Rugby!

[Caligastia]

Seeing as the title of the thread we were discussing rugby in is irrelevant, Im starting a new one.

Leading up to the Tri-nations tournament it seems that Australia have slightly tougher matches to play than NZ or SA.

Australia play the NZ maori, and France twice.

New Zealand play Italy, and have two matches against Ireland.

South Africa play Wales twice, Argentina once, and one match against the Pacific Warriors.

Will this be an advantage for Australia, or do they need more time to get themselves sorted before taking on tough opponents? I think it may turn out to be an advantage as they will be used to playing at a higher level by the time the tri-nations starts. If they do badly though it could sap their confidence somewhat.

South Africa could do with a few easier opponents at this stage I reckon, what with having a new coach and several new players. For them its a godsend.

[Caligastia]

*bump*

[JohnIII]

England aren't playing .

[Felch]

UMBC isn't playing either. I think we're lucky about that.

[finbar]

Re: Rugby!

Originally posted by Caligastia
Seeing as the title of the thread we were discussing rugby in is irrelevant, Im starting a new one.

Dang! I liked the irrelevancy of the other thread!

Leading up to the Tri-nations tournament it seems that Australia have slightly tougher matches to play than NZ or SA.

Australia play the NZ maori, and France twice.

New Zealand play Italy, and have two matches against Ireland.

South Africa play Wales twice, Argentina once, and one match against the Pacific Warriors.

Will this be an advantage for Australia, or do they need more time to get themselves sorted before taking on tough opponents? I think it may turn out to be an advantage as they will be used to playing at a higher level by the time the tri-nations starts. If they do badly though it could sap their confidence somewhat.

It's a damn fine thing the Wallabies are playing tough opponents. One of our problems against the Lions was the lack of time together and tough matchplay.

South Africa could do with a few easier opponents at this stage I reckon, what with having a new coach and several new players. For them its a godsend.

I expect they will want to win for Hansie.

[finbar]

Oh, and while I think of it, Havak didn't get it quite right about Joe Roff being zorfed by his French club. He got a rocket up the kyber which seemed to work. He started in the centres last week and won the game for them. Jeez, did the Brumbies ever miss him this year.

[Alexander's Horse]

Re: Re: Rugby!

Originally posted by finbar

I expect they will want to win for Hansie.

[finbar]

Oh well, no one else had marked the passing of the grasping, pious, hypocritical slug.

[Caligastia]

I just saw the NZ Maoris play the Reds, and have no complaints, but isnt the ref supposed to be from an impartial country? He was that aussie guy Peter Marshall.

[finbar]

It was a tour match. The neutral ref situation applies to games of more import. I'm not sure how the Wallaby -v- Maori game will be graded. BTW, I thought the Maori were a tad unimpressive. I imagine they will lift against the Wallabies. In fact, I know they will.

Looks like Wendell Sailor will start on the wing in the Maori game, Matt Rogers will start on the bench as a back-up 5/8. That's the rumor anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if Rogers starts at inside centre and alternates at 5/8 with Elton Flatley. I suspect that's Eddie Jones' ultimate goal - alternating 5/8s.

[Havak]

Havak didn't get it quite right

Oh come on, I mean does that sound like me? I'm always right.

the comments I reported were accurate - the Biarritz assistant coach gave an interview to the press saying Roff had been on holiday in France. One good game after that rocket does not a season make - he had two tries all season to that point.

He is apparently returning to the brumbies to stake a place for RWC, and from what I hear the club is glad to see the back of him even now.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
He is apparently returning to the brumbies to stake a place for RWC, and from what I hear the club is glad to see the back of him even now.

Bless the Frogs. Wouldn't know sh*t from clay.

[Caligastia]

Ill be watching 3 games in a row on Saturday.

NZ v Italy *yawn*

NZ Maoris v Waratahs - I wonder if the Waratahs have recovered psychologically from their drubbing at the hands of the Crusaders yet...

SA v Wales - Hopefully SA will win, otherwise we might as well name the tri-nations the two-nations this year...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia

NZ Maoris v Waratahs - I wonder if the Waratahs have recovered psychologically from their drubbing at the hands of the Crusaders yet...

It'll be very much a Waratah 2nd XV. Matthew Burke, Matt Rogers, Chris Whitaker, Brendan Cannon, David Lyons and Patricio Noreaga are off in the Wallaby squad. OTOH, Queensland were missing just as many players and they still beat the Maori XV.

[Havak]

The neutral ref situation applies to games of more import

Are you sure? I know the ARU does this but I don't think we necessarily do for example.

Frankly it is better to avoid it if possible as you do see some shocking displays that could easily be taken as biased. I've seen several but I'm not allowed to mention that tour anymore.

Bless the Frogs. Wouldn't know sh*t from clay.

They acknowledged his potential class as a player, but were a little concerned they were funding his year long European tour.

They do seem to have some grounds for that - certainly when I saw him take the field for them in the European rounds it wasn't the same man who threw everything he has in for the Brumbies. I would almost say he didn't want to get hurt (looking to RWC?)...and you shouldn't be in French club rugby in that case (it's pretty violent at times).

Patricio Noreaga

Ah yes that well known Aussie - one of seven different nationalites in the current Aussie squad I have been told - is that slander that has been passed on to me?