Rugby - Autumn Beckons!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


He set new standards on Sunday when he got himself sin binned after six minutes for killing ball. It was apparently a most impressive swan dive onto the ball.

But nothing compares with him swatting the ball out of an Australian player's hands and getting away with it. Remember that?

BBC News anchor of the 70s. Also known for displaying legs on the M&W show and later presenting Come dancing. Like Previn she was one of many victims of Eric Morecambe’s machine gun wit.

Mmmmm. I'll have to go back now and re-read the original post to see how offended I should be.

I saw Henjak had signed for Quins and assumed it was a way of getting in place ready for the tour. Strange decision by Quins.

Surprise surprise. Henjak hasn't made the tour. I'm amazed. Time for Chris Whitaker to give up his spot on the bench, I'd've thought.

But Eddie is at it again with his rabbits out of his hat. Drew Mitchell, Reds' utility back, is one newbie. Very talented. Stephen Hoiles, a young back rower who is also a bona fide lineout jumper, is the other. His qualifications are, um, club rugby with Sydney's premier club Randwick. I think he might have played one S12 match for the Waratahs. I've seen him a couple of times on the Saturday arvo televised club rugby. He can play. Club rugby anyway. I love the way Eddie bloods 'em.

Oh yes – Matt Dawson has been canned by England after failing to turn up for training because of business commitments. Difficult to see him getting back in now.

He didn't let them know? Or he let them know and they weren't impressed?

[Havak]

But nothing compares with him swatting the ball out of an Australian player's hands and getting away with it.

I don’t remember that as it happens. But that is only because I have seen him do it more than once.

I love the way Eddie bloods 'em.

Too true – even if he is not expecting much from us he will be facing France. I wonder if the newbies will get game time against anyone but Scotland?

Rather surprised about Henjak – still at least he has something to fill his off season with anyway.

He didn't let them know? Or he let them know and they weren't impressed?

The latter as I understand it. They wasted no time at all in cutting him. It was probably time anyway – and he hasn’t been setting the world alight with Wasps this season.

Incidentally Wasps just squeezed past Leeds at the weekend (13-9). They need to improve quickly or it will be a very hard season for them.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Now listen Tamerlin. Remember you gave me a link to a site that carried the grenouille results? I lost the link. Be a good chap and post it again?

As I cannot practice a cultural apartheid with you, Australia having no culture at all, there will be no retaliation.

Rugbyrama

France Rugby (ugly)

[Tamerlin]

The big surprise is coming from Biarritz where the Biarritz Olympique has lost the "it is unthinkable to lose it" derby against the newly promoted Aviron Bayonnais. Though there is not yet a crisis, the president of the club has already promised there would be some changes if the players are not reacting quickly.

Castres Olympique 39 - Union Sportive des Arlequins de Perpignan 27

A splendid game, especially the first half, with Yann Delaigue (former half-fly of the Stade Toulousain)) and the Castres Olympique in great shape.

The Stade Toulousain won 22-13 away from home against the Football Club de Grenoble but I have not yet read any report about the game.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


As I cannot practice a cultural apartheid with you, Australia having no culture at all, there will be no retaliation.

And even that's not an insult. I know this country doesn't have culture. Why you do you think I hate it so much!

Rugbyrama

France Rugby (ugly)

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


I don’t remember that as it happens. But that is only because I have seen him do it more than once.

Too true – even if he is not expecting much from us he will be facing France. I wonder if the newbies will get game time against anyone but Scotland?

They've added another mid-week match against French Barbarians. Here, I'll resist the urge to use words like tautology. Anyway, I imagine the mid-week matches will be the newbies' chance.

Rather surprised about Henjak – still at least he has something to fill his off season with anyway.

And the experience will do him good. In fact, the ARU would've had to have sanctioned the Quins deal, so they probably thought it good experience too. He was probably told he wasn't in the tour squad.

EDIT. The Henjak situation is now clearer. A group of players not in the touring team, including him, have been named for the mid-week Australia A match against French Barbarians. It's being played between the French Test and the second Scotland Test.

The latter as I understand it. They wasted no time at all in cutting him. It was probably time anyway – and he hasn’t been setting the world alight with Wasps this season.

Oh well, yet another means of retiring a player.

Incidentally Wasps just squeezed past Leeds at the weekend (13-9). They need to improve quickly or it will be a very hard season for them.

[Havak]

I can’t help but feel that Toulouse should be recording a larger margin against the likes of Grenoble?

I'll resist the urge to use words like tautology

I hope Tamerlin got that one.

A group of players not in the touring team, including him, have been named for the mid-week Australia A match against French Barbarians

I wonder if they can pick non French nationals? I’m thinking of Welsh refuges like Stephen Jones and ‘High IQ’ Thomas. Their best chance of beating any Aussie side must be with French forwards around them.

Nice to see Timmy Horan made a selector by the way Finbar.

Oh well, yet another means of retiring a player.

One thing is certain it will be a very different England side Eddie faces in November – much younger on average.

Ben Kay came on for the last two minutes at the weekend. I know that Tigers are being careful with Ollie Smith to protect him after the summer groin op – but I am not sure I buy the same excuse for Ben (it is being used after he hurt his back pre-season but for my money Deacon is keeping him out on form).

As for Wasps and their need to buck up – they are of course facing us four times this year what with being in our European pool and all. Needless to say I am much more positive about our chances than I would have been this time last year.

Let me leave you with a quote from Gary Gold, coach of London Irish: “They are a great team. They are my tip to win it”.

Short and to the point. And he was not talking about Wasps!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I can’t help but feel that Toulouse should be recording a larger margin against the likes of Grenoble?

The way Toulouse has been travelling, a win is a win.

I hope Tamerlin got that one.

I'd hate to have wasted it!

I wonder if they can pick non French nationals? I’m thinking of Welsh refuges like Stephen Jones and ‘High IQ’ Thomas. Their best chance of beating any Aussie side must be with French forwards around them.

I actually wondered what French Barbarian meant. Obvious jokes aside. Which we will spare Tamerlin. FB seems to be the official title of the team Australia A are playing.

Nice to see Timmy Horan made a selector by the way Finbar.

Yes it is. I wonder if he will be doing any coaching on the tour? After backs coach Roger Gould's sudden departure recently, the job reverted to Eddie, George Gregan and Steve Larkham. Apparently they'd been the official joint backs coaching staff last season.

One thing is certain it will be a very different England side Eddie faces in November – much younger on average.

Good thing too. And also nice to see Eddie crowning les grenouilles the best side in the world over the last couple of years.

Ben Kay came on for the last two minutes at the weekend. I know that Tigers are being careful with Ollie Smith to protect him after the summer groin op – but I am not sure I buy the same excuse for Ben (it is being used after he hurt his back pre-season but for my money Deacon is keeping him out on form).

If you're right, he should be in the second XV getting some game time. Not doing anyone any good him sitting on the bench for 78 minutes.

As for Wasps and their need to buck up – they are of course facing us four times this year what with being in our European pool and all. Needless to say I am much more positive about our chances than I would have been this time last year.

Anyone who puts The Nose and his Nostrils to the sword will be cheered by me. Mmmm. I might have to give that blanket statement some thought. Its ramifications bother me.

Let me leave you with a quote from Gary Gold, coach of London Irish: “They are a great team. They are my tip to win it”.

Short and to the point. And he was not talking about Wasps!

Yes, well. If his team had a less silly name, I might be persuaded to take him more seriously.

Hey Tamerlin. I was watching a French doco on Caravaggio. It was a tad difficult to follow because, being French, for a French market, the on-screen English speakers were accompanied by an audible French translation, accompanied by English sub-titles to allow an English-speaking audience to follow what the on-screen English speakers were saying because they were being drowned out by the French translation. Only in France! Anyway, it was interesting to hear the French pronunciation of Caravaggio - something approximating Cara-varj. The last syllable is dropped. Why?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
The way Toulouse has been travelling, a win is a win.

I agree...

I'd hate to have wasted it!

Wasted!

I actually wondered what French Barbarian meant. Obvious jokes aside. Which we will spare Tamerlin. FB seems to be the official title of the team Australia A are playing.

As far as I know the French Barbarians are made with the players of the French Championship whatever their country of origin.

And also nice to see Eddie crowning les grenouilles the best side in the world over the last couple of years.

This Eddie seems to be a very sensible man.

Hey Tamerlin. I was watching a French doco on Caravaggio. It was a tad difficult to follow because, being French, for a French market, the on-screen English speakers were accompanied by an audible French translation, accompanied by English sub-titles to allow an English-speaking audience to follow what the on-screen English speakers were saying because they were being drowned out by the French translation. Only in France! Anyway, it was interesting to hear the French pronunciation of Caravaggio - something approximating Cara-varj. The last syllable is dropped. Why?

I don't have any idea of what a Caravaggio is...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Wasted!

As far as I know the French Barbarians are made with the players of the French Championship whatever their country of origin.

But not Test players, presumably.

This Eddie seems to be a very sensible man.

I don't have any idea of what a Caravaggio is...

Crétin! The 16th Century Italian painter!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
But not Test players, presumably.

Even if it bothers me, I have to admit that you are probaby right.

Crétin! The 16th Century Italian painter!

As an English would say, I must admit that painting is not my cup of tea.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Even if it bothers me, I have to admit that you are probaby right.

The match is played on a Tuesday. It's an Australia A match. On the Saturday before, the Wallabies will have pulverised the grenouille Test team in Paris. So there wouldn't be any grenouille Test players in fit physical, emotional or psychological state to back up three days later for another pounding.

Actually, the Australia A match is also played in Paris, but at a different venue to the Test match. What's another major rugby venue in Paris?

As an English would say, I must admit that painting is not my cup of tea.

Entêté comme c'est pas possible! Answer the question!

[Havak]

Good thing too. And also nice to see Eddie crowning les grenouilles the best side in the world over the last couple of years.

Just the usual Eddie wind up nonsense. Another team won both Grand Slam and World Cup in 2003. Don’t be surprised if the new young England beats the Wallabies and France go down to them. France never win when they are hot favourites.

If you want a real example of Eddie talking out of lack of knowledge try this:

“Bath played a very confrontational-style of game under him, very strong in the forwards, so I think England will go back to that particular style.”

Um, Eddie old boy Bath were table proppers under Andy with the weakest forwards they had had in twenty years. They weren’t particularly ‘confrontational’ because the outfits with good forwards could give back better than they received. They tried to play a style of containment in the forwards - freeing their quite talented backline when they could.

I wish, as I did with Clive oft times, that when Eddie doesn’t know something he doesn’t do this silly ‘guessing’ thing.

If you're right, he should be in the second XV getting some game time. Not doing anyone any good him sitting on the bench for 78 minutes.

Recalled to the starting line up for Saturday. Maybe it was 'resting'. Crunch time as a poor showing will see Deacon right back in.

Did I mention our Fly Half is crocked? Out for at least six weeks with knee trouble. The starting place goes to young Broadfoot. Do or Die time.

Anyone who puts The Nose and his Nostrils to the sword will be cheered by me. Mmmm. I might have to give that blanket statement some thought. Its ramifications bother me.

I know what you mean. There is a French side in the group after all.

Yes, well. If his team had a less silly name, I might be persuaded to take him more seriously.

The origins of the name are logical enough. It started as a club mainly played for by migrant Irish workers in the capital. As did London Scottish and London Welsh (still going strong in semi-pro). It has become less meaningful since they absorbed London Scottish and Richmond at the RFU behest and moved to Reading – not to mention playing more Boks than paddies…

This Eddie seems to be a very sensible man.

Sometimes. And sometimes a total t*t.

As an English would say, I must admit that painting is not my cup of tea.

If you want to be more working class say it does not “float my boat”.

What's another major rugby venue in Paris?

Their old national stadium – Le Parc des Princes.

Right next to Stade Francais at Stade Jean Bouin (and I mean right next to).

That’s right – Tigers beat Stade Francais in a European final in a ground perhaps 100M away from their own ground. Toulouse did something similar to Cardiff (the year before English clubs joined and made French wins a rarity). Brive clearly cheated in 97 of course.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Don’t be surprised if the new young England beats the Wallabies

I would be very surprised.

and France go down to them.

That wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

I wish, as I did with Clive oft times, that when Eddie doesn’t know something he doesn’t do this silly ‘guessing’ thing.

But you'd be left with nothing to bag him about.

Did I mention our Fly Half is crocked? Out for at least six weeks with knee trouble. The starting place goes to young Broadfoot. Do or Die time.

Read about it on the BBC site. Nice old test for you. I also read Nigel Melville on the site sinking the slipper into Matt Dawson in a big way. I also saw a link indicating that Zinzan was defending Dawson. I've long since learned not to bother reading Zinzan. Which isn't to say that I'm condemning Dawson. Just Zinzan.

The origins of the name are logical enough. It started as a club mainly played for by migrant Irish workers in the capital. As did London Scottish and London Welsh (still going strong in semi-pro). It has become less meaningful since they absorbed London Scottish and Richmond at the RFU behest and moved to Reading – not to mention playing more Boks than paddies…

Okay. Let's change the name to London Boers.

Sometimes. And sometimes a total t*t.

If you want to be more working class say it does not “float my boat”.

Ironically, I was thinking of including in my post to Tamerlin that I knew I wouldn't have any trouble mentioning Caravaggio in your company.

Their old national stadium – Le Parc des Princes.

Right next to Stade Francais at Stade Jean Bouin (and I mean right next to).

Is Stade Jean Bouin, itself, a ground? Because I think that was the venue I saw nominated for the Barbarians match. The Test is at Stade de France.

[Havak]

Well lets hope England rugby surprises you as much as the cricket lads spanking the Aussies the other day did?

And you were hoping I might not mention it?

Jean Bouin is indeed a completely seperate stadium located right next to Parc des Princes. In the shadow of it in fact.