Rugby - Autumn Beckons!

[Havak]

Although retrospective beating-with-big-sticks can be more perverse, hence more fun ...

Ah yes but now he has gone I am sure I remember always saying I didn’t rate him anyway. And I am sticking to that.

I can't imagine he has too much rugby-supporter sympathy over there? I heard one of his mates on the Rugby board singing his praises. Is anyone else?

I haven’t heard anyone outside the media wish him well. He has handled it very badly and come out of it looking very foolish. None of which has been helped by him launching both barrels at the RFU and the clubs this morning. They didn’t give him what he wanted after the RWC – which was basically even more dedicated time with the players (almost on a centralised contract basis) where they could play for clubs only when England specifically released them.

Rattle out of pram time for the ‘ickle diddums’?

Or is he known to be filling in? I wonder what the "success" criteria will be if the going is tough in November.

It has been made clear he is ‘acting up’. If he wants it permanently he will have to apply.

Nothing less than three wins in the autumn will be seen as successful. We like to build them up to knock them down over here remember.

Fingers crossed youth gets a go – and that some growing pain is accepted.

Why is that? Why do so many people like to ignore that J**** carried them to the World Cup on his back?

Again not one rugger fan I have ever spoken to personally has made that mistake. You do see it in the media. There are numerous pundits that are former Bath men and believe me that does influence such things.

But the chief factor is very straight forward – Martin does not blow his own trumpet in front of cameras or press – both other men do so constantly. Simple as that.

Or will his one-season-too-many work against him?

That may not – but the bad blood with Tigers since will not have helped him (he demanded via legal channels that the Deanos bar in our ground be renamed and that all his playing memorabilia be taken off display and returned).

This may well blot his copy book with the RFU men who are VERY old school.

Anyway, in summary, providing you find the right replacement, English rugby will be immensely better off in the longer term.

I have to agree. This week has destroyed any respect I had for him.

Our season starts on Sunday – an away league game at Sale 12 Noon – live on Sky. No dining out for me this week. And here is hoping Ellis does not nut Hanley again.
It’s already starting – Wells has named an expanded squad for the game because no less than five of our loose forwards are carrying varying degrees of injury – Backys hamstring being the worst.

Home to Leeds a week tomorrow and Tim Stimpson returns to Welford Road to play against us. That will be strange for me.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar

How about? Rugby - How Appropriate That Toulouse Sounds A Bit Like To Lose!

That's not funny.

Havak is right, I can hear this rengaine (I would like Finbar to play with his "petit Ophrys") from the Almost United Kingdoms supporters since the first H-Cup games. Needless to say that the said supporters often went back home with their tails between the legs.

The Stade Toulousain will play this afternoon against a newly promoted team, the old Aviron Bayonnais... this will give me the opportunity to evaluate the extent of the current illness.

[LDiCesare]

That's not funny.

Be honest; It is, the first time. It probably gets on your nerves the thousand and thirty seventh time, though.
The fact that Beziers (which bet Toulouse) has just been beaten by Castres doesn't bode well for Toulouse, does it? Actually, it seemsBeziers has a good team this year.
On the other hand, Biarritz is doing well and the Stade Francais is not. So things would be worse.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
Be honest; It is, the first time.

I have heard it so many times that I don't mind at all, it is actually part of the traditional teasing between supporters.

The fact that Beziers (which bet Toulouse) has just been beaten by Castres doesn't bode well for Toulouse, does it? Actually, it seemsBeziers has a good team this year.

What is actually bothering me is not the fact that Toulouse is loosing its first games but rather the way the team is loosing them, with no panache, bad skill and bad tactical organization ( to Finbar). Needless to speak about the strategic planning of the game, inexistent and terrible are the closest words coming to my mind.

On the other hand, Biarritz is doing well and the Stade Francais is not. So things would be worse.

That is not very surprising, Biarritz' start is often good while the Stade Français' performances are rather erratic until the end of the season. Wait and see...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

That may not – but the bad blood with Tigers since will not have helped him (he demanded via legal channels that the Deanos bar in our ground be renamed and that all his playing memorabilia be taken off display and returned).

This may well blot his copy book with the RFU men who are VERY old school.

Well, it seems to me, from a long way away, that he's the most experienced and most successful coach at club level. Assuming that can translate at the next level, he would seem to be first choice. Current contracts nothwithstanding.

It’s already starting – Wells has named an expanded squad for the game because no less than five of our loose forwards are carrying varying degrees of injury – Backys hamstring being the worst.

Before the season even begins? Something's wrong somewhere.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


That's not funny.

It would be if you were winning because it would be meaningless.

I can hear this rengaine (I would like Finbar to play with his "petit Ophrys")

I didn't need my petit ophrys to translate it!

[finbar]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
Be honest; It is, the first time. It probably gets on your nerves the thousand and thirty seventh time, though.

What you all have to realise is that I live in a backwater. I live, as one of our recent - and much missed - Prime Ministers described, "at the arse-end of the world". If I lived where you live - at the centre of the world - I would know these things. Unfortunately, I don't. At the moment.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
organization ( to Finbar).

American!

[finbar]

A rugby weekend of mixed fortunes!

Sale 26 -d- Leicester 19. The written reports suggest a match of some quality. Whether the aesthetics were more important to Havak than the result is a different matter, of course.

Next, Toulouse apparently didn't. Tamerlin will, hopefully, be pleased.

Next, the All Blacks suffered a loss with Kees Meeuws quitting New Zealand rugby for France.

Finally, in South Africa, one club player murdered another.

Things are never dull in the rugby world.

[Havak]

Well, it seems to me, from a long way away, that he's the most experienced and most successful coach at club level.

That is true – the next closest would be Gatland. Deano has probably been badly tainted by being sacked however – and he still remains a bookies outsider.

Woodward apologised yesterday for the tirade he launched at clubs blaming it on his temper at the press conference. Tomorrow he may launch it all over again of course. Strange guy.

Before the season even begins? Something's wrong somewhere.

It’s not unusual to see a few injuries as full contract training starts before the season – but so many is a worry. It proved costly in the end – more of which later.

Sale 26 -d- Leicester 19. The written reports suggest a match of some quality. Whether the aesthetics were more important to Havak than the result is a different matter, of course.

Would you care to guess?

It was a thoroughly entertaining game – though keep your fingers crossed Dave Pearson never steps up to IRB duty as he is a real ‘homer’ of a referee. Which would be fine had we been at home.

Missed tackles cost us very dearly. Two out of three Sale tries came as a direct result of them. The other came from an interception. Will Skinner had a solid game but made one or two key errors including gifting that intercept. Brett Deacon struggled a little at blindside.

On the plus side my mate Martin looked immense and fully charged. Kay looks back to a semblance of form. Rabeni only got 20 minutes but he will do well as long as the paddocks stay firm. VD is in super form I regret to inform you. Corry made a good pitch for Dally’s England shirt.

However I have to acknowledge a fit and rested Jason Robinson is not what we needed in our first game. And Sale has found a gem – a bullocking French number 8 called Chabal. If he keeps playing like he did yesterday he might get a call up from Laporte?

Leeds at Welford Road next week. They lost at home to Gloucester this weekend. We need to put them away or it could turn into another frustrating season.

*edit* I think SANZAR need to be careful not to catch the English disease of playing too many games. The move to S14 and the idea of expanding the whole tri-nations by three more games from 2006 seems to be very money driven? Not to mention how thin Aussie playing resources will be stretched trying to support a Perth based franchise?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
That is true – the next closest would be Gatland. Deano has probably been badly tainted by being sacked however – and he still remains a bookies outsider.

So, if not him, who? Anyway, let's see how the incumbent replacement goes. I can't imagine there being a massive turnaround in November, even with fit and rested players. Not without a new heart and new engine room to replace You Know Who.

Woodward apologised yesterday for the tirade he launched at clubs blaming it on his temper at the press conference. Tomorrow he may launch it all over again of course. Strange guy.

No. Psychotic is the word.

Missed tackles cost us very dearly.

Mmmm. The English disease.

On the plus side my mate Martin looked immense and fully charged.

And thoroughly enjoying himself, no doubt. No greater responsibilities to weigh him down.

Kay looks back to a semblance of form.

Damning with faint praise?

Rabeni only got 20 minutes but he will do well as long as the paddocks stay firm.

In an English winter?

VD is in super form I regret to inform you.

I was quite enjoying your post till this point!

*edit* I think SANZAR need to be careful not to catch the English disease of playing too many games. The move to S14 and the idea of expanding the whole tri-nations by three more games from 2006 seems to be very money driven? Not to mention how thin Aussie playing resources will be stretched trying to support a Perth based franchise?

It's always about money. I don't see the need for the expanded Tri-Nations, with the exception of a third Bledisloe match. I'm also not convinced of the third S12 franchise here either. I suspect we have the talent pool to support half a new franchise, not a whole new one. But we shall see.

[Havak]

Not without a new heart and new engine room to replace You Know Who.

We can cling to the hope that being huge underdogs once again might lift us? And that just against Canada.

Mmmm. The English disease.

Only in 2004.

And thoroughly enjoying himself, no doubt. No greater responsibilities to weigh him down.

He didn’t look happy. In fact most of the time he was looking very unhappy as he questioned Mr Pearsons latest ‘homer’ decision.

I am sure he is enjoying the actual rugger though.

Damning with faint praise?

Jury is still out – only got 50 mins on the paddock and looked okay. I’ll get a batter view next weekend when it’s in 3D.

In an English winter?

Oh yes – in Jan/Feb it can be like playing on concrete. I wonder how he will cope with slushy sodden paddocks though.

I was quite enjoying your post till this point!

I would say I was sorry – but honestly I am happy he seems to be on form.

I'm also not convinced of the third S12 franchise here either.

Fourth franchise surely? Although I do take your point.

Saving grace of the opening round – Wasps lost to Saracens. I nearly laughed. Actually I did laugh!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
He didn’t look happy. In fact most of the time he was looking very unhappy as he questioned Mr Pearsons latest ‘homer’ decision.

That's something I've missed - J****'s furious scowl and muttering and head shaking as he tramps away from the ref.

Oh yes – in Jan/Feb it can be like playing on concrete. I wonder how he will cope with slushy sodden paddocks though.

He will cope. In the sense that he's played enough rugby in Kiwi winters for it not to be unfamiliar. Speed becomes fairly meaningless and ball handling skill takes over, which is the real test. In fact, the East Midlands in winter is probably tropical compared to Otago in winter.

Fourth franchise surely? Although I do take your point.

Yes, fourth, sorry. Interesting article in the paper this morning about the extra franchise. One of the arguments put in its favour is that the new franchise will add to our Wallaby depth by offering opportunity for those players who might otherwise go overseas. But, when pressed on how many players currently overseas he wishes were here and available, Eddie could name only one - T. Kefu. The point being that, as I've said before, the players who nick off overseas are either (a) not Wallaby material, therefore simply seeking a better pay day; or (b) retired Wallabies seeking superannuation. So the depth argument - in terms of retaining players - is fallacious. Someone who muddies the argument somewhat is a player like Manny Edmonds. He quit the Waratahs for Perpignan because he couldn't command a regular Waratahs' spot. Because he was inconsistent. A blinder one week, unseen the next. It's arguable, perhaps, that his time with Perpignan could have made him a more consistent player. OTOH, we're not short of halves.

Of greater concern, I think, is the talk of manning the extra franchise by relaxing the rule relating to S12 players having to be Wallaby-eligible. In other words, signing up the cream of the Pacific Islanders for the new franchise. The ARU hasn't ruled out the possibility. The article theorises that the ARU might keep the option up its sleeve, waiting to see how well they can man the franchise under the existing rule. If they decide the franchise isn't strong enough, the rule could be changed to allow in, for example, the Pacific Islanders. All of which renders the argument about creating Wallaby depth completely fallacious.

One real benefit of an extra franchise would be to help develop the careers of players like Matt Henjak. There's no doubt he will replace George Gregan when he retires. But, currently, he warms the bench for the Brumbies, watching Gregan doing this thing. Playing as #1 scrum half would undoubtedly develop his game. And there are several other young players in a similar situation.

The other potential benefit of an extra franchise, of course, is taking rugby to more people, increasing its exposure. Which has to be a good thing for the game. Providing, of course, the franchise is set up properly and isn't a lemon.

So there are arguments for and against. While there's no doubt the decision is money-driven, there is at least some potential to help the Wallaby cause.

Saving grace of the opening round – Wasps lost to Saracens. I nearly laughed. Actually I did laugh!

I saw that. And p*ssed myself laughing!

Oh, and I saw a very interesting documentary series the other night about the history and travails and journeys of the Cimbrians. A couple of them looked like they could tackle. You should point A. Robinson in their direction.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Next, Toulouse apparently didn't. Tamerlin will, hopefully, be pleased.

The Stade Toulousain won something like 45 to 27 against the Aviron Bayonnais. The Toulousains alternated the good and the ugly and did not managed to keep the Bayonnais from scoring four tries. It appears like something good has finally sprouted from the Southern Hemisphere, the bonus point earned for scoring four tries was clearly instrumental in the Bayonnais' performance as they have never tried to restrict the game, they have played until the last minute in order to earn the bonus point, that which they deserve.

Finally, in South Africa, one club player murdered another.

Things are never dull in the rugby world.

South Africa seems to be on the forefront as soon as innovative behavior is concerned. :

American!

... a bullocking French number 8 called Chabal. If he keeps playing like he did yesterday he might get a call up from Laporte

Sébastien Chabal has already played in the French team and he is a very good player but the competition is very strong at this place.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


The Stade Toulousain won something like 45 to 27 against the Aviron Bayonnais. The Toulousains alternated the good and the ugly and did not managed to keep the Bayonnais from scoring four tries. It appears like something good has finally sprouted from the Southern Hemisphere, the bonus point earned for scoring four tries was clearly instrumental in the Bayonnais' performance as they have never tried to restrict the game, they have played until the last minute in order to earn the bonus point, that which they deserve.

Yes, the bonus point system can lead to positive rugby. Its downside is that it can encourage all out try fests, with other aspects of the game neglected.