Rugby - Laissez la balle, Bleus!

[LDiCesare]

hooker (...) is a certifiable lunatic.

So what? Are they hookers who aren't? Errr... Just wait for a moment, I must check the number on my jersey.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by finbar

I've had my ultimate revenge on you. Yesterday, I tipped your S14 franchise to win on Friday.

There is the potential therein for one of us to look rather foolish.
The important thing here being that, in this single instance, the one, possibly, will not in fact be me.

I'm looking forward to the first week of Super 14 this weekend. I'll be hoping for a Blues win over the Crusaders of course.

[Havak]

And the glove is on the other foot at last - now S14 is the minor distraction as the majority of the worlds rugby fan base concentrates for eight weeks on the worlds oldest International tournament.

I saw a fascinating interview with Fabien Pelous last night on Total Rugby. He says France are up there with any side in the world "except New Zealand" and that they must strive to reach New Zealands level. What a canny lad - he is just setting the Kiwis up nicely for that inevitable ambush at the RWC (and just to cheer Ravagon up a young Pelous featured in the 99 semi).

For my part if England can beat 'Repechage 2' in pool A then at least we are making progress.

So what? Are they hookers who aren't? Errr... Just wait for a moment, I must check the number on my jersey.

A good point. All Hookers must be slightly mad. Except yourself of course.

[LDiCesare]

Pelous has nothing better to do than talking for the moment anyway, considering he's been injured for quite a while. He's supposed to get back in the team sometime during the tournament.
Anyway, France should be very careful in the RWC as we'll have to beat both Ireland and Argentina once again, and both matches will be really hard.

[Havak]

But did you spot that a Kiwi clearly made the draw for the pools? NZ will find it very hard to win their group I am sure.

And the Woreld Cup is in France right? So why do Wales have two pool games in Cardiff and Scotland have two pool games in Edingburgh whereas all of ireland and England's games are in France.

The Wallabies pool game against Wales in the France 2007 World Cup is being staged...in Cardiff?

I understand Pelous is out the first two games at least?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
So why do Wales have two pool games in Cardiff and Scotland have two pool games in Edingburgh whereas all of ... England's games are in France.

Because Poms like to travel. Ask any Spaniard.

[LDiCesare]

I think Pelous is out for 2 matches, maybe 3.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak

The Wallabies pool game against Wales in the France 2007 World Cup is being staged...in Cardiff?

Extremely fair really. Ask any Welshman.

[Havak]

I'd rather ask an Australian. I can understand Welsh optimism about reaching the QFs now.

Irelands games are all in France too - but then they are notorious travellers too.

I also suspect that the All Blacks are not too worried that they have to travel to Edingburgh for their pool game with Scotland.

[finbar]

And the glove is on the other foot at last - now S14 is the minor distraction as the majority of the worlds rugby fan base concentrates for eight weeks on the worlds oldest International tournament.

Except in this household. All I can watch is S14. The Crusaders and Blues kicked off the comp this morning with a basketball game.

I'd rather ask an Australian.

Sorry, I don't know any.

[finbar]

See, ravagon? I have power over you. Misbehave, and I tip the Western Farce. Jeez, they were dreadful. Woeful. Back to the worst of last year. Now behave yourself. Or I tip them again next week.

Interesting to see Australia let England beat them today. Guess who they want to play in the finals?

[Havak]

Funny you should say that... it was my exact thought too.

Blues beat Crusaders eh? Will it make any difference? By that I mean S14 can only realistically be won by three sides can't it? Crusaders, Blues or Brumbies?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
Funny you should say that... it was my exact thought too.

Blues beat Crusaders eh? Will it make any difference? By that I mean S14 can only realistically be won by three sides can't it? Crusaders, Blues or Brumbies?

Nah, I reckon the Hurricanse would have a chance too.

Nice to see such a good game by the Blues to start the season. Of course, we couldn't have Flavell go a whole game without getting sent off though could we.

[LDiCesare]

Rugby weekend for me but it didn't start well. Ever played a match where your fullback gets countered and the opponents score a try, then said fullback places himself badly and can't catch a ball and we end up taking 4 tries because neiter he nor the wingers managed to handle the opponent's kicks? Grrr... After the match, a flanker of the other team told us we should have played more with the forwards. Sure, but I wasn't the one making the choices. We really lacked our usual fullback and some expreienced wingers on this match

[LDiCesare]

France 39 - 3 Italy.
France started well, Italy was dangerous too but the French defense held and the French pack was stronger, leading to a penalty after a very nice demonstration of propping by Milloud. The Italian tighthead collapsed three times and was penalised on the fourth scrum. Really nice scrums here. Then the Italians got countered and the French scored a try. Afterwards, more of the same: Better organised, the French pack pressed on, leading to two tries by Chabal. Italians tried to counterstrike but couldn't do much, while the French backs became really dangerous. Nice win, but it's hard to know whether the French were really good, with a very strong defense, or whether the Italians were a bit weak, with weaknesses in scrums, and backs who were unable to penetrate the defense.
Btw, finbar, if you want to see the matches, they'll be available on the web there: http://www.francetvod.fr/site-vod/to...des-6-nations/