Rugby - Crouch and Hold!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Ashley Rowden helmed the Tigers game and was awful - anything off the ball misses his attention. Fortunately Leeds constant cynical play didn't work and they lost the game.

Gee, talk about a passing reference to a Tigers' win, a rare event these days.

I also caught the Blues-Sharks game and there was the worst referee this weekend - Peter Marshall I believe.

Very strange, very erratic referee. Produces some bizarre performances - overlooking the blindingly obvious, picking up the obscure.

Still Blues look a decent outfit and Spencer would make a good buy after the RWC - I'm sure he will be part of the mass exodus?

They're not playing as well as they were earlier in the season but obviously playing well enough. I fear they're too dependent upon Carlos. It's a much more even S12 contest this season - amongst the top four teams anyway - without the standouts that the Crusaders were last year. I watched some of the Crusaders -v- Bulls match won by the Bulls. The Crusaders are far from what they were. I still think the Hurricanes, when they put it together, can beat them all.

Catch you guys tomorrow.

Yes indeed! But welcome to the world of weekend posting anyway! Mrs Havak pottering in the garden? Far enough away for her not to hear the modem dialling up?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
May the 24th will be an H-Cup final with two french clubs ( )... in Dublin.

How bizarre! Why? Is the venue for the final rotated? Must be.

[Bearcat]

Originally posted by finbar
Then, Bearcat, it's your duty to start a whispering campaign to get the coach sacked. He's clearly playing you out of position and the team's loss is all his fault. Don't forget - it's a fine rugby tradition for players to undermine their coaches. We expect you to uphold the tradition.

I didn't even start on Saturday, but I don't think it was the coach's fault. Something just didn't click and we didn't get started off like we should have. The last time we played them it was like the Blues and Bulls, we put it to them and this time it was like an agonizing Reds-Waratahs match.

On a much happier note, the Eagles beat Spain 58-13 today to clinch a berth in the RWC.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Bearcat

this time it was like an agonizing Reds-Waratahs match.

Oh, right, I forgot you're in the NH!

On a much happier note, the Eagles beat Spain 58-13 today to clinch a berth in the RWC.

I think that's the last spot taken. Let the fun now begin!

[Havak]

Perpignan fully deserved it. In the last 10 mins they raised their game enough to get the job done. Manuel Edmonds marshalled the game superbly (much as I hate to praise an Aussie). Leinster seemed to have bought the hype and had their minds on the next game at Landsdowne road – one they now will not take part in. At least Munster gave it a good go – Leinster capitulated.

There are now plenty of tickets available for the final if anyone wants to go. Tamerlin will be going of course?

I don’t know who to support though – I’ll have to think on it.

It was quite funny to see the Gallic temperament though – as the whistle goes in Toulouse the French coach sinks to his knees and cries with arms raised in supplication – just like a pansy s***** player in fact – especially in the fact it took him five minutes to get back up.

You must have seen some truly appalling ones this week-end...

I did believe me – Williams looked good alongside the moustache laden Aussie. I would have thought Williams might have met your approval – he did after all let USAP get away with murder around the Leinster scrum.

Gee, talk about a passing reference to a Tigers' win, a rare event these days.

We have so far won 14 out of 16 games this year at home with one to come. I shall not comment on the away stats.

Very strange, very erratic referee. Produces some bizarre performances - overlooking the blindingly obvious, picking up the obscure.

That’s exactly the impression he gave me. By the way didn’t Sharks make a good fist of it?

I still think the Hurricanes, when they put it together, can beat them all.

It’s shaping up to be all Kiwi in the elimination phase isn’t it?

Far enough away for her not to hear the modem dialling up?

My sister and family descended so I had a sudden need to ‘check my work e-mail’.

I have noted I missed a fair few posts between Friday and dropping by yesterday – I will read back over them later today if I can.

How bizarre! Why? Is the venue for the final rotated? Must be.

Rotated yes - and it’s always been decided before the semi’s. That’s why Tigers ended up playing Stade Francais right next to their home ground in the old national stadium (Parc de Princes Tamerlin?). It was England in 2000, France in 2001, Wales in 2002 and Ireland in 2003. Must be Murrayfield next year.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Perpignan fully deserved it. In the last 10 mins they raised their game enough to get the job done. Manuel Edmonds marshalled the game superbly (much as I hate to praise an Aussie). Leinster seemed to have bought the hype and had their minds on the next game at Landsdowne road – one they now will not take part in. At least Munster gave it a good go – Leinster capitulated.

As you said it Manuel Edmonds have helmed the game adequately though IMO this victory is a collective one. The Catalans forwards have kept the Irish forwards at bay and have tired them so that they were out of shape at the end of the game.

Cermeno has constantly provoked the Irish defense... the weak spot of the USAP is IMO the Half-Scrum which was too slow, this weakness was fortunately balanced by Manu Edmonds...

There are now plenty of tickets available for the final if anyone wants to go. Tamerlin will be going of course?

I would have liked but my financial situation does not allow me to.

I don’t know who to support though – I’ll have to think on it.

I don't have this kind of dilema...

It was quite funny to see the Gallic temperament though – as the whistle goes in Toulouse the French coach sinks to his knees and cries with arms raised in supplication – just like a pansy s***** player in fact – especially in the fact it took him five minutes to get back up.

I think it was a kind of nervous breakdown as the suspense was almost unbearable. Contrary to the S***** girlies I think Guy Novès started crying like a baby because he was really happy for the Stade Toulousain not because of a pay check he will receive. Don't forget the coaches are all former players of the Stade Toulousain...

I did believe me – Williams looked good alongside the moustache laden Aussie. I would have thought Williams might have met your approval – he did after all let USAP get away with murder around the Leinster scrum.

The number of Irish fools Mr Williams has not whistled is impressive and the Catalans' scrum has been far more sanctionned than it deserved to... I guess Mr Williams has made his best to send an Irish team in final but that the Perpignanais finally proved too strong for the Leinster.

We have so far won 14 out of 16 games this year at home with one to come. I shall not comment on the away stats.

You have lost two games at home, this is simply not tolerated here in Toulouse...

That’s why Tigers ended up playing Stade Francais right next to their home ground in the old national stadium (Parc de Princes Tamerlin?). It was England in 2000, France in 2001, Wales in 2002 and Ireland in 2003. Must be Murrayfield next year.

Yes it is our good old Parc des Princes... sniff!

[Havak]

Well in fairness the Catalan forwards prevented the Irish pack asserting itself by playing a spoiling game but it was well done.

I also see that ERC Ltd has refused French requests to move the final to France. Quite right too – they never changed the venue for Tigers when we played in Paris.

Don't forget the coaches are all former players of the Stade Toulousain...

A worthy tradition of your club. Grown men should only cry when the Pression runs out though.

guess Mr Williams has made his best to send an Irish team in final but that the Perpignanais finally proved too strong for the Leinster.

Mr Williams is Welsh and should not be expected to be bias in an Ireland-France game really.

You have lost two games at home, this is simply not tolerated here in Toulouse...

It’s barely tolerated here.

The season ticket renewals have come out – only a 15% rise if I renew before 1st June.

Yes it is our good old Parc des Princes... sniff!

I always miss one of those finishing S’s out.
And for Finbar – as expected the club confirmed today that Kafer will leave after the Gloucester game. He’s been linked with Saracens and Bath but he may also head straight home. Now news yet on Kronfeld but there are also rumours Tournaire wants to head back to France. I’d like to keep both really but I expect we will lose both.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Manuel Edmonds marshalled the game superbly (much as I hate to praise an Aussie).

I've spoken about him before. Pity he wasn't more consistent. He could play blinders for the Waratahs, then disappear for weeks. Good luck to the lad, I'm pleased for him.

We have so far won 14 out of 16 games this year at home with one to come. I shall not comment on the away stats.

Tamerlin bombed you on that one better than I ever could! Next time I need inspiration, I must switch to my second language.

It?s shaping up to be all Kiwi in the elimination phase isn?t it?

In all likelihood. The Brumbies and the Waratahs can, theoretically, make it. The current top four deserve to stay there, IMHO.

My sister and family descended so I had a sudden need to ?check my work e-mail?.

Say no more, say no more.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I would have liked but my financial situation does not allow me to.

Should we pass around le chapeau for him?

You have lost two games at home, this is simply not tolerated here in Toulouse...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The season ticket renewals have come out ? only a 15% rise if I renew before 1st June.

Out of interest, how much is the sub?

And for Finbar ? as expected the club confirmed today that Kafer will leave after the Gloucester game. He?s been linked with Saracens and Bath but he may also head straight home.

Interesting to see what he does. Speaking of Bath, I nearly wet myself on the weekend when I read "Knuckles" Connolly's (former Reds and - from memory - Biarritz? coach) column in the Sunday paper. He's usually quite sensible, but, when discussing possible replacements for Bob with the Waratahs, he had this to say:

"Another outstanding candidate is former Wallaby Michael Foley. He has been in charge of a number of English internationals at Bath, including Danny Grewcock and Mike Catt, and has reshaped the club."

M-hm. Pity about Foley's results, "Knuckles".

[Havak]

It looks like he has picked a team that is going places – Herbert is rumoured to be heading there and they have signed our Kiwi Prop Freshwater. Edmonds may have made a smart move indeed.

Next time I need inspiration, I must switch to my second language.

Ah but would that be Italian as per the flag or Irish as per the tag?

The current top four deserve to stay there, IMHO.

I’ve caught very few games so I’ll take your word for it (shocking though that may be).

Should we pass around le chapeau for him?

We should. I think he has to go. I wouldn’t have missed any of the Tigers finals for the world – even the one we lost to Brive.

Out of interest, how much is the sub?

To stand on the Crumbie a la Havak will be £170 for the season. Okay it’s not a kings ransom (they save those for the seats) but it is creeping up year on year. It will only cost me £159 if I renew early (and that’s £20 more than my early renewal price last year). Yes I am rather tight in some ways.

M-hm. Pity about Foley's results, "Knuckles".

Thanks for that it has made my afternoon! He has reshaped them all right – from relegation candidates to relegation favourites!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak
Well in fairness the Catalan forwards prevented the Irish pack asserting itself by playing a spoiling game but it was well done.

I also see that ERC Ltd has refused French requests to move the final to France. Quite right too – they never changed the venue for Tigers when we played in Paris.

I find it less worrying than a final played in Dublin against an Irish team as the later one would have played at home. That the request has been refused is logical as there is no reason to change the location of a final when the said location is planned since the beginning of the season. But IMO the main reason why the officials don't approve the french request must be found in the "Evin's Law". This french law prevents any advertisement linked to alcool or tobacco. During the last final of the H-Cup in France, the name Heineken was banned from the field and only the H was visible.

Mr Williams is Welsh and should not be expected to be bias in an Ireland-France game really.

Even the Midi Olympique, which is almost never speaking about the referees, has questionned the overall performance of Mr Williams and a lack of balance...

It’s barely tolerated here.

You should not, the home ground must be thought as an impregnable fortress where the opponent must not believe he has the least of a chance to win. Though the visitors are allowed to score some points, and even a try or two, they should understand that scoring more points than the receiving team is very rude and that it would be severly dealt with.

Season ticket renewals have come out – only a 15% rise if I renew before 1st June.

This reminds me of income taxes, they never decrease...

I always miss one of those finishing S’s out.

French is a tricky language which must be a nightmare to learn though when I read the mails and notes written by my compatriots I sometimes wonder if they have learnt it at all themselves.

Do you know where Franck Tournaire could play next year? Christian Califano is announced at Castres.

The Stade Toulousain is not recruiting this year as his objective is to keep all the current players and consolidate the current group. I guess the second objective is to teach Cédric Desbrosses how to run and catch/handle a ball while running at the same time.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak

Ah but would that be Italian as per the flag or Irish as per the tag?

Well, my Irish is limited to "Begorrah, Begorrah", "Top o' the mornin'", and "Would that be a piece of Waterford in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?", which is three times as much Italian as I can speak, so it looks like Irish.

I?ve caught very few games so I?ll take your word for it (shocking though that may be).

The fundamental difference this season has been the consistency of those top four teams, without, as I said, a stand-out team.

To stand on the Crumbie a la Havak will be £170 for the season. Okay it?s not a kings ransom (they save those for the seats) but it is creeping up year on year.

That's about $440 for standing room. Does it only cover League matches? If so, it sounds a bit steep.

Thanks for that it has made my afternoon! He has reshaped them all right ? from relegation candidates to relegation favourites!

I can't imagine why "Knuckles" put his name forward. He would know Bath's performances. Must be a mate. Silly, because he loses credibility.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
I find it less worrying than a final played in Dublin against an Irish team as the later one would have played at home.

I suppose that's why they have the rotation system - the odds of one of the finalists ending up with a home match would be long. The S12 comp, ladder-based rather than knock-out, rewards the higher-placed of the two finalists with the home match.

French is a tricky language which must be a nightmare to learn though when I read the mails and notes written by my compatriots I sometimes wonder if they have learnt it at all themselves.

I'm often saying the same about 99% of those for whom English is a first language! BTW, can you send me that French keyboard layout?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
BTW, can you send me that French keyboard layout?

Your desires are my orders...