Rugby - Crouch and Hold!

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Tamerlin

The Norse are well known for their fits of anger that are culminating into the Frenzy. The individuals prone to the most dangerous fits of rage were known as the Berserkers. I think this game was the first attempt at Sophrology which goal was to teach the said berserkers to fight the temptation and master their rage... This game was so succesfull that the Northern countries have been civilized and can only play girly games like S*****.

If I knew how much you massed then I could probably come up with a quantitative estimate of how much of your stash you ingested to come up with this theory.

Oh and on tonights match ManU v Real Madrid - Go United! arty:



It looks as though the English performance in the 6-nations has gone to their heads somewhat. Egomaniacs the lot of em.
They seem to have come up with a schedule for near-simultaneous matches in Wellington and Vancouver. Chartering a concord perhaps?

http://www.planetrugby.com/LATEST_NEWS/story_27438.shtml

It seems as though this hasn't been done with a great deal of success in the past so it'll be interesting to see how it works this time.


Oh and happy Anzac day tomorrow for, ... well, anybody here that cares.

[Hmm. Looks as though this place isn't quite fully functional yet.]

[finbar]

I've been giving the matter of the Apolyton server crash some very serious thought. It pretty much coincided with the Tigers losing to 'Quins. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.

[Havak]

But the interesting thing there is that it also coincided with St George's day.

So is it as Finbar hinted a Havak fit of pique - or is it yet another anti-Pom SH thing? I leave you to make you own minds up.

Season tickets come up for renewal next month. The coaching staff are currently making "we are not worried" noises despite our worst season for seven years (and first trophy less one for six). Another coincidence?

Oh and Tamerlin no Melons but I have got a bush hat from my visit down under.

Bad news about Bob - if not unexpected.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
But the interesting thing there is that it also coincided with St George's day.

So is it as Finbar hinted a Havak fit of pique - or is it yet another anti-Pom SH thing? I leave you to make you own minds up.

Frankly, I suspect the server had already renewed its Tigers' season ticket for next year and simply cracked the sh*ts. And justifiably.

Now you're a computer person. Please explain to me - briefly - what a server actually is, how it works, and how it can crash. Is it like a giant HD?

Season tickets come up for renewal next month. The coaching staff are currently making "we are not worried" noises despite our worst season for seven years (and first trophy less one for six). Another coincidence?

I noticed one of the players making the same "we're not worried" noises. Who is kidding whom?

Bad news about Bob - if not unexpected.

It was genuinely part of the long-term plan, just brought forward. There's something wrong within the coach/player ranks - either he's not getting the messages across or they're not listening. It's not as if there's a lack of player talent. The problem is inconsistency. I gather Bob is also going to be working more closely with the Wallabies, too.

Oh, and I read somewhere that Perpignan are also chasing Dan Herbert. Get your skates on.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
But the interesting thing there is that it also coincided with St George's day.

The loony who claimed he had killed a Dragon?

Season tickets come up for renewal next month. The coaching staff are currently making "we are not worried" noises despite our worst season for seven years (and first trophy less one for six). Another coincidence?

That I know, it is called Propaganda. When you are worried, say you are not.

Example: I am not worried at all about the issue of the Stade Toulousain vs. Munster game.

Oh and Tamerlin no Melons but I have got a bush hat from my visit down under.

The myth of the english gentleman just flew into pieces.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


The loony who claimed he had killed a Dragon?

That's the guy. He's been on unemployment benefits since about the 11th century.

The myth of the english gentleman just flew into pieces.

Talk about an oxymoron!

[finbar]

Who is currently coaching Scotland? There's some gossip in this morning's rugby media to the effect that the Saints' Wayne Smith will be in the chair after the World Cup.

[Havak]

Please explain to me - briefly - what a server actually is, how it works, and how it can crash. Is it like a giant HD?

Crikey you have asked an easy one there.

I don’t want to bog down this thread down with IT tedium but in a very generic description a Server is a usually a Device that provides the information, files and other services to the clients that access it. However the word is also commonly used to represent the OS and associated software running on the hardware. The word is a contraction of the older expression File-server that was rather more descriptive to my mind. Wherever this ‘server’ is dependent on a single big beige box you run the risk of hardware failing causing the grief it did to Apolyton. Of course in a business environment you tend not to run critical services on a single box - and then hope the building all your boxes are in never blows up – which is why we spend endless hours working on Disaster recovery plans “just in case”.

Who is kidding whom?

The club is kidding the fans. I would rather they were more honest with us – I’ll buy my season ticket regardless (truly ‘rusted on’). It’s creeping commercialism – too many ‘fans’ there now following the success not the club itself and they want these to renew season tickets too for cashflow. There myself and my club differ. I will attend the next AGM and make sure my voice is heard and my vote counted (I mentioned I was a shareholder right?).

I gather Bob is also going to be working more closely with the Wallabies, too.

Nooooo! We don’t want him spotting new talent for them – certainly not whilst they have crafty little chaps like Jones who know how to use the talent better than Bob these days.

[quote] Oh, and I read somewhere that Perpignan are also chasing Dan Herbert. Get your skates on.[quote]

The last I heard he was ready to sign for them. Less money but less than half the games a season too – plus the better climate of course. I think we have lost him. It may be for the best – Tigers expect players to graft so if the number of games bothered him he is coming to the wrong club – we are not a retirement home.
It’s a serious problem though – I am more certain than ever Kafer on his way out next month so we need someone with strong backs skills and a coaches brain very soon. Could you find Pat’s address in ACT for me?

The loony who claimed he had killed a Dragon?

It’s a nice myth. I myself think it’s Allegorical of the way England was constantly warring with the other British nations and cutting down their heirs – many a Welsh prince, Scots king and Irish Chieftain used dragons on their coats of arms.

Example: I am not worried at all about the issue of the Stade Toulousain vs. Munster game.

There is nothing to worry about. We were awful and they still struggled to break us down – one lucky try and one smart targeting of an injured man in defence was all they managed. Compare that to your ruthless performance against Saints – who are those flying wingers?

They are strong up front and O’Gara is a real talent at Fly Half but I am confident you can take them. Don’t; let me down.

The myth of the english gentleman just flew into pieces.

My background is working class. Had you said Flat cap it would have been a different story. I leave the silly hats to the silly classes (ooh, little bit of politics there).

Talk about an oxymoron!

My favourite is Australian Culture.

Who is currently coaching Scotland? There's some gossip in this morning's rugby media to the effect that the Saints' Wayne Smith will be in the chair after the World Cup.

Ian McGeechan. Great bloke (met him on tour). Very successful with the Lions. He is stepping down after RWC (going upstairs as DoR). If he couldn’t turn Scotland around then it cannot be done.

It’s a poison chalice for Smith – he should avoid it. They just don’t have the meat – hence the way English C players end up with them and any Kiwi C candidate who drinks Scotch ends up there.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I don?t want to bog down this thread down with IT tedium but in a very generic description a Server is a usually a Device that provides the information, files and other services to the clients that access it. However the word is also commonly used to represent the OS and associated software running on the hardware. The word is a contraction of the older expression File-server that was rather more descriptive to my mind. Wherever this ?server? is dependent on a single big beige box you run the risk of hardware failing causing the grief it did to Apolyton. Of course in a business environment you tend not to run critical services on a single box - and then hope the building all your boxes are in never blows up ? which is why we spend endless hours working on Disaster recovery plans ?just in case?.

So, in summary, the Apolyton site existed on a big HD on a computer in a room somewhere and the HD crashed? Mmmm. I hope they backed up occasionally. Well, obviously they did.

It?s creeping commercialism ? too many ?fans? there now following the success not the club itself and they want these to renew season tickets too for cashflow.

Yes, and they'll be the first to drop off. You just have to hope some of them cross the line to the club culture rather than just polishing the silverware.

Happens everywhere. An AFL club was transplanted to Sydney - the Swans, formerly South Melbourne, a very old, traditional Melbourne club. The AFL is desperate to break into Sydney, the RL stronghold, and the AFL subsidises the Swans enormously.

But the Swans are so desperate to keep up the membership and crowd numbers that they're constantly opting for short-term solutions with player trades, et al, rather than cleaning out the player ranks and rebuilding. That, of course, would result in a spell in the cellar until the rebuilding paid off, which they think they can't afford. They're afraid the fickle locals will abandon a cellar dweller. It's ultimate self-defeating, of course, because you never achieve real success via short-term solutions. Thus they're doomed to linger on the fringe of success. What they haven't realised is that, after 15 years, or however long it's been, they've probably maxed their membership and crowd numbers. The supporters are bona fide supporters and probably wouldn't drift away. Incredibly silly thinking for what amounts to a multi-million dollar business.

There myself and my club differ. I will attend the next AGM and make sure my voice is heard and my vote counted (I mentioned I was a shareholder right?).

I hereby appoint you my proxy to King Hit Austin Healy as hard as you can.

Nooooo! We don?t want him spotting new talent for them ? certainly not whilst they have crafty little chaps like Jones who know how to use the talent better than Bob these days.

Crafty old bugger is our Bob. While he's around, I somehow feel a bit more comfortable.

My favourite is Australian Culture.

That's nothing as fancy as an oxymoron, that's an utter myth.

It?s a poison chalice for Smith ? he should avoid it.

Looking at some of the talent he has available at the Saints, I'd've thought he's under-achieved at the club.

[finbar]

Highlanders 45 -d- Brumbies 19

The Highlanders have now taken the 4th spot from the Brumbies and face the Waratahs and the Reds in their last two matches. The Brumbies, now 2 points behind the Highlanders, face the Hurricanes and the Crusaders in their last two matches. Looks like it's going to be 4 Kiwi S12 semi-finalists and deservedly so.

The Brumbies dominated this match in terms of possession and rucks and mauls, but were hammered by extraordinary Highlanders' defence, their own handling errors and inability to finish. Yet another case of an Australian S12 team's inconsistency. This Brumbies team looks a bit like the team of old, but it certainly ain't. Their ball handling and combinations can be the Brumbies of old, but only in patches, and the finishing isn't there any more. I wonder if coach David Nucifora will be back next year.

[finbar]

I missed these bits.

The last I heard he was ready to sign for them. Less money but less than half the games a season too ? plus the better climate of course. I think we have lost him. It may be for the best ? Tigers expect players to graft so if the number of games bothered him he is coming to the wrong club ? we are not a retirement home.

Frankly, with great respect to the Old Country, I'd settle for the Perpignan lifestyle too. And if they do sign him, it will make them a real force.

It?s a serious problem though ? I am more certain than ever Kafer on his way out next month so we need someone with strong backs skills and a coaches brain very soon. Could you find Pat?s address in ACT for me?

Pat came off the bench again tonight against the Highlanders. Played very, very well. Featured in a couple of superbly worked loops with George Gregan - quick, close and bullet-like. Blink and you miss it stuff. I think he's been coming off the bench because the Brumbies are using Matt Giteau - he who debuted nervously at Twickenham - at inside centre, where he's showing enormous promise, and could finish up in a Wallaby jersey there; and a young chap whom they're nurturing at outside centre. But Pat is certainly class. I'm absolutely sure your people have been on the phone to him. That there's been no reports of a return suggests he's back for good.

Actually, George Gregan had a very good game with the Brumbies tonight, too, despite the loss. He's running and kicking a lot more, and he scored a magical try - drifting, almost ambling, with the ball parallel to the line about 20 metres out, apparently looking for a runner, but waiting for a gap to open in the defence. It did, fractionally, and almost behind him. But he knew it was there and through he went at the speed of light. Beautiful to watch. We're going to need him firing later in the year.

[Havak]

It does look rather like they were relying on a single device yes – and it shows how important good backups are. Imagine of the pearls of wisdom in the OT were lost forever.

Yes, and they'll be the first to drop off. You just have to hope some of them cross the line to the club culture rather than just polishing the silverware.

Some of them I would be happy to see gone – some people will just never be able to ‘get’ the club culture.

I find franchise hopping very bizarre – though it happens routinely in some sports. I do recall hearing something about the Swans whilst down there. If they are following the practice you describe it does rather sound like they will always be the bridesmaids at best.

Interestingly RL tried something similar here – to break out of their northern stronghold they poured huge amounts of money into the London Broncos and continue to prop them up. Broncos are of course an assembled team (bought and paid for) and they follow a similar pattern – short term fixes. For all that they have taken a few impressive scalps they have never troubled the trophy cabinets.

It isn’t easy to transplant a sport into enemy territory.

As for moving franchises Union has one here. London Irish may be named that but not a bit of it – for three seasons they have been based in Reading. It might be Thames Valley-ish but it isn’t London.

I hereby appoint you my proxy to King Hit Austin Healy as hard as you can.

If he is around at the next AGM I’ll consider it. I don’t think he will be myself.

Crafty old bugger is our Bob. While he's around, I somehow feel a bit more comfortable

You can’t beat a bit of the Bob factor that’s for sure.

Looking at some of the talent he has available at the Saints, I'd've thought he's under-achieved at the club.

Very much so – as did his two pre-decessors. Something else might be wrong there beyond his control? He arrived in a fanfare last year but despite one notable scalp (ours) he has not moved them up the table consistently and he has lost two consecutive Cup finals with them. He needs either to move or achieve something tangible next season or those fickle Saints fans (they come from the wrong side of the East Midlands you see – weird folks over that way) will ditch him.

I'd settle for the Perpignan lifestyle too. And if they do sign him, it will make them a real force.

I don’t blame him at all. I’m angry with our club for not having him signed and sealed by now.

USAP are already a force – although Leinster should be too much for them.

I'm absolutely sure your people have been on the phone to him. That there's been no reports of a return suggests he's back for good.

I heard rumours it was his missus being home sick that clinched the return rather than Wallaby aspirations as per the official line. If that is right then he is back for good. It’s a shame – Pat should not be settling for shining wood with his butt and if they are playing Giteau in front of him were I him I would leave anyway. Remember we only saw a few mins of that young man up here and he was not exactly impressive.

We're going to need him firing later in the year.

Best scrummy in the world when he fires on all four. The test for him, and indeed the Wallabies now, is that so many positions in the national side can no longer say that.

If I were picking a world side now I suspect most of my front eight would come from France and England with some Kiwi augmentation possibly – and maybe Smith is in contention along with possibly a fit Giffen and Sharpe on the fringes?

Ooh is it time to think about another World XV? I have some suggestions – the second row is totally English with Chris Jack on the bench. Scrummy is Gregan, Stand Off I think has to be Wilko? Flankers – pick from Smith, Back, McCaw? Were Moody fit he is a shoe in for Blindside I suspect (with Betson having had a weak six nations) – explosive talent. Number 8 the young man from France with the long confusing name (the lad who famously criticised all things English the week before the sides met – nice motivational grist for the English boys in hind sight).

Front row – well for me it has to be a combination of Rosbiffs and Frogs.

But the girlies I throw to the thread – I suspect a mix of Kiwis, Aussies, Irish, French and a token Englishman. Anyone who leaves O’Driscoll out is making a mistake I would suggest. Similarly Robinson – for all his (Flatley chasing) faults he is a game breaker.

Oh and clearly Healey on the Wing.

Also - Victory to the Stade Toulousain!!!

[Havak]

By the way I didn't miss your point about the clash of fixtures.

It's true - England will play Canada on the same day they play the All Blacks and then Australia on the same day they face the Eagles from what I can gather.

Okay it might smack of rampant egomania but actually it's a very worthy effort they are making. The Vancouver games are part of the new Churchill cup and England are taking part in an effort to help second tier countries like the Canucks and Eagles.

However the other current rumour is that the senior players won't attend either tour. The second string will face the SH and the third travel to Canada whilst the big names rest up ready to lift the Webb-Ellis trophy.

It all smacks of the tour of death in 98 - and we will never forget that. However English rugby is much healthier now - and just think if our second string turns over the SH boys on their home turf you will never hear the end of it. The third string should be able to take the Churchill cup as well.

So we aim high in the summer - and lets see what actually happens. England - Grand Slam winners 2003 and undefeated in 14 months. it will take some side to stop them - step forward and be counted ABs and Wallabies.

Also tasty for me are the warm up fixtures just before RWC - Wales as a starter and then home and away to France. I can't wait. Don't take it too hard when we beat you twice Tamerlin.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Compare that to your ruthless performance against Saints – who are those flying wingers?

Emile Ntamack (playing more like a third center) and Vincent Clerc (pure burst of energy), another talent, Cédric Heymans, came as a replacement during the game and scored a try.

They are strong up front and O’Gara is a real talent at Fly Half but I am confident you can take them. Don’t; let me down.

The worst opponent of the Stade Toulousain is the Stade Toulousain itself.

I am rather confident actually though the weather could change the whole thing as a persistent rain is announced.

I think the Union Sportive des Arlequins de Perpignan will also win its game against the Leinster, though I don't know why I don't see them loosing...

My background is working class. Had you said Flat cap it would have been a different story. I leave the silly hats to the silly classes (ooh, little bit of politics there).

Also tasty for me are the warm up fixtures just before RWC - Wales as a starter and then home and away to France. I can't wait. Don't take it too hard when we beat you twice Tamerlin.

[Bearcat]

Tomorrow we are going to the OYR Playoffs at Camp Withycombe. We (Eastside) finished the season with an undefeated 5-0-1 record and 22 points, in a tie for first with the Tualatin Valley Thundercats. Because TV scored more points than us though, we will be going into the playoffs with the 2nd seed in the OYR North division, meaning we have to play the OYR South 1st seed. The 1st seed from the South is McMinnville. We played McMinnville as a friendly earlier this year and won 17-7, but McMinnville has improved a lot since than. They beat the Vancouver A team last Saturday to clinch the 1st seed 31-21. We beat the Vancouver B side 48-8 though.

McMinnville has a couple of good players, and a good backline, but our pack is much better than theirs and as long as we hold on to the ball, instead of kicking it away we should do pretty well. It's going to be a tough game though, but I'm confident that we can win if we play with our heads, seeings as we are the more experienced team.

If we win that game, we go on to play a second game for the OYR title, against the winner of the Tualatin Valley-Corvallis match. We tied Tualatin Valley this year, we're the only team to have scored on them this year in fact. And we'd be real hungry to beat them for the state title if we ended up against them. We beat Corvallis at the pre-season tournament, but doesn't mean much. A lot of teams were abbreviated and were missing players. Corvallis only lost two games this year, but one of those was to the Vancouver A side and the other to South Eugene, a first year team. They also only scored 80 points in total, compared to our 134. I'd like to see Corvallis knock off TV and face us for the title.

Also , if we win both our games, which we have a good chance of doing, we get to travel to Olympia, Washington to play in the PNRFU (Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union) U-19 tournament, which combines teams from both Oregon and Washington.