Rugby - The Ball's Out!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Tamerlin - are you betting on the Wallabies -v- Pumas? 12 1/2 points start for the Pumas?

Yes, 15 Golds on the Wallabies whatever the margin, 12 1/2 or 15 1/2. I think 15 1/2 is a fair margin, what the others think about it ?

About "fetchez la vache", I understood "fetch" as "bring" but was not sure about it, however I had not linked it to the marvelous piece of british humour "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is.

By the way, what is your favorite colour ?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
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.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing.

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

Spencer I presume, but I thought they had switched his position recently.

Tamerlin - there's a good chance FoxSports will replay the episode sometime this week - they seem to repeat everything else endlessly - so if I see it in the program schedule I'll tape it and send it to you. I'm sure you'd find it totally fascinating.

Unfortunately I dont think that would work unless France have the same format as Australia...

Thanks for the summary Finbar, I another episode of the same show that dealt with SA rugby a while ago. Fascinating stuff.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak


In a way, but not exactly a cause and effect there. It all highlights our messy season here. The European pool stage is played in three blocks of games. The second block takes place in early December. But that isn’t worked around the Internationals because our League program continues through the internationals. I’m not kidding, Tigers play Saints (local derby rivals) the day of England’s match with the All Blacks. But the game kicks off early so fans can run into the bar and watch the England game on TV. Considerate isn’t it?

We play the league leaders Gloucester the night before England take on Finbars mob. Although they have had more players called up because of their form they still don’t lose as many as us so I would fully expect them to beat us and take our proud home record in the process (last league game lost at home was December 1997).

This is actually a serious problem for the English game – we play too much rugby. Our top players must be playing almost twice the games a year of their S12 colleagues. It has to be taking a massive toll on their bodies.

Yes, that sounds like rather a serious problem. One that will not be brought up by you after England loses I'm sure.

I deeply regret the only present you get that day will be from England across the channel.

I’ll be honest up front and let you know whilst I like the ABs and the way they play the game I will be backing France. Surprised huh?

I'm not too suprised actually, after all, you have to back someone other than England against the All Blacks dont you... Otherwise we would have to make you an honorary kiwi!

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Yes, 15 Golds on the Wallabies whatever the margin, 12 1/2 or 15 1/2. I think 15 1/2 is a fair margin, what the others think about it ?

I agree with 15 1/2

Anyone else?

Looks like I won't get to see the game BTW, Fox Sports World dont have any international matches on their schedule for the next 2 weeks!

[Havak]

I think you will be equally surprised if I tell you I will back England against the SH heretics.

I am totally surprised of course.

Finbar ?

Superb answer!

Havak, It was meant to be !

Well quite. But he has enough sticks to beat me with as it is!

Sir Winston Churchill has tried to isolate this man he thought was an annoying opportunist.

Churchill hated the man, but had a very grudging respect for him. He once said of the man (paraphrased by me) “he deports himself in front of us like he has 200 Divisions behind him like Chairman Stalin”.

Churchill you see liked that kind of character and theatre in others as much as himself. Roosevelt simply detested the man by all accounts – just as you suggest.

De Gaulle was deliberately isolated from Allied meetings by the Anglo-Saxon leaders, and summoned when required. He therefore alternated between trying to show up uninvited when not wanted and then disobeying invitations to join them when they did need him (like when Vichy North Africa changed sides and they needed De Gaulle to recognise the Vichy administration concerned – the General went walk about of course until Roosevelt blew his top and DeG was almost "press ganged").

And lets not forget how long he single handedly blocked the entry of the UK into the EC.

But one thing he cannot be faulted on – he simply loved ‘his’ France and would do anything for it.

He was indeed an exponent of massed armour, but the High command ignored him and used one or two tanks per unit as infantry support devices. Did you know in supporting this he based it on the work of the British pioneer Basil Lidell-Hart who also advised massed armour and was also soundly ignored by his own command? Guderian and Rommel both acknowledged in their diaries the inspiration Lidell-hart gave them.

The Americans of course maintain Patton, who had the same thoughts some decade later than L-H, came up with the idea :

Yes, that sounds like rather a serious problem. One that will not be brought up by you after England loses I'm sure.

Now there is a thought – will Havak take it on the chin in the best Union tradition? Lets hope we don’t find out.

you have to back someone other than England against the All Blacks dont you...

It’s essential so I can maintain the appearance of being neutral when you stuff… I mean play… the Wallabies.

How much gold do I have left? 15.5? Hmm the Pumas are at home you know…

Australia's chances against Ireland have now improved considerably

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Well quite. But he has enough sticks to beat me with as it is!

Finbar would have find something else without any help from me.

Churchill hated the man, but had a very grudging respect for him. He once said of the man (paraphrased by me) “he deports himself in front of us like he has 200 Divisions behind him like Chairman Stalin”.

Subtlety was definitely not De Gaulle's style.

And lets not forget how long he single handedly blocked the entry of the UK into the EC.

England does not need any help in this regard nowadays.

But one thing he cannot be faulted on – he simply loved ‘his’ France and would do anything for it.

I guess it stands for extenuating circumstances.

He was indeed an exponent of massed armour, but the High command ignored him and used one or two tanks per unit as infantry support devices. Did you know in supporting this he based it on the work of the British pioneer Basil Lidell-Hart who also advised massed armour and was also soundly ignored by his own command?

I think I have read an article on this subject but I didn't remember Lidell-Hart influence. Thanks for the reminder.

The Americans of course maintain Patton, who had the same thoughts some decade later than L-H, came up with the idea :

Sad news for Keith Wood, it seems he is out of luck since a few months now.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Yes, 15 Golds on the Wallabies whatever the margin, 12 1/2 or 15 1/2. I think 15 1/2 is a fair margin, what the others think about it ?

I prefer 12 1/2. Regardless, someone's going to have to back the Pumas for there to be a meaningful betting situation. Otherwise everyone just gets their money back.

I understood "fetch" as "bring"

Fetch = bring = get (as in "go and get").

By the way, what is your favorite colour ?

Bring me a shrubbery and I'll tell you.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Unfortunately I dont think that would work unless France have the same format as Australia...

Europe has the PAL system, or did last time I checked. It's you Americans who complicate things with the NTSC system.

Thanks for the summary Finbar, I another episode of the same show that dealt with SA rugby a while ago. Fascinating stuff.

It's a BBC series made about 3 years ago, from memory. I remember dozing through the episode on English rugby.

The bizarre thing is that I've checked the FoxSports schedule. The episode the other night - the French ep - seems to be the only one they're showing. And seem not to be repeating it! I would imagine that the series will be repeated in its entirety sometime closer to the WRC.

[finbar]

Steve Devine's AB eligibility

I'm not surprised this question has been raised. The same question might be asked about the Bok U21 skipper - now signed with the Brumbies - if and when Wallaby selection arises.

Havak - love your new sig. You have a job waiting for you as film publicist. You could take a film review that says: "A fine ****-up of a film and all concerned should be congratulated for their incompetence!" and turn it into an advertising poster that says: "A fine ... film ... all concerned should be congratulated! ... "

[finbar]

Our Bank A/c

I trust you're not an accountant, Havak. Or if you are, you must work for Arthur Andersen.

Andydog 186
Caligastia 37
finbar 123.5
Havak 60
LDiCesares 111
Mickeyj 143.5
NeoStar 114
ravagon 94
redbull 80
Tamerlin 59

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Europe has the PAL system, or did last time I checked. It's you Americans who complicate things with the NTSC system.

I confirm, we use the PAL system.

The episode the other night - the French ep - seems to be the only one they're showing. And seem not to be repeating it!

[finbar]

Don't worry, Tamerlin, they're sure to repeat the series in the lead up to the WRC. I'll tape it then.

[Caligastia]

Ok, these are the games they showed highlights of on the Heineken Cup/Six Nations review show:

Pool Play

Ulster - 19
Stade De Francais - 13

Bath - 24
Swansea - 12

Castres - 21
Munster - 13

Llanelli - 24
Leicester - 12

Finals

Munster - 16
Stade De Francais - 14

Castres - 22 (Berryman had the ball ripped out of his hands just as he was about to score because he was too busy showing off to the crowd!)
Monferrand - 21 (Rougerie dropped a pass that would have lead to a certain try!)

Leicester - 29
Leinster - 18

Llanelli - 27
Bath - 10

Munster - 25
Castres - 17

Leicester - 13 (Amazing penalty kick from Tim Stimpson that bounced in!)
Llanelli - 12

Final

Leicester - 15
Munster - 9
Great game, bit of a controversial ending with that scrum feed that was interfered with)

They also had 6 Nations highlights, but I had already seen most of that before.

[finbar]

Wallabies -v- Pumas.

Halftime score:

Wallabies 14
Pumas 6

Mortlock scored a try right on halftime. Very scrappy game, every scrum has been re-set about 3 times. The Wallabies are as rusty as buggery, the Pumas are scrapping well. The tragedy, though, is that Ben Tune was carted off with a hamstring injury after 15 minutes. The early word is that it's serious. Probably the end of his tour.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Ok, these are the games they showed highlights of on the Heineken Cup/Six Nations review show

So it's last season's Heineken Cup. Better late than never, I guess.