Rugby - Hands Off Green!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Park Avenue
at England

And in Wellington, too.

[kittenOFchaos]

So cruel, so cruel.

Think the TMO in Wellington had dark glasses and a white cane though and was just guessing decisions.

GB with 2 perfectly good tries disallowed

[finbar]

I'm ashamed to have even known about it.

[kittenOFchaos]

Well some good news, maybe England aren't THAT bad...

Poor Froggies:

France 3-47 New Zealand

At least England put 4 tries past the New Zealanders and that was there first team, not these 2nd stringers

[LDiCesare]

France played very badly, and here's my comment on the match:
We started with free kicks awarded against us in scrums, for reasons I didn't grasp. This led to the first NZ try, thanks to a defenseive blunder by Rougerie.
Then the captain got yellow-carded for a stupid and useless error. This ment the forwards played at 7 vs 8 for 10 minutes, effectively ruining our advantage, since we seemed slightly better in the forwards till then, and the late game showed that our pack was our only strength.
Our backs were pitiful in defense. We left ourselves open to counter attacks in a way that's utterly silly and that explains most of the score. The wingers weren't positioned correctly when receiving kicks, and the centers managed to leave open hole and didn't defend well, be it individually or collectively.
Even though I question the referee's management of the scrums (when the NZ loose prop collapses the scrum, the ref goes on the other side of the crum to see what's happening???), the French did too many mistakes. Conceding free kicks and penalties in the beginning of the match, having a silly captain, and unable to attack with their backs.
It's quite annoying for Laporte I believe. Even considering that most of the tries were due to the French trying to score a try and opening themselves to counter strikes, there are blatant problems:
1) Pelous isn't worthy of his jerey and his captainship. One doesn't commit silly fouls like dragging an opponent down in lineout the way he did. He effectively killed our pack.
2) The backs aren't up to the task. Getting rid of Rougerie would probably be a good idea (I personnalyy prefer Heymans a lot). Checking for some centers other than from Toulouse could alo be a good idea, if only for trying someone other than Fritz or Marty, who were less than stellar in defense.
The only thing of comfort for me this evening is that there were some pretty girls to look at in the pub where I watched the match.

[finbar]

Mmmm. My first thought when I heard the French result was that you, LdiC, might have been playing hooker for them after all.

And shame on you for even noticing fillettes when France are playing! As bad as Havak even noticing the jar in his hand when England are playing. Though, yesterday, the jar was probably all he saw. The bottom of it, anyway.

[finbar]

Originally posted by kittenOFchaos
Well some good news, maybe England aren't THAT bad...

Yes they are.

[kittenOFchaos]

Originally posted by finbar


Yes they are.

[finbar]

I didn't bother pointing out that A. Robinson:

(1) Saw some hope in the performance; and
(2) Has no intention of resigning.

I thought I might leave that little job to Havak.

[kittenOFchaos]

Originally posted by finbar
I didn't bother pointing out that A. Robinson:

(1) Saw some hope in the performance; and
(2) Has no intention of resigning.

I thought I might leave that little job to Havak.

The sooner Martin Johnson gets the job, the better.

[finbar]

That will make Havak's day. The small matter of a loss to Saracens today ensures it.

[ravagon]

Well, on the bright side for the rugby world it looks as though both the Italians and the Argies put together good performances that may bode well for their WC preparation. Irish put in a capable show against the Boks too.
I guess the Frenchies just had another one of their infamous matches where they simply didn't show up. Then the next game they'll put together a blinder. One never knows which French side one will be facing. I doubt it'll mean much in Paris next week though.

Wellington?


[Edit :

But if you are asking me to take Nonu’s word over Noons you are asking the impossible – Nonu was clearly not telling the truth (his lips were moving and he wore a black shirt!)

You are, of course, full of it, as usual, but that is amusing all the same ... ]

[Havak]

Cracking jokes is about all I have left.

Let me start with the good – Andy Robinson meets Rob Andrew and Francis Barron at the RFU later this morning – a meeting at which he will be sacked.

I’ve been treated to some bad performances over the last three years but nothing like this game – the worst day at the office ever. The scoreline is artificial as both tries were due to individual skill and do not reflect the actual performance level of the team. Just bad full stop.

But not as bad as the junior code who lost to a country that can hardly find 13 players prepared to ditch the real code for tag rugby.

I could mention Tigers too – who had to take the field minus ten players on international duty. They faced a side who had no players on international duty. We cannot continue punishing the clubs that devlop internationals and rewarding the bought in squads like Saracens. So yes not my best weekend.

I could say a lot more about Mr Robinsons reaction to the game but KoC put it well enough – the man has a very large disconnect with reality. I won’t make the man seem worthy of discussion by listing all the reasons he should be sacked here.

I also did not see France-NZ though to say I was a little surprised at the result is like saying I am moderately fond of a beer every once in a while.

World Rugby is in an interesting state – England and France imploding and no one looking capable of stopping the NZ bulldozer. The only team to beat them this year looked like a second division side against Ireland. Bizarre. Of course France and the Boks are both capable of coming out and playing far better in their next games – not so poor England.

Poor selection, mismanagement, lack of development – quite a legacy turnip is leaving his successor.

I hope the gods are kind and that Jonno can be tempted to take some role (any role will do) with England now.

[Havak]

Okay, sorry, I can't resist giving you some post match quotes from Robinson after all:

This is a good England team and it will come through - I've got every confidence of that

There were some individual plus points with Tom Palmer and Toby Flood coming off the bench.

"Paul Sackey's try was brilliant and we showed a dangerous rhythm every now and again.

Palmer gave away a penalty as soon as he came on, Flood (whilst I do not blame him too much) tried to force the game and gave away an interception.

We can turn things around in the next two weeks with two very good performances against South Africa

Even two wins would not disguise the underlying malaise.

Okay I have cherry picked from what he said - but it does high light a desperate man spouting nonsense I think?

[finbar]

Look on the bright side. Apparently the Wallabies almost succumbed to Italy.