Rugby World Cup 2007 - Twiddling Our Thumbs!

[Havak]

Nice to hear from you again Ravagon.

Rotorua? Sounds like a West Country description of a helicopter. It’s the NZ equivalent of the Forest of Dean I take it?

As you know, promoting the vigorous health of English rugby is our #1 priority.

Glad to hear it Caligastia – keep up the good work.

Credit where it is due – Mauger must be the best IC in the world right now so I am delighted he is joining Tigers. It can only help improve our English youngsters in the squad too.

Sorry to hear your illusions have been shattered. I swear he's the only one.

Apart from Graham Henry and Steve Hansen perhaps?

Not sure that we actually had much of a choice. We certainly didn't have too much of a say in planning the composition of the French team.

Guilt split equally three ways – the NH sides did not want to tour this summer, the SH host nations wouldn’t release them from the commitment and the IRB insisted the fixtures took place. That’s why you got Tom, Dick and Harry tours – the IRB might be able to make sides fulfil fixtures but they can do squat about what players get selected.

I'm surprised that you didn't appreciate the way the article ended however.

I actually missed the reference to the old folks home.

They probably were the only names he knew – but did you note for example how he did not mention Wilko (whose age does not suit the point he was trying to make).

As a point of order I must point out that Kevin Yates is not a big name. By including him in the article it does suggest that the guy knows very little about English rugby.

Okay for the sake of balance I had better search for an Eddie Butler article where he is laying into the SH sides…

[Havak]

Well what an unusual occurence - an Aussie coach and it's Union b******* and moaning about an understrength visiting side.

Loved the ridiculous story about them trying to get a third AB game instead of the Bok game. There was never any possibility of so doing (unless they want to permanently end the tri-nations and send the Boks to join the NH tournaments!)

Typical sabre rattling nonsense - and again let me stress how the NH sides did not complain last autumn when an understrength Wallaby side toured.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak

Rotorua? Sounds like a West Country description of a helicopter. It’s the NZ equivalent of the Forest of Dean I take it?

The NZ equivalent of Yellowstone National Park would be closer to the mark. Rather instead of a park it's a small region centred on a sizable town.
Actually very pleasant in it's own right, if one can get over the ever present tang of hydrogen sulfide in the air.

Which is to say that one can't really ...

Guilt split equally three ways – the NH sides did not want to tour this summer, the SH host nations wouldn’t release them from the commitment and the IRB insisted the fixtures took place. That’s why you got Tom, Dick and Harry tours – the IRB might be able to make sides fulfil fixtures but they can do squat about what players get selected.

The Boks too are planning on sending a very understrength side overseas for their away 3N games. Both the Aus and NZ RU's are kicking up a fuss about it, ignoring the obvious chance to give their own 1st string players a rest.
Bunch of whingers. "When in doubt - complain". "When still in doubt - complain louder!"

[finbar]

Australian L***** star Craig Gower is off to play rugby in France - having never, to my knowledge, played the game - with a view to playing for Italy because some distant relative once slipped in a puddle of olive oil.

Very good L***** player, apparently. I wouldn't know. Never seen him play because I never watched the game. His problem is booze. Sober, apparently a fine individual. P*ssed, uncontrollable. The last I read about him he was a guest at a charity golf day. Got p*ssed, abused all and sundry, groped his ex-coach's teenage daughter, put a table knife to the throat of her brother when he intervened, took off in a golf cart and crashed it into a bunker.

Frankly, Italian rugby has enough problems without him.

[Havak]

He sounds a real charmer.

At least I am a happy drunk.

[LDiCesare]

Next year, the French team touring in the SH will, like this year, be without the semifinalists of our local championship. I'm no longer trying to understand why, though the World Cup ending late is supposed to be a problem. Whatever.

[Havak]

Pedantry by the IRB I suspect.

They have finally bowed to common sense and agreed not to force the NH sides to tour the summer before RWC 2011 but all tours up until then will take place because they say so

I don't blame Finbar for not biting about the Aussie whining on the understrength Bok squad - he must be quite fatalistic about Aussie double standards by now. Sure they can leave their first choice half backs and half the backline at home and the hosting nations aren't supposed to complain - but do it to them in return and you would think you had tried to cut their throats.

Be interesting if the under powered Bok side beat them wouldn't it? Would they then change tune and talk up the Boks?

[finbar]

A bite requires fresh bait, not stinky old burly.

[Andydog]

Hello chaps, glad to see your rugby thread is still as active as ever with your unrelenting attempts to bicker, poke and slap each other.

I was interested in your take on the SA controversy of sending a makeshift squad over to face Aussie and NZ. Aussie seems to be taking a hard line approach with threats to cancel the fixture and to replace it with a third Bledisloe test. NZ are taking a more cautious one, which isn’t surprising given that the Cartel did condition their top players during the early stages of the S14.

However the difference here is that SA gave assurances right up until late last week that they would send a full strength side, whereas the Cartel provided everyone with plenty of notice of their intentions for the start of the S14. And nobody seemed to mind too much - the supporters of the Sharks didn't care if their team faced the Crusaders without McCaw and Carter for example.

But to let the RWC dictate the team you select and send to compete in top level international competitions has very worrying implications for the game. Ultimately it’s the rugby fan that gets shafted, for without their passion, dedication and money, there would be no professional rugby.

[finbar]

All too true. Especially the bit about the Boks reneging on commitments made as recently as a week or so ago. The fundamental problem is the scheduling of tours so close to the World Cup.

[Havak]

I thought "Burly" described my physique rather than my attempted bait?

I think it is reasonable to say more thought needs to be given to the structure and schedule of International rugby in World Cup years.

[finbar]

I'd've thought beefy might do the trick on the other matter.

Goody. M. Tindall hopes to be fit for at least one of the World Cup lead-up matches. Toss in Nose and the average age for the team must be climbing into the early 60s.

[Havak]

Apparently Billy Beaumont has been asked to keep his boots clean...

[Andydog]

The New Zealand team to face the Wallabies on Saturday:

15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Mauger, 22 Nick Evans.

So the injured Sivivatu makes way for Rico Gear and Toeava's bruised shoulder allows Leon MacDonald in at full back. Henry opts for Lucky Luck over Aaron Mauger - should be interesting to see how he and Mils team up, always nice to have another combination in the centres. Also note that Oliver again starts at 2. This would suggest that Carter intends to target the scrum once again from the onset, and I'd imagine we'll see Mealamu coming on in the final 30-20 to smash through the tiring Aussie forwards.

The areas I see the Aussies targeting are our locks – Jack (back from maternity leave to replace the suspect Rawlinson) in with Flavell, and the centres - Mils is faster and very skilful, but Morty is a full timer in that position.

Should be a good game. The Aussies are talking themselves up for this one. NZ by 10.

[finbar]

Methinks the Wallabies would be happy not to be facing Sivivatu - Gear had lost the top end of his speed last time I saw him - and would rather face Toeava, who's still raw, than the more accomplished Muliaina. I've often wondered whether McAlister is genuine Test material or a great S14 player. We'll find out.

That back row looks absolutely terrifying just on paper. Imagine facing them.