Rugby - Tours Tours Everywhere!

[Andydog]

Toeava can be devastating in open space, probably more so than Mils these days. He is also versatile, and has been shunted from pillar to post in a poor Auckland side. I think this has hurt him somewhat - he seems to be a confidence player that needs to settle comfortably into one position. I think FB is the best place for him, and I'd have him there over Jane. Toeava also has a great boot on him, quite a handy asset for a FB.

[finbar]

Mmmmmm. I've seen quite a bit of him over the years. His handling has always been erratic. A lot of talent, though. I'm not convinced by Jane either.

[Andydog]

So'oialo's handling can also be erratic. Other times its sublime. Pressure can do funny things to a bloke.

I'm not convinced about Jane either. He has potential, displayed good form in the Super14 and the NPC.

[finbar]

Jane tends to look for the flashy, attacking option before he's actually got the defensive side of things locked down.

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Typical entertaining Trans-Tasman scrap in less than ideal conditions. Tactically dumb first half from the ABs. I still have no idea what their game plan was. If they had one. Certainly the Wallabies started well but it was made easier for them. How many times was Cowan going to take the restart and kick it straight down the throat of Drew Mitchell to counter-attack? Pity the Wallabies were also commiting penalty suicide. Much better AB second half, especially after the Cowan-Donald-Carter combo was given the rest it deserved. They finally found some structure and the Wallabies lost theirs. Even if the final pass to McCaw was forward, not the only miss by the ref on a poor day for him. I don't blame Stirling Mortlock for his frustration. And my apologies to Mr Toeava. He had a fine game.

Last night I had to sit through Cardiff-v-Bath B instead of Leicester-v-Sale D. Who on earth were some of those names Sale fielded? Did they empty out the local pub? And how on earth did Leicester struggle for so long? At least Loffreda took them to an EDF final

[Havak]

And a Premiership final.

Tigers seem to be heading into a rut. I'm starting to worry about the decision making and execution of the pack let alone the whole side. Maybe Meyer will sort it out.

[finbar]

I forgot about the Premiership final. How could I have? I'm sure Loffreda hasn't. Nor the Leicester board.

I think it's a case of old dogs having to master new tricks. Possibly complicated by the fact that the mentor might not be altogether au fait with the new tricks himself.

[finbar]

So Gavin Hastings reckons this All Blacks tour can't be considered a real Grand Slam tour because they're only playing one midweek game. Fair suck, Gav. Look at the contempt with which a lot of clubs treat the EDF Cup. How many club B and C teams would the All Blacks face in midweek games? And to what point?

[Havak]

Quite. Surely it's actually not a Grand Slam tour because they are not undefeated this season? Henry won't be talking 'Grand Slams' until the final test as he knows how the game is played - disrepect the Celts before you trounce them and you make enemies for life.

Any anyway surely Scotland, Ireland and Wales will all beat the ABs before England lose to them?

Did I see Andydog saying they are due to play Munster? That will be worth watching. Although the first team will mainly be missing (on both sides) because of their Ireland Test duty.

I find the England squad speculation on the BBC website quite baffling. Apparently Croft may 'oust' Haskell for the Islanders game. What is bizarre here is that Croft is in the form of his life and Haskell, um, is not. In addition Haskell is currently showing a rather suspect temperament. No one who has seen both in action this season would currently select Haskell ahead of Corft - and yet the beeb suggest Haskell is favourite for the three tri nations tests?

I'll judge Jonno harshly if he picks the Wasp ahead of Crofty for any reason bar injury to the latter.

[finbar]

They play Munster on November 18 in Limerick, 3 days after Ireland, 4 days before Wales. Definitely the ABs B team. Munster might be perverse enough to field a strong team.

I thought a Grand Slam tour applied only to the competition on the tour - which is to say, in the case of SH teams, beating all four Home Nations on one tour. Last achieved by a SH team in 1984 if I'm not mistaken. Wales, of course, achieved the NH version fairly recently but we won't count that.

There is so much bilge being written about England selection in general and Haskell-v-Croft in particular. Obviously Croft has to start. Accordingly to the supposedly leaked team published by one of the English papers, Croft starts. But then so does Nick Easter. Win some, lose some.

[Havak]

A Grand Slam does only apply to the tour in question unless you are an Englishman wanting to remind the Kiwis that they haven't gone a full season undefeated.

What a backrow - dynamic blindside, big lumbering bull of a number 8. I would have thought the Islanders game is where they would test a fast back row of, say Rees, Crane and Croft? Mixing and matching between pace and bulk is sadly reminiscent of the former management?

Rees isn't in good form either (no one from Wasps truly is right now) so I am a bit suprised that he and Lipman are the options at 7 as I thought the lad from irish (the other Armitage) might figure. Or even that Moody might go straight back in now he is (just) fit again.

I'm guessing Flutey from Wasps is being capped simply to lock another kiwi journeyman into England colours? Wasps fan rave about him but did he ever have the class to be an All Black I wonder?

Oh and the young hooker who may feature, Hartley, is another Kiwi. He used to have a very suspect temperament indeed but has worked hard on it the last two seasons. Never the less these test matches will show how far he has come as all four sides know how to push buttons.

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Originally posted by Havak
Oh and the young hooker who may feature, Hartley, is another Kiwi. He used to have a very suspect temperament indeed but has worked hard on it the last two seasons.

Recent evidence is to the contrary. He remains a lunatic.

The problem with any backrower playing against the PIs is that any of them are likely to be beheaded.

[Havak]

In which case I am all for starting Haskell and Easter.

Hartley is honestly better than he used to be - when I first saw him at Welford Road (4 seasons ago now) they had to sub him off just after half time because he lost all semblance of self control. His current shenanigans are mild by those old standards.

All hookers have a touch of the lunatic of course.

[LDiCesare]

All hookers have a touch of the lunatic of course.

How dare you say so? I'll make you pay for this nonsense when I get out of the asylum.

[finbar]

In the meantime, while you're in there, give us your thoughts on the French selections.