Rugby!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia



Andydog gets a yellow card

Welcome back to the real world, Caligastia! Now, before you get carried away with this policing power, you should be advised that your performance as Thread Cop will be monitored. On this basis, it's worth passing on to you the recent travails of one Bill Harrigan, Australia's top RL ref - and probably the world's top RL ref, given, as I've observed before, that the RL world consists of 100 sq miles of northern England and a handful of Australian suburbs.

Anyway, Bill recently reffed the local State of Origin match, the OZ RL game of the year. Friends of mine who follow RL - well, acquaintances, really, because I don't keep friends whose IQs are smaller than their shoe size - they assure me that Bill is the finest RL ref of this or any other generation.

Cut to the chase. Last week, in a local premiership game, he sent off three players from one team. Outrage ensued. He was observed - by usually sensible watchers - to have lost the plot.

Bottom line. This week, he's refereeing reserve grade.

Moral. The taller the tree, the mightier the crash when it falls.

Thus, Caligastia, not to put too fine a point on it, any more cards for SH posters and you're in the bin yourself, buddy.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia

I am feeling more like a New Yorker every day...

Even after the Canadians blew the Americans off the park last week? Now that's what I call dedication.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog

He’s Englishman alright! Warm cloudy beers indeed. It’s Mrs Havak I feel sorry for - I found that bitter, once drunken, seems to carry on brewing in your stomach. That bitter gave me some of the most shocking and offensive farts that I have ever produced – and it caused me no end of trouble I tell you. I refer to it as my “bitter experience of ’99”, and I will never forget it. Havak, you are obviously guilty of drinking it for years, I can’t begin to imagine how rotten your arse has become.

Given that Havak certainly comes from a very long line of bitter quaffers, I suspect Charles Darwin has come to his aid and outfitted him with asbestos nether regions.

I still haven’t been able to work out how this tiff started or what the real facts are. Some say the NZRFU initially agreed on the extra team, then reneged. Some say that ARU is getting too big for their britches – insisting that the Kiwis play more games just because John O’Neil can’t be arsed organising a strong domestic competition.

There's truth in both statements. NZ did agree before reneging. Australia should have a national competition along the lines of NZ's NPC and England's comp. Things are - yet again - moving in that direction here. Queensland and NSW have both made changes to their local comps with a view to ending up with a "Premier League" between the respective top sides. But the S12 comp will always be above and beyond club comps.

NZ has said “no thanks, we already have plenty of games with a full Super 12 season, a full NPC season, and 5 Home Tests”.

Interestingly enough, this is just about exactly the attiude the NZRFU took with regard to the WRC. I kid you not. They said it would interfere with the NPC both in terms of funding - the sponsor signage debacle - and scheduling.

The Australian knee-jerk reaction of “you are killing the game of rugby” and kicking us out of the RWC has done themselves no favours, only complicated the situation.

The NZRFU kicked itself out of the WRC. The contracts were on the table for months. The deadlines were known for months. For some unknown reason, the NZRFU ignored them. And the recriminations - within NZ - continue.

I personally think that Australian rugby is where it is today because of the NZRFU (and of course the SARFU). Just remember who it was that gave you a helping hand. Now it’s time to pull your finger out and start helping yourself – give your up & coming talent the opportunity they need via a domestic competition. An extra team in the Super 12 will not be as effective.

Well, the "helping hand" argument arose after the NZRFU stuffed the WRC situation, as if the ARFU, in return for past favours, should wear the NZRFU treating the WRC contracts with obvious, unapologetic contempt. The ARFU did pull its finger out and will now host the WRC. It's also interesting to note that the SARFU - one of our Godparents - supports a fourth Oz S12 team.

Sure, it won’t make you quite as much money, but that is the real issue isn’t it!

It's one of a number of issues.

So early on? Story of my life...

See my earlier - um, advice to Caligastia. He might have sold his soul to the almighty greenback, but I suspect SH blood still pounds through his veins. Though Blood Banks do pay rather well over there, don't they?

Edit. Lote Tuquiri update. He's playing for Australia - I forget which Oz animal the RL mob have appropriated for their team name, possibly the Wombats - against England this week. The word is that he will announce his defection to Union after the match. The RL masses are severly ticked off that he - a traitor - was picked for the Test.

[finbar]

Mmmmm. The ABs are going into Saturday night's match against the Wallabies without Jonah Lomu, by choice, and Umaga, presumably because of injury. It's 13 Crusaders plus 2 others. I imagine there are 2 Crusaders players somewhere wondering where they went wrong.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by finbar

Anyway, Bill recently reffed the local State of Origin match, the OZ RL game of the year. Friends of mine who follow RL - well, acquaintances, really, because I don't keep friends whose IQs are smaller than their shoe size - they assure me that Bill is the finest RL ref of this or any other generation.

Cut to the chase. Last week, in a local premiership game, he sent off three players from one team. Outrage ensued. He was observed - by usually sensible watchers - to have lost the plot.

Bottom line. This week, he's refereeing reserve grade.

Moral. The taller the tree, the mightier the crash when it falls.

Hmmm ...
First thing I've actually heard something about in a while and it has to do with RL.
There may just be an omen in that somewhere...

Back to the subject - wasn't this just a technical slap on the wrist though? He makes a few bad decisions (supposedly - I only heard about it afterwards) and gets sin-binned for a week. That's only a single round IIRC - or do refs normally "play" more than one match in a week?

And on a non-related note - Could the ACB learn anything from this? Start quaking in your boots Daryl Hair!

Anyway, regardless of the rugby coverage over there, I need you on my side in this thread. Caligastia's now got another Kiwi; Havak's got his two French chums - cross-Channel rivalries being set aside when it comes to taking on the Southern Hemisphere - and I'm on my lonesome. So stick around!

Darn I'm really sorry I missed seeing this - right after you posted it...

*Ahem*
Could we please have a poll of the Kiwi's here?
*raises hand*

(It does have rugby in the title and all, so we're attracted to it like fl .. er, well, drawn to it.

One tip, though. If a post of Havak's doesn't mention either English skipper Jonno or Havak's beloved club, Leicester Tigers, it's only because he's forgotten. Please remind him of his forgetfulness.

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon
Back to the subject - wasn't this just a technical slap on the wrist though? He makes a few bad decisions (supposedly - I only heard about it afterwards) and gets sin-binned for a week. That's only a single round IIRC - or do refs normally "play" more than one match in a week?

Not that I want to waste another nano second of my life writing or thinking about RL, but I think there are other agendas in place with Bill Harrigan. With a forceful personality, some would say rugged good looks, et al, Harrigan has become as much a headline as the players. He holds his own media conferences, unheard of for a ref. I suspect there are some in the RL hierarchy who decided it was time to chop him down to size. I didn't see the game - I honestly can't bring myself to watch RL - but the pundits seem to say that he lost the plot - personally - in the game in question.

And on a non-related note - Could the ACB learn anything from this? Start quaking in your boots Daryl Hair!

Well, the ICC marginalised Daryl in a huge way for calling Muralitharan for chucking. He didn't make it onto the list of elite international umpires who travel the world officiating as neutral umps in Tests. Prior to calling Muralitharan, he would've been the first picked.

*Ahem*
Could we please have a poll of the Kiwi's here?
*raises hand*

Bugger! An extinct flightless bird in dingo's clothing!

[Andydog]

Excellent! Another Kiwi! Ravagon I assume that you are living in Australia, and since I am currently living in London, that means that none of us Kiwis who are currently posting on this thread actually live in NZ.

The NZRFU kicked itself out of the WRC.

Sir Thomas Eichelbaum's inquiry will determine if this is true. To me, and obviously this is my completely unbiased opinion, to suggest that NZ procrastination has lead to their inability to meet the demands of the RWCL is a huge call. If the inquiry finds this to be true, then the chief exec & the other senior execs of the NZRFU should step down in disgrace.

However there are claims that IRB chairman, Pugh, double crossed NZ through some dodgy dealings from the Aussies – who were pissed off with NZ over the Super 12 row. I see that Rob Fisher (one of the 5 directors of the RWCL - a Kiwi) has resigned over how NZ was kicked out.

The whole thing stinks worse than Havaks bitter farts.

What we need now is for all sides to relax, place egos aside, and start focusing back on the game. In particular raising its profile in a way that is fair to all three rugby nations.

It's also interesting to note that the SARFU - one of our Godparents - supports a fourth Oz S12 team.

Yes, but notice that they’ve been fairly quiet during this row. Like NZ they also have an established provincial competition, so would probably push for a change in format of the S14 such that the number of games are reduced. Which is probably what NZ will end up agreeing to. But before that happens I think that Aussie should get off their chuff and get their domestic competition going. You wonder why your talent defects to the UK.

Given that Havak certainly comes from a very long line of bitter quaffers, I suspect Charles Darwin has come to his aid and outfitted him with asbestos nether regions.

Surely this can’t be possible! Justify yourself Havak - and your asbestos anus – to all of us SH boys!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog
that means that none of us Kiwis who are currently posting on this thread actually live in NZ.

*finbar s******s*

Actually, we have an occasional visit from MrWhereItsAt, a resident Kiwi. I think he's in Wellington.

Sir Thomas Eichelbaum's inquiry will determine if this is true.

What's happened with this inquiry? We keep hearing reports that it's finished but unreleased.

The whole thing stinks worse than Havaks bitter farts.

Talk about a big call.

What we need now is for all sides to relax, place egos aside, and start focusing back on the game. In particular raising its profile in a way that is fair to all three rugby nations.

Look, to be quite honest, it's ridiculous that the WRC isn't a joint effort. Politics are really getting in the way in SH rugby. Before you know it, we'll be crippled by politics to the same extent that English rugby is crippled.

Yes, but notice that they’ve been fairly quiet during this row.

I think they're busy worrying about trying to return the Boks to some sort of competitive level internationally. From what I've seen this season, the ABs and Wallabies will both crucify them.

Like NZ they also have an established provincial competition, so would probably push for a change in format of the S14 such that the number of games are reduced. Which is probably what NZ will end up agreeing to.

Havak raised the S14 point the other day. I don't know where the extra team - beyond the extra Oz team - would come from.

But before that happens I think that Aussie should get off their chuff and get their domestic competition going. You wonder why your talent defects to the UK.

There are two types of defectors - those at the end of their careers out to boost their superannuation; and younger players frustrated by the lack of opportunity at a higher level - which is to say, S12 as a stepping stone to Test level. Our domestic comp - even if it goes national - is always going to be limited by the fact that it amounts to two states, NSW and Queensland. England's population allows it to maintain a strong comp. NZ, while lacking population, has rugby as a national religion and has no competition from either RL (to an extent) or AFL. In fact, it's the AFL that is the biggest hinderance to us in this country. So the impact of a domestic comp is a relative thing and isn't any sort of simple panacea.

Surely this can’t be possible! Justify yourself Havak - and your asbestos anus – to all of us SH boys!

I was wondering where Havak had disappeared to until I recalled he said he had an appointment to fit a new muffler.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


Welcome back to the real world, Caligastia! Now, before you get carried away with this policing power, you should be advised that your performance as Thread Cop will be monitored. On this basis, it's worth passing on to you the recent travails of one Bill Harrigan, Australia's top RL ref - and probably the world's top RL ref, given, as I've observed before, that the RL world consists of 100 sq miles of northern England and a handful of Australian suburbs.

Anyway, Bill recently reffed the local State of Origin match, the OZ RL game of the year. Friends of mine who follow RL - well, acquaintances, really, because I don't keep friends whose IQs are smaller than their shoe size - they assure me that Bill is the finest RL ref of this or any other generation.

Cut to the chase. Last week, in a local premiership game, he sent off three players from one team. Outrage ensued. He was observed - by usually sensible watchers - to have lost the plot.

Bottom line. This week, he's refereeing reserve grade.

Moral. The taller the tree, the mightier the crash when it falls.

Thus, Caligastia, not to put too fine a point on it, any more cards for SH posters and you're in the bin yourself, buddy.

Ok, only NH posters get cards from now on. Sounds fair to me...

How hard can it be to be a RL ref? All you have to do is stand close to the tackle and shout "Get off!...Get off him!" and make sure nobody sticks their finger up anyone elses arse!

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
Mmmmm. The ABs are going into Saturday night's match against the Wallabies without Jonah Lomu, by choice, and Umaga, presumably because of injury. It's 13 Crusaders plus 2 others. I imagine there are 2 Crusaders players somewhere wondering where they went wrong.

Everyone is asking "Is this the end of Lomu?". Personally I dont give a toss if it is. He was great in RWC95, but since then has only had the occasional good game IMO. There are plenty of other wingers who are more than able to fill his shoes.

Umaga will probably be back in a test jersey before the end of the year. Hopefully Leon will too.

[Caligastia]

Place your bets!

Lets start the betting on the upcoming NZ v OZ game!

We all have 100 gold to start with, so I am betting 40 gold on a NZ win. For now it might be best if we just bet on a win or a loss as opposed to the more complicated stuff. Once we all get used to betting we can get into odds etc...or we could get into it right away if someone can explain the best way for us to do it...what do you think Finbar? In any case I nominate you for treasurer

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia


Ok, only NH posters get cards from now on. Sounds fair to me...

May I say, in all sincerity, that only Ming rivals you as a moderator for fair-mindedness.

How hard can it be to be a RL ref? All you have to do is stand close to the tackle and shout "Get off!...Get off him!" and make sure nobody sticks their finger up anyone elses arse!

Update on the Harrigan suspension thing. It turns out that he said - supposedly joking - that, after all the grief about the sendings off, he might go and ref Union. The ARU immediately said it was interested in him for the RWC. Talk about stirrers.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


May I say, in all sincerity, that only Ming rivals you as a moderator for fair-mindedness.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia

Everyone is asking "Is this the end of Lomu?". Personally I dont give a toss if it is. He was great in RWC95, but since then has only had the occasional good game IMO. There are plenty of other wingers who are more than able to fill his shoes.

Umaga will probably be back in a test jersey before the end of the year. Hopefully Leon will too.

I observed earlier in the season that Jonah seemed to have lost some of his speed. There was an interesting observation in the media this morning concerning Umaga. There was no mention of injury in relation to his non-appearance. The theory is that Mitchell is moving away from Umaga's crash-through approach - not that he isn't capable of more than that - and move the ball wider. Much the same as Eddie Jones is trying to do with the Wallabies.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


I observed earlier in the season that Jonah seemed to have lost some of his speed. There was an interesting observation in the media this morning concerning Umaga. There was no mention of injury in relation to his non-appearance. The theory is that Mitchell is moving away from Umaga's crash-through approach - not that he isn't capable of more than that - and move the ball wider. Much the same as Eddie Jones is trying to do with the Wallabies.

I would be suprised if injury was not a factor. Umaga has a lot to offer IMO. I think he would work well with any strategy Mitchell could come up with. Besides, hes my wife's favorite player (not for his looks).