Rugby - Hemisphere Wars!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak


Rest easy tonight. I am offended ? suggesting I have the genetics to be a ?Girlie? indeed.

I should have been able to work out the reference as well of course ? which is more embarassing.

Q.E.D.

No need to ask who you will be supporting?

Non è affatto stupido!

You see I can take you advice without starting a debate on the phrase.

It's time you took an interest in linguistics!

David McHugh pedantic? I can?t see it. As I say I think he is okay myself. Most of the time.

Were you quoting me? I was talking about Andre Watson.

The boys probably do not know this but Havak did his Undergrad time at Sheffield, and lived there for four years on and off.

Frankly, I fingered it a while ago. You were betrayed by a certain ... je ne sais quoi - a phrase that probably doesn't trip off too many Sheffield tongues.

Basically Bearcat you are digging a real hole with Finbar here I think.

Biding my time, biding my time.

I?m backing France and England of course. And?Scotland I think on balance. Surprise anyone there?

Les Bleus will be a big test for the Paddys. It will be interesting to see. The other two seem over and done with - unless, of course, the Welsh repeat last time's effort rather than the Italian effort.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Yes, nothing to add here except that the main colloquial part of the sentence is in the second part "remets en une couche". "Vas-y" is not really colloquial in itself, it just means "come on" or "do it"...

To a non-Frenchman, Vas-y would be considered colloquial because it doesn't translate to anything resembling its meaning.

True, "y" is often used to avoid a repetition and means "there" or "it" as in the following sentences:

Mom: "Ton père n'accepte pas ton engagement dans l'Infanterie Mobile" (your father does not accept your enlistment in the Mobile Infantry).
Ricoh: "Il faudra bien qu'il s'y fasse" (he will have to go along with it).

Personally, I think Ricoh needs his face slapped.

Federal Network: "Voulez-vous en savoir plus?" (do you want to know more?)

Go for it! This internet connection's a whole lot cheaper than lessons at Alliance Français!

[Havak]

Q.E.D.

Ouch!

Non è affatto stupido!

come previsto realmente!

It's time you took an interest in linguistics!

Little talent for it sadly.

Were you quoting me? I was talking about Andre Watson.

yes I was – my fault. I meant is he as pedantic as McHugh in your view?

je ne sais quoi - a phrase that probably doesn't trip off too many Sheffield tongues.

True enough – it’s a funny place that Yorkshire/Derbyshire border.

Biding my time, biding my time.

I reckon he can take it.

Les Bleus will be a big test for the Paddys. It will be interesting to see. The other two seem over and done with - unless, of course, the Welsh repeat last time's effort rather than the Italian effort.

A HUGE test for Ireland in fact. Game of the weekend for sure. I also can’t see England losing – though how they win will be key of course.

Scotland-Wales is a weird one – Scotland just can’t score – not just tries but at all. Even their place kicking is suspect. Wales have a back line that look handy against lesser teams at times. But it is at Murrayfield and that edges it Scotlands way for me I think.
A rugby filled weekend – marvellous.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
come previsto realmente!

Hai delle belle pretese!

Little talent for it sadly.

I think, sadly, Tamerlin and LDiCesare put us both to shame. Actually, even Bearcat also puts us to shame. His command of his second language just about rivals Tamerlin and LDiCesares, don't you think?

yes I was ? my fault. I meant is he as pedantic as McHugh in your view?

I haven't seen a lot of McHugh, but I suspect they're about the same. Andrew is famous for pulling really obscure rulings out of his ref's hat. I recall a S12 match where he pinged someone for a lineout infringement that had everyone baffled. Until one of the commentators recalled that such a law existed on the books; it hadn't been employed for about 15 years; it didn't impact on the play in any way, shape or form; but it existed, so Andre was going to display his knowledge of the laws.

OTOH, Andre is one of the better communicators with the players.

True enough ? it?s a funny place that Yorkshire/Derbyshire border.

I've been there. Not dissimilar, in some ways, to the NW coast of Tasmania.

A HUGE test for Ireland in fact. Game of the weekend for sure. I also can?t see England losing ? though how they win will be key of course.

I suspect England will win but not as well as they should. That seems to be the pattern.

Scotland-Wales is a weird one ? Scotland just can?t score ? not just tries but at all. Even their place kicking is suspect. Wales have a back line that look handy against lesser teams at times. But it is at Murrayfield and that edges it Scotlands way for me I think.

More a case of who will be less incompetent on the day.

[finbar]

Some S12 results:

Cats 34 -d- Brumbies 32

The Cats got up with a try and conversion in injury time. The Brumbies were without Larkham and Mortlock. It was another 2am game so I don't know much about it. I did, though, see some of their last week's efffort going down to the Sharks. Their handling incompetence was extraordinary, which is very unusual for the Brumbies. Even Joe Roff was flubbing easy balls. If they'd held onto 50% of their mistakes, they would have won. But given their problems midway through last season, this is an interesting test for David Nucifora as coach. While he has lot some talented players, he's still got a very talented team. But is he up to the job?

Highlanders 29 -d- Bulls 22

As expected.

Hurricanes 33 -d- Stormers 18

Ditto.

Can't wait for the Crusaders -v- Blues match this arvo!

[Bearcat]

My team just had our game tomorrow cancelled because the city closed the park we were supposed to play at. My coach called my house to let me know, but I was out so I haven't gotten a real explanation yet. Needless to say I am pretty pissed

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Chiefs 43 -d- Reds 27

Very entertaining if error-ridden match with everyone throwing the ball around, lots of counter-attacking, and lots of tries. The Chiefs made many fewer mistakes and looked good. Obviously taking on the Reds after a couple of matches against the top guns was a bit of a relief. The Reds had patches of good play but seemed to get seriously disorganised at times. For the Wallaby cause, though, it was good to see Ben Tune fit and breaking the line at speed, and Nathan Sharpe did plenty of good work at lock.

Next up - Crusaders -v- Blues!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Bearcat
My team just had our game tomorrow cancelled because the city closed the park we were supposed to play at. My coach called my house to let me know, but I was out so I haven't gotten a real explanation yet. Needless to say I am pretty pissed

Bummer! Why on earth would they close a park? Someone on strike? Pollution? Weather?

[Bearcat]

Originally posted by finbar
Bummer! Why on earth would they close a park? Someone on strike? Pollution? Weather?

I think it's due to weather. It's been raining here for a bit these past couple days and maybe that influenced the city's thinking. Normally this would not stop a game (we played in mud and freezing sleet against Corvallis last year), but it is a city owned park so go figure. Normally we play at a field owned by one of the local adult clubs.

Oh, and BTW, it's getting worse and worse for the Australian Super 12 sides. They're turning into this year's SA squads with losses to the Chiefs, Cats, and Sharks. Shocking.

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Half time score:

Blues 13 -v- Crusaders 5

Wonderful match. The Blues started out out-Crusadersing the Crusaders but the Crusaders lifted their game towards the end of the half. Carlos Spencer is having a blinder. Yet again, the Blues' Fijian winger Caucau is cutting everyone to pieces. He's more potent than Jonah at his peak and he has all-round skills.

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Final score:

Blues 39 -d- Crusaders 5

Gee. The Crusaders fell apart. Or, more accurately, the Blues blew them off the park. Carlos Spencer's effort was possibly one of the most dominating I've seen from an individual in a top class match. Certainly, the Crusaders were missing Andrew Mehrtens, but he wouldn't have made a huge difference. For that matter, the Blues were also missing players. The Crusaders' lineout fell apart, they were fumbling, they were made to look pretty ordinary - and they're far from an ordinary team.

it's too early to say the Crusaders' bubble has burst. They started last season slowly and fell over the line in a couple of matches before turning into the superpower. But this is the third time I've seen the Blues this season - and they're getting better and better. Quick, aggressive, tremendous defence and an absolutely terrifying backline.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Bearcat

I think it's due to weather. It's been raining here for a bit these past couple days and maybe that influenced the city's thinking. Normally this would not stop a game (we played in mud and freezing sleet against Corvallis last year), but it is a city owned park so go figure. Normally we play at a field owned by one of the local adult clubs.

Think kindly of them - they're concerned about your health and wellbeing.

Oh, and BTW, it's getting worse and worse for the Australian Super 12 sides. They're turning into this year's SA squads with losses to the Chiefs, Cats, and Sharks. Shocking.

[Havak]

Ireland 15 France 12

Well things are getting interesting. My weekend in Ireland looks like being a huge one now.

What I am still trying to figure out is how France blew that? Tamerlin? Something is badly wrong at the moment. The defence looks solid as ever, the pack is still awesome – but the execution in the backs looks very shaky and the half back pairing just isn’t working? Still take nothing away from Ireland – they played extremely well. I think their centre pairing of Maggs and O’Driscoll must be arguably the best in the world right now?

Given the opportunity this time to watch carefully I am afraid I have to say the French loose head does not engage straight most of the time and that he was luckier this time around not to be penalised for it quite so often by Mr Watson. Also seeing you penalised for a quick throw in that wasn’t straight – well the irony was not lost on me

Though having seen Robinsons quick throw many times since the game I have to say I don’t agree with you on that one anyway.

The other game was thoroughly entertaining too. Wales had commitment and worked hard but the execution was absolutely awful. Scotland finally found some cohesion and Townsend played one of his better games running the show. So we hit 80 mins with the score at 23-10 in Scotland’s favour. At 82 mins Scotland score another try. The game then goes on a further five minutes in which time Wales score two tries. Final score Scotland 30 Wales 22.

In addition the referee changed early in the second half – Pablo De Luca going off injured and Tony Spreadbury taking the helm. He is proving to be the ref of the tournament really – very solid and usefully consistent. The constant cry of “number seven blue – offside” was heard from both refs. That caught my interest so I checked out the Scot openside. Andrew Mower. Yes that’s right Finbar THE Andrew Mower – Aussie pure blood. How does he qualify? A Glaswegian Gran. We really ought to re-open this debate – this is ludicrous.

The Scottish outside centre was also an import – born in Waga Waga. As Jonathan Davies said on the commentary “what part of Scotland is that then?”.

It looks tough for Wales now – Ireland then France left for them now. The Wooden Spoon beckons.

And now England need a heavy win (by nearly 40 points) to overhaul Ireland at the top of the table. It should be possible – time will of course tell.

Nice to see the Blues doing well.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Ireland 15 France 12

Well things are getting interesting. My weekend in Ireland looks like being a huge one now.

A lot of the match was broadcast live on the BBC World Service. Bless them. I fell asleep at half time though!

So how did Mr Watson's performance rate? And was there a focus on the tackler freeing the tackled? And entering "through the gate"? And the front rows pushing straight ahead and on a level plane?

Andrew Mower. Yes that?s right Finbar THE Andrew Mower ? Aussie pure blood. How does he qualify? A Glaswegian Gran.

Who on earth is Andrew Mower? If I can't recollect the name, it speaks volumes for the quality of Scots rugby.

Edit. I just discovered that Mower - whomever he is - was named by Clive Woodward in the England development squad in September, 2000. Presumably he knocked back England for a guaranteed game with a weaker team. But he was also pursued by Wales. England, Scotland, Wales - how many grandparents has the bugger got?

Another edit. I further discovered that he was born here, his parents emigrated from Scotland, he played for Gordon in the Sydney comp.

We really ought to re-open this debate ?

Just as soon as we've thrashed out how big the Big Bang was. It's about as productive.

The Scottish outside centre was also an import ? born in Waga Waga. As Jonathan Davies said on the commentary ?what part of Scotland is that then??.

Who was the outside centre? Someone else I've never heard of?

Nice to see the Blues doing well.

"Doing well" is a massive understatement. Of course Carlos Spencer is currently in outstanding form and driving the machine. Carlos can be inconsistent. If he goes off the boil, the Blues might too. In the meantime, it's exciting to watch. We should just thank God that their Fijian winger Ropeni CauCau (there are many more than 6 letters in his surname but it's abbreviated to the first 6 and pronounced "Thow Thow") plays for Fiji and not the ABs. He's absolutely devastating.

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Another candidate for a new thread title! Having watched 3 S12 matches yesterday and last night, I don't know why we haven't used it before:

Rugby - Crouch and Hold!

Or has someone suggested it before? I'm not thinking straight this morning. I'm grieving - last night a couple of mongrel cutworms demolished 3 of my heirloom tomato seedlings!