Rugby - The Ball's Out!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Will he be cured in time to play against France ?

You really want it easy, don't you?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
You really want it easy, don't you?

I don't understand what you mean !

[finbar]

Is this more of your lovely dry Gallic wit? Or did I really baffle you?

[Havak]

So we have three fences!

Not any more. Which is where we came in on this one.

Mrs finbar has her own addictions - various mindless computer games, gadgets for the kitchen, fitness regimes, etc - so she can't grizzle about mine. So I tell her.

That final qualifier is the key isn’t it? I suspect that is about as successful as when I do the same thing?

So, if we win, we can take you for granted again?

Possibly.

I must set up a Wallaby -v- Romania match immediately

I wouldn’t advise it. No challenge. Only one of our games in that run was against them but it sure raised the average try count.

They did us in Paris!

So they did. I was so looking forward to the next time they did it I forgot it occurred last year. That was not exactly a successful tour last time out was it?

Promise the french players an awful defeat and they win...

I don’t like the sound of that with you due to visit Twickers this time around!

OTOH, he'll probably offer me 25 points start against his mob

Not at all. Given your contention that we are not very good despite recent results I think it is England that should receive a 25 head start – and yourself be banned from backing anyone but the Wallabies.

What do you other guys reckon?

This is a real licence to kill.

Sadly it reinforces what we have said several times, the South Africans have not taken this seriously. I would honestly consider kicking them out of international competition now, as Assault should warrant more than just a tinpot fine.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Not any more. Which is where we came in on this one.

As Stan Laurel would say - I'm glad we finally sorted it out, Ollie.

So they did. I was so looking forward to the next time they did it I forgot it occurred last year. That was not exactly a successful tour last time out was it?

It wasn't a huge surprise. New coach, key players missing. I learned a long time ago to be realistic. That's why I have my fingers crossed for Saturday against the Pumas.

Given your contention that we are not very good despite recent results

Not at all. I questioned two things: (a) that they're as good as you say they are; and (b) winning stats that include games against pretty ordinary oppo.

*consults his Larousse for Humble Pie recipes*

[Havak]

I don't think you need keep the fingers crossed. The Pumas deteriorated over the course of the summer games - I'm wondering how much they will want it at the weekend.

Not at all. I questioned two things: (a) that they're as good as you say they are; and (b) winning stats that include games against pretty ordinary oppo

Well good grief naturally they are not as good as I say they are!

But it would make for boring threads if I didn't stir things up as the sole Englishman in residence.

England are contempories of the Wallabies and All Blacks - and I honestly think they are now a small step above the Boks just like those contempories are. We can beat either your mob or Caligastia's on our day - but not every day. Maybe half the days in question.

And I still live for the day we beat your mob down there - and like Xmas I reckon that is coming.

Now you have made me be boring and realistic I'll have to forget I said any of this for the sake of the thread.

I do think it's a little unfair about the ordinary oppo. One thing I am serious about is that when England visit places like Cardiff, Dublin and Edingburgh they get a much more psyched up welcome from those teams than yourselves or the ABs do - it tangibly means more in those fixtures to those teams. Unless you have seen the difference it is really hard to explain.

Ironic timing as this is I just read that our backup fly half will miss all three Internationals as he needs knee surgery. They are talking of Mike Catt coming in as cover despite only having played three games back from serious injury - (one eek for both points!)

[LDiCesare]

One thing I am serious about is that when England visit places like Cardiff, Dublin and Edingburgh they get a much more psyched up welcome from those teams than yourselves or the ABs do - it tangibly means more in those fixtures to those teams.
Unless you have seen the difference it is really hard to explain.

I have to agree with Havak here. In the Tournament, all teams have one goal, beating the english. The French because they know they can win the trophy if they do, the Celts because that's the English they are facing. Just to get an idea, you should realize that the Tournament draws much more people to the stadiums (and TV) than casual games like a tour. I remember matches in France vs. South Africa where you could find a seat very easily in the stadium, whereas getting a seat for any match of the Tournoi is very very hard. No, when I think of it, it is even harder than that. Players are much more motivated in the Tournament than in tour games. Against England, it certainly makes a difference.

[Caligastia]

Fox Sports World is having a 6 nations/european cup review show on thursday night.

Which european cup teams do all you NH people support? I'd like to know whose teams I'm watching when I see the show.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Is this more of your lovely dry Gallic wit? Or did I really baffle you?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Which european cup teams do all you NH people support? I'd like to know whose teams I'm watching when I see the show.

I'am a proud supporter of the best team in the world... Ahem! Cough! Cough!... : the Stade Toulousain.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
I don’t like the sound of that with you due to visit Twickers this time around!

The remedy is very simple, a few days before the game your newspapers and coaches just need to say the French team will win at Twickenham because they are simply the best european team.

Warranted Result !

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin

Saputo! (My French failed me so I resorted to Italian )

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I don't think you need keep the fingers crossed. The Pumas deteriorated over the course of the summer games - I'm wondering how much they will want it at the weekend.

I have no doubt they'll want it. Whether they can do it is a different thing. They're playing at the River Plate Stadium - apparently it's the first time we've played there. Odd. I wonder where we played the other times?

Now, of course, Wendell Sailor has been declared fit to continue. It's turning into a soap opera!

But Jeremy Paul has tanged his hammy, rookie Adam Freier will start as hooker, and Brendan Cannon has been placed on standby to join the squad if Paul's hammy doesn't come up. Beaut.

Now you have made me be boring and realistic I'll have to forget I said any of this for the sake of the thread.

How I love winding you up into serious mode!

One thing I am serious about is that when England visit places like Cardiff, Dublin and Edingburgh they get a much more psyched up welcome from those teams than yourselves or the ABs do - it tangibly means more in those fixtures to those teams. Unless you have seen the difference it is really hard to explain.

Passion is one thing, class is something else altogether.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


I'am a proud supporter of the best team in the world... Ahem! Cough! Cough!... : the Stade Toulousain.

Yellow card for redundancy!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Yellow card for redundancy!

Redundancy ! Who ? Me, Sir ?