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**finbar** · October 12, 2004, 09:46

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse

Cheer up - I'm over it already.

I refuse to let the rodent ruin my life

Had friends around for dinner tonight. Fully supportive of my plan to spend at least two years in, more than likely, Italy. Mrs finbar warms to the idea by the day. It's only a matter of time!

**Caligastia** · October 12, 2004, 09:49

Originally posted by finbar

I'd like to be there for at least two years, regardless. Any less would feel like a holiday, which isn't either what I'm after or the point of the exercise. Obviously I'm not going to come to grips with a new country in just two years, but it would be a reasonable start.

Sounds like it would be a dream come true for you. Let me know if you end up having a stopover in NYC.

**Caligastia** · October 12, 2004, 09:51

Originally posted by Havak
Now he has announced that he will not tour this November so he can rest various niggling ‘injuries’ I think we can safely assume the time of Carlos is well and truly over?

The only reason he got in in the first place was because of the Blues' Super 12 victory last year. The ABs mistakenly thought they could adopt a Super 12 team's style of play and win at the international level.

**finbar** · October 12, 2004, 09:54

Originally posted by Havak

Currying favour with the SH boys Tamerlin? Shame on you.

The perspicacious chap, whose judgement I have never ever questioned, is entitled to his opinion.

Now he has announced that he will not tour this November so he can rest various niggling ‘injuries’ I think we can safely assume the time of Carlos is well and truly over?

And G. Henry's hearty support of Carlos' decision to rest his niggling "injuries" only underlines the point.

And lock-jaw, now retired fro England duty, has entered the club-country debate pointing out the rather obvious fact that clubs should not have to play on weekends where England do. As everyone but the RFU realise.

Read it. Very sensible. Too sensible for the RFU, obviously.

Four losses in a row for Krige’s Saints side now (lost to Kafer’s woeful mob Sunday). Solomons is coming under huge pressure for his foreign legion summer signings not performing.

But aren't they perennial under-achievers?

**Caligastia** · October 12, 2004, 09:54

Originally posted by finbar
At some point last week, as she contemplated the inevitability of the government being re-elected, Mrs finbar actually pondered a move to New Zealand. That's how deeply, deeply depressed she was feeling.

How will the re-election of Howard affect you guys anyway? You get to keep more of your tax dollars?

**finbar** · October 12, 2004, 10:06

Originally posted by Caligastia

Well, my wife is part italian...

Mmmmmm. I shall watch my words.

Nope, I watched the taped game last night before looking back at this thread. Did you see the game? It had the most thrilling finish I've seen for a long time.

I caught the last ten minutes. Amazing game.

**finbar** · October 12, 2004, 10:09

Originally posted by Caligastia

Sounds like it would be a dream come true for you. Let me know if you end up having a stopover in NYC.

Great city. One of the two or three great cities I've been. Along with Florence and Venice. Been there four times. Probably won't get there again for a while. But you can go and say hullo for us to the hotel at which we always stay - the Mayflower on Central Park West. Wonderful old place.

**finbar** · October 12, 2004, 10:14

Originally posted by Caligastia

How will the re-election of Howard affect you guys anyway? You get to keep more of your tax dollars?

It's not about dollars. It's about several of the very unfortunate aspects of the Australian character that he has targeted and exploited. But enough of politics. Our friends over for dinner tonight are actually seriously contemplating New Zealand. The husband is a rugby supporter, too.

**Caligastia** · October 12, 2004, 10:15

Originally posted by finbar
I caught the last ten minutes. Amazing game.

Pity it makes no difference to Auckland's chances of getting into the top 4.

But at least our history was defended. Otago have not won at Eden Park since 1976.

**Havak** · October 12, 2004, 10:26

Jonathan Humphries (Welsh – and Bath skipper so double jeopardy there) called Lipman the “best 7 in the Premiership” on the pitchside interview and that got him boo’ed off the pitch (given Backy still is, of course). So as Lippers was the recipient of a blatant forward pass from Thuggy Fleck to get the only Bath try I felt my review was more than balanced considering.

Tindall, on his second game back from injury, looked very strong.

Could you do my aging, ailing eyes a favour and spell it out for me?

No Problem.

T-I-G-E-R-S

I was tempted to increase the font size there.

Don’t tell me you were not being serious?

But then we are way past irony given your defence of Tamerlin’s free speech. I took that seriously of course.

The only reason he got in in the first place was because of the Blues' Super 12 victory last year. The ABs mistakenly thought they could adopt a Super 12 team's style of play and win at the international level.

I would say there is a great deal of substance in what you are saying here Caligastia.

Read it. Very sensible. Too sensible for the RFU, obviously.

Quite. Touted the game too widely for TV revenue – and found itself committed to a fixture list that doesn’t fit into a year without overlap. Business defeats sport every time.

But aren't they perennial under-achievers?

A club over 120 years old – one Division 2 title and the 2000 European Cup (worst final ever) are the only weights in their trophy cabinet. Finished third in the League two years running under Smith (03 and 04) and both times destroyed by Wasps in the play off semi.

So in answer to your question – yes.

**Tamerlin** · October 12, 2004, 10:31

Originally posted by Havak
But then we are way past irony given your defence of Tamerlin’s free speech. I took that seriously of course.

Sometimes, it happens that I can write something sensible.

**Caligastia** · October 12, 2004, 10:32

Originally posted by finbar

It's not about dollars. It's about several of the very unfortunate aspects of the Australian character that he has targeted and exploited. But enough of politics. Our friends over for dinner tonight are actually seriously contemplating New Zealand. The husband is a rugby supporter, too.

From what I've heard things are going very well in Australia, why would people want to move at this point?

**Havak** · October 12, 2004, 11:11

I wasn't suggesting otherwise Tamerlin - just reacting flippantly to Finbar's comic feed line alledging he was suddenly 'born-again' on defending your right to offer your opinions because you offered one that would specifically annoy me.

As it happens I find most of what you offer about SH rugby sensible.

**Tamerlin** · October 12, 2004, 12:11

Originally posted by Havak
I wasn't suggesting otherwise Tamerlin - just reacting flippantly to Finbar's comic feed line alledging he was suddenly 'born-again' on defending your right to offer your opinions because you offered one that would specifically annoy me.

I have the weakness to consider he supported me because my arguments were good.

As it happens I find most of what you offer about SH rugby sensible.

**Tamerlin** · October 12, 2004, 12:22

By the way:

Stade Toulousain 39 - Club Sportif de Bourgoin-Jailleu 5

The Stade Toulousain sprinkled some very good Rugby with fools that stopped many great actions. There are some reason to hope...

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