Announcement

**Tamerlin** · January 9, 2003, 08:29

Re: Re: Why I like finals...

Originally posted by finbar

Beautifully written, Tamerlin.

Thanks Finbar, it is easier when it comes from the heart.

I understand completely. OTOH, I still think they're largely money-making exercises.

They are now money exercises, I don't think it was the case when they were instituted.

I am against money exercises which are overthrowing traditions, I can't really be against money exercises which allow for a tradition to survive... as long as its initial spirit is not perverted.

**Havak** · January 9, 2003, 09:43

You need to be careful taking about traditions to the SH - after all S12 would kill to have some rather than being the cash cow construct it is.

I see Howlett was indeed doing a 'Lomu' to get more money in his new contract as we predicted.

And i see the next U-21 RWC will be in Blighty. Excellent.

Nice picture of Rathbone lifting the U-21 trophy for the Boks last year (as their captain!!!) on Planet Rugby today. To open an old debate please explain to me why this young Bok can now be Australian in any way shape or form?

You know my position on Welsh Rugby but even they have more integrity than to hop nationalities for the better contract.

Seriously Finbar this has got to be stopped. The second you wear a national jersey at any level surely that should be it? It makes a mockery of things otherwise?

**Tamerlin** · January 9, 2003, 10:19

Originally posted by Havak
You need to be careful taking about traditions to the SH - after all S12 would kill to have some rather than being the cash cow construct it is.

You have to start from nothing when you don't have an old competition but money only is not a good foundation to build something on.

I see Howlett was indeed doing a 'Lomu' to get more money in his new contract as we predicted.

A Rugby neologism is born: "to do his lomu"...

**finbar** · January 9, 2003, 17:32

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Isn't it the duty of any genuine supporter?

**finbar** · January 9, 2003, 17:38

Re: Re: Re: Why I like finals...

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Thanks Finbar, it is easier when it comes from the heart.

Isn't it?

They are now money exercises, I don't think it was the case when they were instituted.

Very true.

I am against money exercises which are overthrowing traditions, I can't really be against money exercises which allow for a tradition to survive... as long as its initial spirit is not perverted.

I'm a traditionalist anyway, so despite my cynicism - about finals being a money-making exercise - I would hate to see traditions overturned without very, very good reason.

**finbar** · January 9, 2003, 17:43

Originally posted by Havak
You need to be careful taking about traditions to the SH - after all S12 would kill to have some rather than being the cash cow construct it is.

*Havak digs into his Tigers-emblazoned kitbag looking for bait and comes up with a tiddler*

Nice picture of Rathbone lifting the U-21 trophy for the Boks last year (as their captain!!!) on Planet Rugby today. To open an old debate please explain to me why this young Bok can now be Australian in any way shape or form?

You know my position on Welsh Rugby but even they have more integrity than to hop nationalities for the better contract.

Seriously Finbar this has got to be stopped. The second you wear a national jersey at any level surely that should be it? It makes a mockery of things otherwise?

*Havak digs once more into his Tigers-emblazoned kitbag looking for bait and comes up with a hoary old chestnut*

**Havak** · January 10, 2003, 06:50

Look at that - both struck home.

Personally I'm writing to the IRB asking that the "shirt of convenience" nature of tri-nations rugby be banned outright.

A lad wins the U-21 world cup as a Bok and two years later thinks he can play for the Wallabies? And no one else finds that outrageous?

Thank god we English still hold true to the idea that actually representing one's own nationality (as opposed to the best paying union) means something.

With Catt gone we are pure English once more.

Well okay Dan Luger is half croat. Phil Christophers was born in Germany (Dad in the Army) and lets face it Phil Vickery plays for Gloucester and is Cornish by birth both of which are polite euphanisms for actually being a TAFFY.

But apart from that...

**vulture** · January 10, 2003, 11:05

Originally posted by Havak
Look at that - both struck home.

Personally I'm writing to the IRB asking that the "shirt of convenience" nature of tri-nations rugby be banned outright.

A lad wins the U-21 world cup as a Bok and two years later thinks he can play for the Wallabies? And no one else finds that outrageous?

I think it is crazy personally, even if it is the only way Wales can get a good team

Just to help the WRU along, I notice they've cancelled the Wales-A participation in the 6 nations A competition, because it was losing money. It's not as though we need the pratice of playing at a higher level or anything

Well okay Dan Luger is half croat. Phil Christophers was born in Germany (Dad in the Army) and lets face it Phil Vickery plays for Gloucester and is Cornish by birth both of which are polite euphanisms for actually being a TAFFY.

But apart from that...

I hate to be pedantic (that's a lie - I love it), but I used to go out drinking with Phil Christophers' Dad when I lived in Germany (up until about 6 weeks ago in fact), and I'm pretty sure he's not in the army. I've also been bringing him around to the idea that Phil ought to play at Gloucester next season (especially since he prefers to play inside center rather than wing).

**Havak** · January 10, 2003, 11:38

Sorry Vulture - that snippet on his dad was courtesy of Stuart Barnes on Sky - should have known not to trust it!!!

You know the sensible option for the lad is to come to Tigers of course.

But then there is no real chance of that as he has been blown out by us once already - but then you probably know that via his dad!?

Having said that When Murphy and Booth are both fit and on form there is no one else I would choose to play on our wing. The Centre option is interesting though.

You are dead right about Wales. Losing the A side is all about their crusade to stop leaking cash like an old tap. But it's suicidal as it takes away another level between club and full cap test play.

By the way I lived and worked in Gloucester for a while as a youngster so I'm a little more entitled to take the mickey out of it than most Tigers fans.

**Tamerlin** · January 10, 2003, 12:21

Originally posted by Havak
You are dead right about Wales. Losing the A side is all about their crusade to stop leaking cash like an old tap. But it's suicidal as it takes away another level between club and full cap test play.

This is not a Welsh only issue, the French Rugby union has also questioned the A-team Six Nations Tournament last year, I am afraid the welsh decsion is sounding like the end of the A-team tournament.

**finbar** · January 10, 2003, 18:12

Originally posted by Havak
Personally I'm writing to the IRB asking that the "shirt of convenience" nature of tri-nations rugby be banned outright.

SCENE: IRB Headquarters.
CAST: 2 IRB BODS.

IRB BOD #1 picks up a newly-arrived letter:

IRB BOD #1: "Here's a letter with a Leicester postmark written on Tigers letterhead".

IRB BOD #2: "Straight into the rubbish bin".

**finbar** · January 10, 2003, 18:15

Originally posted by Tamerlin

This is not a Welsh only issue, the French Rugby union has also questioned the A-team Six Nations Tournament last year, I am afraid the welsh decsion is sounding like the end of the A-team tournament.

Gee, I didn't even know there was a 6 Nations A-team competition. Sounds like a good idea in principle - giving more players experience at international level. I assume sponsorship is the problem? Or crowds?

**finbar** · January 10, 2003, 18:18

Originally posted by Havak
By the way I lived and worked in Gloucester for a while as a youngster so I'm a little more entitled to take the mickey out of it than most Tigers fans.

Presumably there aren't any Gloucester fans who have lived and worked in Leicester - thus entitling them to take the mickey out of the Tigers - because they'd rather starve first.

**Tamerlin** · January 10, 2003, 19:31

Originally posted by finbar

SCENE: IRB Headquarters.
CAST: 2 IRB BODS.

IRB BOD #1 picks up a newly-arrived letter:

IRB BOD #1: "Here's a letter with a Leicester postmark written on Tigers letterhead".

IRB BOD #2: "Straight into the rubbish bin".

IRB BOD #3: "Wait! It can be funny to read it".

**finbar** · January 11, 2003, 09:42

Originally posted by Tamerlin

IRB BOD #3: "Wait! It can be funny to read it".

IRB BOD #1: "Gee, it's even got a Tigers stamp on the envelope. His missus must've given him a heap of Tigers merchandise for Christmas".

Announcement

Rugby - Last Feet!

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment