Rugby - Crouch and Hold!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
I am afraid I need to warn you of something...

I thought "afraid" was not part of your vocabulary...

They travel in huge numbers do the Irish. They will bring many times as many fans as they officially have tickets.

They do not stand a chance, Toulouse's crowd is far more boisterous...

I think I’d rather visit with Tigers to add that extra spice to the event. It will be hard for me to see the team that beat us playing a team that was our biggest rival in the early years of the cup. Rock and a hard place time.

Gloucester are closing their Academy by the way...

Very sad news, when a club is no more able to train its younger players its traditions and soul are thrown away... very bad news...

My hope is we shall get drawn in the same pool one season – then a home and away visit is a possibility?

I am eagerly waiting for the event though I don't know if I will ever have the money to do the trip to England...

As I say Leinster will take some stopping. We could have done it – I’m sure Toulouse can. USAP? I’m not convinced.

The Catalans are able of many things including beating the Leinster away, believe me... a Leinster - Toulouse final is all the more possible but I would not be surprised by a final opposing the Union Sportive des Arlequins de Perpignan and my dear old Stade Toulousain.

Well you know that there are more ‘Irish’ in Boston than in the Republic itself? England is a bit like that too.

Is the ale better there?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I thought "afraid" was not part of your vocabulary...

Talk about an epigram coming back to bite you!

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak
I think I’d rather visit with Tigers to add that extra spice to the event. It will be hard for me to see the team that beat us playing a team that was our biggest rival in the early years of the cup. Rock and a hard place time.

Your cup is still half full. One of them has to lose.

[Unless of course its a draw, in which case neither team wins. ]

I thought "afraid" was not part of your vocabulary...

Perhaps our Havak is a quick study?

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon
Perhaps our Havak is a quick study?

No, just, thanks to forgetfulness, hoist with his own epigrammatical petard.

Mmmmm. That should have Tamerlin hunting through his plethora of dictionaries of colloquialisms.

[Bearcat]

I got switched to blindside flanker today. I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Bearcat
I got switched to blindside flanker today. I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad.

Some data to help you make up your mind:

Blindside flanker

"The blindside flanker should be an all round athlete. They tend to be bigger than their fellow opposite number, the openside flanker. They have more of a physical role and are often a target for the hooker in the line out."

Basically, you get to smash the opposition Number 8.

Happier? Sadder?

[Havak]

Can't fault you on your delivery.

Why thank you. I have found that when I am subtle it frequently misses the target. This would be true of mis-spelling donor to try and draw a writer to comment on the fact.

Though I’m sure you spotted it and decided not to fall for it.

Of course you sensibly blamed the coach.

Mainly the coaches and the girlies yes. We forwards were generally awesome.

*whistles nonchalantly trying to look sincere*

What we call the "rusted on" supporter.

I preferred ‘time served’ and ‘weathered’ I think.

Why have I stuck so long? There are at least twelve different outlets selling beer in the ground last time I counted (as I went round them all). Draw you own conclusions.

He must be getting on a bit now.

31 rising 32 I think. Not much of a playing future I suspect.

The reality probably is that they don't quite have the amazing depth of talent they used to enjoy.

He probably still needs to tackle the fact of the revolt. Bob wouldn’t stand for it now would he?

As for Bob – he can be his own worst enemy. He seems to totally lack diplomatic skills of any kind be that with media, players or club execs. He remains the only rugger coach I have ever heard use the F word in an Auntie Beeb interview before 5pm on a Saturday. For all that I have a sneaking like for the guy – truly WYSIWYG is our Bob.

My Consultant friend who welches on bets – looks very much like Bob. It causes much amusement on our trips and was particularly fun in Australia.

I thought "afraid" was not part of your vocabulary...

You got me!!

I’d like to claim quick study (I learn the layout of new bars quickly if that counts?) but sadly it was a case of petard hoisting. Stitched myself up like a kipper there.

(If we are going to make it hard for him Finbar lets keep the colloquialisms rolling?)

They do not stand a chance, Toulouse's crowd is far more boisterous...

It will be interesting – I look forward to the TV coverage. They sing and shout, the French in my experience shout and use instruments – should be good. However tell your club to stock the bars up. The match on Sunday finished at 6pm. At 10:30pm (UK Sunday licencing hours) several thousand Munster fans were ejected from the various Welford Road bars complaining bitterly that they were “just getting started”. And they do this win or lose (I know this from Cardiff last year).

Very sad news, when a club is no more able to train its younger players its traditions and soul are thrown away... very bad news...

Awful news indeed. Unless it’s Gloucester of course.

I don't know if I will ever have the money to do the trip to England...

Is that just because we are such an awfully expensive place to actually be? Getting here is fairly reasonable – Ryanair flights from various south of France airfields fly to Stanstead and the train from there runs all the way to Leicester. Tickets for both can be booked cheaply in advance over the net.

The Catalans are able of many things including beating the Leinster away, believe me...

I don’t doubt it. And as you say an all French final is still possible. But I have been to various games in Ireland and even visited Donnybrook where Leinster play – and I would say it’s a huge ask. Rather like asking an English club to play Stade Francais in a final at Parc de Princes?

Is the ale better there?

Considerably.

Ireland is known for it’s stout (dark heavy drinks like Guiness).

The blindside frequently gets the job of taking re-start ball and smashing it up as well. Few end their careers looking very pretty.

[Havak]

I see Matt Rogers has busted his foot?

Also the fixture list is starting to look interesting. Australia play Ireland then Wales right before the tri-nations kicks off whereas NZ choose to play England. I guess NZ wanted a challenge whereas Aus wanted a warm up?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Why thank you. I have found that when I am subtle it frequently misses the target. This would be true of mis-spelling donor to try and draw a writer to comment on the fact.

Though I?m sure you spotted it and decided not to fall for it.

Far be it from me to undermine someone progressing so well with a second language. Your first one? One day, eons from now, archaeologists will unearth a rugby dressing room and find what will turn out to be the remnants of the props' strategies scribbled on the wall in pencil. Verily, it will be deemed a previously undiscovered language.

I preferred ?time served? and ?weathered? I think.

Actually, "rusted on" was borrowed from our beloved, much missed former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, who referred to traditional Labor supporters as "rusted on". Master of the vocab, was Paul. Some of it quotable in a public place. Master of the parliamentary insult. He once described one of his Conservative opponents as "a shiver looking for a spine to run up". God I miss him!

31 rising 32 I think. Not much of a playing future I suspect.

A child from where I sit, but, yes, on his last playing legs.

He probably still needs to tackle the fact of the revolt.

Well, yes, but as I've said before, Player Power has always been a major factor in the Brumbie culture. They've always been given a very big say in things, which is why they often appear so arrogant. But Player Power has its downsides, too.

Bob wouldn?t stand for it now would he?

Mmm. Funny you should mention that. A player by the name of Nathan Blacklock crossed over from RL to the Waratahs at the beginning of the season. Winger, one of those truly mercurial types. He had some personal traumas last year, wasn't coping, decided to toss in RL and make a fresh start in rugby. Very little rugby background but he picked it up quickly. He came off the bench in a match earlier this season and scored an astonishing try. But now he's changed his mind and wants to go back to RL. The consensus is that he's an unsettled sort of person who tends to change his mind fairly regularly. Bob Dwyer pointed out, rightly, that he signed a two year contract. Nathan went to the media about it. Bob had a private meeting with him on the matter. Nathan went back to the media and reported Bob's comment to him: "You'll stay and I'll give you a c*** of a year". Bob, naturally, wasn't pleased that it was reported.

Which speaks rather nicely to your next para:

As for Bob ? he can be his own worst enemy. He seems to totally lack diplomatic skills of any kind be that with media, players or club execs. He remains the only rugger coach I have ever heard use the F word in an Auntie Beeb interview before 5pm on a Saturday. For all that I have a sneaking like for the guy ? truly WYSIWYG is our Bob.

Yes, I rather like him for that reason. He remains a superb early identifer of talent. He did, after all, promote players like Phil Kearns and Tim Horan long before anyone else knew they were any good. In fact, Kearns went pretty much straight from club footy to the Wallabies. There are a couple of very young players he's promoted into the Waratahs who have exceptional potential. The worry, though, is that the Waratahs are so appallingly inconsistent under him. The thing is, inconsistency has been their problem for years, but he's been able to do nothing about it.

My Consultant friend who welches on bets ? looks very much like Bob. It causes much amusement on our trips and was particularly fun in Australia.

I was quite enjoying my evening till you mentioned him!

I?d like to claim quick study (I learn the layout of new bars quickly if that counts?) but sadly it was a case of petard hoisting. Stitched myself up like a kipper there.

(If we are going to make it hard for him Finbar lets keep the colloquialisms rolling?)

Yes, and if I hadn't just eaten, I'd be hungry enough to eat a horse and chase the rider.

Is that just because we are such an awfully expensive place to actually be? Getting here is fairly reasonable ? Ryanair flights from various south of France airfields fly to Stanstead and the train from there runs all the way to Leicester. Tickets for both can be booked cheaply in advance over the net.

Yes, but even discount airlines have dress codes and red and yellow jarmies would see him stopped at check-in.

The blindside frequently gets the job of taking re-start ball and smashing it up as well. Few end their careers looking very pretty.

*Bearcat takes one long, lingering look - my first alliteration for a while, and I feel so much better for it - in the mirror and decides to take up that weird sport but very safe sport where they chase stones down an ice rink with brooms*

[Havak]

Verily, it will be deemed a previously undiscovered language.

Perhaps the written version of the language that is spoken at closing time by all ex-forwards. Simple, though hardly coherent, and certainly expletive laden.

He once described one of his Conservative opponents as "a shiver looking for a spine to run up". God I miss him!

Oh yes. The Royal Tush Toucher. We nearly went to war with you over that.

A child from where I sit, but, yes, on his last playing legs.

A younger brother to me.

Nice stuff about Bob. And the player is out of order revealing private conversations to the media. Having said that it sounds like Waratahs will be better off without him. Where will Bob go next I wonder – a Bok side perhaps?

I was quite enjoying my evening till you mentioned him!

You would probably get on quite well with him. He enjoys baiting me too.

Yes, and if I hadn't just eaten, I'd be hungry enough to eat a horse and chase the rider

Poor Tamerlin may feel we are badgering him? If we come out with a load of old bunkum? It’s no skin off my nose by a long chalk , but he may think we are in cloud cuckoo land?

Still that’s not my pigeon either.

Okay I’ll stop!

Yes, but even discount airlines have dress codes and red and yellow jarmies would see him stopped at check-in.

Okay the red and yellow jarmies he would be a Perpignan supporter - so I guess I missed the origin of this one?

With a French passport our gentle custom souls will expect black beret, black and white striped top and a string of onions. The English stereotype of French national dress and about as accurate as John Bull is.

Ah Curling – a wonderful sport. Does Bearcat have Scottish blood?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Perhaps the written version of the language that is spoken at closing time by all ex-forwards. Simple, though hardly coherent, and certainly expletive laden.

Not to mention that props' tactics has to be the oxymoron of this or any other generation.

Oh yes. The Royal Tush Toucher. We nearly went to war with you over that.

Wasn't that a hoot? The Murdoch press shone. Most of us wondered why he hadn't twanged the royal bra strap while he was at it.

Nice stuff about Bob. And the player is out of order revealing private conversations to the media. Having said that it sounds like Waratahs will be better off without him.

I suspect Nathan Blacklock's a bit of a sad case. Not terribly stable emotionally, very easily led. The latest word is that the Waratahs will release him at the end of the S12 season, letting him off the last year of the contract. As you say, better off without him. Pity. He's very talented.

Where will Bob go next I wonder ? a Bok side perhaps?

Possibly. He doesn't strike me as the retirement type. If he hasn't been able to overcome the Waratahs' inconsistency problems, no one can.

You would probably get on quite well with him. He enjoys baiting me too.

Frankly, if Saddam Hussein had enjoyed baiting you, I'd've been over there in a flash as his human shield.

Poor Tamerlin may feel we are badgering him? If we come out with a load of old bunkum? It?s no skin off my nose by a long chalk , but he may think we are in cloud cuckoo land?

Still that?s not my pigeon either.

Okay I?ll stop!

No! Tamerlin loves a challenge. He's a Toulouse supporter, after all. And if you think that's coming the raw prawn, you need your head read before you drop your bundle, kick over the traces, give the turps a nudge and shoot through like a Bondi tram.

Okay the red and yellow jarmies he would be a Perpignan supporter - so I guess I missed the origin of this one?

Skip back up the page a bit. There was an earnest conversation in which we were deciding which Superhero Tamerlin most resembled. He fancied the red and yellow colours of ... I've forgotten which Superhero.

With a French passport our gentle custom souls will expect black beret, black and white striped top and a string of onions. The English stereotype of French national dress and about as accurate as John Bull is.

Oh. I pictured you at your desk with the Union Jack waistcoat. Yet another fantasy trashed.

Ah Curling ? a wonderful sport. Does Bearcat have Scottish blood?

I became fascinated by Curling during the Olympics. I did wonder why they didn't just Hoover the ice rather than all that sweeping. And didn't England win a medal in Curling? Bearcat claimed to have Sheffield roots, I recall. Is Curling big in Sheffield? Is anything big in Sheffield apart from boredom?

[Havak]

Sigh – I managed to miss a whole page for some reason.

So for Bearcat here is the take on Scotland – powerful pack, athletic locks, good in the line out – in fact good at set pieces. Unpredictable half backs – scrummy very solid normally but Fly Half a problem for them. Weak centres, one good wing, average fullback.

They do rely on forward power – beat them up front and you have them. The Eagles will need to improve in that area over the last time I saw them if they are to beat Scotland the Brave however.

Not to mention that props' tactics has to be the oxymoron of this or any other generation.

Very good.

Most of us wondered why he hadn't twanged the royal bra strap while he was at it.

I remind the thread I am a republican – it bothered me not at all. Just another sad old dear being shepherded around by a slick patronising politician type.

As you say, better off without him. Pity. He's very talented.

Talent is not always enough. *Cough* Austin Healey.

Frankly, if Saddam Hussein had enjoyed baiting you, I'd've been over there in a flash as his human shield.

There are no Australian writers in Baghdad. Never!

He's a Toulouse supporter, after all. And if you think that's coming the raw prawn, you need your head read before you drop your bundle, kick over the traces, give the turps a nudge and shoot through like a Bondi tram.

Or he might think it’s a load of old cobblers, not that I want to put the dampers on as you seem to be a dab hand at this kind of old yarn. I’m on a hiding to nothing trying to keep up.

He fancied the red and yellow colours of ... I've forgotten which Superhero.

Of Robin! The very suspect ‘ward’ of Bruce Wayne.

Yet another fantasy trashed.

Absolutely. I went for the George Cross one instead.

And didn't England win a medal in Curling?

Don’t plan to visit Scotland again anytime soon. GB won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics but it was an entirely Scottish team. It tends to go down badly when you give credit for Scottish wins to the English.

Sheffield is big for Ice Hockey, S***** and swimming. Chiefly S***** though both City sides are currently second flight.

They have also converted and old Baptist chapel into a huge Walkabout bar (Aussie theme pub) where I get the occasional delight of sampling that muck you call beer now and then.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Talent is not always enough. *Cough* Austin Healey.

Talent and Austin Healey. Puts the tactics/props nexus to absolute shame in the oxymoron stakes.

Of Robin! The very suspect ?ward? of Bruce Wayne.

Yes, I thought I'd leave that to you to point out.

They have also converted and old Baptist chapel into a huge Walkabout bar (Aussie theme pub) where I get the occasional delight of sampling that muck you call beer now and then.

Not being a huge imbiber of any sort, I drink only Peroni or Stella Artois. I wouldn't touch the local stuff with a bargepole. Some of the Tasmanian stuff aside, perhaps.

[Bearcat]

Originally posted by finbar
Some data to help you make up your mind:

Blindside flanker

"The blindside flanker should be an all round athlete. They tend to be bigger than their fellow opposite number, the openside flanker. They have more of a physical role and are often a target for the hooker in the line out."

Basically, you get to smash the opposition Number 8.

Happier? Sadder?

I don't know. Our new openside flanker is actually larger than me, leading to confusion on my part. My coach than told me that the blindside was for the slower, not necessarily smaller flanker

The blindside frequently gets the job of taking re-start ball and smashing it up as well. Few end their careers looking very pretty.

I have a feeling that if I play anymore rugby after high school, I'll end up in the backline somewhere, so I'm really not worried about that.

Ah Curling – a wonderful sport. Does Bearcat have Scottish blood?

Actually, I do, although I don't have much of an affinity for curling.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Bearcat
I don't know. Our new openside flanker is actually larger than me, leading to confusion on my part. My coach than told me that the blindside was for the slower, not necessarily smaller flanker

Mmmm. Tactful coaching. Look, if it makes you feel better, call your openside flanker a pansy because he only has to worry about the opposition halfback around the scrum. You have to cope with the opposition's toothless hulking #8 who, more than likely, has criminal convictions.

I have a feeling that if I play anymore rugby after high school, I'll end up in the backline somewhere, so I'm really not worried about that.

Very sensible. Even if you'll have to put with Havak calling you a "girlie".

Actually, I do, although I don't have much of an affinity for curling.

How hard can it be to chase a lump of rock down an ice rink with a broom? Curling really fascinates me. It has to be the most arcane sport in the universe.