Should South Africa have racial quotas for rugby?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

It's just too big an ask for England to go to Aus and win it I fear.

Why? If we can do it away from home, you can.

[Havak]

By the way do not pay any attention to polls on certain sites showing a 75% approval rating for Crusaders beating Tigers - that poll is skewed by the Celts sitting there all day voting against the English.

You lads know your rugby - get hold of a video of Tigers in the European cup final (where they were admittedly not at their best at the end of a long season - double the super 12 in essence) and give me you thoughts if you like?

[Havak]

Why? If we can do it away from home, you can.

I wish!

You are a jinx on us for some reason - we just don't beat you there.

Now if NZ knock you out we might beat them, not because they aren't good but becuase that damn Aussie jinx won't be in place.

[finbar]

Mmmm. It's going to be interesting. I heard a commentator saying the rugby wheel had turned. That the game pioneered and exploited by the Wallabies - born, arguably, from the Brumbies - is now too well understood by smart oppositions and able to be stopped. I think it's a matter of whether the Wallabies can be more flexible - if one means isn't working, go to another. I honestly have no idea what will happen in the coming rep season. The Wallabies might well go down in a screaming heap. Their adaptability is certainly going to be tested.

[Havak]

But that should at least make the tri-nations a cracker, outside of the fact that South Africa will lose their away games heavily. I can't really see them beating anyone at home either - but I will check if Ref David McHugh is available for the Wallabies clash.

I'm not sure there is too much for you to worry about. I can't think of too many teams that adapt too well if plan A failed - NZ against France in RWC 99 is a prime example - and also England is Paris this year completely failed to adjust when plan A was messed up by their opponents.

I do think you have concerns in certain positions, as do we all.

I am looking forward to seeing how the Welsh, Irish and France do against the Boks, NZ and Australia respectively in June. The way France are playing unless the Wallabies are on top form from the go it could be a real upset I think.

[finbar]

Eddie Jones is already talking up the French squad, says it's the strongest he's seen. It's interesting how it's the fashion to want to achieve underdog status.

[Havak]

Indeed

Woodward is talking up the Pumas as I write.

Laporte is too smart to listen to Eddie's mind games I think?

[Caligastia]

Next international is SA v Wales on the 8th - any predictions guys? I suppose SA will probably win...

NZ v Italy also on the 8th *yawn*

[Caligastia]

Ok, heres something to do while we wait for the next decent international. Here is a list of all the matches for June. Beside each match tell us who you want to win (not who you think will).

South Africa v Wales - Wales because they are the underdogs and SA are the old enemy.
New Zealand v Italy - NZ of course!
South Africa v Wales - Wales again
New Zealand v Ireland - NZ
Canada v Scotland - Canada because I want to see rugby grow in north america
Australia v NZ Maori Perth - NZ Maori of course, they arent really maoris though are they...
New Zealand v Ireland - NZ
Australia v France - Go France! Down with Australia!
USA v Scotland - U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
South Africa v Argentina - Definitely Argentina, and I think they have a chance too!
Australia v France - France
Canada v USA - Tough call, but I suppose I have to go with the USA as I am living here.


So who would you like to see win these matches guys?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Indeed

Woodward is talking up the Pumas as I write.

Laporte is too smart to listen to Eddie's mind games I think?

I don't think anyone pays attention to the talking-up of underdog status. It has become a ritual. I expect it started as an attempt to motivate one's team.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Ok, heres something to do while we wait for the next decent international. Here is a list of all the matches for June. Beside each match tell us who you want to win (not who you think will).

South Africa v Wales - Wales because they are the underdogs and SA are the old enemy.
New Zealand v Italy - NZ of course!
South Africa v Wales - Wales again
New Zealand v Ireland - NZ
Canada v Scotland - Canada because I want to see rugby grow in north america
Australia v NZ Maori Perth - NZ Maori of course, they arent really maoris though are they...
New Zealand v Ireland - NZ
Australia v France - Go France! Down with Australia!
USA v Scotland - U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
South Africa v Argentina - Definitely Argentina, and I think they have a chance too!
Australia v France - France
Canada v USA - Tough call, but I suppose I have to go with the USA as I am living here.


So who would you like to see win these matches guys?

Can we clear up something here? Is the question - who would you like to see win? or who do you think will win?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


Can we clear up something here? Is the question - who would you like to see win? or who do you think will win?

Who would you like to see win.

[finbar]

Fair enough.

South Africa v Wales

- Wallabies.

New Zealand v Italy

- Wallabies.

South Africa v Wales

- Wallabies.

New Zealand v Ireland

- Wallabies.

Canada v Scotland

- Wallabies.

Australia v NZ Maori

- Wallabies.

New Zealand v Ireland

- Wallabies.

Australia v France

- Wallabies.

USA v Scotland

- Wallabies.

South Africa v Argentina

- Wallabies.

Australia v France

- Wallabies.

Canada v USA

- Wallabies.

Now, if I were asked who I think will win ... that's an entirely different matter.

Also, BTW, I notice the Baa-Baas came from a long way behind for a fairly comprehensive win last night. As they should've.

[Havak]

New Zealand v Italy – Go Go Go Italiano! No, only kidding – NZ easily.

South Africa v Wales – The Boks. I’d like to see Wales do it but they are simply awful these days – juts slightly more so than the Boks.

New Zealand v Ireland – Heart says Ireland, head says NZ

Canada v Scotland – Scotland by a whisker but echo the North America sentiment.

Australia v NZ Maori Perth – well, Wallabies second XV?

New Zealand v Ireland – see above

Australia v France – France are probably the better side right now, but with the Wallabies you just never know…

USA v Scotland – The tartan boys quite comfortably (sorry mate)

South Africa v Argentina – Pumas!

Australia v France – depends who wins the first test – series will be 2-0 I feel.

Canada v USA – Canada, despite the off the field turmoil, as the stronger side I feel.

The Barbarians - yes they won, but it was far from convincing against the worst national team in the British Isles. On the plus side Kronfeld was simply towering, and the young Tigers lad Ollie Smith scored a cracking try for them. One celtic team left to turn over, and I'm looking for a much better performance from McQueens men

[Havak]

Something else I want to ask you guys - the mailbox on a certain Rugby web site is full of southern fans crowing that they think the Crusaders would walk a clash of Champions tie with Tigers (and there's also the odd Paddy still crying about cheats from last weekend - idiots). It is clear from the rubbish they spout in their dialogue that they have never even seen Tigers play, and yet they are comfortable predicting the outcome of a game having only seen one of the teams in action????

My question is - are these typical of how SH fans see the game - with blinkers on? Do most of your respective countrymen really believe the world begins and ends with Super 12 and that there is no worthy rugby anywhere else?

Perhaps we really should get this game together - it would send a real shockwave through SH rugby when Crusaders get turned over at Twickenham - and believe me this is perfectly possible, if not guaranteed (I'm not stupid enough to believe Crusaders are not a threat however).

Sorry to "go off on one" guys but this has really annoyed me. Sure Crusaders are a fantastic team, but compare the personnel and there is little overall difference. Canterbury's half backs are better - one has to admit that - but their pack isn't even close IMO - Tigers field a second row of Johnson and Kay - Englands second row -and it has been a long time since the ABs have matched England for locks. Both our English flankers are the English opensides and they are complimented by a certain Mr Kronfeld (yes he shares blindside with Moody at times) who, to my mind , is still the superior flanker to either AB incumbent. Our number 8 is Martin Corry who is simply superb, and he is backed up by Adam Balding, the England A number 8.
(I would mention our front row but only 2 out of 3 are England regulars these days - the third having retired from Intl last season).

Back lines, well I guess Crusaders have the edge, but Tigers have talent there - Kafer and Smith are a workhorse and mercurial talent respectively - Tuilagi, Lloyd and Murphy are class wings and the fullback is Tim Stimpson - England fullback this summer.

Oh yes - and we have Healey, who whilst not Mr popular, is a real game breaker whoever the opposition.

So...for SH fans to dismiss this team is frankly ludicrous. Don't talk a good game - come and play it! I would imagine Jonno is rubbing his hands at the over-confidence of Canterbury fans.

And one last point - Tigers four League titles have been consecutive and achieved over a much longer league program than super 12, and their two European cups have been consecutive as well. They are not a patsy team to anyone, however good.

I look forward to your thoughts chaps!