Rugby - The Ball's Out!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Redundancy ! Who ? Me, Sir ?

[Frozzy]

Detective RB is on the case for the phantom prop

Seriously, the contract dispute between the Blues and the Chiefs isn't over. Both want him to play for them in the Super 12, but both teams have named him in their squads

Mark Robinson from North Harbour has lost his Super 12 place in the Blues to Auckland's Steve Devine.

[Havak]

The English situation is a little different to how LDiCesare has summarised the French scene, in that hosting touring sides like the ABs,Wallabies and Boks also sells out Twickers. But few other teams can fill it outside of the six nations.

And the lottery for tickets to the France clash is just silly – you have almost no chance even from a club like Leicester.

What I also want to know is does Caligastia need a reminder of my team? They are the defending Champions.

The European rounds are finished for six weeks so it’s hard to think what that channel will be showing you?

just need to say the French team will win at Twickenham because they are simply the best european team.

Thank you for the tip. I hope it works!

I wonder where we played the other times?

I can’t really help here. But it is a big country I suppose.

The injury saga Jones is having with the squad made me smile given the BBC Sport website did an article “A November to remember” claiming you were bringing a ‘virtually full strength side’. Mind you whoever wrote the article also though THAT Luger try was last year so it was shoddy journalism all round.

How I love winding you up into serious mode!

You are a devil sir!

As you must be well aware by now I have absolutely no natural proclivity for being serious.

Passion is one thing, class is something else altogether

Sometimes that passion can be enough. It saw Scotland through against us in a torrential downpour in Edingburgh in 2000. They had little class but they still ‘wanted’ it enough to endure the conditions better than we did.

Interesting trivia – the Slam fluffing games against Scotland and Ireland did not feature one Mr Johnson. Dallaglio skippered the one against Wales (and very badly – you should be hoping Clive makes him England captain again trust me!). The only one Jonno helmed was the one in Paris this year – and that was no disgrace.

Uh hold on - Jonno, England, Tigers - I just felt kind of compelled to blurt that out for some reason!

It still rankles that France can win a Slam by just beating England – the Celts always roll over against them in a way they just don’t do for us. Bitter and twisted? Me? Of course!

We play London Wasps on Saturday at our place. They are Captained by Mr Dallaglio and it's always nice to see him and Martin on opposite sides.

[Havak]

This one is especially for Finbar.

Check it out here



Mehrtens is of course well known for his outspoken anti-English sentiments but I include this for Caligastia anyway.

so SH teams don't rub it in when they win then?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
What I also want to know is does Caligastia need a reminder of my team?

For some reason I thought the European Cup teams were different from the ones in the Premiership.

The European rounds are finished for six weeks so it’s hard to think what that channel will be showing you?

Dunno, but I'll let you know.

Mehrtens is of course well known for his outspoken anti-English sentiments but I include this for Caligastia anyway.

I love this quote from Mehrtens:

"He said the main motivation would come from the fact that England like to "gloat" when they win and regards a loss to them as among the worst experiences in any player's careers."

Oh the humanity!

[LDiCesare]

I think Mehrtens means that, while he doesn't like to lose to the English, he likes losing to the French.

[Havak]

For some reason I thought the European Cup teams were different from the ones in the Premiership

Don’t worry about it.

You assumed the thing worked like S-12 I guess? Actually it is still the domestic clubs that take part as themselves.

Dunno, but I'll let you know

ta muchly.

Oh the humanity!

What I liked was the inference that only England gloat like this. It’s nonsense. He does seem to have something about the English doesn’t he? Oh and referees of course.

I think Mehrtens means that, while he doesn't like to lose to the English, he likes losing to the French.

Superb – I like the way you think LDiCesare.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak


Don’t worry about it.

You assumed the thing worked like S-12 I guess? Actually it is still the domestic clubs that take part as themselves.

Yeah, I was thinking it was like the super 12. I think you explained it all to me before at some point. When you say the european rounds are finished for six weeks, do you mean the comp is on hold till the fall internationals are over?

If that is the case, then maybe they are just showing highlights of last season.

What I liked was the inference that only England gloat like this. It’s nonsense.

I agree. Australia have been known to gloat in this manner. Of course this is never the case with New Zealand, being the true sportsmen we are...

He does seem to have something about the English doesn’t he? Oh and referees of course.

I think he just has a thing with losing. Thats not necessarily a bad thing though.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
I think Mehrtens means that, while he doesn't like to lose to the English, he likes losing to the French.

Our players will do their best for Merthens not to be disappointed the 16th of November.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Our players will do their best for Merthens not to be disappointed the 16th of November.

The 16th is my birthday, so I am hoping for a birthday gift from the All Blacks in the form of a victory.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
This one is especially for Finbar.

Check it out here

He said: "I am delighted to be appointed England captain for the New Zealand match. I am looking forward to the challenge."

Gee. Talk about a way with words.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Mehrtens is of course well known for his outspoken anti-English sentiments but I include this for Caligastia anyway.

"They have forwards that can run like backs and backs that can run like forwards"

OTOH, Mr Mehrtens possibly needs to think before he speaks. Forwards running like backs would be huge bonus. Backs running like forwards would be a dismal sight.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
What I liked was the inference that only England gloat like this.

The only conclusion I can draw is that Andrew Mehrtens has access to our threads and Havak's posts.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia


The 16th is my birthday, so I am hoping for a birthday gift from the All Blacks in the form of a victory.

I just had another look at the AB squad. With Marshall and Kellaher both missing - who's the 5/8?

[finbar]

Late last night I accidentally discovered that FoxSports is repeating the wonderful "History of Rugby" series. Why they didn't ring me to let me know is beyond me!

Anyway, last night's episode concentrated on the history of French rugby. I must have missed it the first time round.

Frankly, I think it's long overdue for Tamerlin and LDiCesares to go down on bended knee to Havak to thank him for: (a) taking rugby to France in the first place; and (b) teaching the French how to play the game.

That aside, it was a truly fascinating history lesson. I hadn't realised, amongst other things, the importance of French rugby to French politics - French rugby l*****, too, for that matter. (Personally, I would rather the two games had swapped political sides, but that wasn't to be) They covered the classic club final between the two teams (I've forgotten the names) representing the capitalists (Michelin-backed) and the socialists.

I only wish I'd taped the episode.