they were used to were so different they couldn't adapt. So I think you're right, Toulouse probably has a style of play which is based on tactics that no longer work, and they are having trouble getting out of these schemas.

On the bright side, there's a test match in Paris against the ABs for my birthday. With a bit of luck, I'll manage to get a ticket (this requires convincing my wife first, but since that will be my birthday, I think I can do it).

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

I hear the the Wallaby coaching staff is being shook up Finbar – Blades has gone hasn’t he? And Auckland have secured Nocifura. I still can’t understand ACT on that – you don’t sack winning coaches.

Yep. Blades gone as forwards coach, Roger Gould gone as backs coach. Blades is more of the surprise because he came back from Newcastle to do the job. There haven't been any rumors of dissent or discord. I'll keep an ear to the ground.

We've batted around the Nucifora thing before. Brumbies player power. I actually thought he'd end up back in Queensland with the Reds. He's a toughie and a pragmatist. Auckland will probably suit him.

Ben Kay skippers the Tigers in the friendly with Cardiff tomorrow – Jonno shines the bench as he is nursing a slight knee injury. Kay himself missed last week with a back niggle. Neil Back is a doubt for a fortnight with a hammy strain. Nice to see this season is starting like all others!

J**** and Neil Back - that would be a combined age of, what? Close to 70?

At least Ollie Smith is fit after the groin oppo this summer – I hope this is his big break through season for England if only to spare you Will Greenwood in future.

It's just that, for me, Greenwood sort of represents everything girlie in backs.

*edit* Otago have released Rabeni early from NPC duty after he requested it. He plays his last game for them Friday and touches down at Heathrow on Sunday.

Oh well, if you've been to the Otago area, you'd understand that he'll have little trouble adjusting to the East Midlands.

Now if you could have a word with Mortlock Finbar and send him the same way please? Latham will do at a push.

Grow your own! Actually, Matt Rogers' return will make life interesting again for Chris Latham. Latham was second string to Joe Roff, he could be the same again for Matt Rogers.

[finbar]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
ISo I think you're right, Toulouse probably has a style of play which is based on tactics that no longer work, and they are having trouble getting out of these schemas.

If the coach hasn't realised that, or tried to do something about it, time for a new coach, methinks.

On the bright side, there's a test match in Paris against the ABs for my birthday. With a bit of luck, I'll manage to get a ticket (this requires convincing my wife first, but since that will be my birthday, I think I can do it).

Tell her to forget the usual present of socks and undies and make it a Test match ticket instead.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar

If the coach hasn't realised that, or tried to do something about it, time for a new coach, methinks.

The problem, IMHO, is that the Novès family has locked its position into the Stade Toulousain's staff and that they are currently the true managers of the Rugby, the President, Mister Bouscatel, is nothing more than a screen.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


The problem, IMHO, is that the Novès family has locked its position into the Stade Toulousain's staff and that they are currently the true managers of the Rugby, the President, Mister Bouscatel, is nothing more than a screen.

Then you should organise your family to overthrow the Novès regime and start the Tamerlin dynastie!

[Tamerlin]

I have to wait until the tadpole becomes a frog.