Rugby - Who? Me, Sir? Offside?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
In answer to your question, Cal, I suspect most Wallaby - and, for that matter, All Black - supporters put the Bledisloe in front of the Tri-Nations. History is on the Bledisloe's side.

True, but I only really got into watching rugby regularly in 95, so SA were the big rivals around that time. You would have seen me cheering for Australia back then. Because of this I rate the Tri-nations more highly than the Bledisloe.

[finbar]

Fair enough. As time goes by, though, I suspect you will lean towards the Bledisloe.

Jeez, with the way this thread is galloping along, we're going to have to start thinking about the next thread title.

How about Rugby - The Education of Havak.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
Fair enough. As time goes by, though, I suspect you will lean towards the Bledisloe.

Jeez, with the way this thread is galloping along, we're going to have to start thinking about the next thread title.

How about Rugby - The Education of Havak.

Didnt we torment him enough with the "Game they play in heaven" thread?

How about Rugby - The game New Zealand taught Australia

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Didnt we torment him enough with the "Game they play in heaven" thread?

Methinks this is a case of when too much torment is never enough.

How about Rugby - The game New Zealand taught Australia

Too predictable.

How about Rugby - Yet Another Game They Invented And Now Can't Play!

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
How about Rugby - Yet Another Game They Invented And Now Can't Play!

It has a ring to it, but being a benevolent dictator I like to be as democratic as possible and I have my doubts about Havak's affection for this one...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia
benevolent dictator ... democratic ...

Methinks a case of oxymoronitis.

and I have my doubts about Havak's affection for this one.

But you forget one thing - Havak is, above all else, a realist.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


Methinks a case of oxymoronitis.

Yes, its terminal I'm afraid...

[Havak]

I suspect most Wallaby…supporters put the Bledisloe in front of the Tri-Nations

I really can see where they come from on this.

Having said that NZ were the class side of the Tri-nations this year and they deserve the accolades for winning the tournament.

How much rugby is played in schools? Or has sport, as a whole, gone by the board in favour of instruction in the modern arts of greed, selfishness and intolerance?

In PhyEd sessions very little rugby – and what there is is tag rugby as gender barred sports cannot occur in PE these days.

Most schools at higher secondary level (14+) seem to have rugby teams though and the University level is thriving. Part of the problem at schools is teacher morale is so low and their pay so appalling that no one wants to run extra curricular activities. I don’t blame them.

Without wanting to upset Caligastia too much this is what happens when you have 22 years and counting of inappropriate taxation policy. At the end of the day someone has to invest in our future and we as taxpayers all need to shoulder that responsibility.

So yeah the latter part of your sentence is correct – I call it the ‘Conservitisation’ of our country – self,self,self all the damn time. You can see it in several of the bright young University Brits on these boards – rabid tories without any understanding that without the greater part of society being nurtured their ‘self-reliance’ beliefs would be worth diddly (no one to cream off of).

Oops – sorry, hit rant mode!

I'll pass that on!

Could you put in a word for Tigers if they are looking at Super-annuation after RWC?

the lows can be so low over there.

How so? All three Celtic nations (treating Ireland as one island) put together lack the population of Australia. Couple that with footballs total pre-eminence in Scotland and the fact that Gaelic football and hurling take top spot in Ireland and they find themselves in a similar boat to the ARU. And Wales have a massive handicap – the WRU.

After all we haven’t forgot that the Wallabies struggle in cycles even if they have – remember 96-97?

But you fail to factor in the unquestionable benefits of Tamerlin's presence.

No arguments here – I’m sure Tamerlin’s company would more than compensate for starvation wages.

Well I thought Caligastia’s line was excellent – but the empty jugs riposte was class I admit

Away at Sale tonight – not televised so I’m reduced to the (totally unbiased) Radio Leicester. Out of 17 league fixtures we have won 14 and drawn 2. All their points taken off us have come at their place. Ever feel you are ripe for a fall?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
In PhyEd sessions very little rugby – and what there is is tag rugby as gender barred sports cannot occur in PE these days.

So some 6' 1", 14 stone lass called Shirley is prevented from turning some 5' 5", 6 stone lad called Toby inside out? Shame.

Without wanting to upset Caligastia too much

Go for your life. I've tried and failed.

So yeah the latter part of your sentence is correct – I call it the ‘Conservitisation’ of our country – self,self,self all the damn time. You can see it in several of the bright young University Brits on these boards – rabid tories without any understanding that without the greater part of society being nurtured their ‘self-reliance’ beliefs would be worth diddly (no one to cream off of).

Oops – sorry, hit rant mode!

Couldn't agree more with any of it. Actually, I've had a fine time today boring it up some Yanks in one of the other threads - pointing out that the current push against Iraq is purely oil-based and just another episode of American self-interest. One of them got just a tad annoyed. [/off topic]

Could you put in a word for Tigers if they are looking at Super-annuation after RWC?

Superannuation packages are going to be few and far between over there if you bring in those restrictions on foreign players. Actually, I wonder if restricting the supply will push up the prices.

How so? All three Celtic nations (treating Ireland as one island) put together lack the population of Australia. Couple that with footballs total pre-eminence in Scotland and the fact that Gaelic football and hurling take top spot in Ireland and they find themselves in a similar boat to the ARU.

True. I'd forgotten all that. Give them some population, you greedy buggers!

After all we haven’t forgot that the Wallabies struggle in cycles even if they have – remember 96-97?

Well, yes, but not quite to the depths that the Celts have plumbed lately.

Away at Sale tonight – not televised so I’m reduced to the (totally unbiased) Radio Leicester. Out of 17 league fixtures we have won 14 and drawn 2. All their points taken off us have come at their place. Ever feel you are ripe for a fall?

Mmmm. I'll just slip over to the website and see who my Gloucester lads are going to burn this week.

Edit. Mmmmmmmmm. Newcastle. I'd expect a win. A broken leg for their fly-half wouldn't go astray either.

[Havak]

Actually I’m grateful to Cal for defending me. My poor ears can’t handle all the realism flowing my way.

But you forget one thing - Havak is, above all else, a realist.

I am – but I’m also an optimist – hope over experience and all that. So I’m an ‘optimistic realist’ – and we are straight back into oxymoron territory?

After the autumn series therefore I am hoping we can name a thread Rugby – the game they invented and are certainly the best in the world at

Realistic we may have to name it Rugby – they invented it and are now damn competitive

So some 6' 1", 14 stone lass called Shirley is prevented from turning some 5' 5", 6 stone lad called Toby inside out? Shame.

Indeed – though not for Toby of course.

Go for your life. I've tried and failed.

Actually, between us, I want to keep him on board so that even if we lose to the ABs he is still onside for us against your lot. Don’t let on okay?

On the off-topic – have fun but you know you are wasting your time. Ask them for me why the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus is any different to Kuwait will you?

One of the best signs of emotional and intellectual maturity is being able to look at and constructively criticise aspects of your own country. So how many mature posters haunt Apolyton?

Actually, I wonder if restricting the supply will push up the prices.

Not really possible – all the squads are salary capped. I suspect any restriction will be on the number of non-EC players on the field at any one time rather than a set number per squad. And we are not able to restrict EC nationals at all so we can happily field fifteen Frenchmen in a side if we wish.

Give them some population, you greedy buggers!

I’ve never been that clear why their pops have remained so low – after all Ireland is a big surface area, as is Scotland. I guess the allegation, certainly in respect to Scots and the Welsh, is that we left them with the poorest land in the poorest climates – large parts of both countries are useless for agriculture etc – and in Wales it rains whenever the English are there – ask any Welshman.

Newcastle. I'd expect a win. A broken leg for their fly-half wouldn't go astray either.

I’d agree with the former, though they are tougher up there than on the road, but lets not have the latter please – even though we do play his side next week.

It might not work for you – I suspect Jones knows nothing about the sub Charlie Hodgson – but he is a very subtly different player and may catch you out.

So you are a ‘Shed’ (Main stand at Kingsholm) boy then? Decent choice, excellent side.

This is worth a read by the way
Woodward on RWC and captains

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
After the autumn series therefore I am hoping we can name a thread Rugby – the game they invented and are certainly the best in the world at

Delete Rugby, insert Meglomaniacal Prime Minister and I'll second you on it.

Realistic we may have to name it Rugby – they invented it and are now damn competitive

Well, you said it. You're an optimist.

Actually, between us, I want to keep him on board so that even if we lose to the ABs he is still onside for us against your lot. Don’t let on okay?

Listen, I could offer to provide Kiri TeKanawa to sing at his birthday party, Sean Fitzpatrick to do the washing up afterwards and Frank Bunce to read him his bedtime story and he'd still barrack against us.

On the off-topic – have fun but you know you are wasting your time.

Oh, I know that. I just like telling them the truth. I'm building up the courage to ask them why there haven't been any memorial services for the thousands slaughtered in Chile under Pinochet as a direct result of them overthrowing a democratically-elected government.

I'm actually starting to miss the Cold War. Two bullies in the playground keeping each other busy are always better than one with no one to stand up to him.

Ask them for me why the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus is any different to Kuwait will you?

They wouldn't know whether either Turkey or Cyprus are. And we both know that Cyprus doesn't have any oil reserves.

One of the best signs of emotional and intellectual maturity is being able to look at and constructively criticise aspects of your own country. So how many mature posters haunt Apolyton?

I guess the allegation, certainly in respect to Scots and the Welsh, is that we left them with the poorest land in the poorest climates

You mean you didn't bother occupying the crap bits? Very sensible. Actually, re the History of GB, have you traced your ancestors back? Did they come off a Danish boat swinging a monster axe? Or pop across the channel? Are you, in fact, distantly related to Tamerlin and LDiCesares?

but lets not have the latter please – even though we do play his side next week.

I was thinking in terms of a massive compound fracture, something to keep him out till at least December.

So you are a ‘Shed’ (Main stand at Kingsholm) boy then? Decent choice, excellent side.

I had to go with someone, and, as I said, I have friends there. I've never asked them about rugby. She's Australian (originally) and he's an engineer. On that basis, being educated, I s'pose there's a fair chance he's into rugby.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
This is worth a read by the way
Woodward on RWC and captains

Sensible words. I would imagine that, if Jonno is fit and in half-decent form, he'll be there. But as the man rightly says - it's a long, long way down the track.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
So how many mature posters haunt Apolyton?

I suppose the ratio of mature/immature people posting here is the same as in real life. This means mature posters on Apolyton are but a few if not among the fewest.

[Havak]

insert Meglomaniacal Prime Minister and I'll second you on it.

The only flaw in that of course is that it is President Blair these days.

a direct result of them overthrowing a democratically-elected government.

Most of them don’t know of their involvement it that and simply will not believe anyone who tells them.

are always better than one with no one to stand up to him.

A terrific analogy.

I had better not get involved. I’m very fond of them on the whole. It’s a strange world view though (at a less sensitive time I’ll tell you some amusing stories of cultural differences) – and they generally have no idea how thoroughly big business runs their government and foreign policy.

And we both know that Cyprus doesn't have any oil reserves.

Only Olive Oil.

…didn't bother occupying the crap bits? Very sensible

This is the root reason of course but it does allow them to claim they were never conquered.

I was thinking in terms of a massive compound fracture, something to keep him out till at least December

Well I guess with Larkham out we should not play Jonny. Persuade Clive to play Austin there – you will walk it.

If the guy is natively from that area a very strong chance he is into the Rugger I would say. I’ll keep an eye on Gloucester and give you full match reports when we play them.

But as the man rightly says - it's a long, long way down the track.

What I like is the restraint. Before the last RWC he was very outspoken. One freeze against the ABs and a flukey performance from one De Beer later and he looked very very silly indeed. Wise to underplay it this time.

I suppose the ratio of mature/immature people posting here is the same as in real life. This means mature posters on Apolyton are but a few if not among the fewest.

Well put Tamerlin.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
Having said that NZ were the class side of the Tri-nations this year and they deserve the accolades for winning the tournament.

Heh, no comment from Finbar on this one...

Without wanting to upset Caligastia too much this is what happens when you have 22 years and counting of inappropriate taxation policy. At the end of the day someone has to invest in our future and we as taxpayers all need to shoulder that responsibility.

So yeah the latter part of your sentence is correct – I call it the ‘Conservitisation’ of our country – self,self,self all the damn time. You can see it in several of the bright young University Brits on these boards – rabid tories without any understanding that without the greater part of society being nurtured their ‘self-reliance’ beliefs would be worth diddly (no one to cream off of).

Oops – sorry, hit rant mode!

Ah, dont worry about it. I over-reacted when you guys first mentioned politics in this thread. I was probably just worried that we would lose the excellent tone this thread has, but now I reckon theres no danger of that.