Rugby - The beautiful game

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I really don't like soccer !

You're perfectly safe announcing that here, Tamerlin.

About "Chacun pour soi", LDiCesare have corrected Finbar for me.

You've got to be quick.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

What worries me most is that if your fans did manage to release some poor animal (be it poultry or a marsupial) in the stadium some over enthusiastic Aussie policeman would probably shoot it

Nuh. Wring its neck, jam it under his coat, take it home and slam it on the barby.

Mind you they sing a cracking Waltzing Matilda before the game.

Spare me. Per-leeeeeeeeze!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Though I don't consider you are bad in that regard I have somme trouble to compare with our SH friends as I know nothing of their habits in the matter.

Some things are better not known about.

[Havak]

I thought the barbarians were those that are releasing an animal in the middle of a crowded rugby stadium.

The Aussie rugby dictionary defines Barbarian as “those nations and nationalities who dare to beat the Wallabies – for they must necessary be uncivilised cheats to do so”

Hundred years of selective breeding can have some bad after-effects.

This is very true – just ask the Welsh.

I know nothing of their habits in the matter.

Aussie rugger crowds, in my limited experience, are unique. I thought Tigers corwds were unimaginative with the dirge “Tiiigggeeerrsss”, but after the thousandth time “Go Wallabies” makes one feel somewhat homicidal.

I used to be a very gentle soul, incapable of a bad word about anyone

I’m not buying today.

Until I came upon your mistreatment of Celts

It’s all in jest. What we need is a celtic fan to post and then you will get a feel for the Anglo-celt rugby relationship from the other point of view.

Of course they would have to learn English first.

You're here for business reasons.

In actual fact I’m scouting for transfer targets – and yourself and Caligastia have been very helpful in that regard – Jack, Robertson, Lyons, Larkham – we want the lot.

I did hear that. I think it was Poido.

I thought it was great. We had just seen a cracking bit of rugby and instead of praising that he went of on a small uber-patriot rant that, amongst other things, picked yet again at the scab of the lost Lions test at the Gabba. I did laugh.

but he really had no choice

I understand the importance of the bonus point. It was a brave call all right. It’s not the kind of thing I can see him doing against us in November where BPs don’t factor. Of course you should be more than 7 down by the 80th minute anyway (Justin will have been red carded over an hour ago by then).

Still, it's their choice.

And that’s the key. The ‘combative’ style has totally failed them for three years or so and they still persist with it. What is that cliché – adapt or perish?

Just as long as it's the -sh of finish and not the f-.

Absolutely – it helps our club scene to have the class veterans here bringing our youngsters on. Youngsters should stay and try for the green and gold – no problem there at all.

Some former SANZAR talent has done really well here – Kronfeld, Stransky, Ian Jones for starters – but some made poor club choices and arrived with knackered bodies and have just creamed cash for no real return – Little, Wilson (sadly as we expected much from him) and Foley for example. I’m keen to see us only sign players who contribute something to our game. Naturally there are no doubts about Larkham on that one.

Presumably he can sing better than he writes.

Without a doubt – they learn to sing before they learn to write after all.

"sports writing of a high order".

Wow – I must read it. Not only does he ghost write Austin, he is also a good friend of the Lip. If he has transcended that to be ‘fair’ (by which I am assuming the Aussie version of his book has been altered to say the Wallabies are the best team ever?) I have to read it!

They like the French style.

Wonder how they will treat the Poms? One Aussie e-mailed Planet Rugby after the violence last Saturday saying how much he was looking forward to seeing RSA play the Poms with that ‘physical’ style. You guys really love us don’t you?

The yellow card from a citing was actually the prop Rautenbach (the guy who got pummelled by Paul and Harrison so some justice for you at least?)

How about this for an understatement though - Harrison said that he realised that needed to control his temper in future. Well, um, yeah.

As I said, the ABs should probably - technically - start favourites

Home advantage is the only thing that makes this marginal for me.

Nuh. Wring its neck, jam it under his coat, take it home and slam it on the barby.

That does sound more Australian.

Spare me. Per-leeeeeeeeze!

Okay you got me – it’s the opposition that sings along. The Aussies just sit there waiting for the chance to use their Bundaberg ‘Try’ cards.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The Aussie rugby dictionary defines Barbarian as “those nations and nationalities who dare to beat the Wallabies – for they must necessary be uncivilised cheats to do so”

Our rugby dictionary defines Barbarian as "an excuse to throw the ball around, have fun and sink some p*ss".

Of course they would have to learn English first.

Tamerlin and LDiCesares could show them the ropes.

In actual fact I’m scouting for transfer targets – and yourself and Caligastia have been very helpful in that regard – Jack, Robertson, Lyons, Larkham – we want the lot.

I sent you Michael Foley! Jeez, you're hard to please!

I understand the importance of the bonus point. It was a brave call all right. It’s not the kind of thing I can see him doing against us in November where BPs don’t factor.

Why would you do it if you don't need to?

Of course you should be more than 7 down by the 80th minute anyway (Justin will have been red carded over an hour ago by then).

Of course Jonno wouldn't have started the match, having been suspended for 3 months the week before.

And that’s the key. The ‘combative’ style has totally failed them for three years or so and they still persist with it. What is that cliché – adapt or perish?

Where are you Mickeyj?

Some former SANZAR talent has done really well here – Kronfeld, Stransky, Ian Jones for starters – but some made poor club choices and arrived with knackered bodies and have just creamed cash for no real return – Little, Wilson (sadly as we expected much from him) and Foley for example.

Jason Little was injured over there, wasn't he? A couple of times? I assume you mean David Wilson? I thought he left here in fairly healthy condition. Very gutsy player he is. Or was.

Wonder how they will treat the Poms? One Aussie e-mailed Planet Rugby after the violence last Saturday saying how much he was looking forward to seeing RSA play the Poms with that ‘physical’ style. You guys really love us don’t you?

You're the old enemy, you can't expect much. Whatever the sport, the Poms are always the old enemy. It couldn't be any other way. Actually, it's got little to do with sport. It's the old colonial chip-on-the-shoulder thing. I wish they'd grow out of it.

The yellow card from a citing was actually the prop Rautenbach (the guy who got pummelled by Paul and Harrison so some justice for you at least?)

Oh, okay. I thought he might have been the unnamed kicker. I've still got the tape of the match. I'll have a look at it later.

How about this for an understatement though - Harrison said that he realised that needed to control his temper in future. Well, um, yeah.

Typical dry Australian. Gotta love it.

Home advantage is the only thing that makes this marginal for me.

I think LDiCesares' quote of 3 points start for the Wallabies is a fair assessment.

That does sound more Australian.

Oh! I forgot to add ... he'd probably root it on the way home, too.

Okay you got me – it’s the opposition that sings along. The Aussies just sit there waiting for the chance to use their Bundaberg ‘Try’ cards.

No! You misunderstand me. It's the Australians who sing along. Cheap, puerile nationalism.

[NeoStar]

Some bad news folks, heard on the tele Matt Rogers has only 12 hours to prove fit.



Before you start laughing, I thinks he can be a freakish strike player anywhere in the backs-hard to get a hold of. Give the Kiwis something extra to worry about in the 2nd half. I was a bit duboius at first but after that cracker season with the Tahs...

Well, at least until the end God, that was embarrassing.

[finbar]

Originally posted by NeoStar
Some bad news folks, heard on the tele Matt Rogers has only 12 hours to prove fit.

What's the problem? I'd be more concerned if Burkey didn't line up.

[Havak]

"an excuse to throw the ball around, have fun and sink some p*ss".

Nice one.

Tamerlin and LDiCesares could show them the ropes.

The way these guys get their points across in English puts any Brit – Anglo or Celt - to shame. Few of us could make ourselves understood in any second language.

I sent you Michael Foley! Jeez, you're hard to please!

But you sent him to Bath! That’s like myself being kind to you by sending Jonno to the Reds!

Why would you do it if you don't need to?

Okay that was pretty rhetorical, but consider if you were 8 points behind a team in injury time (you can imagine it if you try) – wouldn’t you go for a seven pointer just to make a statement?

having been suspended for 3 months the week before.

Very true. And probably for something really serious like disagreeing with the ref.

Jason Little was injured over there, wasn't he?

Minor injuries I believe. He made a cardinal sin – played for Gloucester his first season then moved to local neighbours Bristol – dangerous stuff. He was consistently accused at Bristol of lacking in effort – and they fired him at the end of the season just finished. He is back home I think?

Very gutsy player he is. Or was.

No problem with his guts at all – very noticeable in the games he played. Sadly after about six months at Quins he picked up a very serious injury and spent the next 18 months on the payroll but doing nothing. I think he was them released – so not astounding value for money.

Even the great man Kronfeld has had a nightmare season with his ankles and knees – he even strained his Achilles warming up for the first game last season which delayed his debue by six weeks! Absolutely awesome when fully fit, it is probably his injuries that ensured the European cup final was played by the English flankers Back and Moody.

I wish they'd grow out of it.

Well I’d like to see them (as in the Aussie paying public) appreciate the rugby from our lads a little more – some wider acknowledgement we have made progress and play attractive rugby now – but I don’t expect miracles like outright support from Aussies in RWC.

We are in fact probably the ‘old enemy’ to more nations in rugby than anyone else is?!

I think LDiCesares' quote of 3 points start for the Wallabies is a fair assessment

I’m quite happy with that. What do the other guys reckon?

Oh! I forgot to add ... he'd probably root it on the way home, too.

You have a knack of making me choke with laughter with these throw away comments!!!

No! You misunderstand me. It's the Australians who sing along. Cheap, puerile nationalism.

Sorry – didn’t pick that one at all did I?

To be totally fair I didn’t mind the Waltzing Matilda frenzy – it was nice to see some input from the goldies – and they never stood a chance in the verbals against the barrage of ‘Bread of Heaven’ in any case.

On the puerile nationalism you aren’t alone of course – but it is perhaps over exploited – badly so at times. Rugby’s a game after all.

Consider this – Woodward would certainly draw flack for saying “Damn good to be an Englishman” straight after a game (the press would murder him) – but McQueen didn’t think twice about saying it in his last game. A cultural difference?

[Caligastia]

Re: Re: Posting in "Havak & Finbar Rugby Thread"

Originally posted by finbar


You reading this, Caligastia? Taking it in? That's 3 votes for a change of thread title.

This is not a democracy.

[Caligastia]

Sorry I had to ignore this thread yesterday, but I was (once again) away for the weekend, and didnt get a chance to watch the game till monday night. I didnt want to find out the result before watching the game!

Good thing I didnt too, it was a real nail-biter at the end there...

What a fantastic game! It had everything! Brilliant tries, great competition at the breakdown, and even some good old fashioned biffo! The only aspect that was lacking was the kicking. The Boks were especially let down by Pretorius. They were also suffered from a lack of discipline.
I couldnt believe it when the Wallabies went for the try at the end, I think they won by less than 15 just to spite me! Thats the last time I bet on the Wallabies...

I dont think we should have a margin at all for the next game, the two teams are so close that I dont think we need one. The All Blacks may have beaten the Boks by more, but with the aussie home crowd advantage I reckon that evens it up.

I'm not calling it Telstra Stadium

...and I hate to call Lancaster Park "Jade Stadium".

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
The way these guys get their points across in English puts any Brit – Anglo or Celt - to shame. Few of us could make ourselves understood in any second language.

We are in fact probably the ‘old enemy’ to more nations in rugby than anyone else is?!

As far as I'am concerned, I would rather say traditional rather than old. I don't think of England as an ennemy though there are old traditions that should not be thrown away. Of course, the fact England and France are the major teams to beat if you want to win the Six Nations Tournament is an important factor to bear in mind if you want to understand this old behavior.

Actually, jokes directed against the English and against us are, in a way, part of the game when our two nations are opposed. This is a real tradition...

I’m quite happy with that. What do the other guys reckon?

A three point margin seems fair although it is so small we could bet on a simple winner/loser basis.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
Consider this – Woodward would certainly draw flack for saying “Damn good to be an Englishman” straight after a game (the press would murder him) – but McQueen didn’t think twice about saying it in his last game. A cultural difference?

The english are not allowed to be nationalistic??

[Havak]

I would rather say traditional rather than old

jokes directed against the English and against us are, in a way, part of the game when our two nations are opposed. This is a real tradition...

That is one thing we definitely share - an ability to laugh at ourselves as a nation as well as mercilessly take the mickey out of others?

The english are not allowed to be nationalistic??

Well I think I see where you are coming from - but seriously no we are not in many ways - we have to be very careful about such things.

Woodward might just get away with such a jingoistic comment if we played the ABs or Wallabies (just maybe...touch and go stuff) but if he said it after a Scotland or Wales clash he would be toast - it would probably cost him his job.

God forbid the overwhelming majority population of the Uk should offend a minority of it you see.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
Well I think I see where you are coming from - but seriously no we are not in many ways - we have to be very careful about such things.

Woodward might just get away with such a jingoistic comment if we played the ABs or Wallabies (just maybe...touch and go stuff) but if he said it after a Scotland or Wales clash he would be toast - it would probably cost him his job.

God forbid the overwhelming majority population of the Uk should offend a minority of it you see.

Ah, I see. I didnt read your post properly, and so I thought you were talking about if he said that after a game against the All Blacks or the Wallabies. I can understand how that comment would be offensive to the scottish and the irish. They must have a real inferiority complex!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The way these guys get their points across in English puts any Brit – Anglo or Celt - to shame. Few of us could make ourselves understood in any second language.

As you and I constantly prove. Case Closed ! As Mingagastia might say.

Okay that was pretty rhetorical, but consider if you were 8 points behind a team in injury time (you can imagine it if you try) – wouldn’t you go for a seven pointer just to make a statement?

With nothing to lose? Absolutely. Though I do recall a team last season who opted for the penalty goal in exactly those circumstances. I'm sure it was a Kiwi team - I have a recollection Tod Blackadder was involved. Bizarre decision.

Minor injuries I believe. He made a cardinal sin – played for Gloucester his first season then moved to local neighbours Bristol – dangerous stuff. He was consistently accused at Bristol of lacking in effort – and they fired him at the end of the season just finished. He is back home I think?

I find it hard to believe Jason Little would ever not put in. Didn't he break his arm at one point? Yes, I think he's back.

We are in fact probably the ‘old enemy’ to more nations in rugby than anyone else is?!

Face it, you're the old enemy the world over. You can't to expect to bugger up the world with the hangovers of your colonial derring do - India/Pakistan; the Middle East - and get away with it!

You have a knack of making me choke with laughter with these throw away comments!!!

It's how I earn my living. These forums are actually terrific writing practice, particularly for pithiness. Just a pity they don't pay a red cent.

Consider this – Woodward would certainly draw flack for saying “Damn good to be an Englishman” straight after a game (the press would murder him) – but McQueen didn’t think twice about saying it in his last game. A cultural difference?

Exactly. It's the colonial insecurity thing again.