Rugby - Hands Off Black!

[Havak]

Sebastian Chabal. He should be wearing the French number 8 shirt full time. Has a tendency to go OTT and get banned however (you saw him in his first game back after onesuch!).

You see there is some justice in the world - the perennial runner ups who stole the title from three different sides are finally dumped out on their a****. Oh how I laughed as Dayglo used the word "champions" about fifty times in his post match interview. You haven't been true Champions since 1997 Larry!

Big reckless Wendell finally makes one mistake too many too?

I am surpised at your reading of the semis Finbar - I thought we closed London Irish down extremely well whereas Sale were very patchy against Wasps.

That said I stick by my principles - Sale topped the league so they have won it for me. I shall not bother with the final at HQ.

[finbar]

Yes, you probably did shut down Irish very well. It's just that it was the first time I'd seen Irish for the season and they looked out of their depth. I gather they've been playing expansive, attacking rugby and succeeding. Goodoh. But you've got to get the ball first, and every time M. Catt got his mitts on it, he kicked it away. Maybe it was a case of you making them look ordinary.

I thought Wasps were pretty crap and Sale should have won comfortably. I haven't seen a more powerful performance than Chabal's for a long time. I especially liked it, of course, when he picked up The Nose like a twig and tossed him away. Their flanker, who I think has been picked for the Oz tour, can play a bit, too.

[Havak]

Our forwards got thoroughly on top very quickly and Catty was having to play deeper and deeper. His kicking game then did play right into our hands.

Magnus Lund the young Sale openside? Yes he is a very good prospect indeed - I hope he makes a good showing in Oz - big, tall, fast and a muddy grubber to boot.

I think I praised Chabal to the french lads right back at the start of the season - a very good signing for Sale.

[Havak]

Words fail me on the latest flood of wisdom from Andy Robinson this morning - so much so that I would urge you to search for them yourselves.

It would seem we lost games not because he cannot coach his way out of a paper bag but rather because the 'evil' English club sides actually played their own players in the fallow weekends.

He also says the RFU review proved he is the right man for the job - so being demoted and having your entire staff sacked around you is a positive thing? The man has a serious IQ deficiency.

Oh and England are adding a fourth test to the autumn - against NZ no less. The only problem is the clubs are unlikely to release players for it (it is not part of the current agreement)!

[finbar]

Utterly delusional stuff. Still, he's not to blame. He's just a goose. It's those who (a) employed him; and (b) re-employed him.

[Havak]

But you have to remember Finbar that when England win it is entirely down to the genius of RFU management and coaching. When they lose it is entirely down to the selfishness of the clubs.

Such is the black and white world of the RFU.

I therefore now honestly think that Baron cannot actually see how deficient Robinson is.

I used to think he was just being stubborn and refusing to admit they made a mistake in appointing the turnip but even stubborness should not produce the sheer level of denial we see from Twickers these days.

Giteau probably out of both tests then? I see knuckles launched the mind games yesterday by praising England's strength in depth (after all that doesn't matter if you pick the wrong players in the wrong positions - a turnip speciality).

Oh and Lee Meers is making the trip after all - so for once the Wallabies will have at least one better front row player than England (regardless of what hooker knuckles picks). Until Chuter replaces him off the bench any way.

[LDiCesare]

A word about Chabal: He's always been very impressive when he played in France at Bourgoin, and probably manages the same level of play in England now, but for some reason didn't manage to play good games in the French team. I think he lacks wind to play the full game at international level, playing well for one half time at most. I don't know what didn't click for him under the blue jersey, but something didn't work. I think Lievremont (Biarritz captain) is our best number 8, though it's not sure whether he can last till the world cup. He's not the same style of play as Chabal, but he's solid and you can really trust him to hold your pack (I can't seem to find words to say what I mean here - trustworthy, solid lad with strong defensive and mauling skills).

[finbar]

You're describing your own rugby persona there, are you? You're most certainly not describing Havak's in his playing days.

Oh, and Go The Paddys! If oi cain't be Italian, oill be Oirish!

He said, after reading the HC final scoreline. Had the rugby boot been on the other foot, I might have had to conjure up my cod grenouille accent. Maurice Chevalier, anyone?

[LDiCesare]

I can't really describe my own playing style. I can't understand why I play hooker to begin with. The fact my skull seems to be harder than many may have something to do with it, though.
As for the HC, the Irish deserved the win. On the other hand, Biarritz played fiercely but lacked something. Or someone. Or, well, another winger. I mean the frist try wasn't valid: Bombo stpeed on the line. Of course, it should have been awarded because Bidabe's action was great, and noone in Bombo's place should have stepped on the line... Then we saw lots of pick-and-go's from the Irish and they scored a try. Later on, a simple scrum near the BO line and Bombo decided not to defend the small perimeter but leave his wing to defend wide. Stringer scored. You don't do that kind of stupid mistakes in front of a scrum half like this one. The Biarrots then tried to come back but didn't manage it.
Did I say I thought a certain winger should have played better in several occasions?

[finbar]

You. Hooker.

Havak. Tighthead. (Or, in my imagination, anyway)

Why is this thread inhabited by front rowers?

I wish I'd played the game. I didn't discover the game until I was well past playing age. I'm sure I'd've been a backline girlie. And happily so. Who wants cauliflower ears anyway? What do they qualify you for except jobs in IT?



Anyway. Good on the Paddies. I didn't see any of Biarritz during the HC series, but I did see Munster. They were mighty impressive.

Oh, and the Waratahs fell at the second last hurdle. Last year they fell at the last. Typically, they're going backwards.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Awesome. Here's hoping we get a Crusaders/Hurricanes final.

Bullseye!

A few of the crusaders ended up a little the worse for wear but it is indeed going to be an all-NZ final.

Why is this thread inhabited by front rowers?

I was a winger. Not only that I was halfway competent too!
Well, when it was dry enough for me to run properly without slipping and falling flat on my face.
So that was one time anyway ...

I'm sure I'd've been a backline girlie. And happily so. Who wants cauliflower ears anyway? What do they qualify you for except jobs in IT?

[Havak]

Caulifower ears qualify you for a Doctorate in advanced bitter drinking techniques.

What is it with backs and wanting dry paddocks to run on - methinks they dislike getting muddy jerseys?!

Well done Munster - I thought they might be destined to always be the bridesmaid but am happy they proved me wrong. Thats no disrespect to Bairritz, I simply think Munster were the better side on the day.


An all NZ S14 final eh? I think one has to plump for the underdog in that one - that being Hurricanes of course.

And the S14 final is played the same day as the Premiership final - plus the timings mean I get to see both.

Even better - in the spirit of hiding whenever things might go bad for Tigers I am going on my hols after today - and will drift back in the end of next week when you all might have forgotten how badly Sale stuff us this Saturday.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
An all NZ S14 final eh? I think one has to plump for the underdog in that one - that being Hurricanes of course.

Yeah, I'll be going for the 'canes. They've never won the Super 12/14 before, and they look good this year. Another Crusaders win would be just boooring.

I wonder how many other all-NZ finals we've had before. I seem to remember an all South Island final a few years ago.

[finbar]

If we're talking Super 12. Since its inception in 1996:

* 1996 Blues 45-21 Sharks May 25, 1996 at Auckland
* 1997 Blues 23-7 ACT Brumbies May 31, 1997 at Auckland
* 1998 Crusaders 20-13 Blues May 30, 1998 at Auckland
* 1999 Crusaders 24-19 Highlanders May 30, 1999 at Dunedin
* 2000 Crusaders 20-19 ACT Brumbies May 27, 2000 at Canberra
* 2001 ACT Brumbies 36-6 Sharks May 26, 2001 at Canberra
* 2002 Crusaders 31-13 ACT Brumbies May 25, 2002 at Christchurch
* 2003 Blues 21-17 Crusaders May 24, 2003 at Auckland
* 2004 ACT Brumbies 47-38 Crusaders May 22, 2004 at Canberra
* 2005 Crusaders 35-25 Waratahs May 28, 2005 at Christchurch

Three all Kiwi finals.

[Caligastia]

Very interesting...thanks for digging those up Finbar.