Rugby - Hands Off, Wattle!

[ravagon]

Originally posted by LDiCesare

Let's ask the Rugby Union to plan a match against New Zealand on the same day as an English election then.

Perhaps the AB's against the Tory 1st XV?
An English team captained by the aforementioned Michael Howard perhaps?

[finbar]

It was inevitable. Clive picks Wilkinson for the Lions tour on the basis of three club matches. With, presumably, no more rugby for him between now and the start of the tour.

[Havak]

Somewhere close to the probability of having ones improbability drive melt down into custard then I imagine?

You will always get my vote by quoting the classics!

An English team captained by the aforementioned Michael Howard perhaps?

Tricky to pull off. He is Welsh after all. I don’t blame you for not knowing as he speaks with RP anyway.

I suspect young Wilko will start for the Lions against Argentina in the match before the squad flies out.

*edit* Had yesterday off, snowed by work today. Normal service to resume tomorrow (need to lay into Wasps ahead of the final on Saturday)

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I suspect young Wilko will start for the Lions against Argentina in the match before the squad flies out.

Goodoh. A gentle starter against some of the more, um, vigorous chaps running around these days.

[Havak]

It does make sense on one level Finbar - if the Argentinians are too much for him you certainly don't then play him against the ABs.

I'd rather know for sure before the first test with the Kiwis.

[finbar]

Yes, I suppose it makes sense to give him a fitness test. But if he's in 127 pieces, does that mean he needs 127 tickets for the flight to New Zealand?

[Havak]

It probably does - and I suspect they would still buy them for him.

[finbar]

So, Havak, are you learning Argentinian or Italian in order to converse with your new prop? Or, should Argentinian and Italian defeat you, if you were to issue a primeval grunt, would he recognise you as an old front rower?

[Havak]

Heck of an ambitious signing isn't it? An over the hill Italian Argentinian who failed to make an impact at Brive. I hope Pat Howard knows something we don't.

As for your question - the grunt is the only option open to me.

[finbar]

Interesting list on the BBC website. J****'s six best career efforts. I saw the last three. I wouldn't dispute any of them. I imagine the first three are equally worthy of inclusion.

[Havak]

I've seen them all though to be honest my recall of the 1993 game is not mainly of Jonno - though I did notice the fresh faced youngster.

Durban was an amazing game that marked his potential as a skipper as well as a player. The Boks were a far more potent force back then. He only started skippering Tigers a few months before that Lions series and was untested as a captain at that level.

The game against Stade was remarkable in that he was yellow carded early in the second half when the touch judge called a push in the chest as a face punch! Whilst he was off Stade took the lead and took control. He came back on, spoke to the huddle and Tigers took back control. Just like that. It was I think one of the most remarkable club games I saw from him.

The standout game on that list should be the RWC final I suppose - but for me Wellington sticks in the memory. I think it hurt the NZ national consciouisness to be effectively held out on the line for ten minutes by six men?

What was that quote?

Q: "What was going through your head?"
A: "My Spine."



The lad has earnt his place in the games history - he will figure in all time XVs for a while I think.

[finbar]

The Wellington match takes the cake by a mile as far as I'm concerned. Of the ones I saw, of course. I'd find it hard to imagine any of the others I haven't seen were any better. The Wellington effort is one of the fundamental differences between that England team and this one. This one couldn't do that in a million years. He's the reason why.

[Havak]

You know that I will not argue with you on that one.

I caught the end of the Tahs game at the bar (working lunch) and noticed Crusaders have pipped them to top seeding.

*edit* check out his quotes on the BBC sport pages - straight talking to the end.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I caught the end of the Tahs game at the bar (working lunch) and noticed Crusaders have pipped them to top seeding.

Yes, and it's the Waratahs' own fault. They took penalty goals in the second half when they should have exploited their lineout and pushed for tries. The Blues' lineout was a joke for most of the night. They could have lost tonight and still held second spot. They needed the bonus point. It now means the Crusaders will host the final if they both win through. A big, big advantage.

*edit* check out his quotes on the BBC sport pages - straight talking to the end.

Yes. Impressive chap.

[finbar]

Oh well. Fate - and a better team on the day - conspired against J****.