Rugby - Autumn Beckons!

[ravagon]

'And now for something a little different', if the non-cricket-playing members will forgive the interruption ...

http://usa.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2004/NOV/097366_NZ_07NOV2004.html

[English bashing ]
Now how does that quote go?
'Never will you see a more wretched hive of scum and villainy', only in this case, rather than Mos Eisley we'd be talking about .. mmm ... can't quite make out the name of the evil place ...


The last part of the article is faintly amusing too

Chris Lewis, the England allrounder, made similar allegations a few months later, when he claimed that Khetrapal had offered him £300,000 to lose a Test against New Zealand. Khetrapal denied those allegations at the time.

Next we'll be hearing about how Bangladesh took huge bribes to throw the recent series against NZ.

[/English bashing]


In all seriousness though I'm not so sure I believe the numbers quite frankly - 300k [insert pound symbol] is an awful lot ...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The Wallabies were awful in the second half Finbar so I suggest you only watch the first 40.

How absolutely predictable of them!

Excepting that one of the Scotland tries was scored by a lad I toured with when he was a Colt. Very pleased for the lad.

Drinking tour or playing tour?

And Spreadbury had to play 48 mins in the second half to let Glaws score the try that gave them fake respectablity.

You've raised the bar for objective analysis with that one!

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon


It's so nice to see that phrase in use when, just for once, I'm not the recipient.

Your involvement was taken as read!

[Caligastia]

For some reason FSW is not showing any of these matches. All they're offering right now are review shows!

[finbar]

I could've sworn it was a major plank in John Kerry's platform that he would require every rugby match of note to be shown live on FSW.

[finbar]

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward will spend a week with France at their training camp ahead of their Test match against New Zealand on 27 November.

Boasting about his recent successes against the All Blacks, no doubt. Still, at least he can't come away with blonde tips in his hair.

[Alexander's Horse]

finbar - where ya been? I waited for you on Friday night.....

Saturday and Sunday night I was rutting.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by finbar
I could've sworn it was a major plank in John Kerry's platform that he would require every rugby match of note to be shown live on FSW.

Perhaps Monsieur Latham should've promised something similar ...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
finbar - where ya been? I waited for you on Friday night.....

Check the thread. I posted late Friday arvo that I couldn't make it Friday night. Deadlines. Out of the way now, so I should be okay. I might even check in during the week. Can't tonight, though.

Saturday and Sunday night I was rutting.

Too much information! I was working.

[Alexander's Horse]

I said I rutted, I didn't say I successfully attracted any attention.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
I could've sworn it was a major plank in John Kerry's platform that he would require every rugby match of note to be shown live on FSW.

Bah! Another politician making promises he can't deliver!

[ravagon]

Hmmm. Well England has taken a bit of a gamble in putting Robinson in as captain (Wilco still off for a few more weeks apparently).
This was the same Robinson whose (admittedly scintillating) performances last year were due so much to his ability to befuddle the opposition regarding what he would do next - the primary ingredient being, however, that he didn't know either.
A fair quality in a winger but I'm not too sure it'll come off quite as well in a captain.

All of this being tested against that bastion of rugby prowess 'Team Canada', to put it into perspective, but still ...

http://www.planetrugby.com/Teams/England/story_39623.shtml

In other news the Italians have managed to wrangle a passport for one of their Kiwi imports which gives them a total of 4 eligible to play.
Matching up against them NZ is apparently under some pressure to put most of the new 8 players into the starting lineup.
This won't be a problem of course because the AB coaching staff apparently has 'a cunning plan'.


I have a cunning plan too.

'To whichever supreme being is on duty this week please don't let us lose to the Italians!'

I'm just not sure which one I should put more faith in ...

[Alexander's Horse]

Hello

Many of you rugby types probably haven't voted in this poll

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3420877&t=9887#post3420877

PROT provides an easy and convenient place to park lazy votes.

I might also point out that the PROT candidate has 3 sons who all play rugby and so might be considered the "unofficial" rugby candidate.

[Havak]

I used the phrase 'exterior threat' solely in the geographical sense and the colonies banded together at the time solely because they were fighting a common enemy.

Don’t think I misunderstood at all then – the phrase ‘exterior threat’ was a sub-conscious reflection of your view of the conflict.

As for the taxation causal factor – go read some accounts from either side. It’s a conflict that has become hugely mis-represented over time.

The problem with trying to discuss it now sensibly is one of transference – our Americans friends assume they had the power than that they hold now. They simply cannot grasp the concept of Parliament refusing to fund a second (and larger) expeditionary Corps to retake an essentially ‘worthless and rebellious colony’. Such great foresight eh?

Nice to see you get it right in EU2 though.

Still time to close this one – and the post WWII issue – lest I get myself pointlessly worked up.

can't quite make out the name of the evil place ...

Name it by all means – I may work in the City but I live in the posh part of the County.

Leicester has a huge population from a sub-continent origin so I have to say I believe the Kiwi skipper’s allegations on instinct.

[Kiwi bashing]
By the way Ravagon did you catch the result of the recent Test series between England and NZ? It would have taken more money than that to throw a game against that Kiwi side.
[/Kiwi bashing]

Drinking tour or playing tour?

Mainly drinking – was one of the ‘responsible adults’ on that tour. Wouldn’t let me play against the 17 year olds.

You've raised the bar for objective analysis with that one!

I could try to be objective about his effing reffing on the day – but my temper would get the better of me fairly quickly.

This was the same Robinson whose (admittedly scintillating) performances last year were due so much to his ability to befuddle the opposition regarding what he would do next - the primary ingredient being, however, that he didn't know either.

Poor Jason – his rugby genius suffers for resembling a headless chicken in a barnyard at times.

Personally I am far more worried that Henry Paul has been named in the starting line up – Rabeni ran right through him for our first try on Saturday – his defence is, um, questionable.

In fact using Kiwi selection rules I am sure we can get Rabeni and the Tuilagi boys England qualified soonish?

But better news – Hooker Regan threw his rattle out the pram after not being selected for Canada and has retired throwing this barb at Andy Robinson – “I would like to thank the England coaches I have worked with previously and I have always enjoyed my time with England”.

Ouch! Did you spot the word that digs at Andy?

For what it is worth the very experimental line up is:

England team: Jason Robinson, (Sale Sharks - capt); Mark Cueto (Sale), Mike Tindall (Bath - vice captain), Henry Paul (Gloucester), Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Andy Gomarsall, (Gloucester); Graham Rowntree, (Leicester), Steve Thompson (Northampton), Julian White (Leicester), Danny Grewcock (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Bath), Joe Worsley (Wasps), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Martin Corry (Leicester).
Replacements: Andy Titterrell (Sale), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Ben Kay (Leicester), Andy Hazell (Gloucester), Hall Charlton (Newcastle), Will Greenwood (Harlequins), Ben Cohen (Northampton).
This is not quite the side that will face the big boys I am sure –and I feel really sorry for young Harry Ellis who misses the game due to a slight Achilles problem. He should be fit for next week.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

By the way Ravagon did you catch the result of the recent Test series between England and NZ? It would have taken more money than that to throw a game against that Kiwi side.
[/Kiwi bashing]

[kiwi bashing]
Oh, we're onto cannon fodder now, are we? They've just arrived here to get some experience against a real cricket team. Oh, and I haven't closed off the code. Save having to open it again later.

Personally I am far more worried that Henry Paul has been named in the starting line up – Rabeni ran right through him for our first try on Saturday – his defence is, um, questionable.

What sort of team is it? Paul has been tried before and found seriously wanting. Why pick someone who will never play against real opposition? Why not pick an up and comer? All you need is D. Luger to complete the quinella of hopeless players.