Rugby - Autumn Beckons!

[Havak]

That mid-90s ABs outfit was the best I've seen in a long time. Tough, fierce and immensely skilled.

Plus delicate constitutions? A little food poisoning and they went to pieces.

The sort of level J**** reached when he peaked.

So Robin is the brother of Zinny then?

Jonno is still on that peak. A shame he seems to have ruled the Lions out at the moment.

The Lions Tests, perhaps one Test over there.

Did he play in the 2002 defeat in Ireland – the Irish forwards were Kings that day.

A lot of people are put off by the fact that the beef is raw.

It doesn’t phase me though – so next time I am in Italia I must hunt it down.

It looks like Tamerlin is in for a heart stopping season the way Toulouse are going.

How happy was I we beat Saints?

Jonno was binned on nine minutes. The Saints lock (Browne) punched him in the face as Tigers formed a maul – Martin punched him back. You would think after all these years he would learn to turn the other cheek. He needs to be a good boy now – one more yellow makes for a one match ban automatically.

Krige behaved pretty well – losing it only once right at the death when for some reason the younger Tuilagi brother had a rush of blood and when chasing a kicked through ball dropped straight on the fullback Reihana without letting him regain his feet. Tuilagi was rightly carded for it but before he could be the mother of punch ups kicked off and Krige was shepherded away by ‘peace keeping’ Tigers forwards.

VD scored a cracking opening try. Rabeni kept up his try a game record. Bust most telling 27 of our 32 points were scored by Englishmen. Not a single Saints point came via an English player.

Broadfoot stood up to the test. Good hands, a great kicking game and he also made some lovely breaks – certainly not afraid to run the ball. If he carries on this well Goode may only return at fullback.

Check out the Premiership table – despite losing that opening game we are only one point of the top. We have gone bonus point crazy this season.

It is Rob Andrew's mob away next weekend - I really want us to take the points up there so Rob can moan some more to the media (heck he moans even when they win!).

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


Plus delicate constitutions? A little food poisoning and they went to pieces.

Oh well, they gave enough other teams' supporters the sh*ts, it was their turn.

So Robin is the brother of Zinny then?

Yup. Only he knows to keep his opinions to himself. I think he's coaching in NZ these days.

Jonno is still on that peak. A shame he seems to have ruled the Lions out at the moment.

I hope he sticks to his retirement. He has nothing more to gain. Perhaps if the Lions were playing us, he might have something to gain in the form of revenge. But even then. Always depart the stage leaving them wanting more. As Tamerlin so perfectly demonstrates on a weekly basis.

Did he play in the 2002 defeat in Ireland – the Irish forwards were Kings that day. ;-)

Injured. Remember? Nine-tenths of the crowd were his rellies, come from all over Ireland to watch him play.

It looks like Tamerlin is in for a heart stopping season the way Toulouse are going.

I now know why he doesn't attend matches.

Krige behaved pretty well –

How did he play?

VD scored a cracking opening try.

Yeah, I've heard Saints defence is crap.

27 of our 32 points were scored by Englishmen. Not a single Saints point came via an English player.

Well, as long as England management make the connection.

Check out the Premiership table – despite losing that opening game we are only one point of the top. We have gone bonus point crazy this season.

See what happens when you field a S12 player? Next thing your set pieces will fall apart.

It is Rob Andrew's mob away next weekend - I really want us to take the points up there so Rob can moan some more to the media (heck he moans even when they win!).

I notice they lost. Burke was at full back. I haven't seen him mentioned in dispatches yet.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar


You must keep trying. They say the French are inclined to look kindly upon people who at least attempt to speak their language.

Don't misunderstand me, even if I am not considering myself as a master of the French language I am nonetheless far more litterate than most of the French.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
It looks like Tamerlin is in for a heart stopping season the way Toulouse are going.

Too late, I have "devolved" into an "undead" since I am following the Stade.

[Havak]

That’s is what I call suffering for your team. Even at Tigers worst I didn’t consider becoming a Zombie.

Yup. Only he knows to keep his opinions to himself

But even then. Always depart the stage leaving them wanting more. As Tamerlin so perfectly demonstrates on a weekly basis.

You are probably right. I personally feel out best chance of lowering their colours is if he does take part.

His instincts are probably solid – he remains untainted by the England debacle since the RWC after timing his walking away just right.

Injured. Remember?

It’s coming flooding back!

I now know why he doesn't attend matches.

I thought that was poverty?

How did he play?

The honest answer is ‘averagely’. He was more prominent for being skipper (talking to the ref) than for his play. He came off second best against the old war horse Backy on the day.

Oh and Backy has said he wants to try for a Lions spot in 2005.

Yeah, I've heard Saints defence is crap.

Saturday proved that. The try in question was a beautiful kick and chase – Ellis saw that Reihana has drifted out of position and popped a ball over Saints heads – he and VD chased it and of course VD won.

Well, as long as England management make the connection.

They certainly know how things are. I am not sure they truly care to be honest. As long as a few clubs are churning out English lads the RFU seem content to whip them away and keep the short term bank balance rolling.

At the end of the day if only ourselves, Wasps and Sale are producing English youngsters the consequences could be dire.

See what happens when you field a S12 player? Next thing your set pieces will fall apart.

If he was a forward they already might have.

Kay put in a good game by the way – but then it was an easy game to do so in. he did make our lineout rock solid, but it was fairly solid with Deacon anyway.

I notice they lost. Burke was at full back. I haven't seen him mentioned in dispatches yet.

I doubt this means he has been off the pace – all the reports have been almost solely about Jonny since he returned. Glaws tucked them away fairly easily this weekend – and are flattering to deceive again I suspect.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Don't misunderstand me, even if I am not considering myself as a master of the French language I am nonetheless far more litterate than most of the French.

I just wish my French was a tenth as good as your English!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

Oh and Backy has said he wants to try for a Lions spot in 2005.

I've just made up an adage. Old age and wisdom don't always catch the same bus.

– Ellis saw that Reihana has drifted out of position and popped a ball over Saints heads – he and VD chased it and of course VD won.

Elbowing his teammate aside, no doubt!

I doubt this means he has been off the pace – all the reports have been almost solely about Jonny since he returned.

The coverage he gets is extraordinary. And unhealthy, I'd've thought.

[Havak]

It's a good adage - he will be half way to 37 by the time of that tour and wearing a Seven shirt that has to be a tour too far I think.

There was a touch of Elbows I think.

I agree about Wilko - very unhealthy. They are putting the weight of England's future on his shoulders alone and I would not be surprised to see him crack under it

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar


I just wish my French was a tenth as good as your English!

Nobody's perfect...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

I agree about Wilko - very unhealthy. They are putting the weight of England's future on his shoulders alone and I would not be surprised to see him crack under it

And he will be captain?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Nobody's perfect...

J'aurai le dernier mot!

[Havak]

The media have made him captain already.

Perhaps Robinson will stick it on an older pair of shoulders for the autumn - Hilly perhaps. If Wilko has to have the armband it would be better to break him in against six nations opponents rather than Boks and Aussies.

Vickery is also a candidate (not that I rate him as a skipper) but to be honest on form he may struggle to get picked ahead of Julian White.

Check Zinny's latest column - another classic as he tells us he would move a player that Clive played out of position (Hill) to somewhere else he would be out of position.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The media have made him captain already.

Perhaps Robinson will stick it on an older pair of shoulders for the autumn - Hilly perhaps. If Wilko has to have the armband it would be better to break him in against six nations opponents rather than Boks and Aussies.

Vickery is also a candidate (not that I rate him as a skipper) but to be honest on form he may struggle to get picked ahead of Julian White.

I'd've thought Hill had to be a chance. I don't know much about him as a person or leader, but Wilkinson doesn't need the extra pressure.

Check Zinny's latest column - another classic as he tells us he would move a player that Clive played out of position (Hill) to somewhere else he would be out of position.

I read it. I was hoping you'd see it! What an utter d*ckhead!

[Tamerlin]

The French Barbarians selected to play against Australia are reinforced by three world champions including Jonno and Dally. As the game is played the same day as a French Championship round, it seems that the Barbarians have decided to spare many French players to the benefit of the clubs.

Dallaglio will be captain of the team.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar


J'aurai le dernier mot!

Non !

Note that, in French, there is a space between the last letter and the exclamation mark.