Rugby - Hands Off Green!

[finbar]

No doubt. Eddie's been very happy to offer his opinion on the Wallaby goings on.

Now. The stupid woman from whom we bought our place and Telecom Italia have conspired to stop us getting a phone connection before August 28! So, as of tonight, after we've moved, my internet access is going to be limited to trips to the local library to use their internet service. On the basis that (a) they have only stupid W****** computers; and (b) the W****** software is all in Italian, I don't like my chances. Thus, on that basis, please keep this thread alive in my absences!

Oh, and did I see that J****'s brother nicked off somewhere else?

[Havak]

Yes Finbar Will Johnson has gone to Coventry as their skipper. Tigers offered him anew deal but he was frustrated at his lack of game time so chose to move on.

A great club man - I wish him all the best.

Good luck with the phone.

[Havak]

Well how typical of Finbar to be offline when the press saying it is either Clive Woodward or Rob Andrew who will be the new RFU Director of Rugby.

Rob Andrew is an interesting man - he talks up his own team massively and criticises everone and everything else without mercy. Tigers have handed his Newcastle side some real thumpings over the last decade and I fondly recall two season ago him accusing us of all sorts of things when he put over 80 points on his side in a Premiership game.

The guy would be a disaster I fear - Clive has his faults but he is at least and effective and proven organiser.

[Havak]

Aaron Mauger has expressed an interest in playing in England after the world cup - Tigers specifically named by his agent as having shown interest.

He will only be 26 even then - a bit ealry for a pension move?

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak

Rob Andrew is an interesting man - he talks up his own team massively and criticises everone and everything else without mercy.

As Englands director of elite rugby?
Sounds a bit over-qualified to me.

Hadn't heard about Mauger. That'd be a loss to NZ although I can see his point of view - with the current abundance of talent it may be in his better interest to go somewhere where he'll get a game a bit more often.
Of course it could just be public speculation aimed at getting to play a bit more often while remaining where he is too ...

[Havak]

Could well be.

Though I actually thought that Centre - as with both front rows and locks - is not an area where NZ has limitless replacements available??

Were I Kiwi I would be concerned at how easy it is for a) Players to play the Union for more money with fake threats and b) how very easy it is for NH clubs to take away players they want in any case. Maybe that is just me though?

In his own mind Rob Andrew probably thinks he is vastly over qualified. You might find that he will irritate SH types even more than Woody did. He is far less controlled in what he says!!

[Solly]

Going to be interesting to see the derby at Wakefield goes ahead tonight. It's been tipping it down all morning in Yorkshire. A fixture backlog is the last thing they need.

1 St Helens P24 Pt 42
2 Hull P24 Pt 36
3 Rhinos P24 Pt 32
4 Bulls P24 Pt 30
5 City Reds P24 Pt 24
6 Wolves P24 Pt 22
7 Harlequins P24 Pt 19
8 Giants P24 Pt 18
9 Tigers P24 Pt 17
10 Warriors P24 Pt 16*
11 Wildcats P24 Pt 16
12 Dragons P24 Pt 14

[LDiCesare]

I saw Rob Andrew got named uber-director of something rugby of England. But, what will he exactly be doing? Checking that Robinson selects the bad players?

[Havak]

Super League. There is the definitive Oxymoron for you. All those names ripped from the senior code too.

Rob Andrew will be overseeing all aspects of England rugby – he has a say on selection for the first XV but not a casting vote.

In reality he is going to undermine Robinson from above – but that is no bad thing in my opinion.

I look forward to Finbar’s return and his take on the cricket debacle that hit us last weekend as an Aussie umpire and a stubborn coach went head to head in a battle of wills.

*edit* Well blow me - Woolmer is English. The way he behaved in this incident I would have sworn he was Aussie!

[Havak]

Interesting piece with Mehrtens on the BBC site - seems he is secretly hoping that Carter and McAlister both break their legs before the autumn tour. I guess once you have been at that level it is hard to let go.

Anyway with the distraction of the "NZ beating all comers (and getting over confident)" sideshow they run down in the SH the real rugby season starts again next week. Bring it on.

[Solly]

BBC 2:15pm tomorrow, proper rugby played by sportsmen.

[Havak]

Keep banging that drum PA - your code needs to drum up some support after all.

[ravagon]

How odd. I can't find any mention of anything resembling real rugby starting up next week?
There's just that quaint little NH season thingummywhatsit - the half-time comedy act of the rugby world ...

Down here there's a feeling that Sir Henry may've gone a wee bit far in his player rotation shenanigans. In the AB's last 3N game he's swapping out 10 players. This could cost us a clean sweep, the chance at which doesn't really come around too often.

[Havak]

Actually the half time comedy act is the RFU itself (witness Rob Andrew's appointment), the actual rugby is quite entertaining.

A slam is always worth putting on the trophy shelf - and it's nice to see the ABs really stamping their mark on world rugby. I'd honestly like to see them build huge momentum ahead of the RWC next year (because it will make it all the funnier when Australia or France knock them out again). And yes I know almost anyone England draw will knock them out too - that is inevitable as long as Robinson is there.

Seriously though this has to be the best Slam chance in a long time? Australia in the early stages of rebuilding and the Boks at a real low eb.

Did you note that Sailor who two months ago said he would not appeal his ban is actually now doing so?

[finbar]

Here I am. Briefly! Telecom Italia are s*rewing us around. No phone yet so no internet! Haven't had a chance to catch up on the - um - intelligent banter in the thread. On the upside, we've moved, the place is t'riffic, the neighbours are excellent, and the weather's beaut. And I get Sky Italy installed next week! In time for the autumn tests.



Back soon. Hopefully!