Rugby - Last Feet!

[finbar]

Result of interest to our thread:

Leicester 15 -d- Bath 8

Toulouse 28 -d- Pau 16

The IRB 7s tournament is happening in Brisbane. I watched a bit of it yesterday. Saw France do all they had to do - and no more - to beat the U.S.A team. Didn't see any of the England matches but I hope to see some today. I notice H. Paul is part of the team. I might, for Gloucester's sake, pop up to Brisbane and give him some practice under the high ball.

Saw the Australians put away one of the smaller Pacific Island nations. It was nothing more than a training run but it was interesting to see Lote Tuquiri in rugby action for the first time. He'd also played an earlier match that I didn't see. He's big, very quick, very athletic, with terrific skills, and obviously knows something about rugby - albeit, in this case, 7s. The test for him will come with the S12 comp, but he has exciting potential.

[Tamerlin]

Another result:

Stade Toulousain 28 - Section Paloise 16

Not a very good game under a light rain and 2°C (35.6°F).

[finbar]

I watched a bit of the IRB 7s today (in between rushing out and buying a new computer!) England rolled New Zealand in one of the semi-finals - first time they've ever beaten New Zealand in this comp apparently. They played very well. Fiji creamed France in the other semi. Fiji are past masters at this form of the game. They're just about unstoppable.

[Havak]

I didn't even buy Civ 3. I was warned off it by too many people.

As Tamerlin said you made a good call there.

Tigers were very iffy and yet still turned over bath at their place - they really have fallen a long way. Seven games left and second place is well within the target zone. Glaws are not there yet.

Ron Andrew kicked off the club v country debate again yesterday - some interesting stuff that i will flesh out tomorrow.

I also look forward to hearing your take on how the unstoppable were stopped Finbar?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Tigers were very iffy and yet still turned over bath at their place - they really have fallen a long way.

Michael Foley is quoted in the paper this morning as saying his team "stank". Presumably he meant against Leicester. As much as it's impossible to apportion blame - what's Bath's problem?

Seven games left and second place is well within the target zone. Glaws are not there yet.

Hopefully not. No one likes a lay-down misere. I don't know much about Gloucester's 29-22 win over Saracens but a win is a win, I suppose.

I also look forward to hearing your take on how the unstoppable were stopped Finbar?

I missed it unfortunately. I was busy transferring files from old computer to new computer. England obviously took their good form against New Zealand in the semi-final into the final. Pity I missed it, because I would like to have seen how Fiji were countered. It happens so rarely to them in 7s. I'll have to check out the highlights on the news tonight. I gather Australia blew their chances with a red card in the QF match.

[Havak]

what's Bath's problem?

Unfortunately I suspect it is partly Mike Foley. He was untested as a coach and threw his hat in the ring when Callard was forced out. Bath didn’t need a novice but rather a tried and tested coach I think.

But in terms of players where they have lost it is in the forwards – they used to be immensely strong there and with their talented back line it used to give them the edge over those few stronger packs around (like Tigers and Glaws for example). No other team used to have the same kind of cohesive XV as the Bath of the early 90s. They still have a talented (and young) backline but the forwards are all over the place despite the drafting of Grewcock as club captain.

Foley is right – they were awful. Their try came from an interception – a truly staggering wild throw from our Leon Lloyd. If Lloydy could eliminate these brain fades from his game he would be quite good – Tamerlin might remember him as the coloured lad who destroyed Stade Francais European dreams in 2001 – shame eh Tamerlin?

a win is a win, I suppose.

Heck yes – the points are in the bag. The reports suggest that it was a slightly better game than Tigers but that Saracens let it slip. Sometimes it happens that when you head the league teams stutter against you. Fair play to Glaws and I look forward to beating, um…meeting them at Franklins and Twickenham later in the year.

To be honest I have seen none of the sevens but I would like to know if Henry Paul did anything decent. The young star of the team, Gollings, is wasted here because he plays for the perpetually struggling Harlequins side.

Some amusement on BBCs rugby special yesterday – a Glaws fan emails in that he hears Wilko will head to the shed if Newcastle go down this season. That’s rather funny – there is only one club linked with Wilko every week in the papers and only one place he would head if he leaves the Falcons – and it won’t be Gloucester I can assure you.

Rob Andrew gave a fascinating interview on Saturday that started the club v country thing afresh. And I’m worried because for once I see his point. He criticised heavily the RFU for asking clubs to nurture English talent but then penalise those clubs that do by having domestic fixtures whilst Internationals are on. He pointed out that clubs like Tigers and Falcons lose 8-10 players to senior and A sides whilst teams that ignored the call to help England, like Saracens, Leeds, London Irish, Saints, Quins and until recently Glaws, might lose 2-3.

Tigers for example played Glaws at home in November whilst we had 11 sqaud members on call up and they had 3 I think. Okay we beat them but its hardly the point is it?

The point of the outburst is that the League continues during the lead up to and the RWC itself later in the year – and Rob was pointing out that the teams that have assembled Foreign legions and ignored England will be much better off. It’s an interesting point.

Deano is looking at augmenting our squad and is shopping in France (he played there as a teenager and likes the country apparently). Several names have been linked with us one of which is Ibanez. Could be interesting.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Unfortunately I suspect it is partly Mike Foley. He was untested as a coach and threw his hat in the ring when Callard was forced out. Bath didn’t need a novice but rather a tried and tested coach I think.

I think I mentioned a long time ago that he had coaching aspirations here. He enquired about the Queensland coaching job and was told he didn't have any coaching experience. Which was true. So off he went to Bath. Bath obviously didn't have Queensland's experience prerequisite.

Fair play to Glaws and I look forward to beating, um…meeting them at Franklins and Twickenham later in the year.

To be honest I have seen none of the sevens but I would like to know if Henry Paul did anything decent. The young star of the team, Gollings, is wasted here because he plays for the perpetually struggling Harlequins side.

I only saw half of the SF against New Zealand. Henry Paul played his part without starring. A burly-ish young chap with a small beard - didn't catch his name - seemed to do well. 7s is such a silly - by comparison - game.

Some amusement on BBCs rugby special yesterday – a Glaws fan emails in that he hears Wilko will head to the shed if Newcastle go down this season. That’s rather funny – there is only one club linked with Wilko every week in the papers and only one place he would head if he leaves the Falcons – and it won’t be Gloucester I can assure you.

I'd've thought Bath would be candidates to go down.

Rob Andrew gave a fascinating interview on Saturday that started the club v country thing afresh. And I’m worried because for once I see his point. He criticised heavily the RFU for asking clubs to nurture English talent but then penalise those clubs that do by having domestic fixtures whilst Internationals are on. He pointed out that clubs like Tigers and Falcons lose 8-10 players to senior and A sides whilst teams that ignored the call to help England, like Saracens, Leeds, London Irish, Saints, Quins and until recently Glaws, might lose 2-3.

Tigers for example played Glaws at home in November whilst we had 11 sqaud members on call up and they had 3 I think. Okay we beat them but its hardly the point is it?

The point of the outburst is that the League continues during the lead up to and the RWC itself later in the year – and Rob was pointing out that the teams that have assembled Foreign legions and ignored England will be much better off. It’s an interesting point.

It's a very good point and one of those things that is easily overlooked. It falls on the authorities' shoulders, I'd've thought. If they're going to allow so many Foreign Legions, the only fair thing is for them to suspend the comp when other teams are so disadvantaged. Or, conversely, clamp down on the Foreign Legions so that no one team can be severely disadvantaged in an uninterrupted comp.

On another, unrelated matter - I hope Tamerlin genuinely does have a spare room. I've just about talked Mrs finbar into popping over later in the year. I might even talk her into a side trip to Leicester.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Perhaps will we have the chance to welcome another NZ poster here tonight. I have started talking Rugby with Frozzy in the CtP2 DG forum and told him there was a Rugby thread in the Off-Topic part of the Forum.

Nice one!

Curiously enough he does not seem to live in NZ. Why are they all fleeing this country?

Kiwis and Aussies are known to be travellers, and as beautiful as New Zealand is, you can't live on scenery.

Btw Caligastia, 165 posts in the On-Topic part of the forum before and I can choose my avatar.

Hopefully we can get you an avatar before the RWC starts!

But I won't spam as it is bad!

Spam is only bad if someone notices it...

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Tamerlin might remember him as the coloured lad who destroyed Stade Francais European dreams in 2001 – shame eh Tamerlin?

I don't remember at all but it is a bad thing anyway.

Rob Andrew gave a fascinating interview on Saturday that started the club v country thing afresh. And I’m worried because for once I see his point. He criticised heavily the RFU for asking clubs to nurture English talent but then penalise those clubs that do by having domestic fixtures whilst Internationals are on. He pointed out that clubs like Tigers and Falcons lose 8-10 players to senior and A sides whilst teams that ignored the call to help England, like Saracens, Leeds, London Irish, Saints, Quins and until recently Glaws, might lose 2-3.

The problem is the same for the Stade Toulousain and the Stade Français (among others) which are loosing many players to the benefit of the national selections.

Tigers for example played Glaws at home in November whilst we had 11 sqaud members on call up and they had 3 I think. Okay we beat them but its hardly the point is it?

Another problem can be pointed out, our Unions are still compensating the losses with a lump sum which is the same for each club, which means a club without an international will receive the same amount of money from the Union than the Stade Toulousain deprived of 5-7 players. Though I can understand all the clubs must earn a compensation (the crowd is less affluent when the internationals are not playing) it should be related, in a way or the other, to the number of players selected.

The point of the outburst is that the League continues during the lead up to and the RWC itself later in the year – and Rob was pointing out that the teams that have assembled Foreign legions and ignored England will be much better off. It’s an interesting point.

A worrying one actually.

Deano is looking at augmenting our squad and is shopping in France (he played there as a teenager and likes the country apparently). Several names have been linked with us one of which is Ibanez. Could be interesting.

Ibanez is good choice as he is a very good player and because its team is experiencing a very difficult season. Le Castres Olympique is already qualified for the play-down and will struggle to stay in the Top16.

But Ibanez will be difficult to seduce as many French clubs might be on the rank and because he will certainly be told to stay in France if he wants to keep playing for the Coqs. Moreover, as he is playing in the French squad, he won't be there during the World Cup.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


Not another rugby thread, but threads about how much you weighed when you were born, that sort of thing. I guess we drove him mad with our left-wing rants.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar


I didn't even buy Civ 3. I was warned off it by too many people.

I was warned, but my co-worker was willing to sell me his for $15, so I got it anyway. It's just not as rewarding to play as civ2, and it's harder to know how well you are doing.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I'd've thought Bath would be candidates to go down.

Last time I heard from Bath the team was just before the last one of the English championship.

It's a very good point and one of those things that is easily overlooked. It falls on the authorities' shoulders, I'd've thought. If they're going to allow so many Foreign Legions, the only fair thing is for them to suspend the comp when other teams are so disadvantaged. Or, conversely, clamp down on the Foreign Legions so that no one team can be severely disadvantaged in an uninterrupted comp.

There should be no domestic competitions, but on the other hand the clubs will loose more money without games and thus they want to play...

On another, unrelated matter - I hope Tamerlin genuinely does have a spare room. I've just about talked Mrs finbar into popping over later in the year. I might even talk her into a side trip to Leicester.

Don't you remember I am a poor lonesome unemployed man (I know it does not sound as impressive as "cowboy"), I don't have a spare room but I have a sofa-bed (don't know the english word for "Canapé-lit") that which may unfortunately not meet the standards of living you might be used to.

But I would be glad to meet you, guide you through the area and give you the hospitality if you come to Toulouse (even if you come with your wife and as long as you don't bring any kid).

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Caligastia
I was warned, but my co-worker was willing to sell me his for $15, so I got it anyway. It's just not as rewarding to play as civ2, and it's harder to know how well you are doing.

This is the maximum price you should pay Civ3. The AI has been taught how to use all the tricks previously used by the players against the Civ2 AI. The game can be difficult because of these tricks and because the AI is massively cheating. Whatsoever, Civ3 does not reach the ankle of CtP2 (heavily modded of course).

My opinion on modded CtP2 is completely biased and absolutely subjective and thus entirely justified.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Nice one!

Yes but he has not posted yet.

Kiwis and Aussies are known to be travellers, and as beautiful as New Zealand is, you can't live on scenery.

It's a shame.

Hopefully we can get you an avatar before the RWC starts!

Spam is only bad if someone notices it...

As a Vargr proverb says (taken from MegaTraveller science-fiction role playing game):

Where there is no police there is no law.

[Havak]

I might even talk her into a side trip to Leicester.

We would love to see you at rugby's spiritual home.