Rugby - The Ball's Out!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Neil Back dropped from England team after recieving full frontal lobotomy...

Images of our favorite players in action can also look terrific, even a player with a doctorate can look as dumb as a rock when he is running looking eyes wide at the try line with the tongue out of his mooth distorted by the exertion and the need for more oxygen.

[Havak]

Well he did leave NZ...

Actually since the rumour he wanted to leave and Tigers giving him a few starts he has played at a different level again - he is still quality, I'm sure he would still be wearing the black jersey if he wanted to?

I was mocking the photo more than the player . I do actually respect him, especially after seeing that review show.

No worries - my reply was tongue in cheek. Backy has been a superb player, he is still very good but time waits for no man. The fact he is sat on the bench Saturday, and healey too, says a lot about the strength of our squad this year. Backy is still quality and you will see him at some point in the game.

I see Grewcock starts with Kay on the bench. That I'm not convinced of. But Stimmo has made the bench - he deserves it.

Were you at the game? Either way you must have been a wreck!

I was in the stand at the opposite end. We only knew he had scored because of the welsh crowds reaction down that end.

even a player with a doctorate can look as dumb as a rock when he is running looking eyes wide at the try line with the tongue out his mooth distorted by the exertion and the need for more oxygen.

Maybe that explains why Finbar gets such a wrong impression of Mr Johnson?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak


Actually since the rumour he wanted to leave and Tigers giving him a few starts he has played at a different level again - he is still quality, I'm sure he would still be wearing the black jersey if he wanted to?

I havent seen him play for a while, but he probably would, yes.

Maybe that explains why Finbar gets such a wrong impression of Mr Johnson?

I like Jonno's look actually. He is the quintessential rough english forward.

[Havak]

Well as ever the best accolade I can give Josh is that I am glad we are not facing him Saturday.

One intriguing thing here is the inclusion of Simpson-Daniel on our wing rather than Healey. This lad is a pure pace merchant, being the boy who skinned Lomu not once but twice when England played the Barbarians last.

He exposed Jonah badly for his (lack of?) defensive qualities then, and he is a bold choice for Woodward over the more all round skills of Healey. It is all getting very intriguing isn't it?

Jonno has that kind of 'lived in face' look does he not?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
One intriguing thing here is the inclusion of Simpson-Daniel on our wing rather than Healey. This lad is a pure pace merchant, being the boy who skinned Lomu not once but twice when England played the Barbarians last.

He exposed Jonah badly for his (lack of?) defensive qualities then, and he is a bold choice for Woodward over the more all round skills of Healey. It is all getting very intriguing isn't it?

I really dont understand why Mitchell is including Lomu. There are better, younger players who could use the experience and have shown better form recently. Perhaps its the intimidation factor. Maybe Mitchell is hoping England will still have the 95 semi-final on their mind.

I just hope Lomu will live up to whatever expectations Mitchell has for him.

Jonno has that kind of 'lived in face' look does he not?

The face of a true forward.

[Havak]

You have it spot on - he is there purely because he has an excellent record against England. But it's three years since his last decent show against them and seven years since the Tony Underwood debacle. Cohen and Simpson Daniel will be different prospects to poor old Tony.

Again it's all interesting stuff.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
You have it spot on - he is there purely because he has an excellent record against England. But it's three years since his last decent show against them and seven years since the Tony Underwood debacle. Cohen and Simpson Daniel will be different prospects to poor old Tony.

Again it's all interesting stuff.

I just hope I get to see the game. Right now my only option is to go to a pub that is showing it on satellite. The problem is that the game is on at the same time that I have to go in to work for a couple of hours. Of course, the first time this year I have to work on saturday falls on the exact time of a huge rugby game. The pub might replay the game later in the day, but even so I will have to pay a $20 cover charge to see it.

[Tamerlin]

Nobody's wants to bet on the following games ?

Some margins ? I think a simple win/loose is adequate for both matches.

In order of appearance : 10 Golds on England, 10 Golds on France.

[Caligastia]

I'm too upset to place a bet. I hope England beat the All Blacks, that way I wont be so disappointed about missing the game.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

Maybe that explains why Finbar gets such a wrong impression of Mr Johnson?

In a word ... no way in the %#!@*^% world.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
In order of appearance : 10 Golds on England, 10 Golds on France.

Which games are you talking about?

[finbar]

Incredibly, nothing has come of the eye-gouging incidents in the Wallabies-Puma match. Whomever was responsible for citing players decided there was no case to answer. Yet replays clearly show the Puma hooker gouging Matt Cockbain's eyes. Thus, yet again, Eddie Jones calls for a review of the citing system. It's getting beyond a joke.

In other news, only God knows who will line up in which position for the Wallabies against the Irish on the weekend. With Matt Rogers injured and Matt Burke a borderline fitness proposition, the candidates for fullback are Steve Larkham (who started his career at fullback) and Stirling Mortlock (who has played there a couple of times in his life). If Larkham goes to fullback - which I think is most likely - Elton Flatley will start at 5/8. Jeremy Paul is definitely out, so Adam Freir will start his first Test as hooker. Any more injuries this week and we will struggle to field a team against the Poms.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Which games are you talking about?

As I don't know if you are joking or if you have had a bad awakening here are the games I'am talking about, both played Saturday :

England - New Zealand (Twickenham)
France - South Africa (Stade Vélodrome de Marseille)

In order to help you, how kind I'am, I have highlighted the team that will win this test-matches. I don't want you to loose some golds betting on the wrong horse.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Caligastia
I'm too upset to place a bet. I hope England beat the All Blacks, that way I wont be so disappointed about missing the game.

Surely one of the greatest kicks out of the field of Rugby's history.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
As I don't know if you are joking or if you have had a bad awakening here are the games I'am talking about, both played Saturday :

England - New Zealand (Twickenham)
France - South Africa (Stade Vélodrome de Marseille)

How could you know if I was joking if I didn't know myself?

In order to help you, how kind I'am, I have highlighted the team that will win this test-matches. I don't want you to loose some golds betting on the wrong horse.

I'm going to have a close look at the AB team before I consider betting on their match with England.