Rugby - Tours Tours Everywhere!

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Actually they cut loose immediately after the Treviso try just after half time. Either it sparked them, or perhaps more likely, the Afrikaaner gave them a huge bollocking at half time.

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Jeez, JSD must have broken half a dozen mirrors at some point in his life. Pity. I'd've liked to have seen whether he could produce it at Test level.

[Andydog]

Did anyone catch the ANZC Final? Canterbury 7-6 Wellington.

It wasn't a particularly good game, granted the conditions were terrible, but there was poor passing, bad kicking, unforced errors left right and centre, and this is supposed to be the pinnacle of NZ's provincial game.

In the end it was Canterbury's scrum that won them the game. That and their trade mark demon defense. I felt sorry for Weepu, he looked gutted after the match. He showed his skills but struggled to run his backline, which is quite concerning really.

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No, I was out today. Missed it. Didn't miss Cardiff cleaning up Leicester, though. Interesting to see Cardiff doing pretty much what Treviso did too often last week - doing Leicester for sheer speed, punching big holes in their defence. Hopefully the Afrikaans coach will take more notice this week. Hopefully, also, it's the last we'll see of the Afrikaans #10. Hopefully, also, it's the last we'll see of some bizarre Leicester decision making close to their try line in the last five minutes of a match.

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And Toulouse rolled Stade, albeit minus Hernandez and with Beauxis forgetting how to kick. And Toulon continue to prove that there's more to rugby than money.

Some interesting selections in the All Blacks party, too. I thought lock Jason Eaton's time had passed, though he's a wee bit more than handy, but I wouldn't have thought Ross Filipo was really up to it. Their second row problems continue. Good to see Kieran Reid getting a chance to prove himself. Better player than Adam Thomson. Lauaki's disappearance from calculations was inevitable.

[LDiCesare]

You might be interested in reading these things I wrote:
It's part of a NES (never ending story) based on Civ IV fantasy mod Fall from Heaven 2. A NES is basically a kind of role playing game played on a forum where each player plays a civilization.
Someone decided that his civ would be playing rugby so I made these answers (my civ is Khazad, dwarves) concerning this fantasy rugby:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=7326391&postcount=347

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=7387365&postcount=660

[Andydog]

I also caught the Leicester Cardiff game. Wasn't impressed with Leicester at all. They fluffed their chances on attack, and were weak on defence. They seemed to dither about helplessly as Cardiff gradually increased the pressure throughout the game.

Yes some interesting AB selections, but mostly predictable. I wouldn't have included Andy Ellis - he is injured at the moment and hasn't displayed much form. The other discards were to be as expected - Lauaki, Wulf, Schwalger, Somerville. The newbies to watch are Scott Waldrom - probably the fastest loosie in NZ today, and Hosea Gear - a big quick meat axe of a winger.

Looking forward to this weekend's clash with the Aussies.

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Originally posted by LDiCesare
You might be interested in reading these things I wrote:
It's part of a NES (never ending story) based on Civ IV fantasy mod Fall from Heaven 2. A NES is basically a kind of role playing game played on a forum where each player plays a civilization.
Someone decided that his civ would be playing rugby so I made these answers (my civ is Khazad, dwarves) concerning this fantasy rugby:

Well, it's fiction, so that explains the Lesser Tigers making it to the final. But I particularly like the Lesser Tigers falling at the last hurdle!

Yes some interesting AB selections, but mostly predictable

I think there were better options than Corey Flynn, too.

[Andydog]

The only other serious contenders for the No. 2 jersey are Hika Elliot (Hawke's Bay), Dane Coles (Wellington). Coles is probably a year or two away from international level. Elliot on the other hand had a very good NPC for the Magpies. If the Cartel were debating between him and Flynn, I'd imagine that Flynn's experience and good performance during Saturday's final got him through.

"Lesser Tigers". Love it!

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I don't think Flynn was ever that good. Couldn't throw. Been out of top class rugby for eons. I'd've punted on Elliot.

And J**** has opted for Borthwick as skipper, meaning he's guaranteed a start. He's a journeyman at best. What a disappointing, conservative selection. Not a good start, J****.

[Andydog]

Originally posted by finbar
I don't think Flynn was ever that good. Couldn't throw. Been out of top class rugby for eons. I'd've punted on Elliot.

Just saw this: Super 14 form a must for the ABs: Henry

Other names thrown at Henry yesterday included Wellington halfback Alby Mathewson and Hawke's Bay trio Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford and Hikawera Elliott – all players who had only limited experience at Super 14 level.

"They played exceptionally well most of the time for Hawke's Bay which is great, but we're really looking forward to seeing them play at the next level," Henry said.

That explains the Flynn over Elliot selection. Flynn was never the first choice hooker, he will probably be play with the inexperienced props for the easy games, such as Munster and England.

The team to face Aussie on Saturday:
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Greg Somerville, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Ma'a Nonu, 22 Isaia Toeava.

I'm glad to see Carter back in at 12. We need to develop an alternative fly half, and Donald is an ideal Carter understudy. Makes sense to give him game time now in preparation for him having to assume the mantle.

And J**** has opted for Borthwick as skipper, meaning he's guaranteed a start. He's a journeyman at best. What a disappointing, conservative selection. Not a good start, J****.

But who else would you put in there? Phil Vickery wouldn't last a game against any of the SH sides. Rees looks pretty green to me. Croft perhaps?

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Yes, Carter to 12 is sensible. Given that Flynn is obviously a midweek player, why not pick youth for the experience? I mean, it's the third hooker's spot. Anyway, it's done and dusted.

And, yes, as I realised after I'd posted, there was probably no alternative to Borthwick. Damning in itself.

[Havak]

The least said about Borthwick the better. But I would struggle to name another experienced candidate.

Tigers were woeful against Cardiff - and that fly half is more limited than Mr Goode was. He is just a boot - and not a great one at that. I hope Meyer learns those lessons quickly Finbar.

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Yes indeed. Hougard is actually, relatively speaking, better than what he showed on the weekend. It looked like he was a complete stranger to the team and whatever tactics had been conceived. Whatever Andy Goode's deficiencies, he's a vastly more versatile player than Hougard and that's saying something. Beyond loyalty, it's hard to know why the coach brought him to Leicester.

What has always bothered me, and I think I've flagged it here before, is that Meyer's success at the Bulls was forward-oriented. He virtually had the Bok pack at his disposal. Hougard fitted into that environment, even if, ultimately, he finished up a bench player. Problem is, the Premiership has moved on from that brand of rugby. Leicester looked like they were being left behind last season, and this season is shaping no better.

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Mmmmmmm. Out: Mils Muliaina; In: Isaia Toeava at full back. Talented chap, Toeava, whose great failing has always been uncertain handling. Not sure that I'd want him at full back in my team.

An interesting selection on the Wallaby bench is David Pocock, a very young Bok-born openside from the Western Farce. Very very talented. That there are two opensides on the bench - Pocock and Waugh - is only an indication of the extent of the injuries that have beset the breakaway contenders. The starting blindside, Dean Mumm, is a second rower.