Rugby World Cup: And the Winner is...

[Havak]

Is Deans a good coach? If so I fervently hope he doesn't get the job. I'd quite like to see the Wallabies repeat their run of form that did for Eddie Jones.

The AB coaching appointment is not a huge deal at the moment is it (only a new squad and 3N on the horizon) - though I admit it caught me by surprise. Only a two year deal though so the Union still has it's eye on a possible change before the "home banker" RWC in 2011.

One thing Henry must do is buy his skipper a book called "Tactics for tight situations" and the associated leaflet called "skippers must make the important calls (not wait for players to ask them to make that call)". It's easy to skipper a team on fire - great captaincy comes in adversity (e.g. Jonno, Wellington 2003). McCaw is not a great skipper at this stage IMO - but he has time yet to become one.

Would any coach survive NZ not winning next time incidentally?

[finbar]

Robbie Deans' record is the Crusaders' record. A mighty talented team over the years but his mentorship must have meant something.

There was a report this morning that one of G. Henry's offsiders would be in line to replace him after the two year deal, taking the ABs through to the next World Cup. That, I suspect, is what might sway Deans. If he's even interested in the Wallaby job. And if he gets it, there will be some noses seriously out of joint - those who have already interviewed for the job. It became blatantly obvious that the ARU was stalling, waiting for the NZRU decision. Thus the interview process could have been a bit of a sham.

I agree that R. McCaw has to shoulder much of the blame for the QF debacle. That's obviously how the NZRFU saw it too.

[Havak]

I'm not picking on Richie for no reason - in the press conference when they arrived back in NZ he was in full blown denial that he played any hand in the tactical failure in that QF.

To learn from mistakes you must acknowledge them first.

Wayne Smith or Steve Hanson? Hmm Smithy maybe, never been a big fan of the other ex-Welsh coach in the AB setup.

And Deans sounds like entirely the wrong man for the ARU - if they wait four months Andy Robinson might be available.

[Havak]

Mauger makes his debut for us tomorrow with Danny Hipkiss outside him. I'm looking forward to it.

[deity]

Originally posted by finbar
Ciao Deity! Yeah, we're still here. Bought a place, in fact. Kept the place in Sydney and still renting it out. Even with the recent demise of Wee Johnny, I have no desire to return. He drove me out, but he was only a symptom of the problems I have with the place. Italy, for all its faults, couldn't be more different in ways that I really appreciate. I just think I was born in the wrong hemisphere.

Haven't tried Civ 4. Someone told me it was in a different class to Civ 3, which I hated. Horse and I tried to play Civ 2 online from Korea but he was still having patch problems. I'm waiting for him to return to Oz and hopefully we will continue our Civ 2 games. Might even investigate Civ 4. I think it's available for Mac now.

Thanks for update finbar!

Two years is a lot to catch up on with Civ4, now in its 3rd iteration. But let us know if/when you decide to play. We can give you the low down.

Civ4 BTS is brilliant.

Glad you enjoying Italy! It fits your personality profile

All the same there is more a feeling of optimism and energy now that Rudd is our Prime Minister... so nice to see Howard lose his seat!

[finbar]

Eleven and a bit years too late.

Caught the last half of TTWSRN -v- Toulouse. The acronym team simply played the conditions better, I thought. Aided and abetted by some hideously inappropriate - for the conditions - play by the Toulouse back three that virtually gifted a try. Toulouse seem only to have one game. First time I've seen J. Crane in action. Looks to have a bright future. The young scrum half looks like a prospect, too. Experience will help his decision-making. A. Mauger looked rusty and quite a few gallops short in condition.

Next week in Toulouse could be a different proposition altogether.

Looks like R. Deans is now a cert for the Wallaby job. The cacophony of cracking you'll hear from the direction of the SH will be all the local coaching noses going seriously out of joint. Boofhead and self-indulgent so-called journalist and ex-Wallaby lock Peter Fitzsimons has gone into print stating that an Australian should coach the Wallabies regardless of whether he's the best available choice. Naive, head-up-ars*, jingoistic claptrap. Any wonder why I fled the place.

EDIT. Forgot to announce formally my disembarkation from the bandwagon of the team that was until this weekend my new favourite team. Losers.

[Havak]

But the sweet irony of their loss was the way they were chasing the win and gifted Rougerie the ball for that last ditch try (losing their bonus point). Sweet given they were far the better side in the second half (which is all I saw)

The Jingoistic card is an easy one for non-talented journos . It plays well to the great unwashed. I hope he has an impact and prevents Australia appointing what is clearly a very talented coach.

That scrummy was Ben Youngs, not to be confused with the young centre Tom Youngs who is out on England 7's duty right now. Both have the potential to make it to International status.

Mauger was carrying a calf injury by the looks of it - what I did like was his willingness to put his body in harms way for the side. That will endear him to the locker room at Welford Road.

Crane is hitting very good form - well deserved the MOTM award yesterday. He must feature in the Six nations. He will struggle to get past Haskell from Wasps - they are both good players but there is a perceived Wasps bias to selection under this Wasps skipper England currently have. According to me anyway.

[LDiCesare]

The match between Toulouse and Leicester reminded me why I dislike Poitrenaud (Toulouse full back). He's far too prone to blunders, giving away matches. Any coach would shout the head off of a player who releases the ball aphazardly the way he did.
Stade Francais - Cardiff was muddy. I was happy to watch it on tv considering how much rain fell today. It was almost refreshing to see professional players slip, fall and commit so many knock-ons.

[finbar]

Think you're being tough on your chaps, Havak. Toulouse probably looked better - or more attractive - all day but, ultimately, for nought. Your mob played the conditions better. Next week, of course, subject to the weather, could be different. Cardiff and Stade played in a swamp yesterday. Your lot will be praying for another one.

And, yes, it was nice to see some old-fashioned swamp rugby. Trouble is, even the mud couldn't disguise that appalling pink on the Stade jerseys.

[LDiCesare]

Mind you, it was their most beautiful one. This one was blue ( at the beginning of the match), but they have a muddy grey with pink spots that's even more horrible.

[finbar]

Their away strip? It's hideous. So much for French fashion sense. I exclude you from this blanket observation, LdiC, of course.

[Havak]

I did not think I was being particularly tough on my chaps. We were less 'pretty' but more 'effective' - I'll take that any day.

So Mr Henson has pushed the self destruct button again - he is due to appear before Magistrates on a charge of disorderly conduct after a train trip home following Ospreys away win over Quins.

[finbar]

You said they were the better side in the second half. They weren't.

I didn't know rugger chaps travelled to and fro by train anymore. I thought they did coaches. By which I mean buses.

[Havak]

They do - but Gavin chose to travel back with a group of 'friends' on the train.

I bet he regrets that now!?

You didn't think Wasps were the better side in the second half? I got confused between Wasps and Tigers games...

[finbar]

Now I'm confused. I was talking about Toulouse.

Tomorrow should see the appointment of Robbie Deans to the Wallaby job. N. Farr-Jones is another one saying the job should be reserved for an Australian. Berk. Did I tell you that he hyphenated his name to make himself seem more posh?